Looking for a project to pass the time? Try 3D printing a NAS box

Have you gone stir crazy yet? If you need a break from gaming (as if!) and own a 3D printer, you can try printing out your own network attached storage (NAS) box. It's all thanks to design files recently made available by a modder and tinkerer who goes by 3Dwebe.

His design is not free—it runs $19.95 on MyMiniFactory—but I'd argue it's reasonably priced for what could be a fun and unique project to maintain sanity during these times.

"The first 100 percent 3D printable mini server/NAS chassis in its class that’s truly printable, has been printed, has been assembled, has been beta tested by an international team and even modified by others. Somewhat time consuming but simple to print and assemble. It is designed to maximize airflow, keeping the system components, disk drives and chassis cool," the description reads.

The MK735, as it's called, is designed to accommodate a mini-ITX motherboard. That means you won't be able to stuff a full-sized ATX or even a micro-ATX motherboard into the 3D printed chassis, so take that into consideration. However, it can fit an ATX power supply up to 170mm in length. Incidentally, 3Dwebe actually recommends against using a shorter SFX power supply, because the cables might not be long enough to reach the motherboard.

If you want to take this project on, check out the MK735 product description for a wealth of information.

Paul has been playing PC games and raking his knuckles on computer hardware since the Commodore 64. He does not have any tattoos, but thinks it would be cool to get one that reads LOAD"*",8,1. In his off time, he rides motorcycles and wrestles alligators (only one of those is true).