Nintendo Switch Dock Front Panel Retrofit

myminifactory

This mod replaces the factory switch dock's front panel with a shorter one. Its goal is to give the dock a different look and make docking easier, while also reducing the risk of scratching the screen when docking or undocking. One drawback of the original switch dock I've found is that if you place it on a bookshelf with little clearance, the dock's height plus the switch's height can cause problems. To avoid this, I had to tilt the dock and slide in the switch, which wasn't ideal. It made more sense to remove the front panel altogether. This mod doesn't require any modifications to the original dock but does need a complete disassembly and reassembly of it. It also doesn't change how the dock works. When your switch is docked, it will still output to TV, and you won't be able to turn on the built-in screen until you undock it. This isn't meant to be confused with a charging dock. Notes on Screw Posts Some people who've tried printing this mod have reported that the screw posts shear easily when printed on FDM machines because of how they're oriented, making them weaker under twisting force. To fix this, you can use a 1/16" drill bit to ensure the hole is the right size by hand-turning the drill bit in the hole and then threading the screw into it 1-2mm at a time until it's fully threaded. Another solution would be to enlarge the outer diameter of the screw post. You could also do both. Once the hole is threaded, there won't be any problems. It's just the initial threading that puts the most stress on it.