Imagine printing your own arcade-grade laser tag blasters at home—no factory, no special machines, just a spool of filament and a weekend of patience. That is exactly what one maker pulled off, and the project is a perfect window into what desktop 3D printing can really do.
A creator known as Splated recently shared a build called the RobCo AE7P, a full laser tag system styled after the video game Fallout. Rather than buying commercial equipment, they designed the blasters, printed the parts on a home 3D printer, and packed each one with electronics. The finished gear plays like the pro setups you would find at a commercial arcade, complete with custom game logic.
What makes this so encouraging for beginners is how far the hobby has come. A single desktop printer can now turn a digital design into a real, working object—one with moving parts and hollow space engineered to hold circuit boards. The project began with an open laser-pistol model and was reworked so nearly every piece could make room for the wiring inside.
You do not need to invent anything from scratch to try something similar. Download free files from a model site like Printables, open them in slicing software such as Cura or PrusaSlicer, and print each part in PLA or PETG. Most pieces are split so they lie flat on the bed and need only light support. From there you follow the maker's wiring guide and flash the open-source code onto a small microcontroller like a Raspberry Pi Pico.
There is a real lesson hiding in a project this ambitious: complex builds are just simple skills stacked together. Splated did not start as an electronics expert—the first version was rough, and it took roughly a year of trial and error to get a working prototype. Every failed print and reworked part taught something. That is genuinely good news for a beginner, because it means you improve by doing, not by waiting until you feel ready.
If you want to build up to something like this, start small and let each project teach you one new skill. Print a simple case first to dial in your printer, then try a model with a few moving parts, then one that houses a battery or a button. Before long, wiring a microcontroller and flashing open-source firmware feels routine instead of intimidating.
Ready to try a build like this on your own machine? Whether you are printing a full laser tag rig or your very first keychain, a well-tuned printer makes all the difference between a frustrating night and a clean, satisfying print. Explore beginner guides, filament comparisons, and starter projects over at Flarelab, and take your printer from "just unboxed" to "making cool stuff" faster.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need special skills to 3D print a laser tag blaster?
Not at first. If you can download a file, slice it, and press print, you can make the parts. Wiring the electronics takes a little patience, but the maker shares a full guide and open-source code to follow along.
What filament should I use for functional prints like this?
PLA is the easiest for beginners and prints crisp detail. If the parts will be handled roughly or left in a hot car, PETG holds up better to heat and impact while staying beginner-friendly.
How long does a project like this take to print?
It depends on your printer and how many blasters you build, but expect several hours per part and a full weekend for a complete set. Splitting the model into flat pieces keeps supports and print time down.
Can I print this on a cheap starter printer?
Yes. Most parts are designed to print flat with minimal supports, so a well-tuned budget printer handles them fine. Good bed adhesion and a fresh nozzle matter more than a pricey machine.
Originally spotted via Adafruit's #3DThursday feature. Original model shared by Splated on Printables. Story rewritten and expanded for beginners by Flarelab. Source.
Originally published at flarelab.com.
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