People buy 3D printers for all sorts of reasons.I recently saw someone cite their NERF dart blaster hobby as the catalyst for their printer purchase.The more I dug into the scene, the more I realized that 3D printing and NERF are a match made in heaven.
Here are some interesting projects for die-hards and beginners alike.NERF alcohol cannon One of the wildest projects I’ve ever seen The NERF alcohol cannon is one of the wildest 3D printing projects I’ve ever seen.The name alone is an eyebrow-raiser, and that’s before you’ve seen the explosive mechanism of action.
If nothing, it’s an interesting science experiment (and one that should be approached with caution).By using a piezoelectric igniter from a cheap electric lighter, a squirt of isopropyl alcohol, and some additional screws and bolts, you can launch foam darts across the room at great velocity.You’ll even get a satisfying “crack” sound when the alcohol vapor ignites.
If you like the concept, then you should take a look at the comments to see what variations other creators have come up with.LYNX 300FPS blaster A serious project for the blaster connoisseur NERF blasters are a lot of fun, but can they launch darts at 300 feet per second? The answer is no, so if you want that kind of performance, you’re going to have to make it yourself.One such dart example that packs some serious power is the LYNX 300FPS blaster.
This is a seriously involved build.The author recommends printing in ABS for improved strength (you’ll find some PLA casualties in the comments), and you’ll need additional components in the form of aluminum flat bars, acrylic tubes, sealing rings, and springs.Mini NERF Z A sidearm for your next NERF battle Not every NERF project needs to be involved or ridiculously powerful.
Take the Mini NERF Z, for example.This tiny print-in-place model lets you launch NERF darts, one-by-one, over relatively short distances.Its appeal lies in its simplicity, cheap material cost (at only 31g of PLA), and fast print time.
The author has already reworked the model to make it stronger than the one that appears in the video above.Some reviewers in the comments note that you can make it even more effective by adding an elastic band.Handheld NERF crossbow Just add an elastic band NERF already produces a range of bow dart blasters, including some blocky-looking -themed ones.
Now you can 3D print your own with the handheld NERF crossbow, a design that can be printed in PETG or PLA depending on what filament you have available.The model can be printed on a single plate and only requires an elastic band to work.The band you use will determine the power of your shot.
NERF blowgun Just add pipe Being proficient at firing a blaster or drawing a bow is one thing, but what about accurately landing a shot with a blowgun? Give the NERF blowgun a try and add another skill to your NERF arsenal.This model includes a mouthpiece, a clip for storing darts, and a tip to hold the loaded dart.These are attached to a standard M16 electrical conduit pipe, which you should be able to get at a hardware store (and cut to a size of your choosing).
Auto-resetting targets for practice Sharpen your skills outside of battle You can’t have a NERF battle every day, so why not work on your aim by printing some auto-resetting targets? There are a lot of these models on repositories like MakerWorld, perfect for when you’re sick of picking up empty cans and plastic cups.There are models that use counterweights like pennies that can be made from PLA, or PETG models designed to take a beating.If you’re using blasters that are more powerful than NERF’s standard fare, then be aware that hardier filament might be required.
Unique and experimental darts and tips Experiments in foam You can 3D print your own darts from TPU instead of buying them, but this might be an expensive way to go (and TPU is notoriously fiddly to print with).If you’re going to print your own darts, you might at least want to try a few experimental designs.One of the more interesting designs is the experimental spiral NERF dart (and the mini experimental NERF dart from the same creator).
These require 0% infill and give you the option to increase the number of top layers to weight the tip.Alternatively, for a fun twist on your existing darts, consider printing some whistling tips.Bambu Labs A1 mini 3D Printer Build Volume 180x180x180 Printing Speed 500mm/s The Bambu Lab A1 mini 3D printer is ready to go out of the box and can have you printing within 30 minutes.
Offering full-auto calibration, this compact 3D printer features a 180mm build volume and is compatible with the AMS Lite for multi-color printing.It also features built-in vibration and flow-rate calibration, which are typically features only found on more premium printers.$299 at Bambu Lab Expand Collapse Bambu Lab P2S Build Volume 256x256x256mm Printing Speed 600mm/s The Bambu Labs P2S 3D printer is ready to go out of the box and can have you printing within 15 minutes.
It features up to 20-color printing with the AMS unit, has an upgraded built-in camera for remote monitoring and time lapses, and has an enclosed body for printing even high-temperature filament.$549 at Bambu Lab $549 at bhphotovideo $550 at Micro Center Expand Collapse Bambu Lab AMS 2 Pro A multi-material system for Bambu Lab printers with active air vent 65°C filament drying, air-tight filament storage, a brushless servo feeding motor, Bambu's signature RFID filament sync, and compatibility with up to up 24-color/material printing by connecting more AMS 2 Pro units.$359 at Bambu Lab Expand Collapse If you enjoyed these NERF-adjacent 3D prints, then you might enjoy 3D printing some classic kids toys.
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