How a Maker 3D-Printed a Full Fallout-Style Laser Tag System

What if the laser tag blasters you loved at the arcade could roll off your own 3D printer? One maker just showed the whole community exactly how.

Sharing the build on Printables under the name Splated, the creator spent roughly a year turning trial and error into a working, arcade-style laser tag system dressed head to toe in a Fallout theme. The goal was ambitious: match the feel of the professional gear you rent at commercial venues, but make every piece printable at home. The starting point was an existing open laser pistol design, though nearly every part was reshaped or replaced to fit real electronics inside the shell.

What makes the project so approachable is how it blends two hobbies that are easier than ever to combine: 3D printing and simple electronics. A low-cost microcontroller runs the game logic, the firmware is open source, and the model is broken into smaller sections so ordinary desktop printers can handle it. Only a handful of parts need support material, which keeps both print time and clean-up down. That modular approach is a quiet lesson for beginners: big, intimidating builds become manageable once they are split into small, printable chunks you can tackle one at a time.

It is also a reminder of how far community sharing has pushed the hobby. Because the creator posted the files and firmware openly, anyone with a printer and a little patience can remix the design, swap in different themes, or simply learn from how the parts fit together. That culture of freely shared upgrades is exactly what makes 3D printing so beginner-friendly today.

If you want to try a prop build like this, the path is friendlier than it looks. Download the STL files from Printables, slice them for your machine, and print in PLA for display pieces or PETG for parts that will take a beating. Assemble the shells first so you understand how everything fits, then add the microcontroller, wiring, and the open-source software when you are ready to bring the blasters to life.

Try it on your printer. Projects like this are proof that a hobby printer can make more than trinkets — it can build interactive toys the whole family enjoys. If you are ready to start your own maker projects, explore beginner-friendly filament, tips, and gear over at Flarelab, and turn your next movie-night idea into something you can actually hold.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need electronics skills to print a project like this?

Not to start. You can print and assemble the shells first to learn the parts, then add a microcontroller and wiring once you are comfortable. The build is modular, so each stage stands on its own.

What filament works best for laser tag props?

PLA is the easiest for beginners and holds detail well for display pieces. If your props will get handled a lot, PETG adds toughness and a little heat resistance without being much harder to print.

Will I need a lot of support material?

This design was split into smaller parts specifically so most pieces print flat with little or no support. Slicing each part in its recommended orientation keeps clean-up quick.

Where do I get the files and code?

The maker shared the model on Printables and the firmware on GitHub, both free. Download the STL files, slice them for your printer, and flash the open-source software onto a compatible microcontroller.

Inspired by a community build shared on Printables and highlighted by Adafruit's #3DThursday. Original project by Splated. Read the source post. Rewritten and curated by Flarelab.

Originally published at flarelab.com.