The Best 3D Printer for Nerf Guns | Best Picks + Buyers Guide
The best part about owning a 3D printer is how many different applications they have. Whether you just want some new miniatures or models to go on to your display. Or if you want some handy little plastic clips or hooks to help you store things. 3D printing opens up an entirely new world of possibilities and it can even lead you to make some awesome modifications to your toys. And yes, we’re talking about modding your Nerf guns. Which is something you can do very easily with the power of 3D printing. So let’s jump right into our list for the Best 3D Printer for Nerf Guns.
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Best 3D Printer for Nerf Guns
Whether you want a way to hold more darts on your belt or need a fancy scope, you can do it all. In fact there are tons of examples on the internet about all the cool ways you can boost your Nerf gun game. The only tricky part is figuring out which 3D printer is the best one to go for in this regard. Which is why we’ve put together a list of some of the best 3D printers you can get right now to make some awesome nerf mods.
Monoprice 121666 Mini Delta 3D Printer
- Resolution – 50 – 200 Microns
- Volume – 4.3” x 4.7”
- Weight – 4lbs
- Connections – USB, SD Card, Wi-Fi
We’re starting this list off with a printer that is perfect for those who are completely new to 3D printing. We’ve gone for this printer from Monoprice for it’s lightweight build and affordability. If you know anything about 3D printers you might be a little surprised at this option. Mainly because it’s so tiny and light. But don’t let that put you off because this is a great printer. Even though it is on the smaller side it can still keep up with a lot of other printers in terms of both print quality and affordability.
Obviously, the size will restrict what kind of mods you can make but this isn’t the choice for those who want the printer that can do it all. The 4.3” x 4.7” build volume here is enough to make small clips and small mods for your Nerf guns. But if you want to make anything bigger than that you’ll need to look elsewhere. But if this is the kind of printer you’re looking for, it’s going to do a great job. The navigation of the LCD screen is easy enough even though it isn’t a touchscreen. The size is also enough to make it easily readable and clear. And though the setup may be a bit finicky for those who are completely new to 3D printing, once you’re set it works beautifully. This is an amazing choice for those who want a lightweight printer that won’t set them back too far. Though if you’re someone who has a little more experience with 3D printing you might want something a little beefier.
Pros:
- Small, light and portable
- Great build quality
- Affordable
Cons:
- Small Build Area
- Finicky Setup
3D Printer, LABISTS
- Resolution – 100 Microns
- Volume – 6” x 8.6” x 9.8″
- Weight – 21.5lbs
- Connections – USB, SD Card
Next up is a printer that is a step up from our last option in a bunch of different ways. We’ve gone for this printer from LABISTS for it’s great design and great print quality. This printer is a much more modern looking piece of tech than some of the others on this list. It has a sleek and angular design that makes it look good wherever you put it. This is an open faces printer, meaning that there is no casing that protects the print while it is in progress. Though it also means you’ve got a pretty sizable build area to work with.
We’ve got an 8.6” x 8.6” x 9.8″ space to work with for our prints and it’s actually a pretty decent size. You should be able to make a bunch of different Nerf mods with this printer and they’re all going to come out great. The detail of the printing here is great and you can get some really high-resolution models. Navigating the menus with the touchscreen is simple and straightforward thanks to the vibrant display. Setting this machine up is nice and easy too, with the filament holder being in a place that’s easy to access. The general setup is relatively stress-free and if you’ve got experience with 3D printers then this will be almost no hassle. This is still a great option for beginners too. Especially if you’re new to the hobby and want something a little bigger to start off with. Overall, get this printer if you want something affordable and easy to use. But if you want something that is a little bit of a step up, check out our next option.
Pros:
- Great Print Quality
- Easy Setup
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not an Enclosed Unit
- Noisy
ANYCUBIC MEGA X 3D Printer
- Resolution – 50 – 300 Microns
- Volume – 8” x 11.8” x 12”
- Weight – 30.8lbs
- Connections – USB, SD Card Wi-Fi
Next up on the list, we’ve got a printer that is great for those that want a lot of room to work with. We’ve chosen this printer from ANYCUBIC for its large build volume and ease of use. The first thing you’ll notice here is that this printer is a lot bigger than the others we’ve had so far. Weighing in at 30.8lbs means that it might be a little heavy for moving around regularly. But apart from the heftiness of the printer, it’s actually a fairly simple setup here. It’s another open-faced unit, so we’ve basically just got the frame and the printing bed. Ince that’s all set up you’re good to go.
The build space we’ve got to work with here is 11.8” x 11.8” x 12”. Making it the biggest on this list, so if you need something that has a lot of room to build your Nerf mods, this is the printer for you. It outputs some really good detail too, with the models coming out of it looking crisp. Something that you’ll need when making intricate parts for Nerf guns. Navigating the menu is also really easy thanks to the great display on the front of the printer. Though you do need to be careful with a unit like this since there’s very little protection for the models as they print. So make sure you’re in an environment that won’t disturb the printer when it’s in use. Making bigger models are going to take time on a larger printer like this too so bear that in mind. Ultimately this is another great printer that is perfect for those that need something big.
Pros:
- Massive Build Volume
- Easy Setup
- Great Build Quality
Cons:
- Not an Enclosed Unit
- A Little Heavy
QIDI TECH 3D Printer
- Resolution – 50 – 400 Microns
- Volume – 1” x 5.9” x 5.9”
- Weight – 39.6lbs
- Connections – USB, Wi-Fi
This next option on the list is for those that want a printer that feels a little more professional. We’ve gone for this printer from QIDI TECH for its great print quality and utility. So the first thing you’ll notice here is that this is an enclosed unit that has a few of its own benefits when it comes to 3D printing. The print itself is going to be well protected since nothing can get to it. These kinds of printers usually also allow you to use more materials that need the internal machinery that an open-faced unit can’t provide. Though this comes at the cost of poorer viewing angles and smaller build space. Plus it is very heavy, weighing in at 39.6lbs, which may be annoying to some. So it isn’t recommended to move this printer around too much.
The build volume of this printer is 9.1” x 5.9” x 5.9” which is a fine size for Nerf gun mods. You should be able to make plenty of different clips and accessories but some may find the space lacking. But the build quality and the print quality here is fantastic. You can be sure that whatever you want to print is going to come out detailed and crisp. Navigating the menus on the printer are also extremely easy thanks to the 4.3” screen. Making all of the options and settings easy to read and clear. The biggest strengths of this printer are the quality of the prints and the build quality. If you want something with a little space you may need to look elsewhere. But if you need something that is reliable, this is a fantastic choice.
Pros:
- Fantastic Build Quality
- Large Build Volume
- Great Touchscreen
Cons:
- Heavy
- Poor Viewing Angles
Dremel DigiLab 3D45
- Resolution – 50 – 400 Microns
- Volume – 10” x 6” x 6.7”
- Weight – 42.8lbs
- Connections – USB, Wi-Fi
Our final option on this list is for those of you out there that are really serious about 3D printing. We’ve chosen this printer from Dremel for its fantastic print and build quality. Let’s get it out of the way, this printer is big. It weighs in at 42.8lbs and takes up a lot of space wherever you put it. So it is not recommended for someone that wants a more portable printer. But as long as you can find a good home for this, it’s a fantastic printer. It’s another enclosed unit so it has a couple of issues because of this. The viewing angles aren’t so bad in this printer since it has a transparent ceiling panel. Meaning you get a view of the front and the top of the printing. Though the top view may not be useful considering the nozzle will be covering the view quite a bit. Luckily though there is an internal camera that lets you watch the process.
But let’s talk about the build area, we’ve got 10” x 6” x 6.7” worth of space. Which is pretty big for an enclosed unit like this. It’s going to mean that you’ll be able to print quite a few different Nerf mods pretty easily. Navigating the menus on the 4.5” touchscreen display is also very easy to do. So you won’t have to be messing around with menus for too long when you want to print something. The setup here is also really easy and you should be able to start printing in no time. Though this isn’t a printer that a beginner should go for simply because of how expensive the printer is. This is for those who have 3D printing experience and in that regard it is fantastic.
Pros:
- Fantastic Build Quality
- Built-in Camera
- Great Touchscreen
Cons:
- Heavy
- Poor Viewing Angles
Buying Guide
If you’ve come to the end of the list and you still aren’t sure what to do next, don’t worry. In this section, we’ll go over some extra tips and advice to help you make your decision.
How does 3D printing work?
The process of 3D printing is an interesting one and it has quite a few steps. The first and most important thing to have is a decent PC. Whether that be your gaming laptop or your work desktop, just make sure that it can handle some 3D modeling software. These include, but aren’t limited to:
- AutoCAD
- FreeCAD
- Autodesk Revit
- Solidworks
There’s tons of software out there and a lot of it is pretty good and will do what you need it to. Now the performance of your PC is going to be what decides how well these programs run. It’s important that your specs either meet the recommended requirements or exceed them. The last thing you want is to wait a lifetime for the software to open, get stuttering every 30 seconds and finally after about an hour your printing. No one wants that, so let’s use the Solidworks system requirements as a gauge:
- Windows 10
- 16GB RAM (minimum)
Or
- 32GB RAM (recommended)
- At least 20GB of free space on a hard drive or SSD
- 4GB VRAM
So these requirements are not the most taxing in the world and chances are that you already have a good enough PC to run something like Solidworks. But if you don’t there are numerous ways of getting a machine with these specs for a decent price. After you’ve done all of that, you’re ready to get started with some printing.
Do plenty of research on Nerf Gun mods
If you really want to get a 3D printer to step up your game with Nerf Guns, you need to know exactly what you want. So for instance, if you just want to make a few clips to hold some extra darts, you won’t need a super expensive printer. A printer that is reliable enough and is the right size for something like that won’t set you back too far. But if you want to make something like a new barrel attachment or a new stock, you may need to take a look at some higher-end printers. With attachments like these, you want to make sure you have plenty of build volume to work with and a printer that can output great detail.
Tips:
- Remember to be safe with whatever mods you put on your Nerf Gun toys. Keep it fun!
- If you’re just starting out with 3D printing, do not go for the most expensive option simply because it’s the best. Find a cheaper alternative that is still going to do a great job and allow you to learn about the whole process first.
- Keep an eye on the supported filament materials for your printer of choice. The more materials it lets you use, the more choice you’ll have when making your figures.
- There are plenty of premade models on the internet that you can get and use with your nerf guns. So if you’re unsure on how to make your own 3D models, don’t worry about that too much.
- Check the compatibility of the mod you’re getting and the gun you’re using. Obviously, you don’t want to waste time and materials by building the wrong mods for your gun.
Verdict – Best 3D Printer for Nerf Guns
We’ve come to the end of our list for The Best 3D Printer for Nerf Guns. Hopefully, it’s led to you making some awesome mods for your Nerf Gun arsenal.
Thanks for reading!
