What were you doing at 11 years old? If you’re like most kids, you were playing video games, riding bikes, or watching YouTube. Gage was doing all of that — AND running a real 3D printing business. 🚀
Welcome to the story behind Gauge 3D.
🐉 How It All Started
It started with one print. Gage got his hands on a Bambu Lab printer — one of the most capable hobbyist 3D printers on the market — and immediately fell in love with what it could do. The speed. The colors. The fact that you could design something on a screen and hold a real object in your hands an hour later.
The first things he made? Fidget toys — specifically articulated dragons that move like a real creature, infinity cubes, and fidget snakes. Friends wanted them. Family wanted them. And Gage realized: people will pay for this stuff.
So he built Gauge 3D.
🖨️ The Setup: Bambu Lab + MakerWorld
Gage runs his operation on a Bambu Lab printer — one of the fastest, most color-capable desktop printers available. Paired with the AMS (Automatic Material System), he can print in up to 4 colors automatically, which is how the silk rainbow dragons get those jaw-dropping gradients.
For models, he sources designs from MakerWorld — a massive community library of 3D printable files — and also designs some custom pieces from scratch. Want something nobody else has? That’s where the custom order side of the business comes in.
📦 What Gauge 3D Makes
The product lineup has grown a lot since those first dragons. Here’s what Gauge 3D currently offers:
- 🐉 Articulated Dragons — print-in-place, fully flexible, available in dozens of colors
- 🔄 Fidget Toys — infinity cubes, fidget snakes, spinning tops, geometric rings
- 🏠 Functional Prints — cable organizers, phone stands, wall hooks, drawer handles
- 🎁 Custom Orders — keychains, trophies, personalized gifts, unique one-off designs
And it keeps growing. Every week, Gage is learning new techniques, trying new filaments, and experimenting with new designs.
🎨 The Filament Game
One of the coolest things about 3D printing is the materials. Gage works primarily with PLA for most everyday prints, PETG for anything that needs to be stronger or heat-resistant, and TPU for flexible parts — like phone cases and bumpers. Not sure which filament is right for your project? Here’s a full breakdown.
For specialty prints? He uses Silk PLA — a filament that comes out with a shimmering, metallic sheen. It’s what makes the rainbow dragons look almost magical. ✨
💡 What Makes Gauge 3D Different
There are a lot of 3D printing shops out there. Here’s what makes Gauge 3D stand out:
- Kid-run energy — Every order gets personal attention. This isn’t a warehouse; it’s a kid who genuinely cares about what he’s making.
- Custom everything — Have an idea? Gage will figure out how to print it. Custom orders are welcome and encouraged.
- Quality obsession — The Bambu Lab printer is calibrated and maintained carefully. No spaghetti prints, no layer failures, no junk.
- Fast turnaround — Most prints are ready within a day or two.
🌟 The Bigger Picture
Gage isn’t just running a business — he’s learning skills that most adults don’t have. CAD design. Color theory. Customer service. Business math. Inventory management. He’s doing all of it, and he’s doing it at an age when most kids are worried about homework.
The tagline says it all: “Make It Real — Precision in Every Layer.”
Whether you’re looking for the perfect fidget toy, a one-of-a-kind gift, or just want to see what a middle schooler can do with a 3D printer and a big idea — check out Gauge 3D. You might be surprised. 😄
Want to place a custom order or just say hi? Reach out through the site — Gage reads every message. 🐉
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