If you’ve ever played a game using dice, you know that it can sometimes get extremely competitive. The accusations of cheating, the complaints about not being fair, and the resulting animosity towards one another can turn what should have been a fun family game night into a rigid rivalry.
Before you go accusing each other of cheating the next time you gather for game night, why not try out something that would ensure that the dice are rolled fairly each time to at least eliminate some of the negative feelings towards one another?
With a DIY dice tower, you simply throw the dice in the top, then it rolls and comes out the bottom, ensuring a fair roll every time. Luckily, there are so many different designs and themes that you can implement and choose from.
While you can certainly buy one at the store, it is even more fun to make one on your own at home, turning it into a cute DIY project. We have compiled a list of several options made by people online that you can choose from for your enjoyment. Now, you won’t have to dread family game nights.
15+ Free DIY Dice Tower Plans
1. The Most Basic Instructions
If you aren’t looking for something that is too over-the-top, then this option is right for you. Although the instructions are rather basic, the design does offer some cool features such as full lining to reduce the noise of the dice as it rolls down the tower and a magnetic closure. To make this, you will need plywood, felt, a small magnet, a paper clip, a small hinge, string, glue (both wood glue and super glue), a pencil, and clamps. Be sure to remember that this will be done within a few days as you need to let the glue dry completely. You can also cut the felt by hand for your design, or you can opt for a laser cutting service if you want a more difficult design.
VIEW PLANS2. Another Classic Option
With this next example, you will be able to create something that can be used both as a toy or as a decoration. Luckily, you should have no difficulty finding the tools you need around your house, so it’s not going to cost you a lot. And, you certainly won’t need to get a 3D printer in order to implement this. For this example, you will need an empty Pringle box, wooden strips, cardboard, tissue paper, acrylic paint, PVA glue, a paper cutter, and scissors. Follow the instructions and you won’t believe how easy it is!
VIEW PLANS3. Clthulhu Laser Version
4. Medieval Theme
For those who want a dice tower with more of a theme, this is the perfect example. It has a medieval theme, which is fitting considering the fact that it is, well, a tower. You can get as creative as you want when building this. The materials that you will need for this project are a hot glue gun, razor blade, measuring tape, a clamp, cardboard, paint, and zip ties.
VIEW PLANS5. Telescoping Design
This unique version offers a special feature: it can be collapsed into a smaller size, which will make it easy to take with you if you’re going somewhere else for game night. But, you will have an easy time unfolding the tool when you go to play. In addition to that, it has a hexagonal shape that will make any game table much more interesting. The telescoping function is not operational yet, so please keep that in mind if you choose to go with this version.
VIEW PLANS6. Sculpted Delight
Remember how much fun you had as a kid playing with Play-Dough? Well, now is the time to put those skills to the test when you sculpt this dice tower. It has an old and medieval design, which will take you right back to the Middle Ages whenever you decide to bring out the dice. To complete this project, some of the materials that you will need include an acrylic cotton pad holder (this will serve as the base around which you will sculpt), plastic lids, paper clay, polymer clay, a hot glue gun, clear adhesive tape, aluminum foil, printer paper, a hobby knife, and several other tools.
7. See Through Extravaganza
This next one is going to remind you of the arcade games of the past. With it, you will be able to watch the dice descend each level and then fall into the pit at the bottom. The thin plexiglass will allow you to seem, and you can neatly store it away when you’re not using it thanks to the fact that the tower nests inside the tray. For this, you’re going to need black cherry and hard maple hardwood. The color combination is spectacular, and the cherry will darken over time, providing a nice contrast.
8. Laser Innovation
Once again, if you’re not familiar with laser cutting machines, then you may want to skip this one or find someone who is willing to help you out. The author has provided some files that will enable you to transfer them to the laser cutting machine. They are for 2mm or 3mm plates; it is clearly listed on the file, so all you need to do is choose. Once you have cut it out with the machine, all you will need to do is assemble.
VIEW PLANS9. Use Zebrawood and Brass
As the name suggests, the main materials used in this next project are zebrawood and brass. It’s a fun way for you to do some woodworking and brass work, so if that’s something you enjoy, then making this dice tower might even be more fun than actually putting it to use. It’s a creative and innovative way to make a tower, so it’s definitely not the minimalistic and easy approach that some of the others on our list offer.
10. Ultra Cheap Materials
If you’re on a budget, perhaps some of the machines that were mentioned throughout the article are not going to be ideal for you. It does involve Inkscape, but the entire project only takes about three hours to complete and glue. One sheet only costs $1.50, and you’ll also need to get some scrap white hardboard. In general, the materials used for this instructable aren’t as expensive as some of the others.
VIEW PLANS11. Quick and Easy Example
And if you’re not the greatest at using some of the more high-tech tools mentioned, then this is the job for you. Luckily, all you’re going to need are some scrap wood, cutoffs, and felt to provide friction. You won’t have to spend as much time working on this project as some of the other ones and it’s definitely safe enough to incorporate as a fun family DIY project.
12. Arduino Automatic Version
On the other hand, if you want a fun, gadgety device and are willing to go out of your way to make it happen, then this automatic tower would be a fun device to add to your collection. With the use of an Arduino, you will be able to create something that’s interactive and that will surely make your game nights even more interesting. There are six different cases for the dice at the top of the tower, which are closed by a hatch that is controlled by the servo motor. There are also six buttons, all of which control a different hatch. The LED lights in the tray will light up in different colors when you press each button. It might be the most difficult project on our list, but if you want to make something that will impress your guests and relatives, this is the way to go.
13. Cost-Effective and Affordable
And last but certainly not least, here is another cheap option that will make those on a budget happy. You don’t need to use any difficult software programs to make this, either. It does not involve a lot of work, so you can even make it with the kids if you want to give them a hands-on activity to complete. All that you’re going to need for this is scotch tape, packing tape, cardboard, and a cutting tool. You most likely already have all of these materials lying around at home. This just goes to show that you don’t need to spend tons of money in order to have fun. By all means, if you have the tools and equipment to make some of the other more complicated options, so be it. But if you don’t, then there’s no reason why you can’t still have fun.
VIEW PLANSDice Tower DIY Tips
Dice tower build! from DIY
You can easily build a dice tower from scrap wood and cutoffs. Dice towers are a great way of keeping the dice on the table as you play your favorite tabletop game. A well-built dice tower should be sturdy and provide enough friction to ensure the dice does not slide.
Here are easy DIY instructions on how to build a dice tower. You can also use a pdf (many of the above plans have them) for an easier reference point.
1. Gather the Materials
Made a Dice Tower from DIY
The first step in building a dice tower is to gather all the materials and tools needed for the DIY project. Firstly, you will need an open surface as your work area. The materials and tools needed include wooden board or plywood, baffles, carpenters glue, a marker pen, a blade or a knife, and a masking tape.
2. Cut the Plywood
In this step, you will need some nicely chopped pieces of plywood. Make sure that you use good quality plywood for the best results. The pieces should be around 6 to 8 inches or depending on the size of the dice tower you want.
3. Attach the Wooden Pieces Together
In this step, you need to find some good quality glue sticks to attach the wooden pieces. Moreover, determine the angles and how far apart the wooden pieces should be. This is because dice towers usually have 3 wooden pieces inside, which be glued together at the base. Once you determine the angles, glue up the wooden pieces and let the glue dry. It is important to glue them together again so that the tower will be sturdy.
4. Determine the Exit and Entrance Openings
The next step is to determine the exit and entrance openings. These are the points where the dice will go in and out. You should note that these openings should be higher to prevent dice from falling out. Make sure you mark these points with a marker.
5. Glue the Entrance and Exit Points
Once you have determined the two points, you should use glue to attach these points together. Make sure you consider the correct measurements to allow the dice to roll properly inside the tower.
6. Glue it all Together
Now it’s time to glue all the pieces together. You should start with the bottom of each piece and then glue over the top surfaces of all pieces and let the glue dry up.
7. You are Set
Once the glue has dried up, you are set, and you can now pick a game. Additionally, to give the dice tower a vibrant look, you can apply colors or use spray paint.
Building a dice tower is becoming popular day by day. Though it seems like a lot of work, you can easily make your own, using the steps above and enjoy your favorite board game.
Hi, my name’s Elena Coolidge. I’m a DIY enthusiast who loves building fun woodworking plans. These DIY plans are fun hobby projects for enthusiasts or even more advanced builders that want to build things like bunk beds, end tables or even a duck box!
