Dice Tower : Structure

Diy projects can be really rewarding and a fun way to recycle the delivery boxes stacking up since lockdowns. The  important part of this project is easy and doesn’t take much skill or creativity. Beyond that feel free to be creative, play and have fun!  ​

Recycled art

So…where do we begin? The recycle bin!

First, we need a tube: Pringles cans are perfect for this, or a mailer tube. I used a 2 ½” wide, 12” long mailer tube.
Cardboard: amazon boxes or any other currogated scrap card. This will be the tiles and internal baffles.
A tray or shallow box for the base: I used a  chinese take-out lid. 
Dice corral ( so they don’t roll away): A  shallow box or  the bottom of a oatmeal tube.
Egg cartons: for rock texture.
Plastic bottle : the top half of a bottle that will sit in the top of the tube. This will form the base of the roof and the space you  throw the dice in.
Tools:  scissors, exacto knife,  glue (paper glue and hot glue) , Pencil.

Overview:

Prepare the tube and baffles:

1. Starting with the tube, and some cardboard: Use the tube to trace three circles on the cardboard, these will be the internal baffles. Place the tube about 1/3 of the way in . The baffle will look like a fat crescent moon. If you have several Pringle can lids, these work great too.

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2. Put baffles into tube. I found placing the baffles to be the hardest part so, take your time. On the tube, find the seam. Make a mark along this seam on opposing sides. The top and bottom arrow represent the dice openings, the other three arrows indicate the baffle placement.

The Mark out 3” along the seam as shown. Each line should be relatively opposite the previous one. Carefully slice it open with an exacto blade or box cutter . 

*Cut away from your body and away from the other hand. If the blade slips you don’t want to cut yourself*

Open up the gap enough to slip one of the baffles in. The open side of the baffle should go downwards and leave some card poking out. 
The lower most baffle doesn’t need a cut out and needs to line up with the bottom opening.

​3. Secure the baffle with hot glue. Once you are satisfied with the baffle placements, coat with hot glue to keep it in place. Trim any large excess but this will be covered by the decorative cardboard.

  4. The top and bottom holes should be on the same side. Position the top one on the same side as the opening of the first baffle.Make a doorway like opening on the bottom , 1” up and about 2” wide on the bottom. 

 5. Bottom ramp 
For the bottom baffle draw another carboard circle but this time extend it ¼-1/2 “ as it will serve as a ramp . 
Slip the disk inside the bottom of the tube and manipulate it so it creates a ramp that smoothly meets the bottom of your little doorway. 
Using the hot glue gun, secure it from underneath.

​Attach the base, top and corral.

1. Cut the bottom 2” section off of your oatmeal can. This will serve as the bowl that catches the falling dice.

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2. 3rd of way into the mailing tube ( on either side of the opening) cut 2” long slits then  insert the bowl. Glue along this seam to secure it. ​

3. Glue the take-out lid to the bottom as a base. Glue the piece of felt to the bottom of the tray and trim the excess.

Bottle on top.

1. Cut the bottom off a bottle (thinner sports drink bottles work well) that fits into the top of the tube. This will help support the roof and the opening for the dice to be thrown into. 
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2. Cut the opening. The top opening of the tower will be into this bottle, not into the tube. Cut a window that’s about 3” wide and 3” tall.  Test it out with some dice!

Next time We’ll go over the more fun, creative side. Skinning and decorating your tower, then painting it!

Did you try making this? Post your pics in the comments! Let us know if there's something else you'd like us to make.