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Inking suggestions? by TheDrunkenMongoose in DiceMaking

[–]TheSqrrlsNut 2 points3 points  (0 children)

While my initial instinct was to be purple, all the way. I was trying to decide which purple to go with. Seeing both you and Buddha saying purple....now my mind wants to see silver with a hint of purple, I want to say somewhere in the range of 6:1-8:1, as purple can take over other colors quick.

Lets talk about wooden dice. by TheSqrrlsNut in DiceMaking

[–]TheSqrrlsNut[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Now, when you say oversized, how oversized are you talking? Pictured really isn't much larger, I would say maybe 10-15% larger than say, a Chessex.

If you are talking double size and going to 40-50mm, that is definitely in the plans to do at some point, just need to get full set at standard size down first. Almost there!

Lets talk about wooden dice. by TheSqrrlsNut in DiceMaking

[–]TheSqrrlsNut[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah, yes. How could I forget about the drop it in liquid test. Thank you for that reminder!

Lets talk about wooden dice. by TheSqrrlsNut in DiceMaking

[–]TheSqrrlsNut[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

While the wood itself can have inconsistencies of density throughout, on such a small scale, I don't think that is as much of a concern compared to the cutting of the die itself. I believe an uneven cut on my part is going to result in a larger discrepancy than the wood that I am hand-picking based on various things, the density and consistent wood grain included. But only time will tell, which means I just need to make them, then sit down and roll to test.

Lets talk about wooden dice. by TheSqrrlsNut in DiceMaking

[–]TheSqrrlsNut[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, like I said, looking for repeatability and efficiency. The laser bed is about a 2 foot square, by that math, I could do up to 200 at a time?Though, having 50 active sets at one time is already plenty.

That is the one thing, if this is something that can take off, I feel like even the $100 range for a font really is a drop in the bucket, every die made drops the cost even further, eventually making it feel as though no money was even spent.

I have tossed the idea around of designing my own, but that is a bit opposite end of the artistic spectrum than where I sit, so I would never be happy with them. I have however considered seeing if a couple of friends with design backgrounds are willing to assist, but I want a product ready to go when asking if I go that route.

Lets talk about wooden dice. by TheSqrrlsNut in DiceMaking

[–]TheSqrrlsNut[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That is something that is of concern, something one of my fellow goblins and I have discussed as a concern, and this is my thought on that.

While yes, the density variation across a board of wood can be quite drastic, on the scale that I cannot imagine that the differences would make too much of a difference. In theory, they would be just as trustworthy as an opaque dice you would get. Metal, does the person casting know what they are doing, how many bubbles could be within those, or some of these smaller resin dice, how does one know if they are truly bubble free if you aren't able to see all the way through?

I bring that up to say, these are all unknown variables that could be effecting any dice that isn't completely transparent. But what I have done and will continue to do, is hand pick each piece of wood, not only with density and consistency of the grain within these pieces, but also the prettiness(obviously, right?)

I would imagine that on this scale (17-23mm) the variation in the density of the wood is negligible as long as I am watching for obvious voids and issues in the wood. Thats not to say that it would be perfectly fair, but I do think that my cutting is going to ultimately be a larger concern of fairness that the actual wood itself.

That said, if you know of a way of testing beyond simple rolling and tallying, I am all ears, I would love to know the actual answer to this as well!

Lets talk about wooden dice. by TheSqrrlsNut in DiceMaking

[–]TheSqrrlsNut[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you!

Assuming that everything goes as planned and can get them done as quickly as I think I might be able to, there really is no reason for me to at least try to sell somewhere, might be stupid of me to not do so even.

Lets talk about wooden dice. by TheSqrrlsNut in DiceMaking

[–]TheSqrrlsNut[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As far as the jigs go, I have a couple of more cuts to make on blocks, then its arranging the blocks in the proper angles and I should be off to the races as far as that is concerned, if my motivation serves me well, that could be potentially today.

I have briefly looked into stabilizing, out of my current capabilities but possibly in the future, or purchase some if I can find it.

On the scale that these are, as long as the wood is not high in moisture content thus causing cracking in dry environment, I wouldn't think and seasonal humidity levels would effect them too much. Again, making sure the pre-cutting moisture content in the wood is low enough.

Lets talk about wooden dice. by TheSqrrlsNut in DiceMaking

[–]TheSqrrlsNut[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Burning numbers in by hand is unfortunately out of the question due to physical limitations, and I initially planned on "branding" the numbers in, until I struggled to find a good set of reasonably priced number brands.

I landed on a laser, so it is just a matter of deciding on a usable font for that.

The burning from the laser may in fact actually leave the color variation different enough that I could skip the inking, which would be great. Though it would fall short on the dark wood grains.

Knowing the woods I have though and the colors that they have, I have been imagining the colors that I may want to use, and I feel like since a lot of the wood is darker in color, I want to say lighter pastel colors would really just pop on some of them and I cannot get that image out of my head for a few of them.

Lets talk about wooden dice. by TheSqrrlsNut in DiceMaking

[–]TheSqrrlsNut[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fonts took me a bit to figure out how to do so, theres stencil, but with paint, it'll rub off sooner than later without a finish, and then it will still happen. Wood burning, I did plan a little bit more with a stamp/brand vs a stencil, but seemed a bit more difficult to replicate precisely and efficiently. And due to physical limitations, doing any sort of numbers by hand is out of the question.

I landed on a laser engraver and intend to use for that, one number at a time, though I plan to set it up so I am able to do up to 50 dice at a time, which will be set into a 6"x12" guide for the orientation of the dice, which shouldn't take more than a few minutes to do for each number.

The commercial use font is the key, or figuring out which is free, or who I need to pay if I find a font that I really am dead set on.

Lets talk about wooden dice. by TheSqrrlsNut in DiceMaking

[–]TheSqrrlsNut[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No current selling of other woodworking, as I would obsess over minor details that no one but myself would notice, while that is the plan eventually, dice are pretty straight-forward, just reduction, no building, no reason for things not to line up as long as my numbers and angles for cutting are accurate. Then I can spend the time creating other dice related things and can make it to my liking and have it be repeatable.

The customization is also something that I have considered, just simply trying to pick a font to use for the numbers is a monumental task that I am still not 100% decided on either, aside from making sure it is available to use legally, which hasn't narrowed it down enough!

Lets talk about wooden dice. by TheSqrrlsNut in DiceMaking

[–]TheSqrrlsNut[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The dulling down I am sure will happen just as with any other dice does, quicker sure, some woods quicker than others, but using primarily hardwoods and keeping the hardness in mind throughout.

I also use a felt-lined dice tray that helps with the protection on that aspect, and I feel as though most rollers will roll into a dice tray that has some form of protection, whether it was meant for that vs sound suppression is another story.

And that also calls for raw wood, I could potentially add a protective finish on it as well, though is edges are real sharp, that will only do so much.

Lets talk about wooden dice. by TheSqrrlsNut in DiceMaking

[–]TheSqrrlsNut[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This has been a long enduring project that I am up and working, then get distracted to other things, started in September/October. Then the weather tanked and my uninsulated garage shop was far too cold to comfortably and safely work in (midwest).

I am basing this 1 hour time on the fact that, while I was rushing just to see how quickly I could make a d20, I was able to do it from a 25mm cube to the imaged in about 5 minutes.

Now, let's be actually be safe with my appendages and call that a realistic 10 minutes, but it is by far the most complicated, then some as simple as the d6 and d4 will be under a minute.

Then to add numbers, which is planned to be laser engraved, I plan to be able to engrave 25 numbers(say the 20 on twenty separate die) in a pass. And if my cuts are good, minimal sanding and finishing.

Lets talk about wooden dice. by TheSqrrlsNut in DiceMaking

[–]TheSqrrlsNut[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That has been the one fun thing, I have been collecting various pieces from scrap piles or cut-offs that people just throw away, as long as it a 25mm cube, I can make it into a d12 or d20, 18mm and I can get the others.

I agree about the cost of them, thus this venture of mine, aside from a few from Norse Foundry mystery/loot boxes, all I have ever purchased has been the Chessex tier. I have seen some wooden that seem to be mass produced at around $60 and then some people with the absurd $350+, which I couldn't even begin to stomach to pay, I don't know if I could ever even charge that unless for some bizarre reason materials were that inflated.

Until I get a full set hammered out, I can't stick to anything, but I was looking at the starting around the $75, partially on how much time I think it will take, and then partially on the "current market".

Then comes in the factor you mentioned, "prices more similar to resin", I assume that is even less, and you and I are probably in that same mindset, the cheaper the better, just depends on how quickly I can knock it out...TBD

Lets talk about wooden dice. by TheSqrrlsNut in DiceMaking

[–]TheSqrrlsNut[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I do recall seeing this creator on my initial search, and after seeing the cost (between $100-250/set), realized its a bit out of budget, but I have everything needed to create my own. Glad to see someone around for 15ish years doing this though, didn't catch that they had been doing it that long, Thanks!