Cancelled Retro Sci-Fi Starship Dice Tower

[SamuraiJack]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tomstephens/retro-sci-fi-starship-dice-tower?ref=category_newest

 

A dice tower fashioned after the pulp sci-fi ships of the mid 20th century.

Edited December 15, 2016 by Darsc Zacal
Tag updated

[SamuraiJack]

About this project

There are a large number of fantasy related dice towers.  Being a sci-fi fan, however, I wanted one that was science fiction themed.  And while I could find a few examples on-line, they were still just variations on the simple tower.  I wanted something that looked like a spaceship.  Not finding any existing models.  I decided to create my own.  The prototype for this project was the result.  If you want the full story of the design process, check out my blog post about how I created and developed the dice tower model.

Backing this project at the $40 or higher level gets you a fully functional dice tower styled on the retro science fiction ships of the mid 20th century.

There are two different designs available.  The first is the standard design with the ship poised above its landing pad (the dice tray) and the dice exiting out of the tail of the ship between the fins.  The alternate design only has one opening in the side of the ship (opposite the input window) and the ship rests on the side of the dice tray.  In both cases, the towers come in two pieces: the ship itself and the dice tray. 

CAD models of the two different configurations. Standard model on the left, on-the-side model on the right.

In addition to the two different models, each model is available in two different sizes.  The standard size is just over 8.5 inches tall and can accommodate dice up to 23.5mm in size. The base for this size is about 5.5 inches in diameter.  If 8.5 inches just isn't big enough for you, there is a "super-sized" version that stands 12 inches tall with a 7.7 inch base and can accommodate dice up to 32mm in size.

The towers will be printed in PLA plastic and will ship with all the printing support material removed and will be ready for sanding and/or painting or they can be used as is.  The default plastic color will be white as shown in the prototype images but if the project funds I will survey backers to allow for a limited number of alternate colors.  I'm currently planning on providing black and silver as additional options.  If there is another color you'd like to see, let me know in the comments.

The standard model prototype displayed in the two different configurations. The dice tray in this prototype has lower walls than the final version.

 

Well first, I'm getting the satisfaction that a number of people will be enjoying something I created.  But on a more practical level, I'll be getting a 3D printer that I can use for this and other projects.

When I first started posting images of the prototypes and models of the dice tower, several people expressed interest in getting one.  So I started looking into the cost of producing them.  In looking at the professional, on-line production sites, the lowest cost I could find for the standard sized model was just over $100.  Some of the prices were over $300.

Services that connected people who have things to print with people who owned printers priced the standard model towers out at the $40-80 level.  The printer I have access to at the library where I work (and where I printed the prototype) priced out at the low end of that range but with the advantage that I'd have full control over the process.  And those prices were all before adding in shipping costs.

Knowing the cost of printers, filament for printing, and shipping, I realized that I could produce these myself for cheaper if I simply had my own printer.  So you're getting an awesome dice tower for cheaper than you can produce it anywhere except on your own printer and I'm getting a printer.  We all win.

[haldir]

I can see that as a prop for the Space mouselings

[TGP]

Tweaking the design a bit while it is still CAD ... is that a thought?

 

Just looking at it, it ought to be possible to have one design with a detachable 'landing pad' that fits two possible ways: off to the side or direct below as shown in the pics.

 

Having the landing pad detachable would make using it as a prop for space Mouslings easier as well.

 

Color: Silver Gray! That might be a thought for the default color, instead of white.

Edited November 15, 2016 by TGP

[sumbloke]

Tweaking the design a bit while it is still CAD ... is that a thought?

 

Just looking at it, it ought to be possible to have one design with a detachable 'landing pad' that fits two possible ways: off to the side or direct below as shown in the pics.

 

Having the landing pad detachable would make using it as a prop for space Mouslings easier as well.

 

Color: Silver Gray! That might be a thought for the default color, instead of white.

Looks like the prototype was done that way. I guess if you get the "just the models" reward, you can adjust it yourself...

[Darsc Zacal]

I really like the design of the rocket ship and would be tempted to Froggy it up into a piece of gaming terrain/vehicle.

 

I also like the look of it as a dice tower but can't buy all the things.

 

EDIT: and reading through the Kickstarter page I see that the projects creator will only be shipping within the U.S. so there's my excuse for not backing.

Edited November 16, 2016 by Darsc Zacal

[Erifnogard]

This is a pretty cool looking dice tower. I don't actually need it but am tempted simply on cool toy factor.

[Darsc Zacal]

Down to the final 31 hours on this Kickstarter.

Not sure that this is going to reach funding.

[haldir]

Just pledge for the files. As noted not sure if it'll succeed. At least the funding as increased over the past 48 hours.

[Kangaroorex]

Backed for the files, it will help a little bit.

[haldir]

Unless we get $1,000 in the next hour or so I think this will be the first Ks that I've backed that didn't fund.

 

Hopefully he decides to re-do the Ks in the near future.

[haldir]

Unsuccessful but good news!! Just got a email from Kickstarter/Tom Stephens (creator)

 

Tom Stephens says:

Hi, 
First of all, I'd like to say thank you to everyone that backed the project, especially those that came in at the last minute that I didn't get to send an individual e-mail to.

Unfortunately, we didn't hit the funding goal but only hit 54%.

That's the bad news. However, there is lots of good news. First, for those of you that just wanted the model files to print yourself, I will be making those available, at the same $3 price point, on-line in the near future (probably just after the first of the year).

Second, I have another small, non-Kickstarter, project running simultaneous with this that has been more successful than I had anticipated. Because of that, I now have more funds available to me than I thought I would have when I started this project. So much so that had I had those funds at the beginning, the funding level we did reach would have been sufficient to fund the dice tower project.

So I'm going to take the holiday season and finish up the other project and reassess where I'm at. Then in January, I will do one of two things. If I have enough money, I'm going to just buy the 3D printer outright and will make the dice towers available for order on-line. If I don't, I'll rerun this Kickstarter again but with a lower funding goal that represents the difference needed to get the printer given the new situation.

If I do rerun the campaign, I have a couple of ideas for additional reward levels and maybe even some stretch goals that might entice a few more supporters into the project.

Again, thank you for your support and look for a few more updates over the next few weeks as I get it all sorted out.

- Tom

P.S. You might get this twice because I'm sending it out as a direct message but am also going to post as an update.

[Darsc Zacal]

Closing this thread.

If the project relaunches a new thread can be started for it at that time.