Toronto-based maker Gus Dassios’ Dice Popper project gives me flashbacks of hours spent playing Trouble back in the day. There’s just something so satisfying about pushing the plastic bubble and watching the dice tumble. Gus shared his super simple how-to on the pages of MAKE Volume 33, and you can check it out on Make: Projects. The hardest part of the build is finding the perfect vending machine capsule, about 2″ diameter and 1⅞” tall. The rest is basically cutting a few pieces of wood to house the bubble and nailing it all together. The best part is then you can make up your own games to go with it.
P.S. I love the project illustrations Julie West has been doing for us!
MAKE Volume 33: Software for Makers
In our special Codebox section you’ll learn about software of interest to makers, including circuit board design, 3D CAD and printing, microcontrollers, and programming for kids. And you’ll meet fascinating makers, like the maniacs behind the popular Power Wheels Racing events at Maker Faire. You’ll get 22 great DIY projects like the Optical Tremolo guitar effect, “Panjolele” cake-pan ukelele, Wii Nunchuk Mouse, CNC joinery tricks, treat-dispensing cat scratching post, brewing sake, and more.
8 thoughts on “How-To: Classic Dice Popper”
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Cool! I was just thinking one of these could make for an interesting Choas factor in the boardgame Macao.
Might be worth noting that you can find vending machine supply stores online that sell “acorn” style 2″ capsules for around $25 for 250 of them. Not going to link any specific company, but a Google search for “vending machine capsule” will get you started.
Thanks for the design! I wanted to make 5-popper boards (re-rolling dice individually), and this tip on using the capsules is brilliant! Also, indeed if you search for “acorn capsules” it’ll take you right to the sellers. Now I’m going to see if I can 3D-print everything else, springs included. :)
What a great idea! Definitely let us know if you do end up 3D printing the parts. Cheers!