First Print-in-Place Hinges: My Collapsible Magnetic Dice Tower Adventure

What if your entire DND kit could fit together perfectly—no fumbling with separate trays or towers? That dream led to my first adventure with print in place hinges and a collapsible magnetic dice tower.

Why Print-In-Place Hinges Change Everything

Print in place hinges are one of those 3D printing breakthroughs that sound much simpler than they are. Instead of printing parts separately and snapping them together (or worse—messing with screws or glue), the hinge prints already assembled but able to move. It’s a little bit of magic from your printer bed.

For this project—a compact yet sturdy dice tower—I needed something that didn’t just function as a standalone piece. The goal was clear: combine a dice tray and a notebook slot so everything is stored together. But integrating these moving parts without having them break off or jam up? That was new territory.

The Design Journey (and All Its Frustrations)

Getting the feel of these print in place hinges took more tries than I care to admit. There were towers that stuck shut, trays that wouldn’t fold flat, and at least one prototype that snapped in half on its maiden collapse. But each iteration taught me something new about spacing tolerances and how magnets can help keep things snappy without being too stiff.

After plenty of trial and error—and no small amount of frustration—the final version finally felt right:

• A print in place hinge system lets the entire tower fold down flat inside the tray.
• Strong magnets hold everything securely when it’s collapsed or unfolded.
• The main tray can fit an A6 notebook alongside the folded-up tower.
• All your minis, dice, and notes store together—no loose pieces rolling around your bag.
• Setup is one-handed; just pull out the kit and snap it open with a flick of the wrist.

Why Combine a Dice Tray & Tower?

Traditional setups mean juggling multiple accessories at your gaming table. With this design, you only need one kit—everything nests neatly together. The magnets mean you’re not fighting flaps or fiddly clips during setup. Plus, by using print in place hinges instead of glued joints or pins, there’s nothing to lose or misalign over time.

This isn’t just about convenience; it actually makes gameplay smoother:

• No lost pieces between sessions
• Quieter rolls thanks to integrated padding
• Easier storage—everything slides into your backpack as one piece

Anecdote: Lessons From Too Many Prototypes

The first time I tried collapsing my prototype after hours of tweaking tolerances… it jammed so hard I had to pry it apart with a screwdriver. Not exactly elegant! But those headaches paid off—the final version feels smooth when folding open or closed. And seeing all my DND gear tucked into one spot? Totally worth every failed attempt.

Building Your Own Collapsible Magnetic Dice Tower

Thinking about making your own? Here are some quick tips if you want to try designing with print in place hinges:

• Calibrate your printer for tight tolerances—too tight and nothing moves; too loose and things wobble.
• Use strong enough magnets for secure closure but not so strong they pull apart your hinge joints.
• Test hinge movement before adding finishes or paint—it’s easier to tweak bare plastic.
• Consider what else you want stored alongside (notebooks, minis) before finalizing dimensions.

The best part is seeing everything come together—one-handed setup at the table while everyone else still digs through their bags!

So what would you add to your own all-in-one game kit if you could design it from scratch?