3D printed "dry fit" dominos (DF-500)

listen here you little s---

Hahaha nah I'm just kidding. But you know, you're on the right track. I think I will 3d print a box to fit these all organized. I will post an update on how it turns out. I have no idea how you're supposed to print lids though. Friction fit? A tiny lip that won't break off when you use it? Hinges seem like far too much work.
oh, that's a good idea.

For the shaved versions, I've been storing them in micro-systainers (business card sized boxes) on top of the regular ones in the (old systainer 1) official storage systainer. Was going to get a SYS3 org and just custom print my own boxes for each size.... BUT...... maybe if you custom print a box the size of the wood dividers in that domino sys, it will be more efficient (now that I have a 100 of them, the won't fit in the micro systainer so well). Will have to look at that.

There are some downloadable and parametized box designs that print with a hinged lid and clasp all in one print, let me find that for you.....
 
listen here you little s---

Hahaha nah I'm just kidding. But you know, you're on the right track. I think I will 3d print a box to fit these all organized. I will post an update on how it turns out. I have no idea how you're supposed to print lids though. Friction fit? A tiny lip that won't break off when you use it? Hinges seem like far too much work.
Here are a couple to get you started down the rabbit hole.... :devilish:



I have not printed either of these yet but will be soon.

Use yeggi.com to search for similar terms (snaplock, tuff box, etc). It's a search engine that aggregates all the various 3D model publishing sites.
 
That's awesome. Thanks.

I ended up making my own design in onshape yesterday night, it's printing now. Maybe it will work, maybe it won't, we'll see. I'll report back in 4 or so hours :)
 
The results are in! They are highly mediocre. Three problems:

1. The spaces are fine for the dominos but too large for the test-fit dominos; need to shrink them or they don't want to go in right, just rattling around.
2. Reliefs/cutouts for finger spacing sucks - too thin. On the flip side, side reliefs are too big, tenons want to rotate out.
3. The separator pieces aren't attached super sturdy (people tell me I shoulda filleted the bottom), the cantilever feels weak.

Will try another print later. For now, it's enough for some storage, just not impressive.


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The results are in! They are highly mediocre. Three problems:

1. The spaces are fine for the dominos but too large for the test-fit dominos; need to shrink them or they don't want to go in right, just rattling around.
2. Reliefs/cutouts for finger spacing sucks - too thin. On the flip side, side reliefs are too big, tenons want to rotate out.
3. The separator pieces aren't attached super sturdy (people tell me I shoulda filleted the bottom), the cantilever feels weak.

Will try another print later. For now, it's enough for some storage, just not impressive.

I see the problem.... you need to create a tray with individual slots for each domino..... (KIDDING!) :devilish:

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So here is my take on the storage, for the 6x40 ended up perfect. Box is 110 x 110 x 45 (110 is about the max that will fit in any of those 6 slots. Obviously, this is an "old school" systainer for the domino storage. I am still tempted to just put them in a sys3 organizer, but this relatively cheap ($2.60) and they store in the same box with the real domino's.

the 5x30 box will be a bit smaller

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They're too packed in, they will feel unspecial and have poor self esteem. You should make a box that fits just one domino, then each gets their own living space. ;)
 
Second round is in: this is a lot better egonomically and easier to use, but it has too much dead space. The long finger slots are fine, they're widened for easier access, but we don't need them between every row of dominoes, it's just making it too inefficiently packed. I'll fill it with dominoes later for better photos, but I'm going to improve this design for the next set.

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I think this solves both the compact storage and easy accessibility problems:
DominoPez.jpg

Since there are seven domino thicknesses (4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm), you could choose one of Snow White's dwarfs for each, although with varying lengths, you'll need 14 to cover both DF500 and DF700 dominos.
 
I also like the strategy of gently sanding / shaving the flutes of a handful of normal dominoes
I used to do this, but I kept losing them … and then I didn’t have enough … and then etc.

My solution now is just to throw as many as I need in the microwave (pro-tip: don’t burn your fingers when taking them out). It slims them down just enough to easily pull them out, but once the glue hits them they swell back up again.
 
How long in the microwave, and at what power level?
30 or so, about 15 - 20 secs, but test a batch to determine what works well for you as the number/size of tenons and microwave wattage can affect the time.

They aren't as good as the sanded ones for long-term dry-fitting purposes because they can swell pretty quickly, depending on the shop humidity. I use the microwave method only when I run out of the sanded tenons and need some more.
 
30 or so, about 15 - 20 secs, but test a batch to determine what works well for you as the number/size of tenons and microwave wattage can affect the time.

They aren't as good as the sanded ones for long-term dry-fitting purposes because they can swell pretty quickly, depending on the shop humidity. I use the microwave method only when I run out of the sanded tenons and need some more.
Have you noticed how much this matters during the dry vs humid times of the year? I'll admit I'm not good about keeping mine sealed up (other than in the systainer) from the environment.
 
Have you noticed how much this matters during the dry vs humid times of the year? I'll admit I'm not good about keeping mine sealed up (other than in the systainer) from the environment.
Speaking from memory, the microwaved dominoes swell more or less the same around the year, maybe slightly quicker during winter time (due to moisture/snow trapped in the shop).
 
Sometimes, if a tenon is too tight, I use a pair of locking pliers to remove it. Since 4mm, 6mm and 8mm tenons are the most used tenons, I have two small pairs, one set for 6mm and one for 8mm. The settings provide just enough bite but won't damage the tenons.

When microwaving is used, I put the tenons in a paper bag. Boy, part of the bag can sometimes become moist as a result.
 
I machine my own tenons and for dry fitting I make them out of Jarrah, which is a super hard wood that's really stable dimensionally. Sanded up to 320 grit or so almost burnishes the faces so they're then really easy to insert/remove.
 
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