Introduction: K'Nex Dice Tower (Regular)

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About: I am retired. I found K'Nex when my son was given a tub of them as a present. I now have an extensive collection. I try to use the normal colored K'Nex pieces for my instructables. I want everything to be clea…

This is a K’Nex “Dice Tower”. Using a dice tower is a great way to roll dice fairly. The die (a single shape) or dice (multiples) strike a minimum of three of the four slopes, this should randomly tumble the dice.

This tower works for dice of any number of sides and from 1/4” (7mm) up to 1.5” (38mm). The smallest may need a paper or something to cover the holes in the landing tray. A die with more than 8 sides may also need a paper in the tray to help show a single value facing up. Pictured are 4 dice but this has space for many more.

There are many rods that are connected only on one end. These are to block holes that a die could otherwise roll out of.

There are some places (especially on the sides) where a panel or a white (round) connector could be used. This is a simpler version requiring only 1 special piece (the large square panel). Angle pegs could also be used but these are rare so I avoided them. The slopes should not include panels as the dice could slide down them instead of tumbling and rolling.

There are many steps and pictures. Some may seem redundant but they help to illustrate the placement and construction of the assembly. There are steps that would be confusing without the extra pictures.

Supplies

The K’Nex pieces needed are listed here.

Rods:

  • 3 Red
  • 11 yellow
  • 19 blue
  • 96 white
  • 142 green

Connectors:

  • 45 white
  • 3 blue
  • 53 purple
  • 34 yellow
  • 4 red
  • 4 orange
  • 4 grey

Other:

  • 1 panel 3.75” (95mm)

Step 1: Assemble the Purples

Attach 3 purple connectors to 3 blue connectors to make 3 blue assemblies. Pair up the remaining 50 purple connectors to make 25 purple assemblies.

Step 2: Begin the Tray

Put 2 white rods on a yellow connector, 1 on each end. Add 2 green rods to the yellow connector next to the white rods. Connect the end of 1 purple assembly on the other end of each of the 2 white rods. This group should be able to lay flat with one part of the purple assemblies sticking up.

Put 1 green rod on each of the purple assemblies next to the white rods, continuing the flat assembly. Add 1 white connector to 2 green rods on both sides of the yellow connector, joining the yellow to the purple assemblies. Connect 1 white rod between the 2 white connectors. With this assembly on the work surface so the purple assemblies are away from you, put 1 white rod in the purple assembly to your left so it goes alongside the white connector. Attach 1 white connector to the other end of that white rod. Put 1 green rod between the two white connectors, joining them. This tray side should include 5 green rods, 4 white rods, 3 white connectors, 2 purple assemblies, and 1 yellow connector.

Stand this assembly up and connect it to the square panel. This is the first side of the dice landing tray. The other side begins the same.

Put 2 white rods on a yellow connector, 1 on each end. Add 2 green rods to the yellow connector next to the white rods. Connect the end of 1 purple assembly on the other end of each of the 2 white rods. This group should be able to lay flat with one part of the purple assemblies sticking up.

Put 1 green rod onto each of the purple assemblies next to the white rods, continuing the flat assembly. With this assembly on the work surface so the purple assemblies are away from you, add 1 white connector to 2 green rods, one on the yellow connector and one on the purple assembly to your right. Add 1 yellow connector to the other green rods. Connect 1 white rod between the yellow connector and the white connector. Put 1 white rod in the purple assembly to your right so it goes alongside the white connector. Attach 1 white connector to the other end of that white rod. Put 1 green rod between the two white connectors, joining them.

This assembly should look a little like the state of Florida. The purple assemblies along the top should stick up, the two white connectors should appear to go into the Gulf of Mexico, and the purple connected to the yellow would border on Alabama.

Stand this assembly up and connect it to the other side of the square panel. This is the second side of the dice landing tray. The 2 sides should be different. Connect 1 yellow rod to the purple assemblies below the white connectors.

Step 3: Complete the Tray

Put 2 white rods on a yellow connector, 1 on each end. Attach 2 green rods next to the white rods in the yellow connector. Add 1 yellow connector at an angle on each of the 2 green rods. All 3 yellow connectors should be in a row with 1 facing one way and 2 facing the other. Put 1 white rod between the two yellow connectors. Add another white rod on the outside of the yellow connectors to make the tray-end assembly. Attach the tray-end assembly to the purple connectors on the front of the tray, away from the yellow rod. This tray-end should be able to rotate easily. All 4 sides of the panel should now have something.

Put 1 green rod onto 1 grey connector. Repeat this to make 2 grey/green assemblies. Slip the opening of 1 grey/green assembly over 1 white rod on the tray-end assembly. Tilt the tray-end assembly to attach the grey/green assembly to the connector (either white or yellow depending on which side it is). Repeat this for the other side. Removing the dice from the tray is easier because this tray-end is tilted.

Some of the pictures in these steps show the tray standing on end. This is to better illustrate how the tray is assembled.

Click 1 red rod onto the white connectors at the top of the tray in a notch at an angle (not the top or side notch). This should be in the second notch above the green rods on either side. Put 1 blue rod on the end of 1 yellow connector. Attach 1 white rod next to the blue rod. Connect 1 green rod next to the white rod. Add 1 green rod on the other end of the yellow connector. Put 1 white rod in the top (or bottom) of 1 blue assembly. Attach this blue assembly to the blue rod on the yellow connector at an angle so that the 2 white rods nearly touch. Attach this assembly to the 3 white connectors on the side of the tray, be sure the purple part of the blue assembly is facing inward and is vertical (pointing up and down). This completes the tray assembly.

Step 4: Begin the Base of the Tower

Put 2 white rods on a yellow connector, 1 on each end. Add 1 green rod next to 1 of the white rods. Attach the center of 1 purple assembly to the other end of the white rod, away from the green rod. Put a white connector on the green rod. Add 1 green rod on the other end of the white connector, and 1 more green rod so it is near the white rod. Connect the white rod and the green rod to the blue assembly at the top of the tray. The green rod should also connect to the white connector that has a red rod on it.

Put 2 white rods on a white connector, 1 on each side. Add 1 green rod next to 1 of the white rods. Attach the center of 1 purple assembly to the other end of each white rod. Put a white connector on the green rod. Add 1 green rod on the other end of the white connector, and 1 green rod to join the purple assembly to the white connector. Put 1 white rod on the end of the purple assembly near the white connector. The green rod and white rod should nearly touch. This assembly should lay flat with both purple assemblies sticking up the same way. This again might look like a rough sketch of Florida.

Connect the white rod and the green rod to the white connector with the red rod. Both purple assemblies need to point up and down. There should be 4 white connectors in a diagonal row on this side.

Step 5: Continue the Base

This group will build the lowest and largest slope called the "exit slope" assembly. There are many pieces but it is not too complicated. The exit slope alone uses 4 purple assemblies, 8 white connectors, 1 yellow connector, 13 white rods, and 23 green rods.

Begin by putting 4 green rods into 1 white connector to make 1 dark star assembly. Repeat this to make a second dark star. Connect these dark stars with 1 white rod. Attach 1 white connector to every green rod sticking out (six white connectors). Continue the grid by adding 15 green rods (1 outside corner will not need a green rod).Connect 1 white rod between the white connectors and on the ends of the center row of white connectors. All white rods should point the same direction which will help the dice to flow down the slope. Add 1 yellow connector on the short side of the assembly so 1 white rod and 2 green rods connect. Put 1 white rod on each end of this yellow connector. This will be the top of the exit slope and should be where 1 green rod is missing.

The sides need purple assemblies. Put 1 white rod on the end of 1 purple assembly, then connect the other end of the white rod to the end of second purple assembly. Add 1 more white rod to the end of 1 of the purple assemblies to complete a purple/white assembly. Repeat this to make 2 purple/white assemblies. Align 1 purple/white assembly so the loose white rod is near a white rod on the yellow connector, and connect the purple/white assemblies onto the green rods of the exit slope assembly. Repeat for the other side of the exit slope. Make sure all of the purple assemblies point the same way as these are the side rails that keep the dice in play.

Holding the yellow connector, align the white rods with the purple connectors at the top of the base. There should be 2 white rods to connect to each side of the dice tower, 4 in total. These are the only connections this exit slope will have. The purple/white assemblies (the sides of the exit slope) do not connect to any part of the base or the tray assemblies. The missing green rod should be in the corner between the yellow connectors. If it bothers you, go ahead and put a green rod there but this is not included in the parts count.

Step 6: Complete the Base

Put 1 yellow rod the end of 1 purple assembly. Connect 1 more purple assembly on the other end of the yellow rod. Add 1 yellow rod to the center of both purple assemblies to make a purple/yellow assembly. Be sure the yellow rods can lay flat with one side of the purple assemblies sticking up. Connect the 2 yellow rods of the purple/yellow assembly to the purple assemblies at the back of the tray, below the slope. The purple assemblies of the purple/yellow assembly need to be pointing out and up to the free end of the slope. Add 2 yellow rods between the slope and the purple/yellow assembly as supports for the slope and the back of the dice tower.

Put 4 blue rods onto 1 white connector to make a blue/white assembly. Connect the blue/white assembly between the slope and the purple/yellow assembly which should stabilize the legs and the dice tower. This completes the base of the dice tower.

Step 7: Begin the Mid Section

As you build, be sure all purple assemblies point to the inside of the dice tower.

Put 2 white rods on a yellow connector, 1 on each end. Attach 2 green rods next to the white rods in the yellow connector. Add 1 yellow connector to each of the 2 green rods at an angle. All 3 yellow connectors should be in a row with 1 facing one way and 2 facing the other. Put 1 white rod between the two yellow connectors. Add 1 green rod at an angle to both of the yellow connectors to complete this yellow/white assembly. The green rods should look like a weave pattern. Attach the white and green rods of this yellow/white assembly to the open purple connectors above the red rod of the base or tray so the two yellow connectors are near the red rod. This yellow/white assembly will help keep the dice controlled and flowing into the tray below.

Connect 1 yellow rod onto the end of 1 purple assembly. Repeat this to make 2 yellow/purple assemblies. Add a red rod to a purple assembly near 1 of the yellow rods. Attach the yellow rod to 1 purple assembly on the side of the dice tower that has a yellow connector. Do this for both yellow/purple assemblies, and attach the red rod as well.

Again put 4 green rods into 2 white connectors to make 2 dark star assemblies. Connect these by attaching a yellow connector at an angle to 1 green rod on each of the dark stars. Add 1 white rod to each of the 3 open notches of the yellow connector. Put 1 white connector on the white rod between the dark stars and on the 2 green rods near it. Add 2 green rods to the white connector so it too looks like a dark star. Attach 2 yellow connectors at an angle on the new green rods. Join these yellow connectors with a white rod. Join the 2 yellow connectors to the 2 white connectors with 2 white rods. Each white connector should now be joined to a yellow connector by a white rod.

Click 1 orange connector to 1 white rod that is between the white and yellow connectors on each of the sides. Add 1 green rod onto the yellow connector in the open notch near the orange connector. Do this on both sides. This is a lower slope. The yellow connector with 2 white rods is at the top of this slope. The 2 white rods connect to the yellow/purple assemblies on the side of the mid section of the dice tower. This lower slope is temporarily loose.

Step 8: Continue the Mid Section 1

Put 3 green rods onto the sides and center of 1 yellow connector. Do this again to make a second yellow/green "T" assembly. Attach 1 white connector to a green rod that is on the end of a yellow/green "T" assembly. Do this again for the other yellow/green "T". Add 1 blue rod to the other end of each of the white connectors. Put 1 blue rod on the side of each of the white connectors to make 2 white/blue assemblies.

Connect 1 white/blue assembly on either side of the lower slope. The green rod on the end of the white/blue assembly connects to the purple assemblies below the bottom of the lower slope. The blue rod on the other end of the white/blue assemblies connects to the purple assemblies at the top of the lower slope and clicks onto the orange connectors. The blue rod of the white/blue assembly that goes above the red rod connects to the blue assembly just above the red rod. The blue rod of the white/blue assembly for the back of the tower connects to a purple assembly at the top of the exit slope. The yellow connectors need to face up with an unconnected green rod.

To make 1 double-purple/yellow assembly, put 3 green rods onto the sides and center of 1 yellow connector. Put 1 purple assembly at an angle onto 1 green rod on the end of the yellow connector. Add 1 white rod on the end of the purple assembly, near the green rod. Put 1 purple assembly on the other end of that white rod and on the green rod on the center of the "T" assembly. Both purple assemblies should be in line and be able to lay flat with 1 side sticking up. Add 1 white rod to the open end of the purple assembly that is connected to the green rod that is on the center of the yellow connector. Put 1 white rod on the center of this same purple assembly (it should nearly touch the green rod). Make another double-purple/yellow assembly that faces the other way.

The green rod on the yellow connector and the white rod on the purple assembly of the double-purple/yellow assembly goes on the white connector. The white rod on the lower end of the double-purple/yellow assembly goes into the purple assembly on the top of the base. At this stage, all four corners of the dice tower should be the same height.

Put 4 green rods onto 1 white connector to make a dark star assembly. Repeat this to have 2 dark star assemblies. Join these dark stars with 1 white connector on 1 green rod from each so the 3 white connectors are like a right-angle triangle. Put 2 green rods on the center white connector. Add 4 white rods to fill the center white connector to make it look like a white/dark star. This assembly attaches on the side of the tower between the slopes with the white rod sticking up. The 4 outer green rods connect to purple assemblies and 2 inner green rods go into a white connector just above the side of the exit slope. This is building a wall to keep the dice inside of the tower.

Step 9: Continue the Mid Section 2

Put 2 white rods onto 1 yellow connector, 1 on each end. Add 2 green rods, 1 next to each white rod. Attach 1 white connector to 1 of the green rods. Put 1 more white connector on the other green rod. Put 4 green rods, 2 each on the white connectors, 1 on the other side from the yellow connector and 1 near the white rod. This assembly will be the top of the wall. Connect the white rods and green rods to the purple connectors of the double-purple/yellow assembly.

Put 3 white rods onto 1 yellow connector to make a yellow/white "T" assembly. Add 1 green rod between 2 of the white rods. Do this again to make 2 yellow/white "T" assemblies. Connect one yellow/white "T" assembly on either side of the slope with the green rod near the blue rod. The white rods on the sides of the yellow connector go to purple assemblies and the lower white rod goes to a white connector. The green rod does not connect but will help keep the dice inside of the dice tower.

Put 3 green rods onto 1 yellow connector to make a yellow/green "T" assembly. Add 1 white connector to 1 green rod on the side of the yellow connector. Attach 1 white rod onto the white connector, near to the green rod. Connect the center of 1 purple assembly to the white rod and to the green rod on the center of the yellow connector. Put 1 white rod on the end of the purple assembly so it is near the green rod of the yellow connector to make a yellow/purple/white assembly. With this assembly arranged so the yellow connector is below the purple assembly, add 1 blue rod to the bottom of the white connector. Repeat this entire assembly as a mirror so that the 2 yellow/purple/white assemblies face opposite directions. Connect the blue rod of 1 of the yellow/purple/white assemblies to the purple assembly at the top of the wall. The white and green rods connect to the purple assembly at the top of the slope. Be sure the purple assemblies point inward.

Connect 1 yellow rod onto the end of 1 purple assembly. Repeat this to make 2 yellow/purple assemblies. Add a red rod to a purple assembly near 1 of the yellow rods. Connect each yellow rod and the red rod to the purple assemblies at the top of the wall.

Put 1 white rod onto the end of 1 yellow connector. Add 1 yellow connector to the other end of the white rod. Connect 2 white rods, 1 onto the center of each yellow connector. Put 4 green rods, 2 on each of the yellow connectors leaving the end notch open. Attach 2 white connectors, 1 each onto the end of the white rods. Put 1 white connector in the center by attaching it to the green rods of the yellow connectors. Add 2 green rods so all 3 white connectors are joined. Click 2 orange connectors, one on the side of each white rod that is between the white and yellow connectors. Put 1 white rod on the center white connector so it goes up between the other two white connectors. Attach 1 yellow connector to this white rod. Add 2 green rods to join the yellow connector to the white connectors. Every yellow connector should now have 2 green rods. Put 2 white rods on the yellow connector that is joined to 2 white connectors to make the upper slope assembly. Attach the white rods of the upper slope assembly to the purple assemblies that are on top of the yellow rods on the tower.

Put 1 green rod onto 1 grey connector. Slide this onto 1 blue rod. Repeat this to make 2 of these. Attach the blue rod to the purple assemblies at the top of the tower. Also click the blue rods onto the orange connector and the white connector making sure the grey connector is between the orange connector and the purple assembly.

Step 10: Complete the Mid Section

Put 4 green rods on 1 white connector to make 1 dark star. Add 4 white rods to fill the white connector to make it a white/dark star. Attach 1 white connector to 1 green rod. Put 2 green rods on that white connector, 1 across from the connected green rod and 1 so it is near the white rod of the white/dark star. Do this again so there are 3 joined white connectors as a triangle with 4 white rods and 8 green rods. Attach this assembly to the 4 open purple assemblies on the side of the tower. This starts the wall between the 2 mid slopes.

Add 2 green rods to the sides of 1 white connector. Repeat this to make two of these. Attach 1 white connector to 1 of the green rods. Do this again to make an open triangle. Connect this assembly to the purple assemblies and white connector at the top of the partial wall.

Put 1 white rod on the end of 1 purple assembly. Add 1 green rod next to the white rod. Attach 1 blue rod on the other side of the white rod. Put 1 white rod next to the green rod. Repeat this as a mirror to make 2 of these assemblies, one facing each way. Attach the blue rod to the white connector on the side of the upper slope, and the white rods to the purple assembly and white connector of the wall. One of these assemblies is for each side of the tower.

Put 3 white rods onto 1 white connector to make a white "T" assembly. Repeat this to make 2 white "T" assemblies. Each white "T" assembly joins two purple assemblies at the top of the tower and the white connector on the side of the slope. Swing the grey connector up so that the green rod connects to the white "T" assembly. This completes the mid section.

Step 11: Begin the Upper Section

Put 1 green rod on the bottom of 1 blue assembly. Add 1 green rod on the side of this blue assembly. Repeat this as a mirror to make 2 of these assemblies. Attach the green rod at the bottom of 1 of these assemblies at an angle to the white connector at the top of the tower, and connect the other green rod to the purple assembly away from the slope. It is important that the purple part of these assemblies slant towards the upper slope.

Connect 1 white rod between 2 yellow connectors so that they are in line. Add 2 green rods to each yellow connector leaving the center notch open. Repeat this to make 2 white/yellow assemblies. Join these 2 assemblies by putting 1 white connector on the center green rods. Add 2 white rods, 1 between each of the yellow connectors to make a yellow/white square assembly which will be the top slope. Connect the outer green rods to the blue assemblies at the top of the tower. The top slope should slant down to the upper slope.

Make a yellow/green "T" assembly by putting 3 white rods and 2 green rods onto 1 yellow connector so the white rods form the "T" and the green rods are in the pits. Add 1 white connector to 1 of the green rods. Put 1 green rod on the other end of the white connector and 1 green rod so it nearly touches the white rod. Repeat this to make 2 of these assemblies. Attach the green rod on the yellow connector to the slanted blue assembly. The white rod and 1 green rod connect to the white connector and 1 green rod joins this to the purple assembly at the top of the upper slope.

Step 12: Complete the Upper Section

Put the end of 2 red connectors on either end of 1 yellow rod. Connect this assembly to the white rods above the top slope on the tower. Add 2 white rods to a yellow connector, 1 on each end. Attach 2 green rods next to the white rods in the yellow connector. Connect the end of 2 red connectors, 1 on the end of each white rod. Put 1 white connector on each green rod. Join the white connectors with 1 white rod. Add 1 green rod on the other end of each of the white connectors and 1 green rod so it nearly touches the red connector but do not join them. Include this assembly at the top of the tower by attaching the red connectors to the white rods on the yellow connectors. The lower green rods on the white connectors should attach to the purple assemblies at the top of the upper slope.

The only thing left to do is to add the blue rods to the corners. Slide 1 blue rod down through each red connector and attach it to the purple assembly on the corner. Repeat this for all 4 corners.

The dice tower is now complete. Give it a try!

Step 13: After Thoughts

I prefer the smaller dice tower which I have posted on Instructables. It uses fewer parts and can handle smaller dice. However, the smaller version should not be used for more than 4 dice.

The smallest die I tested is 3/8" or 5mm. There are places this tiny die would get stuck using this regular Dice Tower but it worked fine on the smaller Dice Tower. A paper was added to the landing tray so this tiny die could land flat and show a value.