Mancala is a two person board game for people of all ages. The object of this game is to move beads around the board and end up with the most in your slot. Here is a link to a more detailed description of the rules ( https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/how-to-play-mancala-409424 ). This mancala board features two half boards, 48 beads of varying color and a hinge to keep the halves together. The materials needed to complete this project are listed below.

Supplies

TWO 5” x 9” x ¾” pieces of wood
Carving Machine
3D printer
Filament for the 3D printer
ONE 1'' utility hinge

Step 1: Print the Beads

Download the above file and open it in your 3D printing computer software. We used a MakerBot Replicator Mini+ to print our beads (since mancala requires 48 beads, we decided to print out 8 red, 8 orange, 8 yellow, 8 green, etc, but you can print whatever combination of colors you desire).

*additional notes*

We suggest to print either 4 or 8 at a time (as shown above) to shorten the overall printing time (the printing time for 8 beads on the MakerBot Replicator Mini+ was approximately 1 hour 15 minutes)

Print with a raft and supports if able to, to make sure that the print is accurate.

After prints are done, remove the rafts.

Mancala Bead File.stl
Download View in 3D

Step 2: Carve the Board

Now to carve the board. The first file is a project file from easel by inventables. This software can connect to the carving machine needed for this piece. Our file has the correct depths set in order for the print to come out even and accurate. The second file is the design for the board in CAD software.

Mancala requires two sides so you will have to carve twice.

Some advice:

Use a dremel to make the slots more smooth

Stain the board (if you so desire) for a cleaner finish

Step 3: Add the Hinge

Use a 1" utility hinge to open and close the board. The reason you would not use two hinges on separate sides of the board is because the screws would go through the slots which is not aesthetically pleasing and quite frankly dangerous. We suggest drilling a few small holes where the screws will go to help ensure they go in straight. After the hinge goes on you are finished!

Tips:

Make sure you attach the hinge straight or else the board will look a little ~wonky~

we learned this the hard way :(

If you would like your board to be portable you can put a nail in the each of the boards (like shown above) and wrap an elastic around them (this is completely optional though)