Wooden dice are a fun and versatile craft project that can be used for games, decoration, or as unique gifts. Making your own dice allows you to customize their size, shape, and appearance while honing your woodworking skills.

This guide will walk you through the steps of how to make wooden dice, from selecting the right materials to adding the finishing touches. Whether you’re an experienced woodworker or a beginner looking for a creative project, this tutorial will help you create high-quality dice with a personal touch.

Why Make Your Own Wooden Dice?

Creating your own wooden dice is a rewarding process that offers several unique benefits. Firstly, it allows for complete customization—choose your preferred wood type, size, and design to craft dice that reflect your personal style. Additionally, handmade wooden dice can be more durable and aesthetically pleasing than mass-produced alternatives, thanks to the natural beauty and strength of wood.

Beyond practicality, the process of making wooden dice is an excellent way to develop or refine your woodworking skills, making it a great project for beginners and seasoned artisans alike. Lastly, wooden dice serve as thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts or striking conversation pieces, adding a personal touch that makes them truly special.

Tools and Materials Needed

To craft your own wooden dice, you’ll require a few essential tools and materials. Start by gathering small blocks of hardwood, such as maple, oak, or walnut, which are ideal for their durability and fine grain. You’ll also need a precision saw for cutting the wood into uniform cube shapes, along with sandpaper of varying grits to smooth the surfaces and edges.

A wood burner or a fine-tip paintbrush can be used for etching or painting the numbers onto the dice. Additionally, wood glue might be needed for any repairs or reinforcements during the crafting process. Other helpful tools include a ruler or caliper for precise measurements, a drill with small bits for adding guide marks, and a finishing oil or sealant to protect the wood and enhance its natural beauty. Having these items on hand will ensure you’re well-prepared to create high-quality wooden dice.

10 Methods How to Make Wooden Dice

1. Select the Right Wood

The first step in making wooden dice is choosing the appropriate wood type. Softwoods such as pine or basswood are easier to work with for beginners due to their softness and ease of cutting, while hardwoods like maple, cherry, or walnut offer greater durability and a beautiful finish.

The wood should be free of knots and cracks to ensure a smooth final product. It’s best to use kiln-dried lumber to minimize warping or shrinking over time. Consider the grain direction as well, aiming for a block where the grain runs evenly to prevent splintering during cutting and sanding.

2. Cut the Wood into a Rough Cube

After selecting your wood, measure and mark the size of your dice on the board. Standard dice are typically 16mm to 20mm cubes, but you can adjust the size based on your preference. Use a ruler and pencil to mark precise dimensions on all sides of the block.

Next, use a saw—preferably a fine-toothed handsaw, band saw, or miter saw—to cut the wood into a rough cube shape. Take care to make straight cuts and maintain the marked dimensions as closely as possible. Accuracy at this stage is essential to ensure the dice are balanced and even.

3. Square and Refine the Cube Shape

Once you have the rough cube, the next step is to refine its shape to create perfectly square dice. This involves smoothing and squaring the edges and faces. Begin by using a hand plane or sanding block with medium-grit sandpaper (around 80 to 120 grit) to flatten and square each face.

Work gradually, sanding each side evenly to maintain right angles and equal dimensions. Using a combination square or a carpenter’s square will help you verify the accuracy of the angles. Precision in this step is crucial to ensure your dice roll fairly and look professional.

4. Sand the Dice Smoothly

After squaring the cube, smooth all surfaces and edges thoroughly with progressively finer sandpaper. Start with 150-grit sandpaper, moving up to 220 grit or finer for a polished finish. Sand all faces evenly to remove saw marks and rough spots, rounding the edges slightly for a comfortable feel while maintaining the overall cube shape.

Pay close attention to corners, smoothing them just enough to avoid sharp edges without altering the dice’s balance. Clean the dust off frequently during sanding to get a clear view of your progress and ensure an even surface.

5. Mark the Pips or Symbols Layout

Next, decide on the pattern for your dice faces, typically the traditional dot (“pip”) layout from one to six. Using a pencil and ruler, mark the exact positions for the pips on each face of the dice. The spacing and alignment of the pips should be symmetrical and consistent for all sides.

You can use dice templates found online or create your own precise layout using graph paper as a guide. For custom dice, you might opt for engraved symbols, numbers, or images. Accurate marking ensures that the pips are evenly spaced, aesthetically pleasing, and balanced for rolling.

6. Carve or Drill the Pips

Once marked, carve or drill the pips into the dice faces. For carving, use a small gouge or wood carving knife to create shallow, rounded indentations. Alternatively, a drill with a fine bit can make neat circular holes, giving a uniform look. For consistent depth and diameter, a drill press is ideal, but hand drilling is acceptable with care. Ensure that all pips are of the same size and depth, as variations could affect the dice’s roll fairness. Work slowly and precisely to avoid chipping or splintering the wood around the pips.

7. Fill the Pips with Paint or Resin (Optional)

To enhance visibility and aesthetic appeal, many wood dice makers fill the pips with paint or colored resin. For painting, use acrylic or enamel paint applied with a fine brush, carefully filling each indentation. Allow the paint to dry fully before proceeding. For a more durable and polished finish, colored epoxy resin can be poured into the pips and allowed to cure. This method creates a smooth, glossy surface flush with the wood. Choose contrasting colors such as black or white to ensure that the pips stand out clearly against the wood grain.

8. Apply a Protective Finish

Protecting your wooden dice with a finish will enhance their durability and appearance. Apply a clear wood finish such as polyurethane, lacquer, shellac, or tung oil. Use a brush or cloth to apply thin, even coats, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before sanding lightly with fine-grit sandpaper (320 grit or higher) and applying the next coat.

Multiple coats provide protection against moisture, wear, and staining, while enhancing the wood’s natural beauty. For a smooth, tactile feel, you may finish by buffing the dice with a soft cloth or fine steel wool.

9. Balance Test the Dice

Before considering your dice complete, conduct a balance test to ensure they roll fairly. Place the dice in a container of water with a few drops of salt (to achieve neutral buoyancy) and observe if the dice settle evenly or favor a particular side. Alternatively, roll the dice numerous times and note any bias toward certain numbers.

If you find imbalance, you can carefully adjust by sanding or adding tiny amounts of filler to specific areas to even out the weight distribution. Balanced dice produce fairer rolls and are especially important if the dice will be used for gaming.

10. Store and Use Your Wooden Dice Properly

Once completed, store your wooden dice in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture to maintain their finish and prevent warping. Consider a small wooden box or velvet pouch for protection during transport or storage. Regularly inspect the dice for chips or wear, especially around the pips, and touch up paint or finish as needed to keep them looking pristine. Wooden dice are beautiful, tactile gaming tools that can last many years with proper care, offering a unique alternative to plastic or metal dice.

Things to Consider When Choosing Wooden Dice

When selecting wooden dice, it’s important to consider the type of wood used, as it can affect both durability and aesthetic appeal. Hardwoods, such as maple or oak, are more resistant to dents and scratches, making them a practical choice for frequent use. On the other hand, exotic or softer woods might offer unique patterns and colors but may require extra care.

Another factor to keep in mind is the craftsmanship and finish of the dice—well-made wooden dice should have evenly painted or engraved pips and a smooth, polished surface. The size and weight of the dice are also crucial, as they can influence how comfortably they roll and how they feel in your hand. Finally, think about how the dice align with your personal preferences and gaming style to ensure they enhance your overall gaming experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, selecting the perfect set of wooden dice involves considering a blend of craftsmanship, aesthetics, and functionality. Thanks for reading our blog post on how to make wooden dice! We hope you found it helpful and informative.