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Post by Tesla Ranger on Jun 24, 2015 23:56:48 GMT
Now that've got a pattern for a Map Case more or less down the next thing on my list to develop is a "Toolbox" for DMs. The idea would be to have a case/box with compartments for the various things that most DMs are going to need for a given session. So if you're heading somewhere else to play you could grab this one box and know you've got all the essentials. The tricky part for me, at least at the moment, is figuring out what counts as "the essentials". At the moment I'm figuring on a box with comparents for: - Pencils/markers
- Up to six conventionally sized minis in individual compartments
- A few sections for random tokens
- Maybe a spot for some spare index cards
With those specs I'd expect to wind up with a box that was about 2" tall x 6 wide x 10" long but that's an utter shot in the dark. I'd probably use some plywood to give the box it's structure and then wrap that in leather which would probably be carved because why the heck wouldn't it be. That's what I've been picturing but I'm just one DM. I was hoping ya'll might be willing to contribute some opinions to build on that. * What would you want to carry to -every- game? * About how big would you want it to be? Would there be a size maximum (bigger than a psudeodragon, smaller than a mephit?) * How would you want it decorated, if at all? * Anything else you'd want on it? Handles? Catches? etc?
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Samuel Wise
Demigod
Ready to Help...
Posts: 989
Favorite D&D Class: Warlock
Favorite D&D Race: Mousefolk
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Post by Samuel Wise on Jun 25, 2015 0:45:41 GMT
A place to put my PHB and DMG? Since I do a lot of Warhammer Wargaming I use there (mostly crummy, but expensive) carrying cases. A spot to put my rules I thought would always be nice. But they are quit large (little fatter then a regular briefcase) so I am used to bigger boxes. Here is a list of ideas (take or leave whatever you want):
-A place to put my rules. -A place to put my dice. -A place to put character sheets without them getting scrunched. -Decoration should be nice and classy, but simple so it can go well with any campaign/RPG. The decoration should also not be fantasy specific (or SciFi specific) so it can be used in multiple RPG genres. -Handles that can be "stowed away" so that you can have the "look" of a box without handles (such as handles that can be tucked in a compartment). -A place to put my loose leaf tea (completely joking).
I am throwing this idea out there as a completely awesome idea, that would be insane, but awesome: --A drawer at one end of the briefcase that can be pulled out all the way and locked in place. Instead of places to put things, this drawer would have a whiteboard on one side of it. The DM can use this whiteboard to sketch Dungeons/Riddles/Puzzles for the players. He can also use it to draw obstacles in a fight (sort of like the Draw Tool on Roll20).
There is a list of several ideas and a special, super ridiculous one (though cool)...
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Post by friartook on Jun 25, 2015 3:34:58 GMT
Funny, I've been fantasizing about the perfect DM box...
I bring my whole DM kit to someone else's house, and I've been trying to figure out the best combination of boxes, bags, etc. to make it easier.
My ideal DM box:
-Size: I feel like the box's internal dimensions should be sized so that it can optionally fit all three books stacked on one another. -Modularity: It would be cool to make some kind of modular wall system that would allow one to divide the box how one wants. So it could be one big open compartment holding your three books safe and sound, or could be divided into separate spaces for dice, minis, pads of paper, etc. -Detachable lid: My ideal box would have a detachable lid that could be used as a dice rolling tray. Preferably felt (leather?) lined.
I know that's a bunch of specifics and perhaps not what you are looking to make, but you did ask for feedback. I've been contemplating putting my rudimentary (at best) woodworking skills to use and building such a box. I've also got a great design for stackable vinyl LP storage boxes. All I need is time...
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Post by Tesla Ranger on Jun 25, 2015 15:48:43 GMT
I can certainly make something large enough to carry 3 books and everything else, but at that point you're entering the range of messenger bags and backpacks. That's certainly do-able, I have a few messenger bags and the like on my shop already, but I have yet to sell a messenger bag online. They aren't cheap to make and since they take about a week and a half they aren't cheap to buy either. As a generic example of a DM, would you be hypothetically willing to pay ~$200 for a dedicated DM "Bag of Holding"? I wouldn't really know the price until after the first (or third) prototype is finished but $200 probably wouldn't be that far off.
These all sound like pretty useful notions and I doubt I would've ever thought up the dry-erase board on my own. Thanks!
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Post by friartook on Jun 25, 2015 15:56:41 GMT
I can certainly make something large enough to carry 3 books and everything else, but at that point you're entering the range of messenger bags and backpacks. That's certainly do-able, I have a few messenger bags and the like on my shop already, but I have yet to sell a messenger bag online. They aren't cheap to make and since they take about a week and a half they aren't cheap to buy either. As a generic example of a DM, would you be hypothetically willing to pay ~$200 for a dedicated DM "Bag of Holding"? I wouldn't really know the price until after the first (or third) prototype is finished but $200 probably wouldn't be that far off. These all sound like pretty useful notions and I doubt I would've ever thought up the dry-erase board on my own. Thanks! To be perfectly honest, no. I wouldn't be willing to pay that much. You see, I like having genitals, and my lady would likely remove mine if I spent $200 on a bag/box just to carry my gaming tools. She is tolerant of my RPG love, but not that tolerant. That being said, I found a kickstarter at one point that was producing custom game boxes made of various woods and custom carved. These boxes were in the $150-$500 range on the kickstarter. Kickstarter products usually retail for more than they cost during the fundraising, so I don't think your price range is out of sync.
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Post by Tesla Ranger on Jun 25, 2015 17:11:44 GMT
My pricing formula is usually based on cost of the raw materials that go into the product and number of days it takes me to complete. Smaller projects like shoulder straps and pouches I can knock out in a few hours or half a day, though they aren't necessarily consecutive. Larger projects, like messenger bags, can easily take 5-11 days to complete. I usually wind up reducing the price from what my formula calculates just because the numbers get a bit high. The only reason I don't sell custom deerskin gloves in my shop is because I'd need to charge more for them than I think anyone would be willing to pay.
Anywho, I'm getting straying off topic. If we leave out the books (at least for now) the ideally we're down to these specs I think: * Total size 2" x 8.75" x 11.25" (basically the same size as the source books) * 8 rows, 1" wide (one that's nearly 2" wide), with moveable partitions (possibly cut from plastic) at 1" intervals * bottom row built with padded 1.5-2" compartments for 6-8 minis * detachable lid lined with felt * Plywood structure lined with suede, felt, and/or foam. Exterior covering of carved veg-tan Possibles: * slot/compartment for letter sized paper (8.5x11) * Increase depth by 1" (to 3") to make space for index cards * Pull out dry-erase board (probably pulls out completely, might be an alternative to the felt lining in the lid)
At a complete guess I'd probably put that between $40-100 depending on how the pattern, materials, etc all turn out. Ideally I'd like to keep the cost in the $30-60 range.
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Samuel Wise
Demigod
Ready to Help...
Posts: 989
Favorite D&D Class: Warlock
Favorite D&D Race: Mousefolk
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Post by Samuel Wise on Jun 25, 2015 17:20:11 GMT
I would love something like that! And would certainly drop money for all those features.
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Post by Tesla Ranger on Jun 25, 2015 17:27:24 GMT
And there's absolutely no reason I couldn't design a compartmentalized box as described above and then a dedicated bag that carries said box, 3 source books, and other paraphernalia later on. The two could be purchased separately or together as a set.
Thanks guys. All of this is very helpful. ^_^
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Post by joatmoniac on Jun 25, 2015 21:29:31 GMT
I love this idea, and I'm really trying to square away in my mind what i really NEED to run a game. I am much in the same boat as Friattook, in that I always run the game at someone else's house. I have a tendency to kitchen sink when I pack up and get ready to go. I bought an old 1930's lunch pail that I throw paper minis into. A box that used to have a range finder for shooting that I have all of my plastic minis in, but rarely use those as I print the exact minis I need typically. I take the same backpack that I take to work, but just repurpose it for gaming, so: laptop, iPad, pencils, dice, crit cards, plot twist cards, books, etc. SO yeah, glutton for punishment on the travel end.
If I were to buy a box like this I think it could do me some good. If I were to titrate it all down to the basics I think it would be: dice, pencils, markers, tokens, 3x5 cards, storage for some paper sized items (character sheets because I trust no one, etc. I would likely place my iPad in this area as well.) Other than that I don't know that you really NEED anything, and I would probably have the lunch pail and this box and look like a champion! Can't wait to see how this all develops.
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Post by Tesla Ranger on Jun 26, 2015 15:28:35 GMT
I'm in that same boat myself. I have a "Bag of Holding" from Thinkgeek that I pack my kit in (described in another thread here) and it's pretty well reached its capacity. I figure if I can replace my token box, index card thingie, and maaaaaaaaaybe the Mini Chest then I'll probably be pretty well off. I've got a very rough draft going now and once that's gotten somewhere I'll be sure to post it here. =)
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Post by Tesla Ranger on Jun 26, 2015 18:11:18 GMT
Here's what I've got so far: I'm counting on being able to find a cheap, lightweight, thin material, preferably no thicker than 1/8" (about 3mm) but some sort of plastic or acrylic should work for that if I can't find thin enough plywood. I figure if I split it right down the middle (so base and lid are both 1.5") then that gives me space for upright index cards without making too much hassle to pick a mini out of one of those compartments. I figure if I add an inch to the box's length then papers, notepads, or larger dry-erase boards can be stowed in the lid without interfering with index cards.
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Post by joatmoniac on Jun 26, 2015 22:28:25 GMT
I really like the looks of this, and if it is in your projected price range I'm not sure how I could not buy it! I also really like the idea of adding upright index cards and the ability to store paper/notepads, and things of that size. Great work already done, and I can't wait to see a prototype. Seriously considering getting myself a new belt before that though!
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Post by Tesla Ranger on Jun 27, 2015 0:00:00 GMT
I really like the looks of this, and if it is in your projected price range I'm not sure how I could not buy it! I also really like the idea of adding upright index cards and the ability to store paper/notepads, and things of that size. Great work already done, and I can't wait to see a prototype. Seriously considering getting myself a new belt before that though! Any particular kind of belt in mind? A good, solid natural leather belt can't be beat for every day wear but it's been awhile since I last opened up and cranked out one of these. If the timing works out maybe you'll be able them both together and save a bit on shipping. I'm expecting/hoping to have a few orders lined up at the start of next week (which would take priority over a prototype) but I'm hoping to have the prototype finished within the next week or two.
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Post by Tesla Ranger on Jun 28, 2015 0:00:57 GMT
I had been expecting to be able to work on a few orders yesterday and today. As it happens the orders haven't been purchased just yet so I've had plenty of time to work on this thing. I've finished a draft that probably isn't final but it's as far as I'll probably get until after a prototype or two. The layout of the base is largely as it was in that first draft, just a bit cleaned up. I figure all those partitions will sit on a bed of either cork or felt so they'll be just ever so slightly higher than the outer walls, which should help hold the lid in place all the more. Meanwhile, I've roughed out what the exterior will probably look like. I rather liked the notion of making the whole thing look like a big, bad book. I figure on using some pigskin (though there's still a choice between two options) to cover the top and bottom. I've got some cardstock I think I can weather to look like the old ends of paper for the walls. Around all of that I'll bolt a pair of leather straps and slap a carved bit of leather between the two of them. A couple clasps on the lid should hold it closed and then the lid could be set under the base, so it's somewhat out of the way. The lid's mostly hollow but probably has some straps going across it to hold any paper/notepads. I'm still working out the details of that. I spent some time this afternoon slapping together a quick 'n dirty prototype out of cardboard just to test the spacing of things. The fitting's a bit off on all the joints because the cardboard's not as thick as the plywood (and I wasn't that worried about absolute precision). The important bit is that everything fits. I might want a bit more room for minis, prolly by removing one of those pencil slots, but otherwise it seems to be coming along fairly well. I picked up what I'll need to pull together an actual prototype and if nothing else comes down the tube I'm hoping to whip that up on Monday.
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Post by joatmoniac on Jun 28, 2015 1:01:57 GMT
This is awesome! I don't know what all to even say. If I were to personally pick between the two options of pigskin I would lean towards the one on the bottom in the picture you linked. The dragon design looks really good as well. I think making it look like a bad ass book is also awesome. It makes me think of this: paizo.com/products/btpy8tg1 which I also own because I'm a sucker for things that look like books I guess, haha.
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