I've been playing a little bit of Ironsworn, with a new character (Milla Ravenmark). I've also have just learned about "narrative dice". I honestly had no idea those were a thing, and I was surprised because I love rolling polyhedrals! I mean, the first thing that came to mind were Rory Story Cubes (which of course I own), but nope. Narrative dice are different, and they are used in the Genesys system and a couple of Star Wars RPGs that I haven't tried. A quick google search gave me some new info on the topic!

Thanks to Runehammer's video on narrative dice, and his DIY system, I have just bought a couple of materials from Amazon in hopes of creating my own custom set: 100 assorted color blank six-sided dice, a simple electric engraver that can be used with plastic, and a set of paint pens. The paint pen idea came from this video that teaches you how to color your custom engraved dice. His system looks PERFECT for a solo rpg approach! Now, I'm hinking on how to use those dice with USR rpg.

I'm also working on creating my custom dice tower on the cheap using a can of Pringles and some other easy-to-get items.

I'm looking forward to see how things go!

Engraving, join me in ruining perfectly good guns!

Edit:

Starter kit for hand engraving as a cheap person

• Square Graver
  
• Graver Handle
  
  Starter kit for the wild child with a dremmel
  
  
• Diamond Burrs
  
  OR
  
  
• Tungsten Carbide burrs (these need a 3/32 collet)
  
  Full hobo mode
  
  
• Take a spade bit (look in the trash, where they belong)
  
• Grind it down to a graver shape freehand
  
• EDIT: Heat treat so that it actually works. (repeat multiple times because you are using a torch and a glass of water like a poor person)
  
• Grab a stick
  
• Drill a hole slightly smaller than the diamater of the shaft of your improvised graver
  
• Jam that ducker into the stick like its a handle
  
• Grab a small hammer and get to whackerin

I'd recommend hobby chisels, but they're a little bit on the pricely side for beginners. Try to get a pen-type scribing needle like this kind. Most guide will recommend you emboss labeling tapes which are essentially, generally of dymo brand- but other brands are fine too depending on availability. I've heard from other builders too that hobby scribing tape like this are better than dymo, but i've never tried one myself.

Oh man, I wish I were crafty and skilled enough to machine metal...

My Fiancee got this for me as a gift and I love it, here's the link: Jewelers Universal Holder

I was looking at mini holders and couldn't find anything I liked. The top is a hex grid with circular holes for pegs and you can adjust it for all kinds of base sizes under 50mm

There's even a Desktop Version of the Jewelers Holder (though its a little more expensive)

here is a link for blank d20s then get some durable craft paints like this enamel paint and an engraving tool here. So what you have to do is paint the dice then engrave them, use another D20 for reference so you know which sides get which number. It'll be a bit more work but you will save a lot of money and I promise you once you buy an engraver you will use it for everything.

Depending on the items you’re talking about, engraving is probably your best option if you’re passably handy with tools. Best with metal or wood, but the right plastics would be doable with care.

$15-25 will buy you an electric engraving tool. This one is under $15 and includes letter stencils.

Wow those are awful. Looks like I get to push my new strategy for hard to reach mould lines to the limit.

I've been using an engraving pen lately and it's working pretty well as long as you have a steady hand. It's basically a Dremel that will do less damage if you mess up.

General Tools 505 Cordless Precision Engraver with Diamond Tip Bit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004YK66NM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_EDqPBbG7DE5G4

If you want to go cheap and simple for a start at engraving get something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/General-Tools-505-Cordless-Precision/dp/B004YK66NM/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1381286623&sr=1-1&keywords=engraving+pen

I'm assuming you're new to engraving so getting something cheap and simple like this would let you try it out for a good price to see how the whole engraving thing feels for you.

For future reference, go get an electric engraver. And use it to tattoo your equipment. Name and TX DL is all you need to engrave. It works!

I recently recovered my reported stolen car stereo from HPD's Property Room

Your tools with a name & DL# tattooed on them have a value of 0$ at every pawn shop as they won't touch them.

Nice idea. It might not be pretty, but you might be able to buy an engraver and do it yourself. This one is 3 millibits: https://www.amazon.com/Electric-Engraving-Engraver-Jewellery-Jewelry/dp/B01M6X5KWV

Doesn't have to be pretty if nobody supposed to be lookin' at it right?

As far as work holding, Amazon sells something like what you're describing for about $20 here

Alternatively there is a desk-top version of roughly the same thing here

Also, have you considered adding weights to your brushes? I know people with that have tremors bad enough that they have trouble using silverware. They say that weighted utensils like these make a world of difference. I imagine the same principles might apply to painting.

Also, shaky hands or no, that mini looks badass for sure. Great work :)

Links to pictures of items used. Bought them all at home depot.

Handy Box Cover Blank .57 cents https://linx.li/677ggo0c.jpg

1 x 1 Foot Weldable Steel Sheet $7.24 https://linx.li/al5wail8.jpg There may be cheaper sheets out there. As someone pointed out these are rather thin and may melt at lower temps. A thicker sheet is recommended if you are worried about a fire.

6-32 x 1/2 Inch Flathead Screws w/nuts $1.18 ((The ones shown are zinc. I went back and found some steel ones but with nuts in separate bag.)) https://linx.li/mlwrmezc.jpg https://linx.li/jbdzghov.jpg

Grand Total of $10.35 https://linx.li/l71b7fia.jpg

Engraver goes for about $15 on amazon. First ask your uncle or a friend that may have one laying around. Same for the snips.

https://www.amazon.com/Tacklife-Multi-functional-Engraver-Precision-Replaceable/dp/B01N7SQ3LG/ref=pd_sbs_469_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01N7SQ3LG&pd_rd_r=DCXKYT5EZ3D19Y1K573M&pd_rd_w=uTjzd&pd_rd_wg=jvXNH&psc=1&refRID=DCXKYT5EZ3D19Y1K573M

I've used something similar to this, but I do have quite a bit of practice and a steady hand.

Yes I have gotten it. Replaced the exhaust components straight away and added 3d printed air assist was about to try it out and saw the focusing lense was crushed. Seller seems like he's going to replace it I did go ahead an order a new one already and head with air assist built in. Waiting on those to arrive so I can fire it up and give it a try.

TEN-HIGH Diameter 18mm Focal Lens for CO2 Laser Cutting engraving machine, FL: 2" (2"/50.8mm) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ER2ISX2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_hqeEDb7ZZZSMS

18mm Laser Head w/Air Assisted. Ideal for K40 Machine https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0094WLPYK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_5peEDb2HHPVBS

I bought this rotary chuck. Setting it up was super simple. Just lower the bed pretty much all the way and set it in. One thing to look for is that the appropriate jaws are in the right slot (they’re numbered and I was stupid). This version has a 4 pin connector so make sure your machine does as well but basically it just takes over the y-axis and turns it into a circular motion.

Here's a suggestion for him: There are carbide-tipped marking tools (one example) that can scratch a mark on just about anything. They're often less than $5, and last a long time. I have one of them, and it works well. I've also taken a worn-out round file, smoothed it down with a belt sander, then ground a point on it. Since the steel for files is usually harder than most other metals, it works well as a marking tool, too.

[This] (http://www.amazon.com/SODIAL--Handheld-Engraving-Etching-Rotary/dp/B008U6HOH8/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1376862785&sr=8-5&keywords=etching+tool) is what I was gifted and used. I wanted something inexpensive first to try my hand at it.

This. I bought one of these guys at Walgreens for $10. Probably the best $10 I've spent on "brewing" equipment, at least as far as my kettle goes. Works really well. Since this photo was taken I've added half-gallon marks as well. I may add some small notches for quarts too, but this works for now.

Also, he should buy an electric engraver. Use it to write the church name and phone number on everything of value. That will pretty much make the items unsellable to all but the most unscrupulous buyers.

I have one at work so I've been thinking about this too. So far I've done bridesmaids names on their bridesmaid proposal boxes.
Also planning to make :
My own rubber stamp with our return address for STDs and invites
Considering magnet STDs if shipping isn't bad
Other Ideas:
If you're doing a photobooth or polaroids you can do mini wooden frames as favors
Some one on here did table numbers.

This should help you out.

This.

Nothin fancy but it worked well enough.

Have you thought about a little engraver like this? Maybe with a smaller bit.

Amazon has rubber sheets for laser stamp making. It works fine.

https://www.amazon.com/Orange-Rubber-Stamp-Engraving-Machine/dp/B017IHVSLM

Something like this.

http://www.amazon.com/Smith-Micro-Engraver-Engraving-Ceramics/dp/B004OUK1RY/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hi_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1C4VF9SPP2AT5ECNCHS3

Mispoke when i said laser.

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https://www.amazon.com/FOLAI-Electric-Engraving-Engraver-Jewellery/dp/B01M6X5KWV/ref=pd_bxgy_img_3/133-1264437-9514827?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01M6X5KWV&pd_rd_r=eb5913fe-69a3-11e9-b421-cdcde3290510&pd_rd_w=q2ABO&pd_rd_wg=skNni&pf_rd_p=a2006322-0bc0-4db9-a08e-d168c18ce6f0&pf_rd_r=9E5QH5N2G79XS9ZB4M0E&psc=1&refRID=9E5QH5N2G79XS9ZB4M0E

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More of a precision dremel

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edit

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i'd go for a powered option instead of batteries

https://www.amazon.com/Afantti-Electric-Engraver-Engraving-Stencils/dp/B07H1VSN2Q/ref=pd_bxgy_201_img_3/133-1264437-9514827?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07H1VSN2Q&pd_rd_r=f2c73ce3-69a3-11e9-b7b1-9768eea003d5&pd_rd_w=trVEx&pd_rd_wg=I9Fyg&pf_rd_p=a2006322-0bc0-4db9-a08e-d168c18ce6f0&pf_rd_r=3J08B53PBHHWX676F7BP&psc=1&refRID=3J08B53PBHHWX676F7BP

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edit business card blanks

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=metal+business+cards+blanks&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

Engraver.

http://www.amazon.com/WEN-21C-Variable-Electric-Engraver/dp/B0060C7PDM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1458990052&sr=8-2&keywords=engraver

It's a general tools 505 cordless precision engraver. It's actually 15 bucks. https://www.amazon.com/General-Tools-505-Cordless-Precision/dp/B004YK66NM