Spools Travel Mahjong

Category: Equipment · Lightweight 3D-printed American mahjong sets (1.6 lb, full-size, floating tiles; Braille edition)
Also called: Spools; Spools Inc; Spools Travel Mahjong Tiles; Spools floating pool mahjong; spools.com
Last checked: 2026-10-09

What it is

Spools is a maker of lightweight, full-size American mahjong sets that are 3D printed in the USA and made to order. Each set has 160 tiles (144 base tiles, 10 jokers and 6 blanks) at about 1.4 × 1 × 0.4 inches. The tiles are hard, partly hollow PLA plastic, so the full tile set weighs 1.6 lb (the shop compares that with about 14 lb for a traditional set), and the tiles float. Matching 20-inch racks and pushers split in half for travel, and a full bundle weighs about 3 lb. Editions include a beginner-friendly Compass set, a raised “3D” set, seasonal and pool themes, and a Braille set for blind and low-vision players. Tile sets start at $275. It is an equipment maker selling from its own shop, not a club or a multi-brand reseller.

Who it’s for

American Mah Jongg players who travel, play poolside or at the lake, or can’t carry a heavy set. The founder says he designed the first set for his grandmother after her set became too heavy for her. The Braille edition suits blind and low-vision players and mixed-vision tables. Existing Equipment listings on disk are mostly acrylic or melamine tile-set boutiques (Luxe, Mahjong Co., Oh My Mahjong, OMG Mahj, Amahj Line, Southern Sparrow, etc.), plus Four Woods (racks), Mahjong by SI (mats) and AUTOJONG (automatic table). None is a lightweight, 3D-printed or Braille set maker.

Why it’s listed

The plaza needs an equipment pick that differs in kind from recent ones: Thursday’s AUTOJONG (automatic table), Wednesday’s Mahjong by SI (mats), Tuesday’s Four Woods (racks) and Monday’s OMG Mahj (designer sets). Spools is the plaza’s first lightweight, 3D-printed, floating set maker and its first Braille mahjong set.

• Homepage (https://spools.com/) returned 200 on 2026-10-09 under “Spools | Premium Travel Mahjong Sets & Games.”
  • “Designed and 3D printed in USA.” “The Mahjong Set You’ll Actually Bring: Full-size tiles at a fraction of the weight.”
  • “1.6 lbs — Less than a laptop.” “Tiles, racks, and pushers weigh 3 lbs together and pack into a carry-on.” “160 full-size mahjong tiles with 20-inch racks and pushers that split in half.”
  • Rating panel: 4.9 from 229 reviews, as shown on the site. Banner: Free shipping $120+, free 14-day returns, “Now available on Anthropologie.”
• Product page / shop, 3D set (https://spools.com/products/travel-mahjong-tiles-3d) returned 200:
  • Tiles Only $320 (160 tiles + dice) or Travel Bundle $444 (tiles, dice, 4 racks, 4 pushers, carrying tote), with an Add to cart button. Eight colors.
  • “Raised, tactile tile designs that jump off the table and read in any light.” “Ships from the USA in 3-5 business days.” “Hand inspected tile by tile.” “Tiles float.”
  • Add-ons: Charleston practice board $30, mega-tile display case $95, two-player racks $99.
• Braille set (https://spools.com/products/travel-mahjong-tiles-braille) returned 200:
  • Tiles Only $295; Travel Bundle $419. “160 American mahjong tiles with Braille on every tile,” for low-vision and blind players.
  • Braille key: B1–B9 Bams, C1–C9 Craks, D1–D9 Dots, N, E, W, S winds, WD, GD, RD dragons, F1–F4 flowers, J joker. Each tile has an orientation dot.
  • In the box: 160 tiles (144 base, 10 jokers, 6 blanks), a floral tile pouch and 4 dice (2 floating, 2 regular). Mats are not included. Racks and pushers are 20 inches assembled; two-player racks are 19 inches.
  • Care: splash-resistant and designed to float, but not intended for extended submersion. Rinse after chlorine or salt water, and avoid heat above 122°F.
• Pool set (https://spools.com/products/floating-mahjong-tiles-pool-theme) returned 200: Tiles Only $275, Travel Bundle $399, with summer-themed tile art “made for poolside play.”
• Why Choose Spools (https://spools.com/pages/why-choose-spools) returned 200: tiles are “hard PLA plastic, not foam” and “stack, shuffle, and click.” “Tiles from $275, travel bundles from $399.” Sold on spools.com and online at Anthropologie.
• About (https://spools.com/pages/about-spools) returned 200: the founder, Keen, is a mechanical engineer who printed a set for his grandmother. “A full mahjong set can take 48 hours before finishing, inspection, and packaging. Everything is made to order.” A team now runs printers 24/7. The shop also makes chess and backgammon sets.
• Contact information (https://spools.com/policies/contact-information) returned 200: trade name Spools; Spools Inc, 2093 Philadelphia Pike #2660, Claymont DE 19703; phone (512) 503-3407; Texas file number printed.
• Refund policy (https://spools.com/policies/refund-policy) returned 200: 14-day returns on non-custom items in original condition. Returns go to Brooksville, FL. Custom orders are final sale (defects excepted). Shipping fees are non-refundable, and sale items and gift cards can’t be returned.
• Cart (https://spools.com/cart) returned 200. It is the shop’s own Shopify checkout.

Not stated on site: where the print facility is (the site says only “USA”; the contact page lists a Claymont, DE address, and returns go to Brooksville, FL), whether tiles fit standard acrylic racks or automatic tables, and international shipping beyond the U.S./Canada currency selector. The shop also sells a few mats from other designers (Let’s Be Besties, Beachy Mahj, a La Mahj), plus poker, backgammon and chess items. This listing covers only Spools’ own mahjong sets. The homepage review count (229) is site-wide, not per product.

Official URL

Official shop (product + cart): https://spools.com/products/travel-mahjong-tiles-3d

Homepage: https://spools.com/

Braille set: https://spools.com/products/travel-mahjong-tiles-braille

Pool set: https://spools.com/products/floating-mahjong-tiles-pool-theme

Why Spools (specs, materials): https://spools.com/pages/why-choose-spools

Refund policy: https://spools.com/policies/refund-policy

Contact information: https://spools.com/policies/contact-information

Location

Online only (spools.com). Spools Inc lists a mailing address in Claymont, DE; returns go to Brooksville, FL. Sets are 3D printed to order in the USA and ship in about 3–5 business days. No showroom or walk-in location is listed.

Notes

• Lightweight 3D-printed American sets (160 tiles), with racks, pushers and accessories. Not acrylic or melamine, and not foam.
• Braille edition with an orientation dot on every tile: an accessibility first for the plaza.
• First-party maker shop on its own domain. Not Amazon, and no affiliate or referral links were copied.
• Not affiliated with Mahjong Plaza.

FAQ

Q: How much does a Spools mahjong set cost?
A: On 2026-10-09 tile sets ran $275–$320 (Compass and Pool $275, Braille $295, 3D $320), and travel bundles with racks, pushers and a tote started at $399. Shipping was free over $120.

Q: How heavy is it, and are the tiles full size?
A: The 160-tile set weighs 1.6 lb, and tiles are about 1.4 × 1 × 0.4 inches. A bundle with racks and pushers is about 3 lb.

Q: Do the tiles really float?
A: Yes, per the shop: the tiles are partly hollow and designed to float if they fall in during play. They are splash-resistant but not meant to stay underwater. Rinse after chlorine or salt water.

Q: Is there a set for blind or low-vision players?
A: Yes. The Braille set puts Braille on every tile (B1–B9, C1–C9, D1–D9, winds, WD/GD/RD, F1–F4, J) with an orientation dot.

Q: What is the return policy?
A: Non-custom items can be returned within 14 days of delivery, unused and in original packaging. Custom orders are final sale unless defective.