Players of all ages can become engrossed in the thrilling pinball game. Just a few examples of DIY pinball machine projects are provided below to get you started on building your ideal pinball machine. Use your creativity to combine and contrast these elements in a way that truly makes sense to you and your needs. These projects are also excellent ways to recycle outdated or damaged items and produce something that will be useful for many years. You’ll save money compared to purchasing one at full price because many of these projects are available for free. Even if you choose to purchase a commercial machine, you might discover that building your own is more satisfying than hiring someone else to do it because it will make you look good in front of your friends.
Introduction: Minecraft Pinball
Okay, I admit it—this isn’t a pinball game in the traditional sense.
The gameplay is more like a cross between table football and bagatelle, but it has a pinball-like feel to it.
I wanted to create a game that would be just as entertaining as bagatelle but required a little more skill.
I chose this hybrid because I wasn’t confident I could build a good flipper or scoring mechanism. Although the game play is surprisingly enjoyable, there is undoubtedly room for improvement.
I did extensive research on various DIY pinball games before beginning this project. Relevant ones I found on Instructables are listed here: https://www. instructables. com/id/Pinball-Wizards/.
The table football components and ball launcher are common items purchased online.
The balls are 15mm ball bearings.
Once more purchased online, the 3D Minecraft components came in a very affordable pack of models.
The graphics were printed onto a self-adhesive vinyl after being found online, edited in Photoshop.
Step 1: Create the Game Housing
The rough sketch depicts the overall game dimensions, but much of the structure was created as we went.
The board is made of two layers. The gameplay takes place on the top layer. Below this, there is a void of approximately 18 mm, through which the balls can fall and roll into the corresponding scoring channels.
The main board material is 9mm MDF. This is very flat, provides a great ball surface, and is simple to cut.
Two pieces of engineered bamboo removed from an old venetian blind are used to create the straight and curved boundaries. Any thin, bendable piece of plywood, veneer, or a strip of aluminum will do.
A thicker piece of the bamboo venetian blind is used to create the supports for the table football rod. This is very hard and provides a good bearing surface, but I believe any type of wood would likely be suitable.
The board’s other components were all made from softwood scraps that we had lying around.
Step 2: Laying Out the Playing Surface
After finishing the main structure, it was time to set up the playing area.
We had to decide how to use some inexpensive Minecraft toys that were intended to enhance the theme.
Some of the holes were covered with blocks so that the ball would fall into the block during gameplay.
We constructed the channels that would direct the balls into the scoring pens on the second layer using chopsticks.
Step 3: Test the Game
Then, we put the game together and tested it to see where we could make changes.
When we noticed that the ball frequently landed in the same spots, we were able to add more pins to break up this pattern and produce more random movement.
Additionally, we discovered that the ball descended the table more quickly than we desired, so we planed a small amount off the support to reduce the playing angle.
During the game, Steve kicks the ball back up the field. We discovered that he couldn’t maintain his balance, so we added weight in the form of a big (M10) bolt to fix the issue.
Step 4: Add Bumpers, Traps and Bells
Our bumpers were constructed using a 5mm dowel encased in two layers of silicon rubber tube (purchased from a supplier of automotive parts). This gives a good amount of bounce.
The toys that were included in the game were made of styrene at a low cost. Although they were extremely fragile and challenging to shape, we were able to modify them to meet our needs using a dremel and hand tools. Hot glue was used to affix them to the playing field.
To prevent young children from stumbling into table edges, the green bumpers were constructed from some foam edge strips. We had this lying around. However, I intended to use additional silicon tubing to achieve the same result.
There are two bells on the playing surface. These are affordable bicycle bells that have had their mounting brackets removed using a hacksaw. They’re glued to the board with a hot glue gun like the rest of it.
Step 5: Add Graphics
We modified some Minecraft wall art we found online for our playing field graphic. Additionally, we produced some unique graphics for the machine’s other components. These were printed out and stuck to the game with adhesive vinyl.
Step 6: Play!
This is the finished game.
The first picture shows the top and bottom parts separated. The playing surface is on the right, with the ball return channels and scoring traps visible on the left. Other pictures show the model assembled.
Please see the video to see how the game plays.
Have fun creating your own version!
Runner Up in the Full Spectrum Laser Contest 2016
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Very inventive construction of the pinball table’s two most difficult components The flippers and the score board. Well done.
Thank you! I definitely look for shortcuts to avoid doing anything difficult.
Cool!! It just looks so hard ??
I’m going to use this concept to repair my outdated pinball machine. :).
Very very good update of the bagatelle game !
Really, now its spring skill, plus reflex. Good idea, good work. Congrats !!.
I enjoy the game’s work, so keep up the good work.
I like your “flipper” mechanism. No hassle with solenoids :).
Wow. Looks nice! Keep up the good work!!!!!
my kids love minecraft, this is awesome. They would love this thing.
Great invention, time to market this baby. Shark tank! watch out!.
I agree! I would buy it. I’m not very skilled with woodworking tools, but my son would love having one, so I would buy him one.
I voted for you, but why is it under Full Spectrum Laser?
I’d like to build one like that, great job, friend!
Got my vote! . Add a Diverter at the end of the lane that opens in one direction to stop the ball from returning to the Plunger Lane.
Nice game! Looks terrific! I particularly like the kicker.
Love this! Perfect for lonely foosball players.
its so nerdy…. I LOVE IT!!!!
Phenomenal job! Its amazingly well thought out. 🙂
