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How to Make Your Own Pin Ball Machine

While today's modern pinball machines are electric, the very first pinball machines didn't require electricity. A smaller variation of those early machines can be made at home with an unwanted VHS tape and some simple supplies. Assembling the machine will take about 20 minutes.

Things You'll Need

Philips screwdriver
Spray paint
Drill
Marble
VHS Tape
Glue gun
Glue
Paper clips
Plastic strips
Thin glass strip

Instructions

- 1
  Obtain an old VHS tape. The tape will be the base of your pinball machine. Remove the screws from the cover with a Philips screwdriver. Remove all the materials inside the tape and get the bottom of the tape.
- 2
  Locate the metal in the middle of the cover and bend it in a check shape. Glue the metal piece to the bottom right hand side of the VHS tape with a glue gun. Make sure the metal is glued firmly and does not move. Let the glue dry.
- 3
  Drill a hole below and at the sides of the metal piece with a drill. Make sure that the two side holes are large enough to accommodate the plastic strips.
- 4
  Get a paper clip and bent it into a straight line while forming hooks on both sides that are facing opposite directions. Slide the clip into the bottom right hole and hook it around the metal piece at the middle. This is the plunger that sets off the ball to initiate the game.
- 5
  Insert a plastic strip in both side holes. Make sure that the installation is stable because the strips will act as the triggers. Test the strip's movements by pulling it up and down.
- 6
  Get the materials inside the tape and glue them on the body of the covering to act as the obstacles for the ball. Place a marble or any small rubber ball above the plunger. Install a plastic cover or a thin glass sheet at the top of the tape to act as a barrier. Pull down the plunger and start playing.

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