How to Make a Tabletop Pinball Machine

Clamp the 2-by-4 boards to the piece of melamine. You might have to cut them to size. Drill pilot holes and then screw the board to the sides of the melamine. Use another 2-by-4 screwed on the bottom of the board to give it a tilt.

Create the paddles using the plywood. Measure the face of the paddle to 3 1/2 inches. This can be larger or smaller depending on the size of your table or how large or small you want the gap between paddles.

Sand the paddles smooth.

Drill a pivot hole through the corner of the paddles using a 5/16th drill bit.

Create two small wood blocks with scrap wood. Use a drill to go about halfway through and place a 5/16th dowel. Use a hinge to attach the blocks to the paddles.

Add a screw eye in the middle of the back of each paddle.

Mount the paddles to the table using a bolt and locking nut. Make sure the paddles will pivot easily but are not too loose.

Use a thin piece of wood along the side of the track you wish the launcher to be on to create the track. Wooden blocks can be placed underneath for support. The track will be cardboard underneath, which can be glued to both sides of the wood.

Drill a hole in the end of the track that the dowel fits through. Ideally, the dowel is at least 8 inches long. You might need to sand the pieces so you will be able to pull the dowel through the hole.

Attach the spring on the inside of the dowel and the knob on the end. You may want to use a piece of craft foam to keep the launcher from being pulled too hard.

Use your imagination and place obstacles throughout the table. You can use wood pieces, toys, rubber bands or anything else you can think of.