How to Make a Wooden Jacks Game

Cut the 1/4-inch diameter wooden dowel into 2-inch lengths. Cut one length for each jack you want to make, but be sure not to use up all of your 1/4-inch diameter dowel. Push a pushpin with a 1/4-inch diameter sphere or semi-sphere on the end into each end of each piece of dowel and super glue into place for added security. This gives you one arm of your jacks.

Mark the central point of on each length of dowel and then drill a hole 1/8-inch in diameter through the central point. Cut a piece of 1/8-inch diameter dowel to a length of 1 inch and push a length of it halfway through the hole in each of the jacks so that the length protruding on each side is equal. Superglue this piece of dowel into place.

Cut the rest of the 1/4-inch dowel into 1 3/4-inch lengths, cutting one length for each jack you want to make. Then cut each piece in half at the midpoint along the length. In one end of each new length of 1/4-inch dowel, drill a 1/8-inch diameter hole in the center.

Dab superglue in the hole and slide the 1/4-inch dowel onto the end of the 1/8-inch dowel already inserted through the pieces of dowel. Repeat this procedure for all your jacks to create "X" shapes. Push push-pins into the exposed ends of 1/4-inch dowels and secure with glue.

Cut the rest of the 1/8-inch diameter dowel into 2-inch lengths. Cut one length for each jack you wish to make. Lay the X shapes flat on the work bench and make a mark in pen for the spot in the very center of the cross. Drill a 1/8-inch diameter hole through the very center. The cross will not come apart because it is secured with superglue and tightly fitting dowels.

Smear super glue into the 1/8-inch dowel and in the hole, then push the dowel through so that an equal amount is protruding on each side. Leave the glue to dry and the jacks are ready to play with along with the rubber ball.