How to Build a Pinball Coffee Table

A pinball coffee table is a decorative table made with the playfield of a pinball machine. This is one way to reuse an old pinball game or to make as a gift for a pinball lover. Make your table out of any size of pinball machine.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pinball playfield
• 2 1-by-8-inch pieces of wood cut the length of the playfield
• 2 1-by-8-inch pieces of wood cut the width of the playfield
• Screws
• Drill
• Acrylic glass cut to the size of the top of the playfield
• Molding
• 2 1-by-2-inch pieces of wood cut the length of the playfield
• 4 2-by-4-inch boards cut 1 foot in length
• Wire strippers
• Saw
• 1 6-volt battery
• Rocker switch

1. Make the frame for the playfield with the four 1-by-8-inch boards. Most playfields are 8-by-9 inches. Screw the ends and the sides of the frame together at the corners with 3 screws in each corner.

2. Measure 4 inches from the top of the sides of the frame and attach the 1-by-2-inch boards. This is a brace to hold the playfield in the frame. Attach the molding to the top of the frame. There needs to be a gap large enough for the glass to slide into. Leave one end of the frame without molding. You add the molding later.

3. Remove the playfield from it's case. Cut the power cord from of the playfield. Place the playfield into the frame, resting the edges on the 1-by-2-inch boards.

4. Slide the acrylic glass over the playfield and under the molding. Once it is in place, attach the fourth side of the molding.

5. Turn the table over. Attach the four 2-by-4-inch boards to the table for the legs. There needs to be one 2-by-4-inch board per corner. Secure the legs into the playfield with wood screws.

6. Cut a small hole in the side of the frame where the power cord wires are to allow a place for the rocker switch. Unscrew the connectors on the back of the switch. Wrap the power cords from the playfield onto one side of the rocker switch.

7. Cut about 3 inches of the power cord. Strip both ends. Attach one end to the rocker switch. Attach the other end to the 6-volt battery. Attach the rocker switch to the outside of the hole.

8. Take a piece of leftover molding or leftover wood and create a small ledge to hold the 6-volt battery in place. Attach it to the side of the frame.

9. Turn the table over. Place it where you want it and flip the rocker switch to turn on the lights inside the pinball machine.

Resources

• Get tip tips and information about pinball.