Introduction: Marble Solitaire Game
Make a simple marble solitaire game using scrap wood!
Supplies
Scrap wood that makes a 16" x 16" square
12" x 12" piece of 1/4" plywood
Step 1: Print Out the Free Template
You can find the template here - Free Printable Template
Step 2: Glue Up a Blank
You can use whatever material you have on hand as long as it's at least 3/4" thick.
This would be a great opportunity to use up some scraps!
The blank should be 16" x 16" square.
Step 3: Use the Printable Template to Make a Plywood Template
Tape the 4 pages together at the center.
Line the paper template on a piece of 1/4" plywood.
Use a center punch on all the holes to mark out for drilling.
Step 4: Drill Holes in the Plywood Template
Using a 3/4" forstner bit drill through the plywood on all the marks made in the previous step.
Step 5: Make the Outer Well for the Marbles
To do this use a 1” core box bit in a plunge router attached to a circle cutting jig.
Set the bit so the center of it is 6” from the pivot point of the jig. And set the depth to only cut 1/4” deep, then take shallow passes until you plunge to that depth.
Step 6: Cut the Game Board Into a Circle
Next swap to a spiral bit and adjusted the pivot point of the circle cutting jig to cut out a 15” circle.
(Quick tip: When drilling the hole at the pivot point for the circle jig, don’t drill too deep or you will have to fill in a hole later on, don’t ask me how I know… ha!)
Step 7: Make the Wells to Hold the Marbles
The next step is to create all the wells to hold the marbles.
To do this, put the plywood template on the board using double sided tape.
Then use a 1/2” core box bit with a bearing in a router to create all the little wells in the board.
Set the depth of the bit to also cut 1/4” deep, just like the outer well.
And that’s all there is to it!
Just apply some finish and it’s done!
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