Idea: Colyne, our 5 year old daughter, is a fan of the TV game show "The Wall" on NBC (TF1 in France), so for her birthday I decided to build a miniature table version.

Made of wood, the game consists of a tray with 200 nails where the balls pass. A LED matrix display shows the different steps and points. The system is controlled by an Arduino Nano and powered by a USB (5V).

In this Instructable, you will find the plans, Arduino code, schema, background image ...

Video:

Operation:

at the start, we choise the number of players (1 to 9),
the game takes place in 7 rounds,
In each round, players receive between 1 and 3 balls (automatic distribution) and the LEDs light up in green or red,
the player places the ball (s) in the desired position (1 to 7 at the top) and activates the start (by lowering the blue lever on the right or left side)
the balls fall and the score is counted (in + if green and - if red) and displayed on the screen - At the end of the 7 rounds, the winner is displayed along with all scores

Time spent: 50H (+ almost as much for study and programming)

Cost: about 60 €

Tools used: Circular saw, mini saw, drill, screwdriver, ripper, glue gun, hand tools ...

Balls diameter 16mm

Sorry for the rough translation

Plan Mini Wall.pdf
Download

Step 1: Game Board

I created the background with Word and printed on two A3 pages.

The game board is made of 10mm MDF. An opening is made, at the bottom, for the recovery of the balls.

I did several tests to stick the paper, and the only one that did not curl the sheet was the double-sided tape. I cover it with a transparent vinyl to protect it.

I create a template by letting the blade 1mm beyond the table to make notches and I use it to position the nails. They are all aligned, straight and at the same height !

Step 2: Ball Guides

For the start and final guides, I used 2.5mm² rigid electrical cable, shaped on a jig. The board is drilled and the guides are glued.

Step 3: Ball Launcher

The ball launcher consists of a board with 7 nails whose head is cut. The system is mobile with 2 hinges. The nails hold the balls up, and liberates them while returning under the board. A limit switch detects the launch.

Step 4: Point Counter

The stitch counting system consists of 15 limit switches.

I'm using the steel rod coming from a hanger to connect them together.

I create an adjustable wooden support and I solding the common contacts on a rigid copper wire in order to "freeze" them.

Step 5: The Box

I cut the side in 6mm MDF.

I bleed half, it will be used to embed the glass.

I connect the 2 sides with cleats. The wood receives a black bomb after a coat of primer.

Step 6: Ball Dispenser

The central wheel is cut with a hole saw. The groove is made at the table router.

At each half-turn, a ball is distributed. I have done several tests before (with an electromagnet for example) and it is with this system that I am sure to distribute only one ball at a time.

For training I get a computer CD player motor (drawer), which has the advantage of having a reducer (so turn slowly).

I add pins on the wheel and a limit switch to detect a half turn