Making a Solenoid

Last week at Makerday, Alex Reineke and I ran our pinball machine workshop. In this workshop, we had students test out the machine, play a game, and brainstorm ways to improve.

Together, we decided to work on fixing the paddles. We decided we wanted a stronger solenoid so that there would be a strong push and pull back.

We researched solenoids but realized - we are M5! Let’s make one!

We went into the machine shop and found a small metal pipe to the body. We then sawed off two small chunks.

Then we wrapped the tube using copper wire. We used a drill and a binder clip stopper to get a circular motion to make it a bit easier to wrap.

We then tested it by running a current through the wire. However, it didn’t work. After awhile of trying to figure it out, Niranjan told us to strip the wire a little bit which did work! Thanks Niranjan!

Priyanka Suresh 

CompE 2027
March 9th 2026