Customizable Tabletop Peg Drop Game (Plinko)

This model is built as a functional desktop game rather than just a decorative board. The peg spacing, puck size, scoring area, side guides, stand, and drop lanes are designed together so the finished print can actually be played.

The design can be personalized with custom text, emoji, SVG artwork, scoring labels, colors, header styles, and more.

Create your own version here:

https://stlplayground.com/builders/tabletop-peg-drop/

Features

• Automatically generated peg rows and columns based on board size
• Automatically sized puck based on available peg spacing
• Automatic scoring-bin layout
• Extra-wide end scoring pockets for improved puck clearance
• Rounded anti-stall side deflectors help guide pucks away from the side walls
• Flared peg tips help keep bouncing pucks contained against the board
• Separate insert pegs or integrated printed pegs
• Adjustable peg diameter and projection
• Adjustable puck thickness
• Custom scoring values
• Integrated score labels or separate backed score tiles
• Multiple header styles
• Custom header text
• Optional second line of text
• Emoji support
• Custom SVG artwork
• Raised or engraved artwork
• Direct header artwork or a rounded nameplate-style header
• Separate glue-on artwork or integrated artwork
• Adjustable board dimensions
• Adjustable tabletop stand
• Adjustable board lean angle
• Board segmentation for smaller printers
• Rear spline keys for multi-piece boards
• STL, 3MF, and OBJ export from STL Playground

Gameplay Improvements

This version includes several features specifically intended to improve how the printed game plays.

The side guides are positioned slightly below the peg rows so they catch a puck after it begins falling toward the side wall rather than interfering with the initial peg impact.

The outer scoring areas are also wider than the center scoring bins. This provides additional clearance between the lowest outside pegs and the side walls so the puck can enter and settle into the end scoring pockets.

The peg ends use a subtle retaining flare. The normal peg body remains narrow enough for good puck clearance, while the wider tip helps prevent energetic rebounds from sending the puck completely off the front of the board.

Printing Recommendations

Material: PLA or PETG

Layer Height: 0.20 mm

Walls / Perimeters: 3 or more

Board Infill: 15–25%

Stand Infill: 15–25%

Puck Infill: 100% recommended

The pucks are relatively small, so printing them solid uses very little additional material. The added mass also gives them a more substantial feel and produces more consistent gameplay.

Peg Infill: 50–100% recommended for separate pegs

Supports should generally not be required when the parts are printed in their intended orientations.

Puck Recommendations

The builder automatically calculates an appropriate puck diameter from the selected board width, peg diameter, and required travel clearance.

The default puck is approximately 5 mm thick.

For best results, print the pucks at 100% infill. A solid puck feels better in the hand and tends to produce more predictable movement through the peg field.

If you experiment with different materials, keep in mind that very lightweight pucks may react more aggressively when striking the pegs.

Peg Options

Separate Insert Pegs

The board prints with blind sockets and the pegs are printed separately. This is useful for contrasting colors and also makes individual pegs replaceable.

Integrated Pegs

The pegs are printed directly as part of the board.

The peg tips have a small retaining flare designed to help keep the puck near the playing surface while preserving the necessary clearance between neighboring pegs.

Header & Personalization

The top header can be customized with:

• One or two lines of text
• Different fonts
• Emoji
• SVG artwork
• Raised artwork
• Engraved artwork
• Multiple header shapes
• Adjustable artwork placement

A Nameplate mode is also available.

Instead of positioning text directly against the header, Nameplate mode creates a rounded plaque behind the text or artwork. This makes it much easier to create clean personalized designs such as:

JACK'S GAME

FAMILY GAME NIGHT

YES / NO

DARE DROP

PRIZE DROP

or your own custom theme.

Scoring

The scoring bins automatically follow the resolved peg layout.

The two outside scoring pockets receive additional width so a puck has sufficient clearance between the side wall and the lowest outside peg.

Score labels can be:

• Printed directly on the board
• Created as separate backed score tiles
• Disabled completely

Several preset scoring patterns are available, or you can enter your own custom values.

Stand

The game uses a separate tabletop cradle stand.

The stand includes adjustable:

• Board lean
• Cradle fit clearance
• Side rail width
• Front retaining lip height
• Front retaining lip depth
• Rear support height

A board lean around 18–20° works well as a starting point for physical gameplay.

The board slides into the cradle and can be removed for storage or transportation.

Smaller Printers

The board can be exported as:

• One piece
• Two pieces
• Three pieces
• Automatically segmented based on your printer size

Multi-piece boards use rear spline keys to help align the sections while keeping the front gameplay surface clean.

Assembly

1. Print the board and stand.

2. If using separate pegs, print the peg set and press the pegs into the blind sockets.

3. Install separate scoring tiles or artwork if your design uses them.

4. Slide the finished board into the tabletop cradle.

5. Print the puck set at 100% infill.

6. Drop a puck into one of the available starting lanes and play.

Depending on your printer calibration, a small amount of sanding or fit adjustment may be helpful for press-fit components.

Customize Your Own

The STL Playground builder automatically handles the difficult geometry calculations while letting you customize the appearance and overall size of the game.

You can change the board dimensions and the builder automatically recalculates the peg field, puck diameter, scoring bins, drop positions, and related clearances.

Create your own personalized version here:

https://stlplayground.com/builders/tabletop-peg-drop/

Ideas for Use

• Family game night
• Classroom activities
• Party games
• Prize drawings
• Decision makers
• Chore selection
• Drinking-game alternatives
• Trade show giveaways
• Fundraisers
• Desk toys
• Personalized gifts
• Holiday games
• Team-building activities

Designed With STL Playground

This model was created using the Tabletop Peg Drop Game Builder at STL Playground.

STL Playground provides browser-based tools for creating customizable 3D printable models without requiring traditional CAD software.

https://stlplayground.com/