At-a-glance information:

There have been many games and toys which leveraged the mystery and magic of magnets. There was Remco's Turnpike Garage, playsets that you could move people and furniture with magnetic wands, really giant magnets, Tickle Bee, and the list goes on and on.

One of the very fun toys which used magnets was Mattel's Magnetel. This was a small pool table with plastic pockets and a slick, green surface. Plastic disks, both plain and magnetized, were used in a number of fun games. In the center of the table were 9 magnetized areas that came into play for certain games, including a type of magnetic shuffleboard. The non magnetized plastic disks were colored and numbered like pool balls. They slid across the surface when hit with a cue stick. The cuesticks were actually spring loaded...you held the black handle and pulled the stick back...upon releasing it, it would hit the white cue disk or one of the magnetic disks.

Some games used the magnetic disks. One that I loved as a kid involved stacking the magnetic disks on top of each other, on top of one of the magnetic spots on the board. You could shoot another magnetic disk at the bottom of the stack, and if you were skilled enough, it would displace the bottom disk without knocking the stack over!

	As you can see, this is a large tabletop game, with shallow pockets.  Mine are lined with felt, which must have been put in by the previous owner.  I resisted removing them, thinking they may have come on early versions of this toy (or maybe late versions) but I have never seen another.  I may end up removing them, as they don't look good.   Anyways,  you can "rack up" the pool-disks with supplied triangle/rack. One of the games detailed is normal pool, or rotation.
	The stick is pulled back, and when released, will shoot the cue disk across the table. Bank shots, multiple hit shots, etc., can be accomplished.
	Here are the colorful disks supplied.  I appreciated the vivid 60's colors on these disks.  Interstingly, you will rarely find these disks chipped or broken, or even color faded.  In fact, most Magnetels you find out there are in surprisingly good condition, and alot of people kept the box because the game slipped inside it so well and it didn't take up any more  room.
	The yellow and black magnetic disks can stack, or will stick to one of the 9 magnetized spots on the board.
	Spots have different point values. Variations on shuffleboard can be played, as well as some additional games.
	A close-up shot shows pocket lined with felt to help keep plastic disks from bouncing out.  Again, I think this was added by someone, have never seen another with this.
	Instruction manual provided.

Interesting item:  Here is a still from an 8mm home movie of my sister opening this up for her birthday in 1962.  

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