Washers Game (or Urban Horse Shoes)

Do you like the game Horse Shoes, but unfortunately live in the city and don't have the yard space? Maybe you just can't throw those heavy metal U's. Whatever the reason, Washers is a simple game for the whole family or college student that's simple to play, quick to set up and break down anywhere (grass, stone, dirt, pavement). The following instructions are how to build my version of the game: Washers.

Step 1 Gather Materials and Tools

Materials List:
2 - 12 length of Nylon Rope
2 - PVC pieces; 3 " height and 3 " O.D.
6 - Galvanized Washers; 2 O.D.
4 - Decorative L brackets (solid brass)
4 - Nuts and bolts for L brackets
16 - 8x3 wood screws
8 - 1 " wood screws
2 - 14x14 squares of artificial grass
2 - 14x14 squares of plywood (3 ply thick)
4 - Nail staples (to secure rope)
2 - Cans of spray paint (two colors)
1 - 10" length of 2x4 wood
1 - Can of clear wood finish or stain
1 - Box of staples
4 - Latching or locking mechanism
2 - Magnetic retriever tools

All in all it'll cost almost $30 in materials (assuming you have tools already).

Recommended Tools:
Drill
Philips Screw driver
Circular saw
Staple gun
Hammer
Paint brush
Wood burner (optional)

Comments

[timweaver17]

where exactly did you find your large washers? the best I could find was 1.5 inch diameter galvanized, but they weren't as heavy as the ones you have look to be.

[the_Magnificent_Macak]

I found them at Lowes or Home Depot.

[timweaver17]

alright cool. thanks

[bhunter736]

I like this. :)  - Am I understanding the scoring, that when you say colors cancel out, you only keep track of how much lead there is by whichever color rather than a total score?  I think that would be another way to say it.  Nice sturdy construction for a game.

[webman3802]

Very nice! Is 14x14 the outer dimensions of the 2x4 box, or the inner (the target area)?

[the_Magnificent_Macak]

The outer dimensions and the bottom plywood piece are 14"X14" . The would make the inner target area about 12"X12" (I say about because the 2X4's aren't exactly 2X4).

[myWoodenCow]

I had one of these made a while ago, but I do like your addition of the latch and handles. The two main differences between mine and yours is that I did not use the artificial turf on the bottom, and I used a stainless steel cup that I made at work. The pros and cons are that without the turf it is more difficult to keep it in the box, but the turf protects the wood from becoming easily damaged. And for the cup, a stainless steel cup won't break as well as gives a nice ting when you hit the cup. Aside from that the rules that we generally play are pretty close to yours, except if nothing is made into the box/cup closest washer gets one point, in box is two, and in cup is three, and like points cancel out as well.

[binglebeebop]

isnt it also called astro-turf?

[snobahr]

That's actually a brand-name that's turned into generic, like Velcro and Duck-tape.

[binglebeebop]

=) oic, thanks for the info, another would be coke, and ski-doo

[adidame]

I love Washers. Great set. These cost a lot of money (at least $100) at the store and they are great for tailgates! Thanks for sharing.

[binglebeebop]

played it at a party oncfe, with a bunch of reletives of a friend, and we stood 20ft back, marked by string, tied to 2 boxes. 2 washers each, per 2 people on a team, one person from ewach team stodd at each end, threw them, and the team members on the other end picked them up and threw them again

[Lost Moai]

I really like the way you designed the latches to make it so easily portable and contained. Good idea. The only thing I would have done differently would be to make the artificial turf level with the opening of the PVC. On a 'regulation" (yes, there is such a thing) washer pit, the hole (which is 4 inches in diameter) is placed in sand and the opening is flush with the surface. This allows a little different game play by letting the washers slide into the hole instead of a 'nothing but net' approach. It also allows for "hangers," which are three points. "Cuppers" are 5 and closest to the cup is 1.

[johnjoejohn1]

My grand parents have something like this, but they call theirs the holy board :P you have to stand ten feet away and toss a waher at a board with three holes and try to get it in the middle hole....its hard>:-O

[the_Magnificent_Macak]

Be careful with the dimensions in the material list, the inches and feet symbols are a bit mixed up. But you're smart, you'll figure it out though.

[fosho4]

Good Instructable! I have a similar set but we used coffee can instead of PVC and sand instead of the artificial grass.

[John Smith]

My relatives have this at their ranch. It's about as redneck as you can get- real big washers, coffee can, 2x4's, lol. It's fun. Nice set you have there though!

[Gjdj3]

Nice job! My dad made a set a lot like that. We never had the idea for a handle on it though.

[fungus amungus]

That's a very nice washers set there. I really appreciate it when people take the time to make a dedicated set for a casual game.