$60 Cornhole Boards
Intro: $60 Cornhole Boards
I built a set of cornhole boards, for my sister's family, out of an old pool table we picked at a old lady's house in the middle Florida. The table was so badly beat up the only parts that were still usable were the slate, the rails and the bottom hardwood supports. So I reclaimed the support wood and made my Sister and Brother-in-Law a nice set of antiqued corn hole boards.
Since then my wife has been wanting our own set so we can take them out when we have company over. So I threw together another set in about 10 hours (see below). Since, our boards came out so nice I thought I would build another and make a Instructable on how to do it.
I hope you like this instructable and feel free to give me some feedback.
Since then my wife has been wanting our own set so we can take them out when we have company over. So I threw together another set in about 10 hours (see below). Since, our boards came out so nice I thought I would build another and make a Instructable on how to do it.
I hope you like this instructable and feel free to give me some feedback.
STEP 1: Materials:
Lumber:
(2) 1/2" 2'x4' pre-cut boards
(4) 1"x4"x8' pine boards
Hardware:
(1 box) 1-5/8 drywall screws
(4) 3/8" rounded head bolts
(8) 3/8" washers
(8) 3/8" Hex nuts
Tools:
Tape measure
Pencil
Miter Saw
Saber Saw
Drill (w/bits)
(2) 1/2" 2'x4' pre-cut boards
(4) 1"x4"x8' pine boards
Hardware:
(1 box) 1-5/8 drywall screws
(4) 3/8" rounded head bolts
(8) 3/8" washers
(8) 3/8" Hex nuts
Tools:
Tape measure
Pencil
Miter Saw
Saber Saw
Drill (w/bits)
STEP 2: Cutting the Wood
Cut the 1"x4"x8' lumber to the following lengths with the miter saw:
(4) 4'
(4) 22 and 1/2"
(2) 33 and 1/2"
The 4' pieces are the sides of the boxes
The 22 and 1/2" pieces are the tops and bottoms of the boxes
The 33 and 1/2" pieces are the Legs
The last cut is done at a 45 degree angle.
Set your miter saw to cut at 45 degrees. You will cut the 33 and 1/2 board in half at 45 degrees. This will create the slope for the leg.
The easiest way to do this is to lay the board on the table.
On the edge closest to you measure 18 1/2" from the left and make a mark.
On the edge way from you measure 15" from the left and make a mark
Now draw a line between the two points, and cut with the miter saw.
(4) 4'
(4) 22 and 1/2"
(2) 33 and 1/2"
The 4' pieces are the sides of the boxes
The 22 and 1/2" pieces are the tops and bottoms of the boxes
The 33 and 1/2" pieces are the Legs
The last cut is done at a 45 degree angle.
Set your miter saw to cut at 45 degrees. You will cut the 33 and 1/2 board in half at 45 degrees. This will create the slope for the leg.
The easiest way to do this is to lay the board on the table.
On the edge closest to you measure 18 1/2" from the left and make a mark.
On the edge way from you measure 15" from the left and make a mark
Now draw a line between the two points, and cut with the miter saw.
STEP 3: Drill Baby Drill
Now that all the pieces are cut you can put the Miter saw away and grab your trusty Drill.
Since we are working with 1"x4" lumber I recommend pre-drilling the holes that go into the grain. This will prevent the wood from splitting.
You only have to pre-drill the 4' pieces. And don't pre-drill in to the 2' pieces. This will reduce the integretiy of the piece.
Next line up the edges and make sure they are flush together thensScrew it all together with the drywall screws.
Once you have the frame assembled drill the holes fo the legs.
First take an old McDonalds Cup or something round like an old paint can and trace the edge on the top flat part of the leg. This created the rounded part of the leg to you will be able to close it when you are finished playing with it.
Now measure down 2" and in 1 and 3/4 from the edges. This is where you will drill for the Leg holes.
Next on the frame measure 2" (2 and 1/2" if you have the top on already) from the edge and 4" from the top of the board. Mark and Drill.
NOTE: a 1x4 is not really 4" wide so it is important NOT to put the hole in the middle of the board. Place it 2" from what will be the top. Otherwise you won't be able to close or open the leg when you bolt this together.
Since we are working with 1"x4" lumber I recommend pre-drilling the holes that go into the grain. This will prevent the wood from splitting.
You only have to pre-drill the 4' pieces. And don't pre-drill in to the 2' pieces. This will reduce the integretiy of the piece.
Next line up the edges and make sure they are flush together thensScrew it all together with the drywall screws.
Once you have the frame assembled drill the holes fo the legs.
First take an old McDonalds Cup or something round like an old paint can and trace the edge on the top flat part of the leg. This created the rounded part of the leg to you will be able to close it when you are finished playing with it.
Now measure down 2" and in 1 and 3/4 from the edges. This is where you will drill for the Leg holes.
Next on the frame measure 2" (2 and 1/2" if you have the top on already) from the edge and 4" from the top of the board. Mark and Drill.
NOTE: a 1x4 is not really 4" wide so it is important NOT to put the hole in the middle of the board. Place it 2" from what will be the top. Otherwise you won't be able to close or open the leg when you bolt this together.
STEP 4: Holding Down the House
Now place the top on and screw it down! (Don't worry about pre-drilling this piece)
I like to place my screws as follows to ensure the piece is square and flush:
I measure in 2" from every corner and place a mark. Then I mark out every foot. This places two screws in every corner and secures the top very nicely.
Next I square up one corner and make sure the corner is flush then I screw in the first screw on the side.
I then Square up the corner along the same side and add in the other 2" screw on that edge. The makes sure that my one side is perfectly flush.
Then I make sure the other corners are also flush and square and I screw them down. Once I have the 4 2" spaced corners screwed down I screw everything else down starting from the center and work my way out.
I like to place my screws as follows to ensure the piece is square and flush:
I measure in 2" from every corner and place a mark. Then I mark out every foot. This places two screws in every corner and secures the top very nicely.
Next I square up one corner and make sure the corner is flush then I screw in the first screw on the side.
I then Square up the corner along the same side and add in the other 2" screw on that edge. The makes sure that my one side is perfectly flush.
Then I make sure the other corners are also flush and square and I screw them down. Once I have the 4 2" spaced corners screwed down I screw everything else down starting from the center and work my way out.
STEP 5: Cornholey Moley, Batman!
The regulation size hole is 6" in Diameter placed 9" from the top of the board.
So...
Measure 9" down from the top of the board.
Measure the width of the top and divide it in half to find the center.
Mark it! Celebrate ~ Yay Center!
Next with a scrap piece of wood, paper or string measure measure out a 3" section to help us make a circle.
I used an old paint stirrer. I placed a screw in one end, measured out 3" and drilled a hole in the other to hold my Sharpie (NOTE: I love Sharpies)
Place the screw tip on the mark you sketched on the board and rotate the pen around to create your 6" cicle.
Now, drill a pilot hole along the edge of your circle. It's better error on the side of too far inside the circle than too close to the line or over it.
Once you have your hole created, pull out the saber saw and follow the line to create the perfect circle!
So...
Measure 9" down from the top of the board.
Measure the width of the top and divide it in half to find the center.
Mark it! Celebrate ~ Yay Center!
Next with a scrap piece of wood, paper or string measure measure out a 3" section to help us make a circle.
I used an old paint stirrer. I placed a screw in one end, measured out 3" and drilled a hole in the other to hold my Sharpie (NOTE: I love Sharpies)
Place the screw tip on the mark you sketched on the board and rotate the pen around to create your 6" cicle.
Now, drill a pilot hole along the edge of your circle. It's better error on the side of too far inside the circle than too close to the line or over it.
Once you have your hole created, pull out the saber saw and follow the line to create the perfect circle!
STEP 6: "She Got Leggs..."
Ok, the last step...
Place the bolt in the hole and tap it down with a hammer so it is sceurely in place. You don't want it to spin or rotate on you.
On the inside add a washer, then the leg, then another washer and finally the two hex nuts.
You wnat to tighten the hex nuts down pretty tight but not so much the leg can't rotate. When you find a good place counter tighten the nuts, this will lock them in place.
To counter tighten you need two wrenches. You rotate the bottom on up as if you were taking it off and the top one down like you are tightening it down.
I don't really do this part, I just tighten them down where I like them and leave them like that. (I only have one wrench right now)
You could also use locking nuts but why spend the extra $.10 on them when this works fine.
Place the bolt in the hole and tap it down with a hammer so it is sceurely in place. You don't want it to spin or rotate on you.
On the inside add a washer, then the leg, then another washer and finally the two hex nuts.
You wnat to tighten the hex nuts down pretty tight but not so much the leg can't rotate. When you find a good place counter tighten the nuts, this will lock them in place.
To counter tighten you need two wrenches. You rotate the bottom on up as if you were taking it off and the top one down like you are tightening it down.
I don't really do this part, I just tighten them down where I like them and leave them like that. (I only have one wrench right now)
You could also use locking nuts but why spend the extra $.10 on them when this works fine.
STEP 7: Conclusion:
Within a couple of hours you can have a nice corn hole set that will last a long time.
Now go crazy with it...
Print off some stencils and create something totally unique.
Peace,
chwbcc
Special thanks to:
Lowes for being right across the street
Pie in the Sky Designs your bags are awesome!
My Mom, I'll bring the saw back the next time I am home.
And to my beautiful wife who lets me build stupid things like this in our garage. (BTW, I need to use the wheels from your bike, I hope you don't mind.)
Now go crazy with it...
Print off some stencils and create something totally unique.
Peace,
chwbcc
Special thanks to:
Lowes for being right across the street
Pie in the Sky Designs your bags are awesome!
My Mom, I'll bring the saw back the next time I am home.
And to my beautiful wife who lets me build stupid things like this in our garage. (BTW, I need to use the wheels from your bike, I hope you don't mind.)
42 Comments
Dlanca1 11 years ago
I didn't want (drunk) people tripping on the legs and breaking them, so I reduced the angle opposite the ground and cut the legs shorter (12'' height from top of the board to the ground). I also attached an eye bolt to the front of both boards and strung a 27' rope between them, so no more confusion on how far apart to place them.
They were a hit last night!
(As for MSU and OSU.. pffffttt made these for some friends. I'm a LSU Tiger!)
chwbcc 11 years ago
AWESOME WORK!
chwbcc 11 years ago
I finished the Walking Dead Cornhole Board. Check it out in my facebook gallery:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150590088607599.396720.500452598&type=3&l=00926b8b5d
JonniP1 7 years ago
chwbcc 7 years ago
I cut the bags into the appropriate shapes the. Sewed them up leaving a small opening where the brain stem would be. Turn the bag right side out. Filled the bags with the right amount of corn and then sewed up the small section at the base of the brain.
Then all of the detailing is done with an airbrush and some hand painting using acrylic paints.
If you make a set, I would love to see some pics! Good luck.
jpbihun 7 years ago
Thanks for the tips! I think this is such a great idea. I will definitely send pics
bwwardiii 8 years ago
kevinspurgin 8 years ago
what kind of fabric did you make your bags out of? Where did you find it?
chwbcc 8 years ago
http://www.joann.com/jo-ann-stores-duck-canvas-fabric/prd23683.html
Duck cloth is really durable and doesn't stretch and holds the embroidery really well. (You will need to use a backing on the embroidery though)
kevinspurgin 8 years ago
Do you know where you can find duck canvas with sports logos. I want to make the bags, but I cannot find the fabric.
chwbcc 8 years ago
castiger04 9 years ago
Excellent, excellent boards!! I have been searching the Internet for paint schemes and believe your stained ones are at the top. I was curious what stain you used for the Eagles green and saints black. I have tried a semi transparent behr exterior which was not as dark as yours.
Thanks in advance
chwbcc 9 years ago
I asked at my Lowes paint person for a Darker Green and he said that some of the stains are actually tintable. This was an amazing discovery since I thought paints could be tinted.
Check out Minwax at Home Depot: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Minwax-1-qt-Water-Based-Wood-Stain-61807/100376215
chwbcc 9 years ago
The black was just the standard black stain.
I have started switching up the paint and stain though and now I am staining the wood and painting the colors. The reason is purely cost. Buying new stains for every board gets expensive.
So I have started staining the boards in walnut and using Apple Barrel paints. Then I put on a couple of coats of clear polyurethane (brush on not spray) and the boards look just as good if not better.
I would love to see what you come up with. Post some photos when you get them finished!
flstumpjumper 9 years ago
superboy80 10 years ago
chwbcc 10 years ago
Over time the coating wears off depending on how much you play and for me that is okay because I like the WabiSabi look of worn things. We play about 10 times a year and there is still no wear on them. My Sister's kids play on theirs practically every day and they are finally starting to wear down.
You could try to use Epoxy resin and coat them like a bar top. Here is a video of that process but you might end up with a very slick playing surface.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7qyKCTwiMI
I hope this helps.
zachs 11 years ago
https://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/FVW/AIQA/HFPTIGEC/FVWAIQAHFPTIGEC.THUMB.jpg
chwbcc 11 years ago
Do you give out extra points if you cover his face?
Great work!
sensoh8su 11 years ago