06/10/2024

Design Detailing

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Cornhole Game: How to Build the Board

Cornhole Game: How to Build the Board

Cornhole, a sport which is been around for centuries, is a well-liked pastime for tailgate amusement or yard enjoyment. You just have to have a cornhole board and some luggage — and a free of charge afternoon with spouse and children or close friends!


History of the Recreation

A lot of people today think a cupboard maker in Germany invented the cornhole recreation in the 14th century. 

As the story goes, Matthias Kuepermann found a group of boys throwing stones into groundhog holes for enjoyment. Worried for their safety, he crafted the cornhole board, replacing groundhog holes with wood packing containers with spherical holes and stones with bags crammed with dried corn.

Mainly because of its simplicity, the video game hasn’t advanced significantly. These times, the corn-stuffed baggage are occasionally replaced with plastic and resin beads. But some die-challenging cornhole fanatics insist on applying authentic corn kernels.  

Players in the United States even contend at point out and countrywide degrees. And now, there are attempts to make the cornhole video game an Olympic sport

You can create a cornhole board for your yard. The procedure is simple, but it might call for a couple of specialty equipment if you don’t currently have them on hand!


Child grabbing a cornhole bag from the top of a cornhole board game in a backyard.
No matter whether you are passing time in the backyard or competing for bragging rights, the cornhole activity is a exciting exercise for all ages.

Developing Your Own Cornhole Board

Products

  • (2) 2-by-4-foot by ½-inch plywood
  • (4) 2-by-4 studs
  • (4) 3/8 by 4-inch carriage bolts
  • (8) 3/8-inch washers
  • (4) 3/8-inch nuts
  • (16) 3-inch wood screws
  • (24) 1-½-inch wooden screws
  • Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue
  • Drill
  • 3/8-inch drill bit
  • 6-inch hole saw
  • Miter or circular saw
  • Carpenter sq.
  • Tape measure
  • Sander and/or sandpaper
  • Exterior paint or wooden stain and spar varnish

Hands holding a pencil and a carpenter square on top of a piece of wood.
Use a carpenter square to get accurate angles for your cornhole game’s leg parts.

Cut the Cornhole Board’s Wood Parts

Working with a carpenter or speed sq., mark 25 levels and slice together that angle. Then mark a straight line 12-and-1/4 inches from the angle’s extended aspect. Repeat this a few extra periods to make your boards’ legs.

For the frames, you’ll need 4 straight cuts at 21 inches and four straight cuts at 48 inches.

Edge of a piece of wood cut at 45 degree angles.
The 45-degree cuts on the leg pieces will make them easier to fold

Now back again to your leg pieces. You need to have to cut them on the square side to make them simpler to fold and unfold. Mark 1 inch in from each and every aspect and 1 inch down on each and every aspect. Link people marks with a straight edge to draw a 45-diploma angle on each corner. Minimize the two triangles on just about every leg.


Assembling a wood rectangle.
Lay your cornhole sport body on a waist-substantial desk for uncomplicated drilling.

Assemble the Frame

To mark the hole for the legs to connect to your body, evaluate 1 and 3/4 inches from just one side and 1 and 3/4 inches from the shorter finish. Drill all the way as a result of with a 3/8-inch drill little bit. Then set aside.

Drilling in a a screw to a piece of wood clamped down on a table next to Titebond III Ultimate wood glue.
Titebond III Top Wooden Glue will retain your body in area and incorporate some waterproofing to your cornhole video game.

To lay out your frames, lay two 48-inch items parallel to one a further and set the 21-inch pieces at the finishes, concerning them. Utilize a bead of wood glue rated for exterior use, like Titebond III Best Wooden Glue, and attach the items collectively with 3-inch screws.

Utilize far more wood glue around the leading of your new frame, and established the 2-by-4 sheet of plywood in place. Attach it with 1-and-1/2-inch screws by the plywood into the frame below.

To produce the gap for the bean luggage, mark 9 inches from one conclusion, then evaluate and mark the center of the board near that 9-inch mark. 

Working with a 6-inch gap observed, slice a hole with your mark at the middle. A hole observed this large can be a little tough, so get your time!

Flip the board more than to attach the legs.


Drilling a leg onto the underside of a cornhole game board.
Folding legs will preserve storage room.

Attach the Legs

On the finish of your board with the gap, set your legs in both corner with the longer aspect of the angle on leading. Clamp the leg fifty percent an inch from the finish and use the current hole in the leg to drill a 3/8-inch gap by the body. Then sand the finishes of the legs to round the slash angles.

Subsequent, slide a carriage bolt by the gap from the outdoors, then one washer, a wood leg, a different washer and at last the nut. Hand tighten.

Repeat as required right until both equally of your cornhole boards are assembled!


A stained cornhole board game with red and blue bags.
Stain your cornhole recreation for a completed glimpse or customise it by painting it with your workforce hues.

Add the Finishing Touches

No subject which complete you select for your boards, initial sand them totally! 

Begin with 150- or 180-grit sandpaper. As soon as you’ve sanded all of the surfaces, action it up to a 220- or 300-grit sandpaper to make that smooth, slick surface which is synonymous with cornhole boards!

Gloved hand applying stain to a cornhole game board.

Staining: In extensive, even strokes rub your wood stain with the grain of the wooden. Adhere to with a clean up rag to wipe up the excess stain. Once it has dried for a few several hours, begin making use of a obvious topcoat, like spar varnish, that is protected for outside use.

Permit the coat totally dry in advance of sanding with 220-grit sandpaper, wiping clean up and implementing a further distinct coat. Repeat for a third time.

Portray: If you’re selecting to paint your boards, choose an exterior semi-gloss paint and make certain your design handles all the wood on the major so the surface will be properly slick. A number of coats may well be demanded.

Once your topcoat or paint is dry, you’re ready to start out holding score! 

To get your backyard completely ready for much more summer months entertaining, add some hanging string lights. Use planters or shepherd’s hooks to retain the good times heading earlier sundown.


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