How to Make a Cornhole Board

Cornhole is a great back yard game and can be played by anyone. It is also fairly easy to make. This instructable will show you how to create on cornhole board and you can repeat these steps for the other board.

Materials:

(1) 96" by 48" piece of 1/2" Maple Plywood

(2) 8 foot 2x4 's SPF

(2) ¼” Carriage Bolts, Wing Nuts and Washers

Stain of Choice

Finish- Water-Based pre Stain Conditioner & Water-based Polyurethane

Tools:

Tape measure

Power drill

Miter Saw

Disk Sander

Vertical Band Saw

Socket Set

Pencil

Sand paper

Hole Saw or CNC router

Compass

Clamps

Tack cloth

The first step is to cut the top plywood

1. Use a table saw to cut the plywood to the dimensions of 47 and ¾ in, by 23 and 3/4 inches
2. Next, let's mark where the hole will be cut. On the plywood mark 9 inches down from the top edge of the board making sure this mark is centered.
3. Measure out a circle that has a 3 inch radius around that point.
4. Using a hole saw or a CNC router cut out the hole that is 6 inches in diameter (has a 3-inch radius).
5. Lastly sand the plywood. When sanding you only need to sand the top face and the sides. Start with a coarse sandpaper and move up to a fine sandpaper.

Now lets cut the wood for the frame

1. Cut two of the 2x4 to the length of 47 and 3/4 inches.
2. Then cut two more to the length of 20 and 3/4 inches.
3. Use sandpaper to sand the frame making sure to remove any factory marks. Once again start with a coarse sandpaper and move up to a fine sandpaper.

Now that you have cut and sanded that wood for the frame its time to build it.

1. Looking at the long 2x4's pick which side you want to show on the outside.
2. To build the frame we are going to screw the 2x4's together. There will be a total of 6 screw on each of the long 2x4's
3. On each end mark where the screws will be placed. There will be 2 screws at each edge and 2 screws directly in the center of the board.
4. At the two ends these markings should be ¾ inches from the side and up 1 inch from the bottom/top. To add the middle piece of the frame measure the middle of each on the long 2x4s then measure 1 inch from the bottom/top along that midline.
5. Next clamp the frame together.
6. Screw in the screws where at each mark on the 2x4's. The screws should be 3 inches long.
7. After screwing make sure the sides are completely flush and the frame has little to no rocking in the frame. If the frame does rock, make adjustments as necessary.
8. Once the frame is built, pick an end to be the top of the cornhole board. At that end on the long 2x4 mark a that it centered and 3.5 inches from the end. Repeat this for the other long 2x4. At the mark, drill a ¼ inch hole through the 2x4.

The next task is to cut and build the legs

• To do this cut another 2x4 to the length of 12 inches.
• Rip the legs down ½ inch so the legs would be 3 inches inside of 3 ½ inches.
• Next let's round the top of the legs.
• From one end of the leg measure down 1 and ¾ inches (make sure this mark is centered) From that point use a compass and measure out a semi circle towards the nearest end of the leg. The semi circle should have a radius of 1 and ¾ inches.
• Use a vertical band saw to make a rough cut on the outside of the semi circle. Then use a disk sander to filler down the leg following the curve of the semi circle that is drawn.
• At the mark made earlier in the center of the semi circle drill a ¼ inch hole.
• At the other end of the leg measure an angle to 17 degrees starting from on edge. Then using a miter saw cut of this angle.
• Repeat these steps for the other leg.
• Then sand the legs making sure there are no rough edges.

The next step is staining and putting the finish on the pieces of the corn hole board.

• First use a tack cloth to remove any extra dust from sanding.
• Then apply your stain on the surfaces that will be on the outside. Make sure to follow the directions on the container and any steps you need to do in between each coat.
• One you have finished the coats of stain apply the finish. Once again make sure to follow the directions on the container.

Now lets fasten the plywood onto the frame.

• To do this first apply a thin layer of wood glue on top of the frame.
• Carefully place the plywood top on to the frame making sure the sides are flush.
• Once you have done this, clamp the plywood to the frame. Then use a nail gun to completely secure the plywood to the frame.

Lastly add the legs to the board

• Use a carriage bolt and attach the legs (through the hole made earlier in the 2x4). Use a washer and a wing nut to do this.
• Test the usability of the legs and make adjustments such as sanding, tightening and/or untightening.

You have now completed your first cornhole board congrats! Repeat these steps for the second board and then you are ready to play!