Video:How to Build a Cornhole Game
with Don SadowskyCornhole is a simple and fun game that can be played by all ages and almost anywhere. It is easy to build this game at home, using many common woodworking tools and easy to find materials at any hardware store.See Transcript
Transcript:How to Build a Cornhole Game
I’m Don Sadowsky from About.com. Today I’m going to show you how to build a cornhole game. I’m from Models By Don.com in Roslyn, New York.
Materials Needed to Build a Cornhole Board:
- a two foot by four foot by ½ inch plywood or composition board.
- Two pieces of 1” by 3” by 8 foot pine for the sides by the base of the legs.
Measure Drill Points for the Cornhole Board
The first thing we’re going to do is layout the hole that we have to drill. That’s a six inch diameter. I’m going to get the center of the 24 inches and come down six inches, and at the intersection I take my compass and make a 16 inch diameter hole. We’re now about to drill the six inch diameter hole.
Whenever you are using any machinery make sure you wear goggles or glasses for safety. We are now going to construct the supporting frame for the platform. What we need is two forty eight inch pieces and two twenty one and a half inch pieces. We are now going to cut the two forty eight inch pieces, remember before you cut, measure twice and cut once.
We are now going to drill two 5/16” diameter holes for the folding legs. There is one hole on each end of the 48 inch piece. With the 3/16th diameter drill, we’re going to drill pilot holes for the assembly of the frame. I now have a metal assembly angle plate, which is going to help me assemble the corners. I’m going to clamp one short piece here, this is the hole for the folding leg. That’s only on one end, and I’m going clamp this together here. We’re going to do this for all four corners.
Now I have to apply the glue, I’m going to put a thick bead of glue all around the frame.Now we’re going to take this frame and put it here and we’re going to put it and set it in one half in from the edge. I’m going to put one clamp on each end…and squeeze it until the glue oozes out. And I’m going to put two on each side, this glue should set up within a half hour.
Build the Board's Folding Legs
We are now going to make the two folding legs. I’m going to mark off the 12 inches, on one end of each leg that each has to be cut at a 65 degree angle. Then we have to drill a 5/16th hole, which is one inch from the end and an inch and a quarter down.
And the last thing we have to mark is we have to radius the corner. That is an inch and a quarter radius. I’m now going to cut the radius on each leg. If you don’t have a machine like this, you could cut it by hand with a plain saw but the legs wont be able to pivet.
Assemble the Cornhole Board
Now we’re going to assemble it, we’re taking a 5/16th by 2 and a half inch bolt. Putting a flat washer on, and slipping it through the hole at one end of the frame. We’re going to put the two flat washers, then the leg. Making sure that this is the correct angle, sloping down. We’re now going to put on another flat washer, a lock washer and a 5/16th elastic stop nut. Now that the corn hole game is dried and assembled, you can paint this any color you like.
The reason I have this little overhang, is so you have a nice clean break for the two colors. I’m going to paint mine bright yellow and orange. Alright we’re all finished painting this, I’m going to fold up the legs. I’m going to take it outside and we’re going to play the game.
If you follow these easy steps for making your own cornhole game it should be a lot of fun. For more information about this and other games please visit About.com. Thank you for watching.