How to Build Cornhole Boards
What you’ll need:
- (2) sheets of ½” AC plywood
- Jigsaws and blades (check out our Milwaukee and Makita products!)
- (2) 4” galvanized carriage screws
- (4) 2” x 4” x 8” framing studs
- (16) ⅜” galvanized washers
- (16) ⅜” nuts
- (16) 3″ wood screws
- (28) 1-½” wood screws
Optional
Benjamin Moore Arborcoat 636 clear stain
Benjamin Moore Solid or Translucent stain
Getting Started
1) Make Your Cuts
If you have a carpenter square, mark a 25-degree angle at the end of one 2×4 and cut along that line. Next, measure 12-1/4″ from the long side of the angle and mark a straight line to cut along. This will create one leg – repeat for the three other legs. Don’t have a carpenter square? Cut your lengths to the 12-1/4″ length; place a mark at 10-5/8″ on a narrow side and draw a diagonal line from this mark to the end of the leg to create your 25-degree angle.
For the other 2×4’s, cut the fronts and backs of the boards to be 24″, and cut the sides to be 48″.
On your sheets of plywood, cut a 6” hole using a hole saw or jigsaw. The center of your hole should be 12” from the side and 9” from the top.
2) Assemble the Base
Position your 24″ boards between the two 48″ boards to create a rectangle, and make sure the edges of the first corner are flush. Use your regular wood screws to drill the boards together – a clamp can help make sure they stay aligned. Repeat this for the second board.
3) Attach the Top
Pre-cut your plywood to be 24″ x 48″ and attach to the top using your 1-1/2″ wood screws.
4) Finish the Legs
On the square edge of the legs, mark a point 1-3/4″ from the end and 1-3/4″ from the side. Drill a 3/8″ hole. Next, on the square edge, make a mark 1″ in from each side and 1″ down from each side. Connect these marks with a 45-degree line cut. Clamp the legs to your workspace and cut along these lines. Round the corners with sandpaper.
5) Attach the Legs
Turn the board face-down, and place a leg in each corner on the end of the boards. With the rounded edge, the end with the hole should be towards the center. Put a piece of cardboard below the leg and leave a 1/2″ gap between the end of the leg and the end board of the base. Use a 3/8″ hole on the leg as a guide to drill through the frame. Attach each leg to the frame using the 3/8″ galvanized carriage bolts, adding two washers to each side of the leg bolt and nut. Thread a nut onto the bolt and tighten it, and repeat with the second nut. Check your leg to make sure it will rotate freely, and make sure the top of the board stands 12″ above the ground. Repeat on the other board.
6) Paint
Sand the top of your board using 180-grit sandpaper, and paint it with Benjamin Moore exterior paint. You can use Arborcoat Translucent Paint for a natural look, or for a colored look, use Arborcoat Solid Stain. We offer various tapes and small brushes you can use to create your own design and customize to your taste. Use Arborcoat Clear Coat or exterior acrylic polyurethane to give it a semi-gloss finish. Allow the boards to dry for at least 48 hours.
Have any questions? Contact our Madison and Crozet stores, where we can provide you with the expert advice you need for this project! This is a great way to make the most of your time with friends and family and make a fun activity you can enjoy for years to come!
