Cornhole Boards (pair)

Cut list

Board layout. Each row is one board, cut left to right, with the remainder hatched. Dark lines are saw cuts, about ⅛″ wide.

Build it

1. 
   01

   Cut the pieces

   Cut the rails, braces and legs from the 2x3s:

   • A Side rails, four at 48″
   • B End rails, four at 21″
   • C Center braces, two at 21″
   • D Legs, four at 11⅛″
   • E Tops, two at 24″ × 48″

   The tops (E) are the two panels as they come. Check that each measures 24″ × 48″: the league allows ¼″ either way.

2. 
   02

   Cut the holes

   On each top (E), mark the hole center 9″ from one short edge (that's the back) and 12″ from each long edge. Draw a 6″ circle around it with a compass set to 3″.

   Drill a starter hole inside the line and cut the circle with a jigsaw, or use a 6″ hole saw. Sand the edge of the hole smooth so bags drop through cleanly.

3. 
   03

   Build the frames

   For each board, stand two side rails (A) on edge 24″ apart at the outside. Fit an end rail (B) between them at each end and a center brace (C) across the middle, 24″ from either end to its center.

   Glue each joint and drive two 2½″ screws through the side rails into each end rail and brace. Check the frame is square: the two diagonals should match.

4. 
   04

   Glue and screw on the tops

   Spread glue on the top edges of the frame and lay a top (E) on it, flush all round, with the hole at the back end. Drive 1¼″ screws every 8″ or so into the rails and brace.

   Countersink every screw head a little below the surface and fill it, so nothing catches a sliding bag.

5. 
   05

   Add the folding legs

   On each leg (D), mark a point on the center line 9½″ from the bottom: that's the bolt hole. Set a compass to 1¼″ on that mark and draw a circle. Cut the top of the leg at 10¾° so the cut just touches the top of the circle, then round the front top corner along the circle.

   Drill a ⅜″ hole through each side rail 4″ from the back end, centered on the rail, and through each leg at its mark. Bolt a leg inside each side rail with a ⅜″ × 4″ carriage bolt, a washer and a wing nut, the rounded corner toward the front.

   Stand the board on its legs. The back of the top should be 12″ off the ground and the front edge about 3″.

6. 
   06

   Fold the legs to carry them

   Loosen the wing nuts and swing each leg (D) forward and up into the frame, where it lies flat under the top (seen here from underneath). The boards then lie flat and stack face to face. Tighten the wing nuts again before you play so the legs stay put.

7. 
   07

   Finish

   Sand the tops with 120 then 220 grit. Paint or stain them and add two or three coats of clear polyurethane, sanding lightly between coats, for a smooth surface. Leave it to cure for a few days before you play.

   TipSet the boards 27 ft apart, front edge to front edge, for regulation play. Store them indoors: plywood swells and warps if it stays wet.