DIY Cornhole Boards 1x4 Version
DIY Cornhole Boards 1x4 Version
DIY Cornhole Boards 1x4 Version
Good luck with the project and have fun building it! Please post project photos on the
Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DIYPROJECTSWITHPETE or elsewhere tagged with
#DIYPETE- Cheers – DIY PETE
1
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
COST:
Total cost will vary. However, the total cost of wood ( plywood, 1x4 boards, and leg
hardware ) will be around $75. Paint and accessories will add to the cost. Please use
reclaimed materials, scrap boards, and other items to save money!
Tools Needed:
Please keep in mind that I don’t want you to have to go out and buy a bunch of new tools if
you don’t have many. I’d recommend borrowing from a friend, using a local Maker Space,
or buying used tools at garage sales or marketplaces like Craigslist. If you do want to invest
in new tools for your tool inventory you can check out my recommendations below. These
are affiliate links, which means that by clicking on the link prior to purchasing, a small
percentage of the Amazon sale will go to help support more projects and plans on my
website.
Miter Saw - I’d recommend a 12 inch sliding miter saw. A circular saw or hand saw can be
used if you do not have access to a miter saw.
Drill - For pilot poles and inserting screws, ⅜ inch bit and smaller bits for pilot holes
Orbital Sander - To smooth out the boards ( 220 grit sandpaper )
Jig Saw - To cut out the hole and to make beverage holder notches
6 inch Hole Saw
3 inch Hole Saw - for beverage holders
Kreg Jig - Optional to hide screws
Kreg clamp
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Compass ( Optional ) - To create rounded legs and a ring around the hole for painting. Or
use a coffee mug and bucket like I did.
Safety protection:
● Dust Mask
● Eye Protection
● Ear Protection
● Hearing Protection
● Rubber Gloves
● Respirator mask if using spray paint
2
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
Hardware and other supplies:
Qty: 4 - ⅜ inch carriage bolts ( 2 ½ inches long )
Qty: 4 - ⅜ inch washers
Qty: 4 - ⅜ inch wingnuts
Qty: 1 box of 1 ¼ inch Kreg Pocket Hole Screws ( if using pocket hole jig )
Qty: 1 box of 1 ½ inch long #8 Star bit screws ( if not using pocket holes )
Wood glue
Pencil
Wood putty ( if not using pocket holes )
Painting supplies ( masking tape, razor blade, paint, brushes, stencils )
Optional handles
Qty: 2 - 5 ¾ zinc plated door pull / handle $3.75 each ( $7.50 total )
Optional straps
Qty: 4 - Swivel snap - for straps $2 each ( $8 total )
Qty: 4 - D ring or something to attach straps to
Qty: 1 - 10 feet of 1 ½ inch webbing ( around $.60/foot ) Use 5 feet for each strap $6
Qty: 4 - 1 ½ inch plastic tri-glides slides for adjusting webbing $2
Scoreboard - Thin gauge galvanized sheet metal and magnets ( available at Home Depot )
Bottle Opener - Available at Home Depot or Amazon 2 for $10
LED Ring - (Optional) $24
Cornhole Bags - Get any color combination on Amazon. $28
3
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
Wood shopping list for set of cornhole boards
Please note that wood is labeled in nominal dimensions at the lumber yard or hardware
store. If you are familiar with woodworking, you’ll know that a 1 x 4 board is actually ¾
inches thick and 3 ½ inches wide.
Qty: 2 - ½ inch thick plywood ( 2 feet by 4 feet ) - For the platform $14/board - $30 total
Qty: 4 - 1x4 by 8 feet long boards. $9/board - $36 total
Qty 1 - A 2 foot by 2 foot square of ¾ inch plywood could accomplish the box storage. The
lid will be ¼ inch thicker than mine, but will still work great. $ 8.00
4
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
Cut List:
QTY: 4 - 1x4 - 48” long ( Actual dimensions are ¾ inches thick by 3 ½ inches wide by 48
inches long.
Qty 4 - 1x4 - 22 ½” long ( Actual dimensions are ¾ inches thick by 3 ½ inches wide by 22 ½
inches long )
5
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
Part C ( Support between legs )
Qty 2 - 1x4 - 21” long ( Actual dimensions are ¾ inches thick by 3 ½ inches wide by 21
inches long - You can add the beverage holder holes prior to assembling if you’d prefer. See
the Youtube video for more details.
Part D ( Legs )
Qty 4 - 1x4 - 12” long ( legs will shorten with an angle in a later step. ) ( Actual dimensions
are ¾ inches thick by 3 ½ inches wide by 12 inches long )
Qty 2 - Cut ½ inch thick plywood into 2 feet by 4 feet pieces. You can also buy it pre-cut like
I did.
6
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
Let’s start building!
7
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
Pocket holes
If you are using pocket holes, you’ll want to drill them now. Pocket holes are optional and
you can use normal screws if you do not have a pocket hole jig.
Set the jig for ¾ inch stock to do the 2 holes on the end of each shorter board.
Next, we’ll adjust the jig before doing the holes which will connect the boards to the
plywood. Set the Kreg Jig to ⅞ of an inch, then set the Kreg jig stop collar on the bit to ⅝ of an
inch. This will ensure the 1 ¼ inch screws do not go all the way through the plywood.
Drill 3 holes on each short board and 5 on each longer board. I spaced them around 6-8
inches apart by eye.
8
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
Attach the boards
If using pocket holes, use 1 ¼ inch long pocket hole screws and wood glue.
If you are using normal screws, I’d recommend pre-drilling 2 holes at each corner on the
long boards. Then insert 1 ½ inch long screws. #8 star bit screws work well for this since
they are a pretty narrow screw. Use a total of 8 screws.
9
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
Prepare to attach plywood
Cut the plywood to size if it has not already been cut. It should be 24” wide by 48” long.
10
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
Attach plywood
If using pocket holes, run a bead of glue around the perimeter of the frame and then use 1
¼ inch long pocket hole screws.
If you are attaching the boards using normal screws, simply insert screws from the top
about every 6-8 inches around the perimeter. Pre-drill and then insert each 1 ½ inch long
screw. I’d recommend countersinking each screw so the screw and hole can be hidden with
wood putty in a later step.
11
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
12
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
Cut and make legs
Cut the legs to 12 inches in length.
Cut angles
Now that the board is cut to a size that is easier to work with, we can cut the angle. Measure
11 ¼ inches from the end and make a mark. Adjust your saw to cut an 11 degree angle and
then make your cut. The short side will be 11 ¼ inches and the other side will be slightly
longer. The cornhole boards are meant to be 12 inches at the backside for regulation
cornhole. This angle will get you within about a ¼ inch of this measurement if it’s not
perfect.
13
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
Measure 1 ¾ inches from the flat end and put a mark. Then measure in 1 ¾ inches in from
the side. This will find the centerpoint. Next, drill a ⅜ inch hole through the board at the
mark. I’d recommend pre-drilling with a smaller bit first to help ensure the hole goes in as
close to the mark as possible.
14
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
Round over the top of the leg. I lined up a coffee mug with each side and then traced the
half circle with a pencil. Cut the half circle with a jigsaw and sand as needed. Feel free to use
a compass if you’d prefer.
15
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
Place the leg in the rear corner of the boards. Use a ⅛ inch spacer to create a small gap. This
makes a little room to prevent the top of the leg from rubbing. Clamp the leg to the side
board and then insert a ⅜ inch drill bit through the hole in the leg and then through the
sidewall. Once all the way through, you can insert a ⅜ inch carriage bolt that is 2 ½ inches
long. Tighten it on the inside with a washer and wingnut. If it has a tight fit, use an orbital
sander to lightly sand the rounded edge to remove enough material so it will rotate without
rubbing.
Beverage holders
Cut a board to 21 inches in length. Measure 4 inches in from each end and 1 ¾ inches in
from the sides to find a center point. Use a 3 inch hole saw or a jigsaw to create holes for
each beverage. Clamp the board down prior to making the hole.
16
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
Drill pocket holes on the ends if you have a pocket hole jig.
17
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
Measure 1 ½ inches in from the end of each leg and then draw a line to connect the marks.
Connect the board to each leg using screws and wood glue.
18
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
If you are doing the beverage holders, I’d recommend notching out the rear board so it will
fit taller bottles. Measure 4 ¾ in from the end of the board so it matches the center of the
hole below it. In the video I measure in 4 inches from the inside of the leg, which
accomplishes the same thing. Use a coffee cup or something round to create a half circle.
Cut the half circle using a jigsaw. ( Feel free to do this earlier in the build if you’d prefer )
19
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
Make the 6 inch hole
Measure 9 inches in from the top, and 12 inches in from the side. Put a mark.
Use a 6 inch hole saw to cut the hole. If you do not have a hole saw I’d recommend drawing
a 6 inch diameter circle and then cutting it out with a jigsaw.
20
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
Notch out for optional LED lights
Create a notch in the beverage board if you plan to add an LED ring to the underside of the
board. This will allow the legs to lay flat when folded in. See youtube video for more details.
I cut the notch about 1 inch deep and 8 inches in width.
21
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
Make bag storage compartment
Rip a ¾ inch thick board ( plywood or solid wood ) to 2 inches in width by 22 ½ inches
long. Make a total of 4. These can be attached with glue and pocket hole screws or normal
screws.
In addition to creating a storage area, the boards also provide additional support for the
plywood. Space the boards according to the measurements below. There will be 6 ½ inches
between the boards which is plenty of space for 4 cornhole bags and a couple smaller
accessories.
22
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
Cut the lid to 8 inches by 22 ½ inches long. I made the lid out of ½ inch plywood. You could
make it out of ¾ inch plywood if you’d prefer.
23
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
Paint or add a finish
Finish your boards to best fit your style! Use a bucket with an 8 inch diameter to help
create a perfect hole around the hole. Use masking tape to create designs. Have a straight
edge, tape measure, and razor blade handy for this process.
I used spray paint for this project. However, I’d recommend using a brush on paint to
minimize mess, fumes, and the amount of paint used. Next time I’ll be brushing on paint.
To help colors pop and hide wood grain, it’s best to use a primer prior to painting.
Seal the boards once everything has been painted. If you’ve used white paint, you may want
to use a water based sealer to prevent the sealer from giving the white paint a yellow hue.
24
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
LED Rings - Mount to underside of the boards around the ring. The battery pack comes
with adhesive tape to mount to the unit.
Straps - Place D ring in 12 inches from each end. Make strap out of 1 ½ inch webbing.
Another idea would be to use rope.
Hinges for storage compartment - Hinges are placed 2 inches in from each end.
Scoreboard - Cut thin gauge galvanized sheet metal to 1 ¾ inches by 19 inches. Fasten with
short screws and glue. ( Or search on Amazon for other ideas )
Enjoy!
25
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019
Thanks so much for checking out the DIY Cornhole Board Plans. I’d love to hear how your
project goes! Please post photos on Facebook at www.facebook.com/diyprojectswithpete
and subscribe to my Youtube channel at www.youtube.com/diyprojectswithpete.
26
https://www.diypete.com/CornholeYardGame DIY PETE, LLC Copyright 2019