A regulation set is a weekend project. Two boards, eight bags, paint of your choice. Here's the cut list and the build.
Tools
- Circular saw or table saw
- Drill with a 1.5-inch hole saw bit and Forstner or jigsaw for the 6-inch hole
- Wood glue, 2-inch wood screws, sandpaper (120 and 220 grit)
- Paint: primer + two colors of latex enamel
Materials (for two boards)
- One sheet of 1/2-inch birch plywood, 4x8 feet
- Four 8-foot 2x4s (pine is fine)
- Four 3/8-inch carriage bolts with wing nuts (for folding legs)
Cut List
Plywood tops:
- 2 pieces, 24 x 48 inches
Frame rails (2x4, ripped to 3.5 inches actual):
- 4 pieces, 48 inches (long sides)
- 4 pieces, 21 inches (short sides — fits inside the long rails)
Legs:
- 4 pieces, 11.5 inches, with rounded tops
Build Steps
1. Build the frame. Glue and screw the four rails into a 24 x 48 rectangle. The short pieces sit between the long pieces, so the outside dimension is 24 x 48 — same as the top.
2. Cut the hole. Mark a point 9 inches down from the top edge, centered side to side. Drill a starter hole, then cut a 6-inch circle. Sand the inside smooth.
3. Attach the top. Glue the plywood to the frame. Screw it down every 8 inches around the perimeter. Counter-sink the screws and fill the holes.
4. Add the legs. Drill a 3/8-inch hole through each leg, 1.5 inches from the rounded top. Drill matching holes through the back-end frame. Bolt the legs on with carriage bolts and wing nuts so they fold flat for storage.
5. Sand everything. 120, then 220. The top should feel like glass — slide is half the game.
6. Paint. Primer first. Two coats of color. Let each coat dry overnight. Add a clear polyurethane topcoat if you want the boards to last more than a season outside.
Distance and Setup
When you're ready to play, set the boards 27 feet apart front edge to front edge. Read up on cornhole scoring before the first throw.
Tracking Games on Your New Boards
A new set deserves a clean record. Start a game in BagTrax and track every throw — bags in, bags on, win rate over time.