How To Make Money Building Cornhole Boards 

This is how I paint them ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--Ngh1v0bXRU.html

My son and I built a set of these close to 40 years ago. Everyone that came over for barbecues and such loved the game, but it was all new to them. My son is now 47 and his kids use the same original thing we made. Makes you feel kind of good.

As a female with no woodworking background what so ever. This was an amazing video! You described everything perfectly and I understood what you were doing from start to finish! I just recently found my interest in making things out of wood and finding videos like this is what helps me out the most! Im not the most knowledgable person when it comes to this yet. But you made this a quick and EASY step by step! So, thank you!

Nice build! Excellent blend of functionality and economy. I don't make cornhole boards for money, but I do make them for gifts and donate them to local charities for fund raising events and such... this is the first 2x4 build I've seen that looks like it was done by someone who gives a crap. Excellent tip about the frog tape and gel stain! I might suggest only three minor things to improve your build: 1) put a 1/8" or 3/16" radius roundover bit or chamfer bit in your router and run it along the top edge of the top plywood board and around the edge of the hole on top and bottom (or just sand a little relief into these edges). This will reduce splintering of the edges of the plywood top and make them more comfortable on the hands when reaching into the hole to pull bags out. It will also help to reduce the "bag buster" effect of someone throwing a bag that lands directly on a sharp corner at the front of the board. 2) place a cross beam in the frame along the underside, running horizontally - even though you're using 3/4" plywood, it still flexes when a 1 lb bag lands on the middle of the board... this crossbeam will reduce "bounce" so that the boards will play a bit more "true", especially if they get used on a hard surface such as a parking lot or paved driveway. Since you're using 2x4 frames they are plenty strong, so this crossbeam isn't for strength, just to reduce flex of the top - it can be even 1x3 - just so it's flush against the underside of the top board - pocket hole screw and glue it into the frame, pin nail it down from the top too. 3) place a cross board between the legs - it can just be a 1x3 or 1x4 pocket hole screwed horizontally between them - somewhere between the lower edge of the frame and the ground, about 2/3rds of the way towards the ground. This will help with leg stability (though with 2x4 legs that's not a big deal in your build) and it will also help keep bags that are "air mailed" directly into the hole from bouncing/rolling out the back. This is a big convenience for drunken beerbecue score keeping ;) The above would add about 15 minutes total to your entire build, and maybe an extra 2x4 or 1x3 and 16 more pocket hole screws total per set of boards to the material cost, but will add a relatively large amout of quality to the playing experience relative to the cost (an extra $10?) for your customers.

I've built a bunch of these, and used to use 1/2 plywood and 2x4s. A lot of people have complained of the weight, so I started running the 2x4s down to about 1" with a thickness planer, and using 1/4 maple plywood. I like the flush trim detail, great idea!

My sister-in-law started making and selling these out of her garage. Now she’s making amazing looking boards and she’s busy as hell. She has upgraded her tools, graphics, paints, and techniques. Great side hustle

I literally caught myself smiling when you used the paint can to get the angle needed. That's brilliant.

Dude, I love that you simply tell it like it is. You don’t get overly technical, but it’s clear that you know your stuff. Excellent tutorial!!

My 14-year old son watched your video and now has a side business making these things. He's sold 5 of these so far and this last set turned out very nice! Thanks for the video!

I have been struggling with the legs so much, I'm glad I checked this video to see your method for the legs. Shame I didn't find this a week ago when I started the whole process lol.

If you use 1x4 it's easier to find straight pieces. I also use the pocket hole screws from underneath to secure tops. Zero filler needed.

We used the use staples through the top. We now blind pocket screw from underneath. Much stronger and better looking. We also recess our frames and round our corners to not rip the bags. We add a washer between the leg and the frame to prevent rubbing as the legs swing. The jig for cutting the holes are definitely a must.

I've been making corn hole sets for about 5 years. I appreciate your video! Using a couple of your tweaks, I can streamline things a little better. Thanks!!!

I’ve made a hundred of these games and never thought of doing the legs like that. Great idea! Thanks

Well made easy to follow design. Just made my first four boards for my family, I’m going to start marketing mine over here in the UK …

Dude! Great great great video. Very thorough and I appreciate how you broke everything down. Many tutorial videos leave out small but important details. You nailed it. Thanks!

Thanks, for the detail, I wish more people on RU-vid would explain projects like you!

By watching your video I've cut my time in half on making boards. I just wanted to say thanks and keep the videos coming.

Nice trick my dad taught me, to fill in holes from screws take a bit of wood glue and some saw dust from the wood you want to fill in and mix it into a putty and fill in the hole. Works like wood putty but keeps the same wood type in the board.

The only thing that I would add is that if someone chooses to use 1/2" plywood for the top, they should add a center brace board in the frame to limit the bounce effect. This is one of the best videos I've seen in making boards. Thanks. 👍🏼

THE LEGS!!! I'm so happy I found this video! You taught me a few things I needed to know to get my boards to the next level. Thank you!

This is awesome bro I have thought about doing a few years ago but with work and my family all my time is taking up with my job and my family in which I love them more then anything in this world so maybe now that my kid is 13 I can have him help me and we can start our own wood shop together lol

I respect your choice to spread information vs gatekeeping it. Thank you! We will pass it on

Definitely show how much you can sell for as well as the finished product next time. You have all the ingredients to make an amazing video, and that would make it worth our while watching. Thanks for the tips!

Good video. Just a couple things I do different. I stopped using nails because when playing and causing a lot of vibration on the boards can work the nails out over time, so I started going with screws. Second, I started using 1x4s instead of 2x4s just to make the boards a little lighter, also because I build a bag storage area on the back of the boards that adds more weight, so it helps to cut as much weight as you can when you do that. Third, trying building youself a jig for the legs kind of like you did for the center hole. I made one so each time I build a board I just trace out the legs from my template and the cut away, makes things fast. Just a couple ideas thats all. Keep up the good work and I will keep watching, take care

Made a few sets using your techniques and it made it so easy! And they came out amazing thanks to your ideas! Thanks for taking the time to make this video!

FINALLY!!!!! A VIDEO WHERE THE PERSON ISNT TRYING TO BE FUNNY, OR TALKING ABOUT A STUPID DOG AND SO ON. GREAT PRSENTATION, STRAIGHT FORWARD, INSTRUCTIONS ARE CLEAR AND EASY TO UNDERSTAND.

Great video. I do a little woodworking but this is a wonderful project to build with my son and take camping. Thanks for the time to share your method.

I've been looking to take woodworking classes for years. Unfortunately, no one in my area teaches them. Thank you for the video!

Great instructions man. Simple and straight to the point. I would love to see the end product and stencilling/ paint process as well. I love the router jig idea for making the hole and flush trimming the sides. Your video was in my suggestions group, now I'm a subscriber.

Very informative video, just made my first set over the weekend and they came out pretty good. I built mine almost exactly the same except the pocket screws. just screwed right thru the ends of the 4 foot 2Xs and into the ends of the 21 inchers. Love the pocket screws though, think im gonna use that method. Now the one thing that i made a mistake on that I don't believe was addressed in your video was the quality of plywood!! This (i found out the hard way) is crucial! Idk, maybe it goes without saying but DO NOT buy 13 dollar 4ft X8ft, 1/2in cheap ass Home Depot special thinking your going to save money and just fill in any cracks or knot holes because your just gong to paint it solid anyway...Trust me i will be spending the extra $s for the nice 3/4 in on the next one. Just a heads up. Thanks you for the video my friend and keep em coming!!

Great idea. Thank you for making it simple. Thank you for your service as a police officer. My son is one also.

Great information here. The board is easy to build. Making the bags is what would be the difficult part for me. With all of the features of this set, I wouldn't be surprised if they sold for upwards of $200. That would be my guess for anyone looking for a specific price to charge. Start there or do a little bit of research as to what similar boards are selling for in your area. Post finish pictures on Facebook, Facebook Marketplace and Instagram. Start your pricing high and lower it until they start selling. If you start your pricing low, it'll be increasingly difficult to raise the price if you start selling a bunch of them. Unless you don't think your time is worth it. Hope this helps anyone looking for how to make money selling them.

As soon as I started watching the video I added up the cuts trying to figure out how it would add up to 24in wide. I do like the flush cut trick! Thanks for the information!

My favorite part of this was that you use easy to acquire materials and you make the process simple. One FYI: Home Depot and Lowe’s, at least in my area, sell 2x4 ft plywood. Little more costly, but there would be no cutting.

Great job explaining the process and work needed to do one of these boards. Great work sir and keep up the good job 👍

I'm planning on doing this to use these at my new camp I bought for this summer.

Very good detailed video. Also would have like to seen the final product.

One thing I found that helps when drilling holes in your legs, I use a small bit like a 1/4" first, then I use the 3/8. That way its nice and straight. Unless you have a press or a jig lol

Awesome video and super simple to follow. I'd be interested in seeing how Jamie makes the vinyl designs and paints the boards.

Awesome. How to cut the legs saved me a lot of figuring and using router is the best way.

Great information I like the jig you made for the hole. I don’t know how many times I twisted my wrist using the 6 inch hole cutter

I slap them together with scraps from the job site and deck screws. With paint and all I'm usually about 20 bucks invested. I sell a set for 150 and they sell like hit cakes. Router and sander work wonders.

Great video. Could you do a quick video on your router jig for the hole??

Thankyou for insight and quick tips, I made my protype and sold in 1 hr I now have 9 more orders Thanx Gary

A quarter inch spacer when you draw your line off the edge of your workbench will make your boards regulation. 10 second fix and you can advertise as official height.

This is great stuff. I saw a pair of cornhole boards in a local antique shop not too long ago. They had a great design on the top and a burned in logo of the creator and year it was built and a number. They looked great but they were 70 years old. I hope you are doing the same to your boards. I am in the middle of designing an entire line of stuff and will include cornhole boards for sure. And I will burn in my logo and date on the underside like I saw in the antique store. Thanks for this video. Very informative and encouraging.

Great video! Thanks for sharing. I intend to build a pair soon. Would enjoy seeing a video on the cricket stencil cutter and the final painting process. Thanks again.

Joe, First off I want to thank you for your service. LEOs are over criticized and WAY underappreciated. Second, I love the laid back feel in your video, you don't pander to your viewers. It's like- "watch my videos... or don't, use my suggestions... or don't, whatever, it's your choice, I'm doing this regardless. " Thank you for your hard work and sharing your way of doing things. No matter how long you've been doing something, you can always learn new things form others. Oh yeah, subbed and hit the bell 👍

Great instructional video I'm looking to make my first set this weekend and glad I found this gonna make my process so much quicker.

I made the Hole Jig.......it was a game changer......thank you

Watched all the way to the end just to see what a cornhole board is. I admit i fast forwarded towards the end but still don't know!!

Great vid. I just made made my first set of CH boards before watching your video and I was looking for tips to make my next set better. As I watched your vid I blurted out "I think that guy's military" to my wife. Then I heard you say you were a police officer and said to her "I was in the ballpark". Thanks for your service to the community. You have a new sub. Stay safe out there.

I'm curious about the painting & final finishing. Do you / will you have a video of this? Great video btw

Brilliant mate, i used this video to show my son, then we made one... great father n son activity

Really good video. Thank you. The paint can trick is very smart.

I have been struggling with my leg construction, but after watching your video it all makes sense now! Great job.....Thanks!!

router jig idea is not bad. I struggle with the 6" hole saw.

I made pretty much the same thing a few years ago, but used 2x3s instead of 2x4s. They're much more stable than store bought. And also much heavier. They are REALLY heavy, so make them if you store them near your play area.

Awesome instructional video! Quick question, would you mind sharing how much you’d charge for such a set?

Thanks for your service brother!

Nice vid but can you share total materials costs and what the final price point is? You alluded to how solid the margins were but no figures to back that up. Thanks

Came out extremely professionally. Looks like something you would buy at a nice store. I would buy it.

What price point is reasonable? I've seen and played them but never bought one, and have no idea of what they fetch. Some mention of the profit margin would be a nice addition to this video.

Great video! Very informative and instructive. Retired LEO here! Watch your six... run 'em all through LEIN!

"I am the great Cornholio!"

To cut the legs angle it's really simple, 11 degrees on a table saw :)

Great breakdown of the build! I love the router jig idea. I need to build one of those. I would love to see the breakdown of how you paint your artwork on to the boards. I have played around with a few techiniques, but haven't really dialed anything in just right yet.

Thanks for the video. I'm from England and I'm going to introduce this crazy game to my unsuspecting countrymen. I'll have to convert the measurements to metric first though. Good job son.

I appreciate you reducing the audio when using your power tools. Too many diy’ers don’t.

Awesome, I followed your video and built the best, strongest corn board around! Thanks!

Couple questions...what do you charge for this type of board and how much for an unfinished set? Do you make bags as well? I have been making sets for about 6 years and always wonder what others charge...we charge $225-250 for full paint and $125 for unfinished and we include bags (we make the bags too). All regulation and our decks are cabinet grade

I recently made 2 sets with a sheet of 1/2 inch birch plywood. I used 2x3s instead of 2x4s because they are plenty strong and lighter. Also I used 2 cross pieces in the frame for more strength and to prevent bouncing in the 1/2 inch plywood top. Pocket holes are your friend, I attached the top with pocket holes on the under side. Some of my 2x3s were slightly twisted so when I assembled the frames they were slightly warped. To fix this I pulled apart the joint on a flat surface and used sanded down sections of popsicle sticks as shims. I placed some of these in the joints where the wood didn’t meet up so no stress was applied to the wood and so the frame didn’t warp. Then I sanded down the outside of the 2x3 so the twist isn’t noticed as much.

what do you sell these for finished and unfinished?

How can and give this video a thumbs down? Jeou haters that's why, this guy did an awesome job in explaining everything in detail and building the board's, this is the best cornhole building video I've seen so far!

What will a set cost me that you make with your standard pattern on it? Thanks and great video as always

Great video. I had to laugh…you said, “you can’t jack this up”, when referring to the legs. Well…you CAN. Make sure your drill is PERFECTLY straight and level. Haha. Lesson learned.

"I stain all my cornholes with the Marlboro design!!!"

Thinking I could save a few bucks, I made my own set of cornhole boards several years ago. The boards were easy to make. Where I didn't save money were two places: 1) my primer & paint material costs were something like $40 or $50, and 2) making our own bags (my wife sewed), we had enough duck cloth and corn feed (sold in 50# bags) to make WAY more bags than we really needed. Better finishing material choices, plus economy of scale, I can see these being very profitable. Good video!

Why didn't you show us the painted finished boards?

Your video is great! We’re trying to make 8 sets for family for Christmas. 1 down...7 to go. We keep watching your video and it explains everything we need to know, so well. Thank you so much!

Question: I had planned on ordering a 6" hole saw, but I like the router method better that you use. How do you cut the hole in your jig so straight? Whenever I cut them free hand with a jig saw, they look kind of wonky. Any advice without buying a hole saw? Hole saws do kind of suck to use, like you said.

I did this for a while and you can definitely make some cash doing it. Stopped cause it was timing consuming and I was a new dad at the time.

Nice job! I think this might be a good project for me

Great video! Simplified, step by step for beginners, which I am! Going to see if I can make this with my grandson. Would like to see your finished product. Thanks for sharing! You have a great talent for teaching. You should be a woodshop instructor. 👏

Weird. I always thought cornhole was a euphemism.

You broke this down perfectly. You kept it simple and it was insanely easy to follow along. Thanks man.

2X4's are kind of overkill for this. Using a 1X4 or even some plywood ripped at the correct dimensions is going to make this a lot easier, not to mention lighter and when factoring in the cost of materials possibly even a little cheaper to produce. Not to mention that you won't have to waste time searching through stacks of 2X for decent lumber only to have it twist on you if you don't use it right away and it starts to dry.

I just made a set of these following you directions. Turned out great! Thanks, man! I would just add for anyone else reading: IF you use 2 x 4s make sure they're nice and straight without twists or anything. I had to use what I already had in my garage (I didn't want to run out to a big box store in these crazy times just for a few boards--the big box stores are even busier now than normal! Stay at home, people!), and it was a bit tricky to get everything square and relatively flat. I used pocket screws also to afix the TOP, to, hopefully, pull it all to square. If I had perfect 2 x 4s, I probably would have been able to get away just with the brads and glue. I don't have a router and jig like that, so I had to make the holes with a homemade jigsaw circle jig. It worked, but it's not nearly as perfect. OH well, what does a bag filled with corn care anyway, right? Either way, this set is just for my own use; I probably wouldn't sell mine to anyone. I don't plan on selling them anyway; it seems like almost everyone sells them (and for ridiculous prices, too; I wonder if people really pay that much for a set? Crazy!! It's only costs about $25, or even less, in materials; the painting and finishing is the time consuming part.)

How much would you sell these for so I can get a good starting price

Thanks again. I just make these for friends and always refer to your video since it's always a few months between builds. I don't make money, I just enjoy giving them as gifts....kudos

How much would you sell this set that you just made?

I gotta say, this was the simplest and most helpful video I've found on how to make these things... THANKS!

Are you squaring off your 2x4 edges since most are rounded?

I wanted to find a video to build cornhole boards with my son and you gave some great tricks to make it easy to build some in our garage thank you and yours looks great. I’m going to use your way of making them and I’ll look like a genius lol

What did it cost to make? How much do you sell them for? They seem heavy

Thank you so much! You have helped me with an easier way to do this. My hands were killing this old woman. This is going to make it so much better for me.

just how much does a cornhole board cost ? well you have to have two cornhole boards so how much for the set ?

nice work - good advice on cutting the hole side of the leg with the miter saw and not worrying about rounding them.

How much are you charging for finished boards??