How to Build a Washer Game: A Step-by-Step DIY Guide

How to Build a Washer Game: A Step-by-Step DIY Guide

The washer game, also known as washer tossing, is a classic lawn game enjoyed by many. It combines elements of horseshoes, bocce ball, and cornhole, offering endless outdoor fun. Building your own washer game set is a straightforward and rewarding DIY project. This 500-word guide will walk you through the steps to create a standard two-box washer game set.

Materials Needed

• Two 16x16 inch square pieces of plywood (3/4 inch thick)
• Four 2x4 inch boards (48 inches long each for the frames)
• Eight small hinges
• Four PVC pipes (4 inches in diameter and 12 inches long)
• Wood screws
• Sandpaper
• Paint or wood stain (optional)
• 4-inch hole saw or jigsaw
• Drill
• Saw
• Measuring tape
• Set of washers (typically 2.5 inches in diameter)

Step 1: Building the Box Frames

Start by creating the frames for your washer boxes. Cut the 2x4 boards into eight pieces, each measuring 16 inches long. These will form the sides of your two square frames. Lay out the pieces to form two squares and use wood screws to attach them at the corners, making sure they are square.

Step 2: Attaching the Plywood Tops

Once your frames are assembled, it’s time to attach the plywood tops. Center each plywood square on top of a frame. Secure them in place using wood screws, ensuring the tops are flush with the frames.

Step 3: Cutting the Holes

For each box, measure and mark the center of the plywood top. Using a 4-inch hole saw or jigsaw, cut a hole at the marked center of each plywood top. This hole is where the washers will be tossed.

Step 4: Installing the PVC Cups

Take the PVC pipes and insert them into the holes you’ve just cut, ensuring they fit snugly. The top of each pipe should be flush with the plywood surface. If necessary, you can use a waterproof sealant to secure them in place.

Step 5: Sanding and Finishing

Sand all surfaces of the washer game set, especially around the edges and the holes, to remove splinters and rough edges. If desired, you can now paint or stain your washer game set for a more finished look and extra protection against the elements. Allow the paint or stain to dry completely.

Step 6: Adding Hinges (Optional)

For easy transport and storage, you can attach the two boxes together with hinges. Place two hinges on one side of each box, aligning them so that the boxes fold together.

Step 7: Preparing the Washers

You’ll need two sets of washers, ideally in different colors for each team (four washers per team). Standard washers are about 2.5 inches in diameter. If they’re not already colored, you can paint them for easy identification.

Playing the Game

To play, place the washer boxes 21 feet apart from center to center of the holes. Players or teams take turns tossing washers towards the opposite box, aiming to get the washers into the hole or as close as possible. Scoring is similar to cornhole; a washer in the hole scores more points than one resting on the box.

Conclusion

Building a washer game is a great project that results in a fun and engaging lawn game for all ages. It requires basic woodworking skills and can be completed in a few hours. With your homemade washer game set, you’re ready to enjoy hours of outdoor entertainment at gatherings, picnics, or backyard parties. This game is not only a way to showcase your diy skills but also a fantastic means to bring people together for lighthearted competition and fun.