![facebookcover[1].png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cf20d2_466a78f0c2d44a4abf031b1929ca2ba5~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_144,h_84,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/cf20d2_466a78f0c2d44a4abf031b1929ca2ba5~mv2.png)
No tags yet.
Do you like watching football as much as my family and friends do? If so, you are probably in a couple of different fantasy leagues, weekly pick'em groups, and also pick a team out of a hat with the hopes they will carry you to the Superbowl! If so, this project is right up your alley, and a fun way to involve the entire family. This project was inspired by our close friends, who lined up game helmets weekly, and picked winners with their kids. It was so fun, we had to try it on our own. We had some trial and error before the game you have see here was perfected. When we first started, the game was on the table with some paper plates to mark the chosen teams. Well, my youngest daughter thought it was hilarious to knock the helmets down and we were constantly left scrambling to remember what teams we picked. To remedy this, we started taking pictures of the paper plates so we could piece them back together when Capatain Destructo hit. This worked, for a while, but as you can imagine... it got old. So, as usual, I got to work, and created this simple build.
Tools required:
Material required:
1x4 Common Board - Length 96" - Qty 2 and 1 at 48"
1/4" square - dowel 24"
3/8" Dowel - 24"
Panel Board Nails - 1"
Finish Nails
Stain/Finish (pick your color and type)
We use affiliate links to link you to products that we recommend to use on our projects. If you like what we recommend then please use our links to purchase items. This is how we keep our content free at no cost to you, and... bonus...if you use the links it doesn't affect your price!
I have broken this project up into two parts. The back of the board and the rest of it. This is because the back does not have to be made (you can cheat and use plywood). I made my back piece from multiple boards to add some character to it, but to save time and also some headache you can skip to the front part. You just need to remember a dowel hole on the back to allow it to stand up on the table.
Part 1 - board back
This portion of the build you will need the 2 - 1 x 4's mentioned in the material list along with the Dowel kit.
Step 1 - Measure your Material and Cut it to Length, Then Drill Dowels
This is pretty straight forward. Cut your 4 pieces to length. After you are done cutting your parts you will want to start drilling your Dowel holes. We will match drill for each adjoining piece as we put it together. On the last piece you will want to drill the dowel hole to allow the board to stand. Another option is to have this hang, but my wife doesn't allow me to decorate so free standing it is!
Step 2 - Sand Splintered Edges and Any Major Defects
I used to skip this step this until I finally grew tired of all the slivers and extra work that I had to do at the end of the project to get to the hard to reach areas. I only make this a separate step because I have found this to be a time saver.
Step 3 - Dowel Punch, Glue, Clamp and Screw the First two pieces
This is the repeated part of Dowel Punch, Glue the pieces, Clamp, and Screw. Remember to always work down a side when Clamping to ensure that you don't have a gap in the middle. This is critical to ensure that your table is straight and flat.
Step 4 - Dowel Punch, Glue, Clamp and Screw Again!
Now repeat the process that I mentioned above but to the second middle board.
Step 5 - Dowel Punch, Glue, Clamp and Screw One More Time!
Again, repeat the process that I mentioned above but to the second middle board. This is where you want to make sure that the board with the dowel prop is on the bottom.
Step 6 - Sand Again!
This is the point where we wait for the glue to dry over night and then hit the table top with a sander to smooth out the plugs and square off the ends and edges. Use this time to give the edge of the table the feel and look that you want.
Part 2 - Attaching the Box and the Nails
This portion of the build you will need the last1x4 @ 48", 3/8"Dowel, 1/4" square, and all the panel board nails.
Step 1 - Measure your Material and Cut it to Length
These are pretty easy cuts. The most complicated part is going to be sanding a slight point to the 3/8" dowel.
Step 2 - Sand Splintered Edges and Any Major Defects!
Here is my repeated dialog where I talk about sanding your parts.
Step 3 - Glue, Clamp, and Nail the box together
This part is easy to do. Pay attention to the location of the dowel through hole. It is offset to one side. This will make it so the helmets will stay in the losers box (storage) or fall out and drive you crazy. This is also why I put the 1/4" s square stock on the back.
Step 4 - Glue the 1/4" to the board.
These are the keepers for the box that keep the helmets from falling through when the dowel is in place at the bottom. If the box is built correctly this will take up the larger gap side of the dowel and stop the helmets from falling through. I have a note for the dowel hole to be on the backside. In the picture it may not be clear but those are hidden lines. The actual, downloadable plans are more clear on this portion.
Step 5 - Install the Box.
This is pretty straight forward on how to install the box. Make sure it is flush to the top and the .
Step 6 - Putty, Sand Again, and Stain!
I must sound like I am repeating myself, but yes please sand again. This is critical because of the chalk paint you will be using later. You will want the front to be as smooth as possible to allow a flat writing surface. Be sure to knock off the sharp corners and edges. Once your putty is dry and you have sanded your life away, stain this game board along with the dowels.
