How to Build a Washer-Toss Game Set

Introduction
How to Build a Washer-Toss Game Set
There is a good chance that many social events in today’s society incorporate some variation of a game.
Whether you are hosting a tailgate at a sporting event, a party, or even a company picnic, you are
responsible for providing entertainment to your guests. This instruction set provides the necessary
steps needed to assemble a washer toss game set that can be used in any of the events described above
or for your own personal use.
You will need approximately 1 hour to build this game set, so plan accordingly. Also, since these
instructions require the use of basic tools and hardware you must take the proper safety precautions
when using those tools. Wear safety glasses at all times to avoid having possible debris enter your eyes.
You should carry out the assembly of this game in a well-lit, open area and on a flat surface to maximize
productivity and safety. This instruction set is intended for the use of people that are 18 or older.
Materials You Will Need
Four pieces of 2” x 4” x 20 ¾” wood
Four pieces of 2” x 4” x 23 ¾” wood
Eight ¾” washers (circled in red)
Four ¼” washers (circled in blue)
Two ¼” wing-nuts (circled in black)
Two pieces of 2’ x 2’ plywood (3/8” thick)
Two empty paint cans
Hammer
Box of 2 ½” Galvanized Common Nails
Two ¼” x 1” hex cap screws (circled in green)
Tape Measure
Pencil or Marker
Note: You do not need to cut the wood yourself. Purchase these materials at Home Depot or Lowes and ask a clerk
to cut the wood to the correct dimensions that you need.

Building the Box
1. Use your pencil to draw two X marks about ¾” from each edge on all 4 of the 2” x 4” x 23 ¾”
pieces.
2. Hammer one nail on each X, but DO NOT hammer the nail all the way through the wood. You
should hammer right before the nail is about to exit the piece of wood (see dotted line).
Note: Dotted line represents where the nail should be.
3. Next make an L with one 23 ¾” long piece and one 20 ¾” long piece. Make sure that the edges
are flush.
20 ¾” long piece
23 ¾” long piece
¾”
¾”
2

4. Hammer the two nails into the smaller piece of wood to connect the two pieces.
5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 to make a second L.
6. Connect the two Ls to form a square. Again, make sure all edges are flush with one another.
7. Hammer in the remaining nails to connect all of the pieces.
8. Place one of the pieces of plywood on top of the square.
9. Use the tape measure to make three Xs on the plywood:
3”
a.) Make an X 3” in from the left and ¾” from the bottom.
b.) Make an X 12” in from the left and ¾” from the bottom.
c.) Make an X 3” in from the right and ¾” from the bottom.
12”
23 ¾” long pieces
¾”
3”
3

10. Repeat Step 9 on the other three sides of the plywood.
11. Hammer in a nail at each X.
Attaching the Bucket
12. Use the tape measure to make an X that is in the center of the plywood (1 ft in from the left and
1 ft in from the bottom).
1 ft
13. Hammer one nail through the X from step 12.
14. Wiggle the nail in a circular motion while it is still in the hole to make the hole a bit larger and
then remove the nail.
Tip: Hammer the nail through the side opposite of the X and wiggle it around there too.
1 ft
4

15. Hammer one hex screw through the X mark and remove it.
16. Thread one of the ¼” washers on to the hex screw.
17. Screw in the hex screw with the washer to the plywood.
5

18. Punch a hole in the center of one paint can with a nail and wiggle the nail to make the hole
bigger as you did in step 14.
19. Turn the box over so the hex screw is facing up and thread through the hole in the bucket.
20. Thread a ¼” washer on to the hex screw.
21. Tighten one wing-nut on the screw to attach the bucket.
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22. Repeat Steps 1 through 21 to assemble the other box.
23. Gather three additional players and play!
Rules of the Game
Each box should be approximately 30 feet away from each other.
One team member (Player A) and opposing player (Player B) stand at box #1 while the other
team member and opposing player are at box #2.
Player A and Player B should each have 4 washers.
Player A tosses one washer towards the other box and then Player B does the same. Each player
alternates until all washers are thrown and then the other side throws them back in the same
manner.
Tip: Throw the washer using an underhand motion (like pitching a softball) instead of using a Frisbee type
throw.
The scoring is 1 point in the box, 3 points in the paint bucket and 5 points if the washer lands on
the wood ledge.
First team to reach 21 points by a margin of 2 wins. (i.e. 21 to 19 wins, but 21 to 20 does not).
Play continues until one team wins by 2 points or more.
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