Home Fixtures Cabinets
Mike BernerUpdated: Aug. 25, 2020
Score big points with your friends with this easy-to-build dartboard cabinet.
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Time
Multiple Days
Complexity
Intermediate
Cost
$101–250
Introduction
A solid-wood dartboard cabinet typically starts at $150, and at that price you’re getting one made of pine; you’ll pay much more for a premium hardwood. For the same cost, you can build a better one yourself, such as this one, which is stylish, durable and easy to make. There are no fussy miters or fancy joinery, and it’s made from standard board widths, so you don’t need a table saw. And if the aged-steel door panels don’t suit your style, you can substitute plywood panels to match the surrounding wood.
Tools Required
- Aviation snips
- Drill
- Drill press
- Finish nailer
- Miter saw
- Orbital sander
- Plug cutter
- Pocket hole jig
- Table saw
Materials Required
- 1-in. screws
- 1/2" x 2' x 4' oak plywood
- 1/2" x 2" x 4' oak board
- 1/8" x 2' x 4' chalkboard sheet
- 1x2 x 8' oak board
- 1x4 x 8' oak board
- 24" x 36" weldable steel sheet
- 24" x 48" x 5/32" roll of cork
- 3/4" oak cove molding
- 3/4" x 8' screen molding
- Hinges (4)
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Muriatic acid
- Table salt
- Vinegar
Tools and materials overview
We spent about $150 on the materials, which are available at any home center. You could save some cash by choosing different hardwood and hinges (we found ours online for $6 each!). You’ll need a pocket hole jig to replicate the dart storage system. To make perfectly matched plugs to hide the screws, you’ll need a plug cutting bit ($17 for a set of three sizes) and a drill press, or you could use a dowel or store-bought plugs.
An angle grinder would be helpful for cutting the steel, but you’ll get a decent cut with aviation snips—without the sparks. You can have the panels cut to size at the home center or cut them yourself with a circular saw and straightedge guide. Just check the diagonal measurements before you make the cuts.
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Age the steel panels
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To achieve the rust patina shown here, first lay the panels on a scrap of plywood outdoors. Pour a few ounces of muriatic acid into a spray bottle, spray the metal and let it sit overnight. When it’s dry, spray on a mixture of vinegar (1 part), hydrogen peroxide (4 parts) and table salt (1 to 2 tbsp.) and let dry. If it fizzes a little bit, you’ll know it’s working. If you want more rust, spray on more rounds of the rust solution. Try your hand at “painting” with the solution by opening the nozzle on the spray bottle and creating a unique pattern with the stream. The solution will dry and leave a superficial rust surface. To keep the look permanent, spray on several light coats of a matte clearcoat finish.
Caution: Muriatic acid releases harmful fumes and can burn skin. Work outdoors, wearing rubber gloves and eye protection.
Cutting list
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Project plans
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Features
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Convenient scoring
Keep chalk handy on this simple holder made from cove molding.
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Clever dart storage
Pocket holes are the perfect place to store your darts.
Project step-by-step (11)
Step 1
Drill the plug holes
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Bore holes with a 3/8-in. Forstner bit in the drill press. They should be about 3/8 in. deep to make room for the plugs, so be sure to set the depth stop. You can bore the holes with a standard drill and bit using a stop collar, but you’ll get better results with a Forstner bit in a drill press.
Step 2
Make plugs
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To get a perfect match, cut your plugs from an offcut of the wood you used for the cabinet. A special plug-cutting bit will cut a circle into the material and leave the plug in the middle. Chuck the bit into a drill press and set the depth to cut 1/2 in. deep; you’ll ruin the plug if you go all the way through. Cut more plugs than you need so you have options for grain matching. Break out the plugs by prying with a flat-head screwdriver.
Plug cutters are incredibly useful and will make any DIY project look professional. Get an 8-piece set from Amazon here.
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Step 3
Assemble the cabinet box
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Drill a pilot hole in the middle of each plug hole and into the ends of the cabinet top/bottom. Apply glue and screw the box parts together with 1-in. screws.
Step 4
Plug the screw holes
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Choose plugs that match the surrounding grain and glue them in. Cut them flush. A flush-trim saw works great for this; the thin, flexible blade sits on the wood and can cut the plugs close to the surface without gouging. Sand them flat.
Step 5
Add the back
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Be fussy about the back panel! Cut it perfectly square and use it to square up the box. A square cabinet will make installing the doors easy. After a test fit, glue and nail the back to the cabinet box.
Step 6
Build the doors
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To build the doors, start by boring the plug holes in the sides of the frame, then glue and screw them to the tops and bottoms and fill the plug holes. Check for square by taking diagonal measurements and making sure they are equal, and then attach the top and bottom face frame rails. Cut the stiles to fit and nail them to the frame flush with the rails. Cut the diagonal and horizontal pieces, then glue them flush with the back side of the face frame. Hold them in place with a clamp while the glue dries.
Step 7
Drill dart holes
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Cut a 1×4 to 12 in. and mark lines where it will be cut at an angle to fit in the corner. We made 60- and 30-degree lines at each end to match the doors. From the sharp corner of the 60-degree line, measure and draw a line across the top edge of the board at 5-1/4, 7-1/4 and 9-1/4 in. Align the pocket hole jig with each mark, resting it on a 3/4-in. spacer block and drill pocket holes. If your jig differs from the one shown, your setup may be different. Drill a 1/8-in. hole to account for the length of the dart tip in the center of the hole.
Then cut four pieces of cove mold to fit inside the door frame, three pieces of screen mold to hold the panels, and four more to trim the cabinet against the wall. Sand all wooden parts to 220 grit, stain, and apply a few coats of finish.
If you don’t have one of these amazing Kreg pocket hole jigs, then do yourself a huge favor and get one from Amazon right here.
Step 8
Attach the chalk and dart holders
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Drop the steel panel into the door frame. Fit two pieces of cove molding together inside the door frame, then glue and tack them to the bottom frame board in front of the metal paneling. Before you nail on the dart holder, cut cork to fit inside the back panel and use spray adhesive to keep it in place.
Step 9
Install the chalkboard
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Cut the chalkboard panels to fit above the chalk tray, and then glue and nail in screen molding to hold it in place.
Step 10
Mount the hinges
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Position the hinge so the barrel is flush with the front edge of the cabinet, drill pilot holes and screw the hinge to the cabinet. Set the doors against the cabinet and use a spacer to create a gap (we used a combo square). Drill pilot holes and screw the hinge to the doors. Installing the hinges with the cabinet upright took care of any “slop” in the hinges. To finish the cabinet off, use the screen molding to hide the plywood panel, attach the cabinet to the wall and mount your dartboard!
See this dartboard cabinet installed on the outdoor kitchen pavilion shed we built in Texas.
Step 11
Challenge your friends!
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Originally Published: May 20, 2019
FAQs
What are the dimensions for a dartboard cabinet? ›
Cabinet dimensions are 37" x 30.25" x 7.25". Dimensions for area that dartboard goes :31 ¼” tall x 25” wide x 2 7/8” deep.
How high should a dartboard cabinet be? ›Measure a height of 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) for a regulation board. Regulation height for the bullseye of a dartboard is 5'8”, or 68 inches (1.7 m). If you're playing on a league or you just want to go by the official rules, hang your cabinet so your bullseye will be at this exact spot.
How do you hang a dartboard cabinet on drywall? ›We recommend mounting your dartboard directly into a stud for maximum support. If you're mounting your dartboard in drywall, use heavy duty anchors to support the weight of the board. Before you start, make sure you have all the tools necessary. You will need a drill or screwdriver, a pencil, and a tape measure.
What material do you put behind a dart board? ›Winmau Dartboard Surrounds
It will fit snug around any standard dartboard and the polyurethane material used is known for its durability. Its what the pros use and you should too.
The official distance is 237cm (7 feet, 9.25 inches) from the front of your dartboard to the back of the throw line (aka Oche or toe line).
Do I need a dartboard cabinet? ›A dartboard cabinet surrounds the dartboard and is useful not only for offering protection for the walls, but also adding a dry-erase board for keeping score, for storage, or even adding lighting to it. Plus you can tuck away your dartboard by closing the cabinet doors when not in use.
Should a dartboard be eye level? ›The official height of a dartboard from floor to bulls eye is 5 ft. 8 inches (1.73 m). This is eye level for a player who is 6 feet tall. When playing with soft tip darts, the throw line (oche) should be 7 ft.
Do wall anchors work in drywall? ›Nails and screws are not made for walls such as drywall, paneling and tile. They can easily slip out of these walls without the additional reinforcement that an anchor provides. There are many varieties of drywall anchors that keep hanging hardware firmly in place.
What is the best way to protect floor from darts? ›Invest in a Dart Mat
A dart mat is a thick mat that you can lay down over your existing flooring for extra protection. You can place the mat over a wood, tile, or carpet floor so the darts bounce off of or into the mat, instead of your flooring.
New Word Suggestion. To say something to someone or a group of people that is not believable but hoping that what is said will be acceptable as truth.
How thick is a standard dart board? ›
In terms of thickness, a dartboard sits 1.5 inches, or 3.81cm, out from the wall or stand on which it's mounted.
How far off the ground is the bullseye on a dartboard? ›Standard height from the floor to the bullseye on the dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches, while the oche (distance between the front of the board and the toeline) should measure 7 feet 9.25inches.
Can you lean over the line in darts? ›Players stand at the “throw line,” 96 inches horizontally from the face of the dart board. It is legal to lean over the line. They may step on, but not across, the line.
What type of dartboard do professionals use? ›The official name of the PDC dartboard is "Unicorn Eclipse Pro".
Why is a dart board set up the way it is? ›The numbering of a standard dartboard is designed in such a way as to cut down the incidence of 'lucky shots' and reduce the element of chance. The numbers are placed in such a way as to encourage accuracy. That's it. Pure and simple.
What is the hardest number to hit on a dartboard? ›These are the four dart bogey numbers: 229, 228, 226, 225, 223, 222, 219.
Where's the best place to aim on a dartboard? ›Total duffers should aim slightly to the left of the bullseye, near the point where the 8 and 16 meet, while moderate players should aim for triple 19.
What is the lowest score you can get on a dartboard? ›With three scoring darts on a conventional dartboard the lowest possible score is 3 and the highest score is 180. There are some impossible scores like 179.
What can I use instead of drywall anchor? ›The best way to hang things without a wall anchor is by securing the item to a stud. This can be as simple as driving a screw straight into the drywall and then into the stud, or a piece of wood can be mounted to span multiple studs.
What is the strongest drywall anchor? ›The E-Z Ancor – Toggle Anchor is the best drywall anchor for most jobs, with easy self-drilling installation and enough support for moderately heavy loads. If you need maximum strength, the Wing-Its – Master Anchor will hold fast until you pull your wall apart, and Monkey Hooks are great for decorating.
Are drywall anchors better than studs? ›
Drywall anchors are great, but studs are always the more secure option. If it's easy to hit a stud, you should hang your object from a stud. Wall anchors are a great backup when you want your item to go in a specific place, and there isn't a stud there. But if there is a stud, use a stud.
What is the best backdrop for dart board? ›There is no better protective backer for a dart board than cork. These heavy density backer sheets are designed to allow stray darts to stick into the one inch cork without bouncing away potentially causing damage to the dart or injury to spectators.
How thick should a darts cork be? ›Description. Jelinek Cork high density cork dartboard backers are designed to protect walls from stray darts while also protecting dart tips from damage. These cork backers are a full one inch thick offering superior protection.
When should you not use drywall anchors? ›Drywall anchors aren't required for all wall-based fastening applications. If there's a stud directly behind the wall, for instance, you probably won't need to use them. Studs offer support for screws as well as the objects with which they are used.
Do you need studs if you have wall anchors? ›Wall anchors do not need studs. In fact, they are designed to be used where the wall is hollow, and will not work properly if installed in the same location as a stud. But there are a few more things you should know about how your wall anchor works before you install, so keep reading!
Can I hammer a drywall anchor into the wall? ›With a rubber mallet or hammer, lightly tap the anchor into the wall until you get to the threads. Use a screwdriver to screw the anchor into the wall until the head of the anchor is flush with the drywall. Again, if you opt to use a drill go slow and be careful.
Should you spray your dartboard? ›It is a common misconception dating back to the days of pre-bristle dartboards that soaking or spraying a dartboard with water (or other liquids) will increase its life. No liquids should ever come into contact with the surface of a bristle dartboard, as this could damage the board and decrease its lifespan.
How do you stop a dart board from shadowing? ›One way to reduce shadow is by using more than one light. Strip spotlights like the one pictured at the top of the article are widely available and help to provide the secondary lighting required to eliminate shadows. You also might want to consider using picture lights, like the one below, to light your dart board.
Do both feet have to be on the floor in darts? ›The player's front and back foot must remain behind the throw line until the final dart is thrown. If a Player has a medical need to utilize any assistive device, such device shall not cross the front edge of the throw line.
Why do they shout 180 in darts? ›It's a call befitting the maximum score in a single turn at the oche, or the throwing line. In darts, 180s are king, occurring when a player lands three consecutive darts in the triple-20 section of the board.
Should you spin dart as you throw? ›
This spin reduces the accuracy of the throw by causing the dart to move sideways during flight. This can also happen because your fingers are on top of the dart instead of alongside it. That can be a sign that you need to change your grip.
Why are dart boards red and green? ›The red bullseye is worth 50 points, and the green bit surrounding the bullseye is worth 25 points. Darts landing outside the segments score zero points.
What are the dimensions of a dartboard cabinet? ›Standard Cabinet For 18IN dartboard, Open dimension 45" x 25.5", closed dimension 22" x 25.5".
How wide is a dartboard cabinet? ›Cabinet dimensions are 37" x 30.25" x 7.25". Dimensions for area that dartboard goes :31 ¼” tall x 25” wide x 2 7/8” deep.
What are cheap dart boards made of? ›Dartboards are made up of compressed sisal fibers glued to a backing board held together by an outer metal band.
How do you fix a dartboard cabinet to the wall? ›- Take Measurements. ...
- Locate the Mounting Holes on the Cabinet. ...
- Locate the Wall Studs. ...
- Mark the Spots for the Mounting Hardware. ...
- Assemble the Mounting Hardware on the Cabinet. ...
- Assemble the Dartboard Mounting Hardware. ...
- Drill Mounting Holes. ...
- Insert Anchor Sleeves or Screws.
Use wall anchors to secure your dartboard if you can't find studs. If you don't have a stud finder or if there are no studs where you want to hang your board, you will need to use wall anchors to attach your cabinet to the wall.
How do you hang 50 lbs on drywall? ›For pictures that weigh between 5 and 20 pounds, a good option is plastic drywall anchors and for pictures between 20 and 50 pounds, you can use a metal wall anchor or make sure to use a wall stud. For anything heavier, or a good all around solution for hanging multiple pictures, use a rail cable hanging kit.
What is too heavy to hang on drywall? ›Fifteen to twenty pounds is probably the maximum amount, no matter the type of hardware used. This isn't because of the hardware or the wall, but due to gravity. This weight limit is equal to a small ceiling fan, hanging a plant, or heavier ceiling fan unless blocking is used.
What's the heaviest thing you can hang on a wall? ›If the item you're hanging is very heavy, a molly bolt is your best bet. Mollys are made of metal, and the largest ones can hold up to 50 pounds.
Should a dart board be flush with the wall? ›
When attaching the dartboard to the wall, make sure it is flush against the wall and not leaning forward in any way. If the dartboard is leaning forward, this will make the measurements inaccurate and you will find the dartboard wobbles when you throw darts.
How high and far away is a dartboard in inches? ›As you can see in the diagram, regulation dartboard height has the bull's eye at 5' 8" from the floor for both soft tip and steel tip darts. Regulation distance from the dartboard face is 7' 9-1/4" for steel tip darts and 8' for soft tip darts.
Can I use an anchor instead of a stud? ›You can still install objects on walls — even if there's no stud available. You just need to use drywall anchors. Drywall anchors live up to their namesake by anchoring into drywall panels. You can push them into a pilot hole.
How do you hang something heavy if you don't have a stud? ›Use a toggle bolt or anchor to hang the piece on areas with no studs, This Old House says. The weight of the piece , and the thickness of the wall, will dictate the toggle size. The typical metal toggle bolt can hold 25 to 50 pounds on plaster, according This Old House. A plastic one can hold 10 to 25 pounds.
Can you screw into a stud without an anchor? ›No problem! The best way to hang things without a wall anchor is by securing the item to a stud. This can be as simple as driving a screw straight into the drywall and then into the stud, or a piece of wood can be mounted to span multiple studs.