Introduction: Outdoor Carpet Ball Table ( Also Called Gutter Ball )
My sons and their friends love this game, so I wanted to give them a table for the back yard. Carpet ball is played with pool balls. Each player places five balls on the table within arms reach of his end. Players take turns rolling (tossing) the cue ball down the table, trying to knock his opponents balls off the playing surface.
The official rules to Carpet Ball are available here: http://www.carpetball.net/carpetball_rules.htm
NOTE: This is my first Instructable. Please let me know if I am missing information that would have been helpful to you.
The official rules to Carpet Ball are available here: http://www.carpetball.net/carpetball_rules.htm
NOTE: This is my first Instructable. Please let me know if I am missing information that would have been helpful to you.
Step 1: Materials
2 - 2"X10"X12' Planks
2 - 2"X10"X25" Planks
15 - 2"X4"X25" Boards
4 - 2"X4"X30" Pressure Treated Boards
4 - 2"X4"X38" Pressure Treated Boards
2 - 12"X10' Hardi Plank Flat Siding Boards
1 - 2'X12' Outdoor Carpet
8 - 3.5" Carriage Bolts with washer and nut
Staple Gun and Staples
Deck Screws
Rink Shank Nails
Drill
Water Sealant and brush (Thompson's works well.) As an alternative, use pressure treated lumber throughout.
2 - 2"X10"X25" Planks
15 - 2"X4"X25" Boards
4 - 2"X4"X30" Pressure Treated Boards
4 - 2"X4"X38" Pressure Treated Boards
2 - 12"X10' Hardi Plank Flat Siding Boards
1 - 2'X12' Outdoor Carpet
8 - 3.5" Carriage Bolts with washer and nut
Staple Gun and Staples
Deck Screws
Rink Shank Nails
Drill
Water Sealant and brush (Thompson's works well.) As an alternative, use pressure treated lumber throughout.
Step 2: Build the Frame
Gather the 10" wide planks, and build the frame using deck screws.
The short planks form the game ends and the long planks form the sides.
The ends take more abuse from balls slamming into them so overlap the long boards over the short boards to prevent loosening over time.
The short planks form the game ends and the long planks form the sides.
The ends take more abuse from balls slamming into them so overlap the long boards over the short boards to prevent loosening over time.
Step 3: Install Bottom Boards
Mark every foot down the length of the side planks.
Using deck screws (or nails), install a 2"X4"X25" board at each foot.
The bottom edge of each of these boards should be flush with the bottom edge of the side planks.
The game surface will rest on these boards.
Using deck screws (or nails), install a 2"X4"X25" board at each foot.
The bottom edge of each of these boards should be flush with the bottom edge of the side planks.
The game surface will rest on these boards.
Step 4: Add the End Well Bottoms
The last 12 inches of each end form a well for the balls to fall into.
Using two 2"X4"X25" boards at each end, build the bottom for the end well.
Be careful to turn these boards horizontal so that they are below the game surface.
Space them eavenly in the end space.
NOTE: For an indoor version, the end well could be solid. For example, a 12"X28" piece of plywood could be screwed in from the bottom. I designed mine this way - with these gaps - so that rain would not collect.
Using two 2"X4"X25" boards at each end, build the bottom for the end well.
Be careful to turn these boards horizontal so that they are below the game surface.
Space them eavenly in the end space.
NOTE: For an indoor version, the end well could be solid. For example, a 12"X28" piece of plywood could be screwed in from the bottom. I designed mine this way - with these gaps - so that rain would not collect.
Step 5: Build and Install Table Legs.
Build each leg using one 2"X4"X30" and one 2"X4"X38" pressure treated board.
Attach these to each other using deck screws.
The side plank will sit on the 30" portion, and the 38" portion will wrap up the outside of the plank.
Place each leg 3 feet from the end.
Attach the legs with deck screws to hold it together for drilling.
Drill holes and attach the legs to the side planks with the carriage bolts.
NOTE: My table was for outdoor use and the legs would contact the ground. Pressure treated wood was essential. If you are building an indoor game, use regular 2X4's.
Attach these to each other using deck screws.
The side plank will sit on the 30" portion, and the 38" portion will wrap up the outside of the plank.
Place each leg 3 feet from the end.
Attach the legs with deck screws to hold it together for drilling.
Drill holes and attach the legs to the side planks with the carriage bolts.
NOTE: My table was for outdoor use and the legs would contact the ground. Pressure treated wood was essential. If you are building an indoor game, use regular 2X4's.
Step 6: Install the Playing Surface
Measure the distance of the playing surface. The playing surface the the area between the furthermost boards installed in step three. It should be approximately 10 feet. Remember - the playing surface stops 12 inches short of each end so that the balls can fall into the well.
Because this table is for outdoor use, I used Fiber Cement Siding. Pressure treated plywood would also work here.
Install the Fiber Cement Siding to the boards added in step 3. Leave a .5 inch gap along both sides for rain to escape.
Because this table is for outdoor use, I used Fiber Cement Siding. Pressure treated plywood would also work here.
Install the Fiber Cement Siding to the boards added in step 3. Leave a .5 inch gap along both sides for rain to escape.
Step 7: Treat the Wood With Water Sealant
Before installing the carpet, treat all of the wood with a water sealant, designed to protect wood from the elements.
Step 8: Install Outdoor Carpet
Cover the playing surface with outdoor carpet.
Lay the carpet in place.
Wrap it around the boards at each end of the playing surface, and staple from underneath. NOTE: Pull the carpet as tight as you can. Wrinkles in the carpet will negatively effect the game.
Trim the access.
NOTE: The carpet will need to be replaced every couple years or so. Do not glue it in place. Staples at each end (and along the side if necessary) will allow you to remove it later.
Lay the carpet in place.
Wrap it around the boards at each end of the playing surface, and staple from underneath. NOTE: Pull the carpet as tight as you can. Wrinkles in the carpet will negatively effect the game.
Trim the access.
NOTE: The carpet will need to be replaced every couple years or so. Do not glue it in place. Staples at each end (and along the side if necessary) will allow you to remove it later.