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How to Build a Horseshoe Pit Ringer

From pie eating contests to charades, social gatherings are often complemented by a competitive activity. One such activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels is horseshoes. You can teach it to children or turn it into a gamble for more experienced players. Follow the steps below to construct your own horseshoe pit ringer for your next backyard barbecue or party. Find the necessary materials at your local hardware store.

Things You'll Need

Two 36-by-1-inch smooth iron rods
Hammer
Measuring tape
Horseshoes
Shovel
2 2-by-10-inch-by-8-foot pressure-treated lumber
13 2-by-4 inch-by-8-foot pressure-treated lumber
1 4-by-4-inch-by-12-foot pressure-treated lumber
3 60-lb. bags concrete
2 5-gallon buckets
#5 deck screw (one box)
6 1-by-6 inch-by-12-feet deck board
2 cubic yards masonry/lawn sand
4 1/2 inch rebar, 4 feet long
10 lag bolts 3/8 by 4 inches
10 washers for 3/8 bolts
Black marker
Saw
Drill

Instructions

Cut and Assemble Lumber
- 1
  Cut some of the 2-by-4-inch lumber into 20 pieces that are each 14.5 inches long. Also, from the 2-by-4-inch inch lumber, cut eight 6-foot-long pieces. Lay the 6-foot and the 14.5-inch pieces of lumber into two separate, parallel ladder shapes. Each ladder should have four enclosed squares. Screw 40 screws into the 6-foot-long pieces from the outside, toward each 14.5 inch piece, to assemble the ladders.
- 2
  Set the ladders 36 inches apart. At one end of each ladder, drill holes for the 3/8-inch lag screws into the 14.5-inch pieces of lumber. The holes should not be more than half the diameter of the screws. The ladders will border your horseshoe pit, so use the lag screws and washers to attach the 4-by-4-inch lumber to them, which will create the foundation for your backstop.
- 3
  From the 2-by-4-inch lumber, cut eight more 2-foot-long pieces. Notch the back of the 4-by-4-inch lumber, so that the 2-by-4-inch pieces will insert into the notches. The 4-inch sides should face the ladders. Fit two 2-by-4-inch pieces into each notch. Stack the 2-by-10-inch pieces of lumber on top of each other so that the 10-inch sides are facing your pit. Drive about a dozen screws on each side into the 2-by-4-inch pieces to connect them to the 2-by-10-inch pieces. Drill three holes for bolts onto each side of the front of the backstop, and bolt the 2-by-4-inch lumber to the main backstop lumber.
- 4
  Fill a bucket with cement, and slightly immerse one end of one rod into the bucket. Allow to dry. Dig out an area of your yard large enough to fit the structure you have assembled. Dig a deeper, small round hole in the center of this area for the bucket that will hold the rod steady. Lay frame and bucket in place. Drill holes in the 4-by-4- inch lumber for the 1/2-inch rebar, and pound the rebar through the lumber. This will anchor the ladders.
- 5
  Fill the area encompassed by the ladders and backstop with sand. Use your shovel to level out the sand in your new pit. Begin throwing horseshoes.

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