Wooden Basketball Game

Bill of Materials

• Base   3/4” x 3” x 10”
• Backboard  3/4” x 3” x 4”
• Hoop   3/4” x 3” x 3”
• Launch Block   1-1/4" x 2” x 1-1/2”
• Dowel or Post  3/8” x 9” or 1/2” x 1/2” x 9”
• Ball   1” Diameter
• String   14” Long
• Locking Dowel 1/8” x 1”
• Plastic Spoon
• Wood Glue
• Three 1-1/4” drywall screws

Tools Needed

• Tilting arbor Table saw
• Band saw or scroll saw
• Electric Drill
• Sander
• 1-7/8” Forstner bit
• 1/8” Drill bit
• 3/8” Drill bit
• Hammer

    First cut the base, backboard, hoop, string, and dowels to size.
 
 

Next cut out the launch block, but use at least an 8” long piece in order to safely cut out the 7/8” deep kerf @ 15 degrees that will accept the launching spoon.  The overall launch block size is unimportant, so feel free to make it whatever length and width is convenient. Now tilt the arbor an additional 5 degrees and move the fence over 3/32”, lower the blade 1/4”,  and run it through again (see figure, Detail "A").  This will allow for easy placement of the spoon and provides a wedge effect to hold it in place.  Adjust this second cut as necessary to fit your spoon.
 
 

Next, Cut out the 1-7/8” hole in center of the basket.  Now round over the front corners on the Bandsaw and sand smooth.

You will need to either drill (if you use the dowel), or use a square chisel mortiser (if you are going to use the 1/2” square posts) to make a 3/4” deep hole in the bottom of the backboard, and a 1/2” deep hole in the base.  Now you will need to carve out a small channel in the front center of the post or the base hole.  Only enough to ease the pressure on the string or it could get cut off.  Now, put glue into the two holes making sure about 3/4” of string is in the base hole, and insert the post into the base then crown with the backboard.  The string should be facing the spoon.

Now pre drill and countersink 2 holes  for the basket, glue and screw.  Then Predrill one hole from the bottom to the block, glue and screw.
 
 

The final step will be to drill an approximately 3/8” deep hole in the 1” hardwood balls.  Take care to slightly make the hole oblong.  This will give the string a place to go.  Now, glue up the hole and place a bit of string inside followed by a short pre-glued piece of 1/8” dowel.  Pound it in flush.  Note: the string should be cut at 14" long but should end up 13" long.
 
 

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