Alright, guys, let’s talk about how I finally got around to building that dart board cabinet with lights I’ve been planning forever. It all started with a bare wall in my game room and a serious need for some focused lighting on my dartboard.
Getting Started
First things first, I gathered my materials. I already had a dartboard, so that was a check. Then, I picked up some decent-looking wood from the local hardware store – nothing fancy, just some standard pine boards. I also grabbed a couple of hinges, a latch, and some screws. Oh, and the most important part – the lights! I opted for some simple LED strip lights because they’re easy to work with and give off a good amount of light.
Building the Cabinet
Next up, construction time! I measured out the dimensions I wanted for the cabinet, making sure it was big enough to house the dartboard with some room to spare. Then, I cut the wood to size. I’m no master carpenter, so my cuts weren’t perfect, but hey, that’s what sandpaper is for, right?
I assembled the basic box shape, using wood glue and screws to hold everything together. It was a bit wobbly at first, but once the glue dried, it was solid enough. I then attached the hinges to the cabinet doors and then mounted the doors to the cabinet frame. A little bit of fiddling, and they were opening and closing smoothly.
Adding the Lights
Now for the fun part – the lights! I stuck the LED strip lights around the inside edge of the cabinet, making sure they were facing inwards towards the dartboard. I used the adhesive backing on the lights, which was super convenient. I drilled a small hole in the back of the cabinet to run the power cord through, keeping things neat and tidy.
Finishing Touches
With the lights installed, I attached the latch to keep the cabinet doors closed when I’m not playing. A quick test run, and everything was working perfectly! I mounted the dartboard inside the cabinet, plugged in the lights, and boom! Instant game room upgrade.
The Result
Honestly, it’s not the prettiest thing in the world, but it’s functional, and I built it myself, which is always a good feeling. The lights make a huge difference, especially when playing in the evening. No more shadows on the board! Now the only shadows are the ones cast by my terrible throws. It has been a great time playing darts ever since!
