Darts that miss the target on a dartboard mounted on a bare wall might leave quite a few holes in the wall. One solution is to utilize a dartboard mounting kit in a cabinet to help protect the wall from errant shots. Most cabinets are made of wood and have doors that hide the board when not in use. With a few simple hand tools, you can hang a dartboard in a wall cabinet in a matter of minutes.
Dartboard Distance Regulation
If you want to play darts according to the regulations, the regulation dartboard distance from the floor to the center of the bullseye is 5 feet, 8 inches, or 1.73 meters. According to GLD Products, this standard dartboard positioning is recognized globally and does not vary whether you use an electronic or steel-tip dartboard.
The standard dartboard distance from the throw line varies based on the type of dartboard used. Measure from the dartboard's face to the throw line, not from the wall. For steel-tip dartboards, measure a horizontal distance of 7 feet, 9 1/4 inches (2.37 meters), while for soft-tip dartboards, measure 8 feet (2.44 meters).
How to Hang a Dartboard in a Cabinet
1. Take measurements
Take all dartboard mounting measurements, including the depth of the dartboard and the vertical distance up the wall. Determine the dimensions of your dartboard cabinet, as this will affect the horizontal dartboard distance from the throw line.
Measure your cabinet with the cabinet doors fully open so that you may precisely hang your dartboard on the wall while it is open for use. Before you measure the throw line distance, you should use your dartboard mounting kit to put the dartboard cabinet in place.
2. Locate the mounting holes on the cabinet.
Locate the cabinet mounting holes on the back of your dartboard mounting kit. The arrangement of these holes should correspond to the placement of the mounting holes in your wall.
3. Find the wall studs.
To discover the studs in your wall, use a stud finder. For the most secure location, anchor the cabinet to the wall at the studs.
4. Mark the mounting hardware locations.
Mark the spots where you will anchor the dartboard with a pencil or chalk. Mark at least two spots per stud, if not more, depending on the size of your dartboard cabinet. According to Bob Vila, studs should be placed every 16 inches. Make sure you have a clean, horizontal line by using a level. When using a level, adjust the level until the bubble is centered between the reference lines in the glass tube.
5. Assemble the cabinet mounting hardware
If you need to assemble the mounting cabinet hardware, do it now. For example, you may need to attach a mounting bracket to the rear of the dartboard. Use a level to confirm that the hardware is mounted in a horizontally flat line.
6. Assemble the dartboard mounting hardware.
The dartboard mounting kit for the dartboard itself may need to be attached to the cabinet. If you need to do so, do so right now.
7. Create Mounting Holes
Drill a hole into the stud at the previously designated spots on your wall with a drill and the proper drill bit size.
8. Insert anchor sleeves or screws.
Insert anchor sleeves into the stud holes you just drilled. If you aren't using anchor sleeves, you can also insert screws into the holes. Screw the anchor sleeves into the screws.
9. Install the dartboard cabinet.
Align the bottom edge of the dartboard cabinet with your horizontal chalk or pencil marks. Align the mounting holes with the screws by adjusting the cabinet. Secure the screws in the cabinet.
10. Install the dartboard bumpers in position.
Rubber bumpers may be included with your dartboard cabinet to hold the dartboard in place. If you need to, use a screwdriver to put the bumpers from the dartboard kit in place so that they are evenly spaced around the dartboard.
11. Arrange the dartboard.
Position the dartboard in the cabinet and insert the center screw's head into the mounting bracket. If the board is too loose, remove it, slightly tighten the screw, and then replace the dartboard. Position the dartboard such that the 20 position points straight up.