SUPPLIES
- Base: 53½-by-4½-by-21½
- Two pieces 2-by-4-by-49-inch spruce lumber
- Two pieces 2-by-4-by-20-inch spruce lumber
- Two pieces 2-by-4-by-17-inch spruce lumber
- One base top 21½-by-53½-by-¾-inch MDF
- Two toe kicks 3½-by-53½-by-¾-inch MDF
- Two toe kicks 3½-by-21½-by-¾-inch MDF
- Cabinet:
- Two end panels 16-by-42-by-¾-inch MDF
- One bottom shelf 16-by-46½ -by-¾-inch MDF
- Two regular shelves 15¼-by-46½ -by-¾-inch MDF
- One back 41¾-by-46½-by-¾-inch MDF
- One top 24-by-64-by-¾-inch MDF
- One piece 1-by-2-by-46½-inch spruce lumber
- Two pieces 1-by-2-by-15¼-inch spruce lumber
- Wood glue
- Variable speed drill
- Electric miter saw
- Countersink bit
- 1/16-inch drill bit
- Philips head screw tip
- 3-inch drywall screws
- 1½-inch drywall screws
- 1¼-inch drywall screws
- Framing square
- Router (optional)
- Ogee router bit (of choice)
- Wood putty
Overview
What is a game room or a room built to entertain guests without a bar? When having friends and family over for special occasions, it is nice to be able to walk into the game room knowing there is a bar in the room that you built yourself. Because there are many variations of home bars, you can build a nice one and remain within a modest budget.
The Base
Step 1
Place all of the 2-by-4-inch spruce lumber on a table. Lay the two 20-inch pieces flat. Drill two ½-inch deep pilot holes ¾-inch from each end with the countersink bit and set them aside. Next, lay the two 49-inch pieces flat, measure in from the ends 15¼-inches and make a mark. Place the speed square on the marks and draw a line. Drill two ½-inch deep pilot holes on the lines with the countersink bit.
Step 2
Apply glue to the ends of the 49-inch pieces and place them between the 20-inch them. Secure them together with the 3-inch drywall screws. Be careful not to allow the screw to go any deeper than the countersink hole.
Step 3
Apply some glue to ends of the two 17-inch pieces and place between the 49-inch pieces centering them on the lines you drew in Step 1. Secure them with the 3-inch drywall screws. Set this aside for now.
Step 4
Place the 21½-by-53½-by-¾-inch base top on the table. Draw a line around the perimeter of it 1½-inches in from the edges. Drill pilot holes all the way through with the 1/16-inch drill bit every 8 inches. Next, apply glue to the top edges of the 2-by-4-inch frame you built in Steps 2 and 3. Place the base top on the frame and secure it with the 8d nails. The base top will hang over the frame ¾-inch all the way around.
Step 5
Place the 3½-by-53½-by-¾-inch MDF along with the 3½-by-21½-by-¾-inch MDF on the table. Miter the ends of the four pieces on a 45-degree angle. Next, starting 1½-inches from the end of one of the toe kick pieces, drill two pilot holes with the 1/16-inch drill bit every 8 inches.
Step 6
Apply glue to the backs of these pieces and secure them to the frame with 8d nails. This will wrap the frame so that all the spruce lumber will be covered.
The Cabinet
Step 1
Place the 16-by-42-by-¾-inch end panels on the table. From the bottom edge, measure up ¾-inch, 18-inches, 18 ¾-inches, 34-inches and 34¾-inches. Also, measure ¾-inch in from one of the long edges in three different places and draw a line. Place the framing square on these marks and draw a line across the end panel for the shelves and the back. Next, drill pilot holes between the lines--three across and every 8 inches on the long edge. Repeat this for the other end panel.
Step 2
Place the 16-by-46½-by-¾-inch bottom shelf on the table. Apply glue to the 16-inch edges and set it between the two end panels. Secure them together with 8d finish nails. Next, place the 41¾-by-46½-by-¾-inch back on the table. Apply glue on the two 41¾-inch edges and one of the 46½-inch edges. Set it between the end panels and on top of the bottom shelf. Secure it with 8d finish nails.
Step 3
Place the two 15¼-by-46½ -by-¾-inch pieces on the table. Apply glue to three of the edges and set it on the shelf lines you drew in Step 1. Secure them with 8d finish nails.
Step 4
Place the one piece of 1-by-2-by-46½-inch spruce lumber and the two pieces of 1-by-2-by-15¼-inch spruce lumber on the table. Cut a 45-degree angle on both ends of the 46 ½-inch piece and on one end of the two 15¼-inch pieces. Next, drill countersink holes on the edges every 8 inches on the long one and 3 on the two shorter ones. Apply glue to the edges and secure them along the top of the cabinet. This will be used to secure the top to the bar.
Step 5
Place the 24-by-64-by-¾-inch top on the table. Measure 12 inches from one edge and make a mark. Slide the measuring tape up to another spot on the same edge and make another mark. Place the framing square on these marks and draw a line from the edge 10 inches long. Repeat this on the other end.
Step 6
Measure 10 inches from the long edge and make a mark. Move the measuring tape over a few inches and make another mark. Do this several times until you have enough marks to draw a line. Place the framing square on the marks and draw a line.
Step 7
Cut the section drawn out with a circular saw. Stop cutting just short of the corners. To cut the long line, place the circular saw over the long line and two inches away from the corner, turn it on and slowly cut through the top. Stop cutting just short of the corners. Cut the remaining lines with the jigsaw. Sand the edges as needed.
Step 8
Turn the top over and make two marks 8 inches from the 24-inch edges. Next, make several marks 8 inches from the long edge that is opposite from the one you cut in Step 7. Draw lines using these marks. Turn the top back over and place it on the bar cabinet. Align the outside edges of the top of the cabinet with the lines just drawn. Secure the top to the cabinet through the 1-by-2-inch frame you built in Step 4 from underneath it with 1¼-inch drywall screws.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
- TIP : Always wear safety glasses.
As a decorative option, make picture frames with wood trim of your choice and attach them to the front and ends of the cabinet.
Fill nail holes with putty and sand after it dries.
- WARNING : Do not raise the table saw blade any higher than necessary to make the cut.
Do not leave power tools unattended.
Do not paint or stain in an unventilated area.
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