This folding bar is a must have piece for any sized room in your home. For less than 100 bucks you can build one of your very own, and create the perfect place to hang out and unwind after a long, hard day. Here’s what you need to take on this project:
TOOLS & MATERIALS
- Circular Saw or Table Saw
- Miter Saw
- Pocket Hole Bit & Jib
- 18-Gauge Nailer or Hammer
- Power Drill/Driver
- Pencil
- Tape Measure
- 38″ Clamps (2)
- Combination Square
- Nitrile Gloves
- Orbital Sander
- 1-¼” Pocket Hole Screws
- 4′ x 4′ Plywood (3)
- 1″ x 2″ Pine Strip (3)
- 1-¼” Brad Nailer or 18-Gauge Nails
- Rags
- Wood Glue
- Wood Putty
- Paint
- Wood Stain
When taking on this DIY task be sure to equip yourself with the proper safety gear.
SAFETY GEAR
- Eye Protection
- Ear Protection
- Mask
STEP ONE
Measure and cut pieces. Before you begin, you’ll need to make the following cuts. If you’d like to save some time, your local hardware store can make these cuts for you. Otherwise, cut the plywood with a circular or table saw. Then use your miter saw to cut your pine strips.
STEP TWO
Drill pocket holes. Next, set your pocket hole jig for your ¾” materials. You’ll be using your pocket hole bit to make your holes. On your 11‑¼” plywood piece, make two holes on the short sides, and one hole on the longer side. For the 22‑½” x 36″ piece, drill a hole in each end and middle of the 36″ side, then drill a hole on each end of all three 22‑½” pine strips.
STEP THREE
Pre-sand pieces. Use a power sander to remove any rough edges from your wood, and wipe off any excess dust with a rag.
STEP FOUR
Secure plywood and strips. Take three of your 22‑½” shelf pieces and attach three 22‑½” strips with the long edge perpendicular to your shelf. This will form the shelf lip. Apply wood glue to your joint and secure the lip with brad nails. Make sure your pocket holes are facing inwards. Take three more 22‑½” shelf pieces and lay them flat on your work surface. Evenly space out four of the 11″ pine strips onto the top of your bar to add wine storage. Secure these with brad nails, and use wood glue to reinforce the joint.
STEP FIVE
Paint pieces. Paint your shelf pieces with the color of your choice. You may need more than one coat to get your desired results. Stain one side of the 22‑½” x 36″ pieces, the 12″ x 36″ pieces, and the remaining shelves. To give the wood a warmer, more natural feel, wipe off the excess stain as you work, and then let dry.
STEP SIX
Assemble. Take one 22‑½” x 36″ back piece and lay it flat on your work surface. Clamp the two 12″ side pieces to the back, making sure the stained sides are facing the same direction. Attach the sides by screwing your pocket screws through the pocket holes. Repeat this step for the remaining back piece. With your first assembled side, use pocket hole screws to attach a painted shelf with a lip to the bottom, then add a shelf without a lip to the top. Next, you’ll want to add another shelf with a lip at 20″ from the base, and a shelf without a lip 10″ above it. If you prefer, wine [wind?] stops can be used in place of the lipless shelves. On the remaining side, mark 7″, 14″, and 21″ from the base. Using pocket hole screws, attach your shelves with wine [wind?] stops at the 0″, 7″ and 14″ mark, then attach a shelf with a lip at the 21″ mark and align it with a lipless shelf at the top of the second side.
STEP SEVEN
Finish outer components. Now it’s time to cut your molding. You’ll need two 12″ inch and two 24″ pieces, each with a 45‑degree angle cut on opposite ends. To really make your bar pop, paint the outside components one color, and the trim pieces a complementary color.
STEP EIGHT
Finish assembly. It’s time to add the finishing touches. Flip your bar over and install wheels on each corner, then flip it back over and attach the hinges, locking hardware, and wine rack, making sure the hardware is 30″ from the bottom, and the wine rack and hinges are evenly spaced at the top and bottom of your bar. Apply super glue to the top of each bar surface, and attach your sheet metal pieces, pressing evenly to ensure a strong hold. Secure your trim with nails, and if needed, touch up any blemishes.
All that’s left to do is stock your bar and party!
Looking for great tools to help get your project done? Shop Stanley, Black & Decker and DeWALT for everything you need!
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