Serve up some fun from your outdoor bar.
Outdoor gatherings are a blast, but running back and forth to the kitchen can be a drag. Save time and keep the party hopping with an outdoor bar. Friends will love the simple, yet functional design that will enhance your outdoor living space. If you are comfortable working with power tools and have some basic carpentry skills, this project will be a cinch. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Frame
1. Cut two pieces of 3/4-inch plywood, measuring 16 by 18 inches. These will be the sides. Cut a third piece of plywood, measuring 16 by 42 inches. This piece will be the front of the frame. Cut eight 16-inch long supports from 2 by 2-inch pine.
2. Place two of the supports parallel to each other and 14 inches apart. Place one of the side pieces of plywood over the two supports. The plywood should not overhang the supports, but fit perfectly on top of them. Glue the board to the supports and then screw it into place by screwing through the plywood and into the supports at each corner. Repeat with the other side board.
3. Place two more supports parallel to each other and 38 inches apart. Place the front board over the supports and arrange it so the sides of the plywood are in line with the sides of the support boards. Attach the plywood to the supports using the same methods as in step 2.
Legs and Shelf
4. Cut the four 4 by 4-inch table legs to 44 inches in length. Place the front piece attached to the supports on it's edge. Place one leg over the side of the front board, parallel with the supports. Apply glue to the area where the leg and the support meet, then clamp the leg to the support. Attach the front piece to the leg by screwing through the support boards into the legs, placing the screws 2 inches apart. Remove the clamps.
5. Repeat the previous step to install a leg on the other end of the front piece, and one leg to each of the side pieces.
6. Place one of the side pieces on it's side with it's leg sticking up. Push the side that does not have a leg against a leg of the front piece, forming a right angle with the plywood. Screw the side piece to the leg of the front piece, by screwing through the support board into the leg. Place the screws 2 inches apart. Repeat this process on the opposite side of the front with the remaining side piece.
7. Cut three shelf pieces from 2 by 4-inch pine, each piece measuring 41 inches. Place the two remaining support boards 41 inches apart. Adjust the supports so they are parallel. Place one of the shelf boards on top of the support boards, and perpendicular to them. Glue the board to the supports where the surfaces meet. Use one screw at each end of the shelf board to screw the shelf board to the support boards. Attach the other two boards to the supports in the same manner to create the shelf.
8. Place the bar structure on it's legs with the sides and front on the top. Slide the shelf in between the two sides and push it against the front board. Adjust the shelf until it is level. Screw the board into place by screwing through the plywood sides and into the shelf's support boards. Place the screws 1 inch apart.
Top
9. Cut a top board from 3/4-inch plywood measuring 24 by 48 inches.
10. Place the top board over the top of the legs. Screw the board into place in the center of each of the legs in the corner of the top board.
11. Cut a piece of 2 by 4-inch pine measuring 51 inches long. This will be a front trim. Cut two side trim boards from 2 by 4-inch pine measuring 25 inches long.
12. Place the front trim across the two legs on the front of the bar. Adjust the trim until it is even with the top board. Screw the trim in place. Repeat to install the side trims.
13. Sand the entire bar structure to remove rough areas. Pay particular attention to the areas where boards meet.
Tags: measuring inches, support boards, front piece, inches apart, screwing through, 4-inch pine