DIY Belly Up Bar Table

A belly up bar table makes casual gatherings comfortable by sitting at a height that allows you to comfortably set food and drinks on the table while standing. The table should end at your waist or sit a little bit higher so that you can easily rest your hands on the surface. The general height for a belly bar table is 44 inches, but if you are taller or shorter, you can tailor it to your height specifications.

Instructions

1

Lay three planks of 1-inch thick, 3-feet long and 1-foot wide wood side by side. Line them up so that they form a square of wood.

2

Draw a large circle across all three boards that touch each side of the square. Work slowly to ensure that the circle is as smooth as possible and rounded nicely.

3

Pull the wood planks apart and cut each one along the line with a jigsaw. Clamp the wood pieces to a work table with C-clamps before you cut and wear protective goggles as well as gloves. Tie your hair back if it hangs lower than your shoulders.

4

Drill two 1/2 inch deep and 1/4 inch thick holes into the right and left side of the longest plank of wood. Position them six inches away from the corners of the plank. Drill two holes into the remaining planks on the side that touches the longest plank to make a circle so that the holes meet up when the circle is reassembled.

5

Cut four wooden dowels that are 1/4 inch wide and 1 inch long. Fill the two holes on either short board with wood glue and insert the dowels into the holes. Wipe away the excess glue with a cloth.

6

Fill the holes in the long board with wood glue and push all the pieces together. This forms the top of your table.

7

Cut four round wood poles that are 44 inches tall and 3 inches wide. Drill a 1/4-inch wide and 1/2-inch deep hole into one end of the wooden pole. Fill it with wood glue and push a 1 1/2-inch long wooden dowel into the top of each pole.

8

Draw a square on the circular table top that has one corner touching each end of the circle. Drill a 1/4-inch wide hole through the wood tabletop four inches in from each corner of the square.

9

Insert the wooden poles with the protruding dowels into each hole drilled into the tabletop. Flip the tabletop over so that it's supported by the legs.

10

Sand the top of the table to smooth out the dowels in the legs as well as the different planks. This leaves the top completely smooth. Wipe away the sawdust with tack cloth.

11

Dip a paintbrush into the wood stain of your choice. Brush the stain over the wood with the paintbrush to leave a layer of stain. Allow the stain to dry before you continue.

12

Apply another layer of stain the same way that you applied the first. Allow it to dry fully. Spray the entire table with a layer of clear coat waterproof sealer to protect it from water damage.