LOWE'S FOLD DOWN BAR Installation and user guide

STEP 1
Build Cabinet Frame. Build
the outer frame for the cabinet
section out of 1x8s. Cut the two
side (vertical) pieces at 42". The
top and bottom boards will be
28" and 29 - 1/2", respectively. The
top board should fit inside the
two side boards, 5 inches below
the top of the two side pieces.
The excess 5 inches will create an
additional shelf on top of the unit.
The bottom will be flush with the
ends of the two sides. Attach the
boards together using screws.
STEP 2
Add Back Supports to Cabinet
Frame. Cut four 1x2s to 37".
Lay the 1x2s inside the box even-
ly spaced apart. The two outer
ones should butt up against the
sides of the frame. Screw all four
supports into place.
STEP 3
Add Back to Cabinet Frame. To
create the back, cut four 1x10s
to 28". Lay the 1x10s inside the
frame on top of the 1x2s. If they
are too snug, you may need a
hammer or mallet to get them
in place. Secure the 1x10s with
screws.
STEP 4
Paint the Cabinet Frame. Paint
the cabinet frame with an exte-
rior-grade paint-and-primer-all-
in-one. Painting this section now
will ensure there are no spills
on the redwood boards for the
shelves or tabletop.
STEP 5
Install Shelves. Cut the 1x6s
for the cabinet shelves. Cut
the center divider to 34 - 1/4'
and the shelves to 10 - 5/8". The
shelves should fit snugly within
the frame. Apply exterior-grade
urethane to the tabletop, let
dry. When the shelves are dry,
secure them to the frame using
a nail gun with 1 - 1/4" nails. Ar-
range and customize the shelves
however you’d like.
TOOLS & MATERIALS
do it yourself
FOLD
DOWN BAR
Love to entertain, but don’t have space for a bar? Build a foldaway table and cabinet so you’ll
be ready for a party at any time. We built ours for the patio, but it can be hung indoors too.
Estimated Cost
$200
Time
1 Day
Skill Level
1
2
3
4
(6) 1x6 x 8' redwood or cedar for tabletop and shelves • (2) 1x2 x 6' pine for cabinet supports • (2) 1x8 x 8' pine for
cabinet frame • (4) 1x10 x 8' pine for cabinet back • (4) 1x4 x 8' pine for tabletop frame and legs • (2) decorative gate hinges
(2) flush cabinet hinges • (2) gate latches • pocket-hole jig with 1-1/4” pocket-hole screws • nail gun • 1-1/4" finishing nails
1-1/2" exterior-grade screws • drill • measuring tape • hammer • straight edge and a speed square • level • urethane
exterior paint-and-primer-all-in-one • paintbrush • miter saw or circular saw • metal straps for hanging cabinet • (2) bar stools
continued on next page >
FOR MORE DIY PROJECTS VISIT LOWES.COM/HOWTO

FOR MORE DIY PROJECTS VISIT LOWES.COM/HOWTO
STEP 6
Build the Tabletop Frame.
Assemble the frame for the
tabletop using 1x4s. The frame
will measure 38 - 1/2" on the
sides and 29 - 1/2" on the top
and bottom. Paint the bottom
and sides of each piece and
allow them to dry. Use a 1 - 1/4"
Kreg jig screw to hold them
together for added stability.
STEP 7
Make the Tabletop. For a stylish
tabletop, lay the 1x6s diagonally
across the frame. Use a speed
square and the frame as a guide
for each of the boards. Start with
the board running from corner
to corner for the best look. Work
your way toward the edges,
adding one board at a time. Each
board edge should be flush to the
edge of the frame. Secure the ta-
bletop boards to the frame using
a nail gun with 1 - ¼" finish nails.
Apply exterior-grade urethane to
the tabletop, let dry.
STEP 8
Build the Table Legs. The table
legs will be a frame made of
1x4s, similar to the tabletop
frame. Cut the vertical pieces
to 34 - 3/4" (adding the thick-
ness of the tabletop, tabletop
frame and hinges, the height
of the table should be about
36"). Cut the horizontal leg
pieces to 25 - 1/2". The horizon-
tal pieces are inset between
the vertical pieces. The top
horizontal piece should sit
flush with the top of the legs.
To give the legs a more fin-
ished look, the bottom board
should be about 3" from the
bottom of the vertical pieces.
Use a pocket-hole jig to fasten
the boards together. Paint the
legs to match the frame from
the tabletop so when it’s fold-
ed up it will act as a frame to
the diagonal tabletop boards.
STEP 9
Attach Legs to Tabletop Support.
Lay the leg frame on top of the
tabletop frame and center it on
all sides. Add two cabinet hinges
to the top of the legs and then
attach the other end of the
hinges to the tabletop frame.
STEP 10
Attach Hanging Hardware.
Hang the cabinet before attach-
ing the tabletop for an easier
assembly. Attach hanging hard-
ware to the back of the cabinet;
we used basic metal straps.
STEP 11
Hang Cabinet. Secure the
cabinet to a wall or fence. Make
sure it is level so your table will
also be level.
STEP 12
Attach Tabletop to Cabinet.
Attach the tabletop piece to the
cabinet with the decorative gate
hinges. Fasten the hinges to
the bottom of the 1x4 tabletop
frame and connect them to the
underside of the cabinet. The
tabletop will act as a door to the
cabinet when it’s folded up.
STEP 13
Add Latch. To keep the bar
secure when it’s folded up, add
a gate hook on each side of the
cabinet and front edge of the
frame for the table top. This
hook should go near the top of
the cabinet for the best lever-
age, but it can be adjusted.
STEP 14
Pull Up a Stool. Add seating
and enjoy your new dining or
entertaining space.
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