Carpenter's work bench as a bar

[Conniptor]

This was my grandfather's work bench that he bought new in 1920 or so. My brother polyurethaned it in the 70s. I want to use it as a bar top in my basement. Looking for ideas for a suitable base! Something to raise it to correct bar height and look appropriate. My woodworking skills are not great, pretty much limited to circ saw, drill, and sander. All suggestions welcome!
Thanks.

 

[Cyberbear]

I presume by "bar height" you mean the standard 42" high, which is suitable for standing or sitting on bar stools. With your limited tools and woodworking skills, I'd suggest using heavy timbers to construct a simple and appropriate base for your bench top.
When I built my heavy duty 5' x 5' bench with 3 1/2" thick top, I used 4 x 6 Douglas fir legs notched into 6 x 8 runners on the bottom and under the bench for an eye pleasing effect. I criss -crossed these end supports with 2 x 4 Df to keep the bench from racking side to side. After clipping the corners to a 45 degree bevel, sanding well, I put a coat of poly over it and that has lasted several decades since then, plus it looks very impressive, ,beefy and has a vintage appearance.

 

[My Old Tools]

I put that in the same category as using jointer as a dining table. It was meant to be used for work.

 

[the gypsy]

I would say , make your grandpa proud and use the table more often and for what it is meant to be. Only by using it to do more projects will your skills improve.

 

[Conniptor]

Cyberbear, thanks for the input. I'm having trouble picturing what you did, but sounds like you doubled up 4x6s into 6x8s, that would look nice and massive! A pic of that would be great!

 

[kbs2244]

Most bars I have been in have tables
I would use as is for a table.

 

[fl18guy]

that is a thing of beauty, i would't ruin it with beer and alcohol. Just keep it like it is and use it like it is supposed to be, like a few poster said already.

 

[TerryH]

This was my grandfather's work bench that he bought new in 1920 or so. My brother polyurethaned it in the 70s. I want to use it as a bar top in my basement.

Dude.

 

[Conniptor]

Appreciate the comments - I should give a little more background... when my Dad inherited the workbench, he wanted to keep it in the house as furniture, since he already had his own (non-classic) workbench in the garage. My brother gave it many thick coats of gloss poly and my Dad made the base it is on, and put it in his pool room. So keeping it pretty and seen/ touched is what my Dad would have wanted me to do with it. I like Cyberbear's idea of a massive base...

 

[TerryH]

Appreciate the comments - I should give a little more background... when my Dad inherited the workbench, he wanted to keep it in the house as furniture, since he already had his own (non-classic) workbench in the garage. My brother gave it many thick coats of gloss poly and my Dad made the base it is on, and put it in his pool room. So keeping it pretty and seen/ touched is what my Dad would have wanted me to do with it. I like Cyberbear's idea of a massive base...

I you are going to do it I would highly recommend building or having someone build a very hefty traditional styled support system. Perhaps in a contrasting wood like this photo so you don't have to try and match the top. Just put "traditional work bench" into Google. There's a zillion choices.

 

[Cyberbear]

Our camera isn't working, but try to imagine four vertical 4 x 6" posts for the legs. These are let into horizontal 6 x 8" top and bottom pieces using a half lap joint, easy to make with your skilsaw. Make two of these assemblies. Drill holes using 1/2" bolts and you have the bench support ends. Cross brace these one to the other using four 2x4s and set the bench on top of this simple base and fasten accordingly. My bench has two under drawers mounted below the heavy top for misc. storage. Once all the materials are obtained, it would only take a day to cut and assemble the unit.

 

[Conniptor]

Excellent suggestions, will check lumber yard for massive stuff and stain it dark for contrast. I had been thinking of a frame covered with plywood for a solid appearance, but I like the traditional workbench support better. Thanks!

 

[maxpower_hd]

I think it might look good just using 8x10 or something similar to make a base for what you already have to sit on. It would also provide a spot to put your feet like a rail. You could even mount a rail to it if you wanted. Them maybe make a shelf to put on the middle part of the existing frame.