You can also use your handyman skills to cut out a section of the barrel and place a shelf inside. Save the cut out pieces and reassemble them if you want to make a cabinet door, or leave off for a truly “open” bar. Find inspiration from all the whiskey barrel tables listed above! My good buddy Dustin and I made another table for his family. The only big difference is that we painted the metal bands an oil rubbed bronze color. Cut a 1×2 or 1×3 board to use for the decorative base piece. Mine was 29 inches long (2 inches longer than the 2×12 base piece). Bevel the ends at 45 degree angles. Attach Decorative Base Pieces Center the apron on the barrel and attach using 1 1/2 inch wood screws. Make sure to pre-drill so the wood does not split.

Attach the whiskey barrel to the base using 3 inch wood screws. Drill pilot holes first so the wood does not split. Build the table apron Use a prybar to remove the metal bands. The bands are most likely secured with nails and so they should pop right off. Do not take the end bands off, because the barrel will fall apart if you do. Test the base pieces with the barrel. You can make adjustments using a jigsaw or a a flap sander on an angle grinder. Use a level and tape measure to make sure the barrel is level and sits even. Stain any unfinished boards. Apply a polyurethane for added protection. I ended up doing 3 thin coats of Minwax polyurethane on the table top. Enjoy!plywood is affordably and easy to work with, so that’s what we’ll be describing, but you can also choose oak for consistency and authenticity. Trace out the circumference of your table on the board with a beam compass, then cut using a jigsaw equipped with a fine finish blade. Sand the edges of your new cut to dull the side, as this will make the table more comfortable.

Note: Your specific measurements may vary, depending on the size of the barrel you use. Be sure to make your own measurements based on these instructions before embarking on your own. Non-Lumber Supplies Stain the tabletop piece to match the barrel. Follow the same steps as above, but you’ll probably need a few extra coats to match the aged wood of the barrel. For optimal results, stain both top and underside of the table, and don’t forget the edges. Finish with a polyurethane coat all the way around. I made my table out of a pre-cut whiskey barrel I found locally. They had been sitting outside for a few years and definitely had some character. Step 1 In this tutorial you’ll find out what tools are needed, where to source a barrel, and how to turn that old worn-out barrel into the coolest piece of furniture in your home (or out on the patio!). Also, we’ve included an instructional video of the entire process at the bottom of the post.Oh yeah… I also use this as a WHISKEY BARREL COOLER! Line it with plastic and you'll have ice cold drinks for your next gathering! The next step is to build the base out of 2×12's. I cut two 2×12's to 27 inches which is the widest part of the barrel. Choose a stain to match your decor. Tape off the metal components using painter’s tape and apply the stain, wiping off excess stain as you go along. Leave to dry, and apply additional coats until you reach the color of your liking. For a natural look, leave as is. For a polished, finished look, add a coat of polyurethane evenly to the entire barrel. Remove tape.

You’ll want to make the tabletop at least as large as the barrel top, probably a lot larger. Measure the diameter of the top of the barrel. Then decide how large you would like the tabletop to be. For a bistro-style table, you’ll want at least a 16″ overhang all the way around, which means that you will need to add 32″ (16″ for each side) to the diameter of the barrel top. If you are going for a larger table, consider a 20″ or even 24″ overhang. For smaller serving and end tables, a 2-6″ overhang should suffice. It's time to build the apron around the top of the barrel. The total length of the barrel was 37 inches so I cut two pieces of 1×4 board to 37 inches. The total width of the barrel at its widest point is 27 inches. I flushed up the 1×4 with the barrel and then cut two pieces 20 inches long for the sides.