Make a Shuffleboard Table for Your Sports Bar

No home sports bar can be called complete without a fully functional shuffleboard table on the premises. Hours of enjoyment can be had with a simple shuffleboard table that you can build in a few hours on the weekends.

Materials

You can build a simple shuffleboard table quite easily, and inexpensively, with just a few basic materials any hardware store would have. Of course, if you want to put a little more money into it, you can always use some of the more exotic woods. But, for this sports bar shuffleboard table, all you need is:

• 3/4 in. MDF board
• 4x4 posts
• 1x6 pine
• foam padding
• screws
• finish nails
• bowling alley wax
• glue
• finish of your choice.

Tools

Basic woodworking tools are all that is needed for this project.

• Table Saw
• Router
• Finish Nailer
• Sander
• Jigsaw
• Miter saw
• Circular saw

Building the Legs

Starting with the legs helps you accomplish something right off the bat. Take the 4x4 posts and round off the edges with a router and round-over bit. Cut them down to size (22.5 in.), and using a straightbit in a router, cut a dado down the center of each leg, for which a piece of 3/4in. plywood will rest.

Cut out a 15 1/2" x 20 1/2" piece from 3/4 in. plywood and fit it in between the two legs. You will be making two sets of these. One for the front of the shuffleboard table and one for the back.

Build a Box for the Cradle

The cradle for your sports bar shuffleboard table is basically a box. Using 1x6 pine, 12 feet long, attach these to 25 in. pieces to form the box of your cradle. Place strips in between at regular intervals to strengthen the box and give you a place to firmly attach the top. Attach the legs to either side, and you now have the beginnings of your shuffleboard table.

Put On Playing Surface

Cut out the MDF board to fit onto the pine boards, and begin to paint in your lines for the shuffleboard scores. Use trim pieces to dress up the legs and the outer cradle. You're almost finished...

Stain It

No piece of homemade furniture, especially for a sports bar, is complete without a few coats of clear coat finish. Use a finish of your choice, and bring your shuffleboard table project to a close.

Your friends will never want to leave your home sports bar every again! This piece of homemade furniture will provide them with hours of entertainment.