Hinging a Pub Table Top

Hinging the top of a pub table allows for secret storage to be built underneath, adds a unique element to the standard pub table, and can make cleanup easier. Installing hinges is a straightforward job that can be done in less than an hour with the proper materials and tools, which are neither many nor expensive. Proper hinges are the most important part, as two long hinging brackets are required and one piano hinge. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Flip the pub table upside down on the ground. Unscrew the screws that are holding the tabletop to the rest of the table via brackets or just open screws. Stand the table support right side up without the tabletop.

2

Position a piano hinge along one side of the exposed table support so that half of the piano hinge is on the top of the support board surface and the hinge is facing away from the center of the table. Mark the location of the piano hinge holes at least every inch into the support board surface.

3

Remove the piano hinge and drill out each of the marked holes in the table support surface. Reposition the piano hinge over the holes and attach the hinge to the table support surface with 1/2-inch wood screws.

4

Rotate the unscrewed half of the piano hinge 90 degrees so it points directly upward. Position the pub table top against the hinge so that when it is lowered it is evenly spaced over the table support. Close and open the tabletop a few times to check that the location is accurate. Mark the piano hinge holes in the underside of the tabletop, then remove the tabletop and drill out each hole. Set the tabletop back in position and attach the piano hinge to the tabletop with 1/2-inch wood screws.

5

Position hinging brackets that expand to at least 10 inches on either side of the piano hinge, so that one end of them is on the tabletop and one end is on the table support surface. Adjust the spacing until the brackets are evenly positioned, then mark their screw locations on the tabletop and the support surface. Drill holes in each marking, and then attach the brackets to the tabletop and support surface with 1/2-inch wood screws.

6

Open and close the lid of the pub table and make any adjustments necessary to make it operate smoothly.