• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Start Here
  • Shop Favorites
  • About
    • Welcome To My Repurposed Life Home of Repurposed Furniture
    • More About Gail
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Information
  • Gallery
    • Repurposed Furniture
  • Repurposed Items
    • Building Supplies
    • Miscellaneous Household Items
    • Picture Frame/Chalk Board
  • DIY
    • Home Reno
    • outdoor living
    • Painting
    • Shop Talk
    • Tips for Around the House
    • Build It
      • Furniture
      • Home Decor
      • Storage
    • Crafts
      • Dollar Store
      • Easy
      • Holidays Seasonal
  • Furniture
    • Chair
    • Desk
    • Dresser/Chest
    • Headboard | Bed Parts | Cribs
    • Kids Furniture
    • Table
    • Kids Furniture
My Repurposed Life® Rescue Re-imagine Repeat
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Start Here
  • Project Index
  • Furniture
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Repurposed Furniture » Updated Portable Bar

    Updated Portable Bar

    Published by Gail | Published July 8, 2014 | Updated April 9, 2019
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet

    I recently revisited this portable bar made from an antique radio cabinet. I knew when I finished stopped working on it, that there needed to be some changes.

    Sometimes it does take me a while to get back to update a project, especially when the weather turns really hot. I’m not physically able to be out in the heat these days, so I really have to keep an eye on the temperature and work around the heat waves.

    Today I’m going to share with you some updates that I am loving! 

    black-bar

    To see how the project got to this point, please check out this post. Repurposed Antique Radio Cabinet.

     

     

    replacing-wheels-with-castersThe first thing I did when I brought it back out of storage was change out the wheels. I was never happy with the wheels and how I had to install them. When I saw Anne add casters to a desk, I knew they would be perfect for this bar. We got them from D. Lawless Hardware.

     

    drill-bit-caster-wheelsThis is the drill bit I used. Installation is so easy. Drill the hole, insert the “sleeve”, then pop in the caster wheel. I think it took me longer to remove the old wheels than it did to install the new wheels. Thank you D. Lawless Hardware for selling great hardware at affordable prices.

     

     

    d-lawless-hardware-caster-wheelDoesn’t it look fabulous?

    portable-wet-barNext up was removing the doors. It seemed like a great idea. NOT! You know how they say “they don’t make things like they use to”? It is so true!

    It took over an hour just to get these doors out. Midway through I was wondering why I ever started.

    remove-doors-from-cabinetThere were only two braces standing in my way, so I thought. I got out my Dremel Multi-Max to do a flush cut on the wooden braces. They popped right out. I thought it would be a simple task to just simply remove the 2 doors. Not the case. See that metal track the door slides on? There was one on the top and the bottom. (this is actually the top of the cabinet, as it is still upside down from installing the wheels.

    Sometimes when I get busy and frustrated with a project, I forget to pick up the camera. It really was the furthest thing from my mind at this point. I proceeded to try to pry up the metal track, which meant the door would no longer slide left or right. I continued to pry, bang, hammer until I finally got one door loose on the top side.

    At least then I knew how to get the other door free from the top side. I flipped the cabinet over and worked on removing the remaining track.

    add-decorative-metal-sheetingYep, I was so frustrated, I never even took a picture of the doors removed. I went right on to the next step—installing this decorative metal sheeting I had left over after doing the other project Vintage Armoire Doors Cabinet. It was already the perfect size, and I simply secured  it in place with some small screws.

    add-gold-detailsI used some gold craft paint to bring out some of the details of the cabinet. Hey—this cabinet has those same little triangles as the armoire doors—I just noticed that looking at these pictures.

    removeable-lid

    The cabinet has this great storage area under the lid.

    repurposed-antique-radio-portable-bar



    repurposed-radio-cabinet-black-portable-barThe cabinet wheels around so much easier now that it’s on these great vintage style casters. To access the inside shelves, you have to simply just wheel it out. So FUN!

    Noticing the bottom middle portion…. should I have added a little gold detail there?

    gail

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet

    Related Content:

    • Antique Record | Radio Cabinet Makeover
      Antique Record | Radio Cabinet Makeover
    • Antique Radio Cabinet
      Antique Radio Cabinet
    • Coffee Bar from Repurposed Radio Cabinet
      Coffee Bar from Repurposed Radio Cabinet
    • Antique China Cabinet | Curved Glass
      Antique China Cabinet | Curved Glass
    • Navy Blue Writing Desk Hutch
      Navy Blue Writing Desk Hutch
    • Repurposed Cabinet Door Project Ideas
      Repurposed Cabinet Door Project Ideas

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      See comments Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Bronny

      March 01, 2017 at 4:51 pm

      I love this. Would be great as a coffee station

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        March 01, 2017 at 8:32 pm

        Everyone needs a great coffee station, right?

        gail

    2. Gwenyth Nickel

      September 04, 2015 at 12:27 am

      I really like the new look. The emphasis on the detailing really helps it. Before you couldn't even see that ridge detail. Now I'm inspired to try something with an old radio cabinet I have from my parents.

      Reply
    3. Julia Shepherd

      September 03, 2015 at 9:05 pm

      Yes, I would put the gold detail on the bottom. I would also hinge the top to make the storage more effective. Looks great!!! I love it.

      Reply
    4. Kris Holsti

      September 03, 2015 at 8:28 pm

      Gail.. love the trans-transformation. Where did you find the metal grate.. Great job.

      Reply
      • gail@myrepurposedlife.com

        September 03, 2015 at 8:34 pm

        Kris

        I got it on clearance at Lowes a couple of years ago. I got a good deal, so I bought several sheets of it.

        gail

    5. Holly

      September 03, 2015 at 8:27 pm

      I love how you remade this! Love the gold!

      Reply
    6. Kathy Groah

      September 03, 2015 at 7:12 am

      I really like the updates to this radio cabinet turned multi purpose bar. What I like even better is the fact that you posted the first time that you weren't thrilled with this project initially. I recently felt the same about a project that went awry from my vision of it. SO nice to know that even professionals don't always feel they've hit one out of the park. Thanks for your honesty and making me feel a little less inadequate!

      Reply
      • gail@myrepurposedlife.com

        September 03, 2015 at 10:48 am

        Kathy,

        I blog reality. Many times I'm not happy with a piece in one way or another. I think a lot of it is because I'm usually not transforming it for my own purpose. When I work on stuff for the masses, I need to try to make it "workable" for many homes, and that holds me back sometimes, not knowing exactly how it will fit with a new family. If I were doing custom design, I think it would be a lot easier.

        Ohh, I'm not a professional, I just play one on the internet. 🙂 So, for sure, don't beat yourself up. Those of us who do a lot of this stuff still struggle daily "getting it right".

        gail

    7. Tasha @ Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body

      July 10, 2014 at 9:55 pm

      Oh my goodness, Gail! I LOVE this project! I am very, very into gold accents right now and this hits all the right notes! Pinning!

      Reply
    8. Maggie B

      July 09, 2014 at 5:23 pm

      I *LOVE* the addition of the gold trim and casters. I do think that you should add the gold detailing to those little stripes at the bottom. Great job!

      Reply
    9. MIchele M

      July 08, 2014 at 10:31 pm

      oh how cute. that turned out nicely, Gail.

      Reply
    10. Anne@DesignDreams

      July 08, 2014 at 7:38 pm

      Thank you for the shout-out you sweet thing!!! I love this piece, too. Great job Gail!

      xoxox

      Reply
    11. girlfromwva

      July 08, 2014 at 4:35 pm

      love it! the casters are beautiful!

      Reply
    12. Suzanne

      July 08, 2014 at 11:16 am

      Love how this project turned out! The casters and the metal sheeting were the perfect touch.

      Reply
    13. Mindi

      July 08, 2014 at 9:59 am

      This looks awesome Gail! My favorite part was learning how to install the casters, I have been wondering about that but just haven't taken the time to look it up! I love the gold details you added even if it was a pain to get the doors out, it was so worth it!

      Reply
    14. Patricia

      July 08, 2014 at 9:48 am

      I like the way this works now! With the storage underneath! Great job with the new wheels too they look much better out front where you can see them, too. The screen insert is a nice touch I had a look at the older post and didn't realize or maybe forgot you added a box to the top making it taller. Could an ice bucket fit there for cold drinks?
      I really do like this piece. I'm keeping an eye out for one with a tilt of front for a garbage can cabinet myself.

      Reply
    15. Pam

      July 08, 2014 at 9:39 am

      Love it....amazing job.

      Reply
    16. kim

      July 08, 2014 at 9:16 am

      Such a great piece. Sometime I wish I had a shop to sell stuff like this so I could work on projects like this too. Very cool.

      Reply
    17. Sharon @ Elizabeh & Co.

      July 08, 2014 at 9:14 am

      Oh pretty, I love the wheels and the gold mesh is totally awesome! Sometimes the most frustrating projects end up turning out to be the best!

      Reply
    18. Lauren

      July 08, 2014 at 8:37 am

      Love the transformation! But I agree with ya...add a lil gold accent on the bottom trim. Adorable!

      Reply
    19. Holly

      July 08, 2014 at 8:28 am

      Looks great Gail!

      Reply
    20. Gerard

      July 08, 2014 at 6:57 am

      IMO the wheels you had on it at first were nicer, hiding inside the unit making it look like its floating. Maybe if the wheels were black it wouldn't look as bad, they stand out in a bad way I think. And yes you need to add the gold detail to the bottom would really set it off. Good luck in what you decide to do 🙂

      Reply
    21. cassie

      July 08, 2014 at 6:02 am

      love the new wheels! great little piece- now pour me a drink!

      Reply
    22. kirby carespodi

      July 08, 2014 at 5:25 am

      I love this transformation, Gail! Love the screen insert--I like to use screen when I can. I need to go back and have a furniture "do-over" with stuff that hasn't sold....my plan for August.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

    More about me →

    Join Our Mailing List

    ​

      Click the topics you're interested in below:

      Subscribing above means you agree to our Privacy Policy​

      Footer

      ↑ back to top

      SEEN ON

      Might I Suggest

      • Start Here
      • Furniture Makeovers

      Newsletter

      • Sign Up! for emails and updates

      About

      • Gail's Favorites on Amazon
      • About

      As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

      Copyright © 2023 My Repurposed Life · Privacy Policy · Disclosure