I second Mikey's suggestion. You can pick up damaged counter tops from one of the hardware chains for pretty cheap, and that will give you a nice, hard, spill resistant top to build from. If you don't mind spending extra, use all plywood, then get a piece of 18 gauge galvinized for a top. Then you can break up a back splash, and a small "V" on the front, that way if you install it right, any spilled liquid, (or ball bearings) will not flow over the front, but be carried to the side, where you can put a little catch of some sort.
And 36" high might be okay for all you short fellars, but 42", to 44", would be more to my liking.
