Home bar build

Below are some photographs of the last part of the bar top. I was saving this until last because I knew it was going to be tricky getting all the joinery accurate around the coffin corners. But...as you can see, I managed to get it done.

The last photo shows the sanded surface just prior to staining.

Almost there...

So...all stain applied and first coat of polyurethane applied. The second pic had my wife freaking out because it looked quite shiny enough before scuffing the surface ready for another coat. I used 400 grit sandpaper to scuff the surface so that I wouldn't accidentally go too deep and remove stain also. The removable panels on the front and back side of the keezer were take off to make it easier to varnish them.

The third pic is 4 coats later. The standard black Perlick handles have been replaced with some nice pub style pulls (Note: I have 575 taps installed. They have the creamer function where you push the handle away from you. I found out the hard way that the big pub-style handles are just heavy enough with the top hinged open to overcome the tap spring tension and drizzle creamy beer all over the place. Glad I installed that drip tray!)

The last pic shows that I have some shelving to finish and install some wine glass hangers.

Dave

Here it is: a before and after look

Let me know if anyone has questions. I also welcome ideas for accessorizing.

Cheers,

Dave

Sweet! You do nice work.

Some really nice work. I would love to do that but SWMBO informed me we are buying a home before that happens.

Super jealous...enjoy that thing for all of us!

looks awesome! how much overhang do you have for the bar? also, would you mind sending me the google sketchup files? Thanks!

A+ work! What a great looking project!

punkrockdave said:

Some really nice work. I would love to do that but SWMBO informed me we are buying a home before that happens.

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Yes, that would have been the case with me too. I was lucky enough to have just bought a new home. Strike while the iron is hot!

tiffanybell04 said:

looks awesome! how much overhang do you have for the bar? also, would you mind sending me the google sketchup files? Thanks!

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First, the overhang prior to installing the bar rail is 8 inches. With the bar rail mounted you end up with a little over 9 inches overhang.

Second, send me a PM with your email address and I'll be happy to send you the SketchUp file which looks like what you see below.

I think I'm going to copy a lot of this great build!

What is the dimensions of your coffin and how spaced out are your taps?

daveooph131 said:

I think I'm going to copy a lot of this great build!

What is the dimensions of your coffin and how spaced out are your taps?

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Thanks for the praise, it was a lot of fun to build and I am really happy with the results.

The taps are on 4 inch centres.

Do you have Google SketchUp? I'd be happy to send you the file. If not, give me a few days and I can upload a hand sketch for you to look at.

Best,

Dave

Yes I did download this that would be great. Just PM'd my email

Just came across this, and looking to do something extremely similar for my home bar build this winter. Sent you a PM, and also noticed you were in Chicago, as I am myself!

Inspirational. Awesome work!

muddywatters said:

Inspirational. Awesome work!

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Thanks man.

very nice build.

Awesome build! Everything is so well planned and well crafted. I am very much looking forward to buying a house in the next year, then I will do a build of my own.

Super Nice Build! I was just given a bunch of smaller pieces of tongue and grove Maple flooring that I've earmarked for a bar as well. I may be borrowing some of your ideas. Thanks for sharing.

Awesome build!

Impressive build!

Great job on this build! One question that comes to mind is it seems that after you did your finish work you lost the ability to open the Keezer. Is there enough of a lip to open, or do you have to remove the front panel to do so? Thanks!

SparkyOne said:

Great job on this build! One question that comes to mind is it seems that after you did your finish work you lost the ability to open the Keezer. Is there enough of a lip to open, or do you have to remove the front panel to do so? Thanks!

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Good question. The front lip of the lid has a 1/2" overhang. This is plenty to get your fingertips under to lift the lid. Soon I will be installing gas struts to make opening the [heavy] lid easier.

D

wow! absolutely beautiful work! Would love to build something similar someday. subscribed for future reference. enjoy that bar!

Inspiration. Thanks.

Chuck_leis said:

wow! absolutely beautiful work! Would love to build something similar someday. subscribed for future reference. enjoy that bar!

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Thanks for the praise! It was a lot of fun and very rewarding

Great looking bar BritHarrier. How do you like it now after a year?

HomeWetBar said:

Great looking bar BritHarrier. How do you like it now after a year?

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Still loving the bar. It is very popular with guests!

Dave

Great job! I love everything about it.

This is really nice. Well done.