My bar project

the_bird said:

Oops! That's what you get for disappearing!

(dammit, I feel like an ass... but trust me, I wasn't confusing you with Cheezy!)

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No biggie. I answer to anything close. My great grandmother called me Ron until the day she died. It's especially funny considering I'm a Jr. and she never got my Dad's name right either.

Another source for a good rail is BairdBros.com - out of Ohio. I got mine there in walnut. They seem to mount easier than the Rockler rails.

Bar looks really nice, btw!

Wow. Nice work. Impressive.

mmb said:

It's an epoxy flowcoat called Envirotex. I've heard it compared to 70 coats of polyurethane but you pour it out in one application.

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Years ago I recall the fad called decoupage.

Welcome back Rod!

That bar is soweet.

Here is a cross section of the rail from Rockler



You have to have a 5/8 base, then it's 1.5 inches to the bottom of the lip. You're supposed to use 1 piece of 3/4 on top of that and then fill in the remaining 3/4 with whatever your counter is going to be.

I used this jig to cut my angles

Very cool. My question is about the ceiling. You mentioned that you sprayed it black. Did you just rent a sprayer and use standard paint or did you have to use a special paint? Any special considerations for water pipes or ductwork? It seems like the perfect thing to do in my basement so I don't have to build bulkheads around duct work.

Wow - I really like how the bartop finish came out. I am sooo stealing the idea of the clear coat over tile. I know it has been done over wood finishes, but it looks real nice over the tile.

I had wanted to use polished marble tiles for my bartop, but at around $13 a sf, that put my countertop finish over $500. I figure with decent ceramic tile and the clear coat, it will likely be $200 or less..... huge savings with a great finished look.

adx said:

Very cool. My question is about the ceiling. You mentioned that you sprayed it black. Did you just rent a sprayer and use standard paint or did you have to use a special paint? Any special considerations for water pipes or ductwork? It seems like the perfect thing to do in my basement so I don't have to build bulkheads around duct work.

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I have a friend that has a commercial sprayer. You can rent something similar at Home Depot. I used a simple flat black and would suggest not using any type of gloss. I actually used several different name brands because I ended up using about twice as much as I thought I'd need.

I coated the duct work with a primer - I don't remember the name. I got it at Benjamin Moore and it was for painting over metals. I also sprayed the rest of the metal (water pipes and electrical) with a mixture of water and vinigar. That is supposed to pit it a little so it takes the paint better.

I really like the way it turned out. I get compliments on it all the time and at least two of my friends have copied the idea. It's WAY cheaper than a drop ceiling and has many advantages over the drywall option too.

so sweet. all you need is a urinal!!! hahaha

rdwj said:

Now for the beer porn - 4 taps fed from the closet behind the bar. Also added a shelf to hide the lighting behind the bar and finish it off. The sink was added too. This also shows the top completely finished. I really like how it turned out

Another view

I love it. It's been a big hit at parties and serves up a nice glass of beer too. It's my new favorite hangout.

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These two shots look like a bar at a Hilton hotel, really super job my man ! The bar stools are supreme as well !

Very, Very nice!

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amor!

WOW, that bar is incredible.

I see this thread is a little old but I hope you are still watching it. I would love to see pics of the beer closet, to see how you have your kegs setup and fed through the wall.

+1 to spraying the ceiling. When I bought my house the guy had sprayed the cielings a dark gray. You really don't notice everything. Just do it after all water lines and electricla lines, and interet lines ect are run. Makes it hard to trace cables, but looks way better.

I have no idea how I missed this up until now. I may have to steal the trellis idea for my bar. That looks fantastic. Great work!

Ceedubya said:

WOW, that bar is incredible.

I see this thread is a little old but I hope you are still watching it. I would love to see pics of the beer closet, to see how you have your kegs setup and fed through the wall.

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Here are a few shots of the back room...

It's basically a collar on a freezer - just backwards. I had to put it on a platform to get the taps to a nice height. I also have the drain plumbed to the sink drain so I never have to mess with it.



This is the back of the freezer. I build a little box that goes from the collar to the wall. This keeps the lines nice and cool and allows me to open the top.



The box sets right up against the plywood face you see in the front pictures.



I have the whole usit braced to the wall on both sides so it doesn't move.

Seems like a pain to have to lift kegs up and down that high...

RockfordWhite said:

Seems like a pain to have to lift kegs up and down that high...

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It's a bit of a pain, but I'd rather do that than have the taps really low. The platform is wide enough to stand on and I have a handy stool as well - so it's not too bad.

I'm also 6'2", so that helps some.

Absolutely amazing.

I was really happy to see this thread because I have no experience doing any kind of work like this, but I've been saying to friends that with some hard work and effort, these things are possible if you do your homework. Well done Rod!

Might have taken you ten times longer than someone else, but damnit YOU did it! Six months while working full-time isn't bad either IMHO.

-WW

Ok..I'm really impressed with this setup and as I have plans to buid a bar myself I think that I would like to borrow a few of your ideas. Can you tell me where you can get the lighted grapes from? Are they weatherproof...under a roof but outside would be my plan. The bartop is supported by 2 x 4 framing only and no bracing? Is it the L the helps with strength? My online research brings up much in the way of buying ploans but not bar specs. Thanks!

rdwj said:

It's a bit of a pain, but I'd rather do that than have the taps really low. The platform is wide enough to stand on and I have a handy stool as well - so it's not too bad.

I'm also 6'2", so that helps some.

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you could lower the freezer, and run slightly longer beer lines through an insulated tube up to the height you want...

That is awesome

Godammit, what a sweet setup!

That does it...

First think tomorrow morning I'm gonna grab a shovel and dig me a basement!!

arturo7 said:

Godammit, what a sweet setup!

That does it...

First think tomorrow morning I'm gonna grab a shovel and dig me a basement!!

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Replace the blade on this guy and come home to a basement after work!

Wow, that is bee-yutiful!! Prosted!

Very nice work. I especially love the trellis. Really imaginitive and unique.

old thread but i just stumbled accross it, great bar i am inspired!