Another Bar Build

[kpr121]

Should I waterproof the ply even if I am going to cover it with something? My plan was whatever I used (tile, acrylic, stained wood) would need to be sealed with silocone caulking and waterproofed if wood.

My contigency plan is:
A. Cry
B. Either tear the fridge out from the inside with a little framing removal or
C. Leave it in place, attempt to tear a full sized fridge or freezer's coolant system and rig it up in my now expensive cooler.

 

[TheBroonery]

you can get away with putting tile on wood but I don't recommend it (I'm a contractor). what happens is the wood absorbs all the moisture out of the thinset and it doesnt bond or adhere to the wood. I've pulled stuff out where you can see the grain of the plywood in the thinset on the back of the old tile, and there's almost no residue on the wood. If anything I'd recommend priming the plywood with some exterior grade primer before putting the tile down.

 

[kpr121]

Thanks for the reply The Broonery. If I were to go tile, I would almost certainly put down a layer of hardibacker, which I've done on the top bar, not adhere the tile directly to the plywood. I apologize if there was a misunderstanding. I always assumed that the hardi was fairly good as a water resistant barrier (I've seen it used in shower installs). But I never thought to waterproof the ply underneath. I hope you don't have to, cuz there's no getting that tile off the bar at this point in time. But I do have some time do it on the back counter (where there will inevidibly be more spills) if needed.

 

[TheBroonery]

The hardibacker is a great product, but its really just a cement board that provides a firm backing for the tile and has nothing in it that could get moldy if it does get wet. The waterproofing comes from grout and caulk. If I were going to tile a countertop, I'd screw 3/4" plywood to the top of the cabinet (from underneath, inside the base cabinets - so the screws are accessible), then spread thinset on that and screw down 1/4" hardibacker on the layer of thinset, then apply the tiles with thinset, grout it, seal the grout, etc.

Your project looks great though. If I had a space for that in my house I'd definitely build something of the like.

 

[kpr121]

Anyone else have any opinions? Right now I'm leaning towards some large off white tile with either some ipe or angle aluminum trimming it out.

 

[pipapat]

This has been my plan, although I have been having the best pours from my picnic faucet inside the keg plus it would mostly eliminate the errant pour of my House double IPA from a BMC drinker who is either too drunk or too stupid to read that the right tap is homebrew, and the left tap is swill. I kinda like the idea that only a select few at a given party will know where the good stuff is (85% of my friends wont even smell a craft brew, believe me I've tried), plus I'm a little greedy sometimes

i know the feeling.
my uncle wont drink it unless its a lager for one.
For two other than coors, he will only drink shiner bock.

At least your good stuff is safe.

lol

 

[kpr121]

i know the feeling.
my uncle wont drink it unless its a lager for one.
For two other than coors, he will only drink shiner bock.

At least your good stuff is safe.

lol

Welp I just drilled the hole for the second tower faucet. Ill try to get some pics up.

I figured that this gives me an excuse to brew extra batches. My plan is to have a lighter beer light a wit or low ABV pale ale (more girly, or , friendly) and have the higher ABV, DIPA type beer hidden away for me and the select few at parties!

 

[modobrew]

Thanks for the ideas guys.

I got the tile done this weekend, just finished grouting (sanded grey mix from Lowes).

One word of advise. Layout your tile in advance and make all your cuts. Oh, and start in the corner. Obviously I didn't, and it could have looked better. But its done. No turning back now. Here it is mocked up with the trim.

Next decision is whether to use epoxy/liquid nails for the trim or to just use screws (either wood filler or leave them exposed)

Just curious, why didnt you make miter cuts in the corner here? Still a badass bar!

 

[kpr121]

Thanks ModoBrew,

I need to get some updated pics on here ASAP! That picture was taken simply as a mock up, I didnt have access to a miter saw until last week. I assure you all cuts are mitered! The corrugated aluminum is all placed as well. I'll try to get some pics up this weekend

 

[BulldogBrewer]

Dude, this is awesome. This is essentially what I'm thinking about for my bar/mancave! Very very cool!

 

[MrWiggles]

Very nice work here! This puts my first bar to shame, granted I was younger and only had a meager allowance to work with. I ended up with a bunch of plywood cut with a handsaw and nailed together with spraypaint graffiti for aesthetic purposes with nothing but an old coleman cooler and a few shelves for mixers behind. It got the job done though, for our small get togethers in my friends garage. But for real, great job, can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[dudasaj]

Thanks for the ideas guys.

I got the tile done this weekend, just finished grouting (sanded grey mix from Lowes).

One word of advise. Layout your tile in advance and make all your cuts. Oh, and start in the corner. Obviously I didn't, and it could have looked better. But its done. No turning back now. Here it is mocked up with the trim.

Next decision is whether to use epoxy/liquid nails for the trim or to just use screws (either wood filler or leave them exposed)

I would have started at the L-corner, instead of 45degree seam with dozens of cuts

 

[kpr121]

I would have started at the L-corner, instead of 45degree seam with dozens of cuts

yepp totally agree. Although I still would have made the 6 miter cuts, they would have matched up all the grout lines instead of the oddball one I got. O well you live and learn I guess.

 

[kpr121]

Okay long overdue pictures...

 

[TheBroonery]

Very nice.. That's awesome!

 

[mattmauriello]

I'm going back and forth on my (hopefully) soon to be bar. trying to decide between keezer or fridge chamber like yours. have you had any time to see how well it holds temp with the larger space? I was hoping to get 3, maybe even 4 under mine, but the freezers seem to tall, and the fridges seem too underpowered.
thoughts?

 

[kpr121]

I'm going back and forth on my (hopefully) soon to be bar. trying to decide between keezer or fridge chamber like yours. have you had any time to see how well it holds temp with the larger space? I was hoping to get 3, maybe even 4 under mine, but the freezers seem to tall, and the fridges seem too underpowered.
thoughts?

I have had absolutely no issues keeping temps in my space. The effieciency/cycle time thing may or may not be another issue... I think it is still up for debate how much long term damage is done with these type of builds. I know for a fact the compressor runs more often (see the calculation earlier in the thread). Its common sense that the cold box fridge is going to die before the non-modded one. Whether thats in 2 years or 20 years? We'll have to wait and see! One suggestion would be to always try to make sure your kegs are at least chilled before you add them. This reduces the amount of work the fridge needs to put out to get down to temp.

To me, if money wasnt a consideration, and I didnt get this fridge for 75 bucks new, I would probably go for the keezer, simply for the added level of comfort knowing your freezer wont blow anytime soon.

I could easily fit 5 maybe 6 cornies in my bar. And the bar measures roughly 42 inches to the top. It wasnt easy getting that low with the fridge. Dunno how it would be with a keezer.

 

[HalfPint]

Looks awesome man.

<----jealous!

 

[kpr121]

Thanks for the kind words everyone... If I could just motivate myself to finish the backbar I would be a happy man. I guess maybe I shouldnt have installed the taps until after the whole thing was complete. A couple pints after work and I'm just ready to go to bed lately. Or drink a couple more!

 

[JVD_X]

Didn't realize there were so many fellow PSU Alum here at HBT!!! :rockin:

Bar is looking good so far, keep us posted!

And again !!! We are!!!!

1992...

 

[kpr121]

And again !!! We are!!!!

1992...

PENN STATE! Excited to see the Frosh Bolden take the helm, but a little worried about next weeks matchup with Bama...

 

[MrWiggles]

PENN STATE! Excited to see the Frosh Bolden take the helm, but a little worried about next weeks matchup with Bama...

Really? I was looking forward to that game.. I'll be there so I'll let you know how it comes out...

 

[kpr121]

Ha! I was going to say something earlier in the thread when I noticed you're in Tuscaloosa!

<-------JEALOUS!!! (not of being from Tuscaloosa, or a Bama Fan, but of going to the game!) I try to go to away games when I can, but I couldnt justify the 13 hour drive to the wife, and didnt want to think about getting through the airports during the weekend of 9/11...

 

[humann_brewing]

nice build, looks awesome!

 

[kpr121]

Thanks HB. I love your avatar. Looks a little like the baby from The Hangover!

So this bar has successfully been through the rigors of multiple parties so far, and I still havent completed the back bar. Someone convince me that its a better idea to get that done instead of starting other projects (or just drinking from the taps)!

 

[Boy]

Great build. As to your back bar area and counter tops I might recommend getting sheets of the heavy duty plastic they make cutting boards out of. I think you can find it at Home Depot. Do the whole back bar out of this and you can cut on it, spill, whatever. Also it is super tough; I've seen it used for skid plates on vehicles. Just measure it out and caulk it in and it would be perfect. Just a thought.

 

[Wrenchman]

Very nice build! I wasn't sure how the corrugated tin was gonna look when I first started reading, but it fits right in.

 

[kpr121]

Great build. As to your back bar area and counter tops I might recommend getting sheets of the heavy duty plastic they make cutting boards out of. I think you can find it at Home Depot. Do the whole back bar out of this and you can cut on it, spill, whatever. Also it is super tough; I've seen it used for skid plates on vehicles. Just measure it out and caulk it in and it would be perfect. Just a thought.

I have thought about this, are you talking about the FRB board? Or is it something thicker? I don't remember seeing anything else at HD like that but i'll look next time in there. Thanks for the kind words and advice!

 

[kpr121]

So I did finally use white FRP board on the back bar. We had a New Years Eve party and I couldnt stand seeing all the beer and drinks spilled on the raw plywood (there were already a few spots where mildew was starting to form).

I'll try to take some pics when I get a chance, but so far it is working fairly well.

 

[StandEight]

Great bar. Nice craftsmanship you have there.