My ongoing basement bar build

[Trimmer]

My bar build started yesterday and since I have learned so much from this website I felt like I owed it to people that haven't done a bar build to use my bar build as a guide. There is a lot to think about when building a bar with a built in Chest Freezer. I'm no carpenter either.. In fact I had to borrow most of my tools from my neighbor..

These pictures will do the explaining better than I can.

 

[vetbrewer]

Looking good so far.

 

[lstewartff]

great job, keep us posted and keep the pics coming.

 

[Trimmer]

Picture three above.
I Framed out the base before screwing anything together. I put the chest freezer up on a 2x6 frame with so top of the bar will be the standard 42" height. To get the other part of the bar the same width I had to extend a wood block about 8 inches to get it to be the same height.

Picture 4 above
I couldn't decide between these two bar rails so I decided to get them both.... The large one for the front of the bar and the small one for the back of the bar. I took a picture of the side view of the large rail because it's important later...

Picture 5 above
This is where it gets really tricky. The bar top over the freezer can not be connected to any part of the frame. The 2x4's on the back of the hinge part of the bar can only be so high which is about 2" down. However with the 10" overhang you can only see that gap if you are about 20' away from the bar. No big deal.

Picture below
structural Bar top on. To attach the flimsy chest freezer lid to the plywood above, I put a piece of plywood inside the freezer and marked the location of the outside (top of the freezer) plywood as well. Flip the chest freezer door upside down on the ground and screw together. It has to be exact. Also, notice the 7" over hang. The other 3" over hang will come from the large bar rail. I primed the plywood on the inside of the chest freezer in a attempt to avoid mold down the road.

 

[Trimmer]

The bar rail requires a bottom piece of cheap plywood. A a 3/8" (cheap) and 3/4" finished bar rail for the bar top. You can also see the chest freezer opening and the gap on the face behind the hinges.

 

[aquenne]

love the arm rest peice! should be a real nice sized bar when your thru! dont forget the tv and you'll never have to leave.

 

[Trimmer]

I will try to frame out the rest of the bar tomorrow. It should look nice. The oak plywood I got was $95 a sheet!

 

[Trimmer]

It is coming together. Any questions from the crowd?

 

[Richelle]

Congratulations! That's a beautiful project

 

[RMS]

Wow, looks great are you planning on putting in a tap beer draft next?

 

[Trimmer]

Yes I will be putting in a Tee tower that I had custom made. (you can see it in the backround)

 

[Trimmer]

more progress

 

[NewBrewB]

Great start!

Sub'd

 

[lstewartff]

That looks nice. When can we come over.

 

[nhwrecker]

Looking great! Where did you get that molding, and is it called bar rail, or does it have another main purpose?

 

[Jaybird]

Very NICE!!! Well done sir! I have never seen "Bar Rail" Where did you get it??

Cheers
Jay

 

[Chrisl77]

Quick google search brought up this. I dont know if maybe a lumber yard would be able to special order from there supplier but you can defiantly get it online. This place looks like they sell all sorts of moldings for bars though.

 

[RMS]

Pulling up a chair and I will be waiting to see those Taps get installed...

Looking good; What are you going to use for the bar top finish?

 

[mforsman]

This build is awesome. I love the footprint, it feels like it fits right where it should be and isn't overkill / underkill.

 

[joshualoomis]

Gents,

My bar build started yesterday and since I have learned so much from this website I felt like I owed it to people that haven't done a bar build to use my bar build as a guide. There is a lot to think about when building a bar with a built in Chest Freezer. I'm no carpenter either.. In fact I had to borrow most of my tools from my neighbor..

These pictures will do the explaining better than I can.

i'm guessing when you say "I'm no carpenter either" you mean by trade or occupation. because you, sir, are a carpenter.

awesome workmanship. cheers.

 

[Johnnyhitch1]

How much did all the wood and mouldings cost you?
Have plans to something similar in the basement for parties. Really love that curve and the layout couldnt be better!

 

[Trimmer]

That type of bar rail is called Chicago bar rail and you can get it from most major lumber yards, at least in Northern Virginia. I got it from a local company called smoot lumber. But Tart lumber also has it in stock. It was only $13 a foot which seemed really cheap considering the plywood was $95 a sheet.

RMS, the final bar top is on. It is red Oak. Once I stain and Varnish it, it should really pop. I still need to trim the whole bar out. On vacation for the weekend but I should get a lot done monday and Tuesday next week. I'll keep you all posted.

 

[Trimmer]

How much did all the wood and mouldings cost you?
Have plans to something similar in the basement for parties. Really love that curve and the layout couldnt be better!

All the wood so far has cost about $1,200. Taps, chest freezer, 4 faucets line, CO2 tanks, and future trim should put the final bill around $3,000.

 

[RMS]

....RMS, the final bar top is on. It is red Oak. Once I stain and Varnish it, it should really pop. I still need to trim the whole bar out. On vacation for the weekend but I should get a lot done monday and Tuesday next week. I'll keep you all posted.

Have a look at this stuff, I have used it before with good results; but vent the room well especially with the little fellow around since the fumes are bad.

http://www.minwax.com/wood-products/exterior-clear-protective-finishes/minwax-helmsman-spar-urethane

 

[Chrisl77]

Before you put the stain on wipe down the wood with a wet rag to raise the grain then sand it down. If you want to wipe a piece of scrap wood first to check if the grain raises. Once you sand down the raised grain it will not raise again when you stain it and gives you a smooth surface.

 

[Trimmer]

Thanks RMS and Chrisl77. Unfortunately, I started on the staining and varnish coat before I had a chance to read your posts. But, RMS, I used that exact same spar urethane you suggested. It looks amazing. I sanded, cleaned, pre stained, stained and put down the spar urethane. First time using this stuff and it was easier than I expected. I pan on sanding down the spar urethane before I put down another coat.

I am most proud of picture number 4 below. The bar rail didn't match up with my other rail so I just marked and sanded it down until it looked right. I wasn't sure about the stain color, but once it is done I am very happy with the stain color I chose.

Also I cut the hole for the tee tower and the square for the recessed drip tray.

I can't wait to start putting on all my trim!!! I got an IPA kit from Austin Homebrew today and that will be the first beer I keg.. I am a little worried about getting the kegging system set up. I hear the 3/16th bev seal beer line is very hard to get on the 1/4 barb... I'll keep you all posted through the progress.

In the last picture you can see I used the same piece of wood on the bar rail where the seam is. I wanted the grains of the wood to continue to flow...

 

[Trimmer]

quick question. With this setup I have to have the co2 tank inside the freezer. Is that a problem?

 

[NewBrewB]

Nope. It actually makes your pressure reading accurate when the co2 and the beer are the same temp.

Cooling the co2 will make it look like you lost pressure. That may freak you out but it is normal.

Also, be VERY sure your connections are solid. Check it often when you first get it set up so you dont wake up to an empty tank.

 

[BeardedIdiot]

Gorgeous bar! I can't wait to see it completely finished with the first pour!

I also can't wait to do something like this in my basement some time in the future.

 

[rvklein]

I paid $25/ft for my cherry Chicago Bar rail. IMO, Chicago is the only style to go for! Your bar looks fantastic!