The Barking Mad Coffin Keezer Build

[TheMadKing]

So I finally got started on this thing after weeks of agonizing and CAD modeling. It is another Jester Keezer ripoff for the most part, and I'm still figuring out the details of cooling the coffin but I think I've got it under control. I have two 4" holes for PC fans, one up and one down, and one 2.5" hole for tap lines. I will insulate everything inside with 1" foam board and aluminum tape.

I went with red oak for all of the visible wood because it's what is available in my area. I plan to do floating panels for the skin around the keezer body, but I haven't decided on the wood for those yet. I'd like something that compliments the red oak though.

Without further rambling, pictures!

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An early draft

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A draft with the final dimensions for the top and inlaid travertine tile, and you can see the 2x4 framing leaving a sizable gap (1.5") between the skin and the keezer body for cooling. I will probably remove the vertical 2x4's in favor of 2x2's to save weight. I also plan to use pneumatic springs to assist the lid lift, since the lid will weigh about 100lbs.

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3/4" hardwood plywood for the lid. I'm not planning to bolt it, just liquid nails to the freezer lid.

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The first cut, with a SkilSaw, since that's what I have available and no F-Ups!

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Got the sides and the top cut. I'm going to rip 1" off the width of the top piece so that the tap handles don't hit the overhang, but I need to borrow a table saw for that. I'm barking mad, but I won't try to rip oak lengthwise with a SkilSaw.

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Sides top and framing members mocked up and partially sanded. The 5.5" board lying in front will be my tap board, but I need to rip 1/2" off of that too before I drill the holes for the taps.

I'm planning to join almost everything with pocket screws and wood glue. I need to borrow my neighbors miter box for the trim too, but otherwise it should be a pretty straightforward build. I'll post most pictures as I make progress on the weekends.

Suggestions and questions welcome!

 

[wyowolf]

Nice, just a thought, the top of your coffin "may" interfere with the taps? I was surprised to find out just how little movement there is for them.. I like the overall design.

 

[TheMadKing]

Double post sorry!

 

[TheMadKing]

Nice, just a thought, the top of your coffin "may" interfere with the taps? I was surprised to find out just how little movement there is for them.. I like the overall design.

I'm a little worried about that too, but I'm planning to rip 1" off of the width of the top part when I can get to a table saw, and then router it into a more decorative shape.

Based on your concerns, I'm going to build the tap board first and fit it all together to see how much room I need. I can always rip 1.5" off, but I only want to cut once.

I also want to find a way to add a few curves to edges and things, I don't want it to be too boxy, so maybe I'll get craze with the trim skirt or something. I have access to a router table and some mahogany boards too, so it just depends on how ambitious I'm feeling.

Thanks!

 

[TheMadKing]

Minor progress today. Mounted the manifold to the polyethylene slathered board that will go into the keezer, and picked up the Kreg jig and learned how to use it. Easy peasy!

Tomorrow I'm ripping those two oak boards and borrowing a power sander from a coworker.

I need to wait for a week or two before disassembling my keezer since I have a competition doppelbock lagering in there. Once that has dropped clear, I'll take the lid off and start putting this thing together.

 

[wyowolf]

I wish I had bought my Kreg jig years ago... would have saved a lot of time on other projects.!!

 

[TheMadKing]

A little more progress today. I got my top piece and tapboard ripped on the table saw, drilled out the tap holes, marked the spots for the plumbing holes through the lid, and mocked it all up.

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[TheMadKing]

I don't think my tap handles will hit that top piece, and I'm going to router that front edge into a curve too, so I think I'm good!
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I'm a little worried that I didn't leave enough room for insulation inside though...

 

[wyowolf]

Looks like you are good clearance wise. What are you using for insulation? I used 3/4 pink board and metal tape.

 

[TheMadKing]

Looks like you are good clearance wise. What are you using for insulation? I used 3/4 pink board and metal tape.

I've got the same thing but 1" instead of .75"

I think I've got just enough room but it's going to take some creative assembly to get it in place.

 

[jparrette]

I used 1" pink foam board and double-stick carpet tape. Works like a million bucks.

 

[TheMadKing]

Long overdue update.. I've been blasting away at this thing and its pouring beers as of this morning and holding temp like a champ!

I just need to build the body for the freezer and all the trim for the lid and lay tiles in it!

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[TheMadKing]

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Don't mind the pink chalk marker, it's all she had in the house [emoji4]

 

[TheMadKing]

So I haven't worked on this for awhile, but I ran into some major condensation issues. We are talking 2 inches of water in the bottom, and my manifold mounting board which was liquid nails-ed to the inner wall came off. The liquid nails disintegrated from the moisture.

So I tore the whole lid apart, and I'm replacing the fiberglass batting insulation with foam board, and installing new weather stripping, adding more trim, and framing in the keezer body finally.

Staining and polyurethane help from my lovely wife!

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[TheMadKing]

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More progress today. I got the keezer body framed in and up on casters.. Please ignore the redneck clamp job while I was assembling

Also installed trim and the skirt along the top, finished reinsulating the lid, coated it in polyurethane and enamel and then aluminum taped the whole thing.... Because F moisture

 

[TheMadKing]

Final push for the day, it's fully functional again. It just needs the wood paneling on the front, air circulation fans, and tile for the bar top

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[SaltPig]

Looking good. Have you solved the condensation issue? Also, how are you attaching the top to the freezer lid?

 

[TheMadKing]

Looking good. Have you solved the condensation issue?

Yep, so far so good. I ran new marine weather stripping all the way around the lid, and around the door on the back of the coffin and that seems to have done the trick. It was just too drafty before

 

[brew703]

Nice looking keezer. I'm planning a build end of this year. Not sure if i will go with a collar or a tower as you did. I like the iron pipe tower I've seen and may go that route.

Used to live in Gainesville in the early 90's. It was building up when i returned back to Louisiana. Nice place.

 

[TheMadKing]

So I realized that this needs some serious updating!

I finally faced this thing and trimmed and tiled it, so it's actually finished finished... My wife is very happy about this

I started by laying down hardibacker for the tile

Then I started cutting and staining my trim and panels

While the stain was drying, I got an idea of my tile layout

Assembled my trim and panels - this only took about an hour.

I attached some trim and the decorative filigree came from home depot and is just superglued on.. but hey it looks good and it works!

Then I cut all the tile

The Finished Product!!... It only took 2 years to actually get it done... Now that's procrastination for you