🏡 Better Homes Leadpipe’s: Where everybody knows your name V. let’s build a bar

[Lead Pipe]

So during the pandemic I got really into bourbon collecting. I amassed about 50 bottles in about a year and half. Also back in August my fiance and I bought a new place. In the basement the old owners had a small workshop. During the walk through I immediately envisioned the space would make an awesome basement bar. My future in laws live in Reno and came into town for the holidays. My father in law is a retired carpenter and he is helping me build the bar as well as provided the redwood for the bar top. A couple people have shown interest in the DIY thread so I figured I’d make my own post.
Here’s a pic of the space prior to me buying the place.

Click to read more...

 

[Lead Pipe]

To start out we built a frame out if 2x6’s. The bar breaks at a 30 degree angle due to needing access to the crawl space. It’s anchored to the concrete floor via drilling holes and hammering trick nails (a wire dropped in a hole the nail pounded in on top of it). We also anchored the frame to the wall. It then was topped with a 3/4” sheet of plywood then topped with a 1/2” sheet. The plywood was ripped to 25” width. On top of that went the reclaimed red wood. The planks are about 5”x70”. I purchased the “chicago bar rail” at Owl hardwood in Lombard. We also added a drink rail recessed 1/2” down on the back side of the bar.

 

[Lead Pipe]

For the bar top I bought a 2 part epoxy from Menards. On day 1 I mixed up about 4oz just to try to fill holes and knots. On the second day we started the first coat mixing up about 56oz of epoxy, poured it and spread it out with a plastic blade. The rails were painted with a foam brush. It’s a pretty easy process but does take patience watching for bubbles than popping them with a torch. For a first coat it came out great but the red wood, especially the knots, really soaked it in.

 

[Lead Pipe]

After a 24 hour cure we applied the 2nd coat. This time only mixing 24oz of epoxy. As you can see it wasn’t nearly enough. The base coat must have been tacky because the 2nd coat didn’t flow as well. Next time we’re going to let it cure for 48 hours then lightly sand it before adding more epoxy, closer to the 56oz from day 1. The knots and bar rails are still soaking up a lot of epoxy. It’s crazy to see the color variation in the red wood though. I also picked up a piece of corrugated tin which is what I plan to finish off the front of the bar with. I returned the original laminte counter top today since we have enough red wood to top the cabinets behind the bar. The plan to run shiplap from the backsplash to the ceiling then add 2 rows of shelves mounted on iron pipes. I hope to have a small sink added as well. My fiance’s uncles are plumbers so they can help out with that. A wine fridge was also purchased on black friday to fit between the cabinets. I think I’m leaning towards staining the bar base and cabinets black.

 

[importcrew]

That's looking awesome. I know how epoxy takes time and patience. It's one thing I enjoyed and get a bit more into. Next small project I do is going to be a cutting board for the wife using epoxy and mica powder.

 

[Pro Stock John]

Cool project!!!

(Tool cabinets for sale?)

 

[Huggerorange73]

 

[Eagle]

Looks great! What height did you go with?

Mirror and shelves on the back wall?

 

[Lead Pipe]

Cool project!!!

(Tool cabinets for sale?)

No those were the previous owner’s. They took them with.

Looks great! What height did you go with?

Mirror and shelves on the back wall?

Shiplap and shelves I’m thinking. Above the base cabinets.

 

[blue-sun]

looks great! I love my basement bar, though I want to redo the countertop on it someday.

 

[Lead Pipe]

Not much progress lately but we did get the front plywood on and built shelves for bottles. I plan to add a strip of wood to keep the bottles from falling out. Next step is to start staining the wood and cabinets. I also filled most of the knot holes with epoxy last night. A light sand and the last coat should be ready to go on. We also scheduled the plumber to run the drain and supply for the countertop sink.

 

[Blood on Blood]

This is good. This is very good.

 

[Lead Pipe]

Wine fridge came in today so we went to Home Depot to pick it up after work.

 

[JBruno88]

In for seeing the bourbon collection. I’m a collector as well

 

[Lead Pipe]

In for seeing the bourbon collection. I’m a collector as well

I've got about 50ish bottles. I was really hot and heavy on collecting about a year ago. I was able to grab most of the staples. Now I just buy bottles I like, most aren't very hard to find. The most scarce is Eagle Rare. I stopped chasing every BT offering or the barrel proof stuff since I like to live in that 90-105 proof range.

 

[JBruno88]

I've got about 50ish bottles. I was really hot and heavy on collecting about a year ago. I was able to grab most of the staples. Now I just buy bottles I like, most aren't very hard to find. The most scarce is Eagle Rare. I stopped chasing every BT offering or the barrel proof stuff since I like to live in that 90-105 proof range.

Nice! Eagle rare is one of my go to daily drinkers along with angels envy rye.

I’m a huge fan of the Weller lineup and I’m actively collecting those to complete the set, only missing CYPB and Single Barrel.

Recently picked up a bottle of Angels Envy 2022 cask strength and it’s fantastic! Just under 120 proof but drinks like 100.

 

[Lead Pipe]

Nice! Eagle rare is one of my go to daily drinkers along with angels envy rye.

I’m a huge fan of the Weller lineup and I’m actively collecting those to complete the set, only missing CYPB and Single Barrel.

Recently picked up a bottle of Angels Envy 2022 cask strength and it’s fantastic! Just under 120 proof but drinks like 100.

I only have Weller SR and I don't think I'm much of a fan of wheaters. I did have A107 and it was really nice so I'd pick up a bottle of that or Weller 12 given the chance. I have a couple Elijah Craig Barrel Proofs I need to crack but I'm afraid I won't like the proof.

 

[JBruno88]

I only have Weller SR and I don't think I'm much of a fan of wheaters. I did have A107 and it was really nice so I'd pick up a bottle of that or Weller 12 given the chance. I have a couple Elijah Craig Barrel Proofs I need to crack but I'm afraid I won't like the proof.

ECBP drinks very hot almost like a high proof rye.

 

[Lead Pipe]

ECBP drinks very hot almost like a high proof rye.

I am fully expecting to hate it now.

 

[Lead Pipe]

Setting up to do the last pour on the bar top and the first pour on the counter top today. Counter top came out great. Next week I’ll start staining cabinets and finishing up the corrugated.

 

[Jimy Bilmo]

This has turned out most excellent! Nice work.

 

[Shawn1112]

Nice work dude, can’t wait to see all the Cubs stuff on the walls. I do have a question though. Why didn’t you tape/mud below the outlet prior to installing the top?

 

[Lead Pipe]

Nice work dude, can’t wait to see all the Cubs stuff on the walls. I do have a question though. Why didn’t you tape/mud below the outlet prior to installing the top?

Because it will be covered by shiplap wood planks. Something like this.

But now looking at all the wood I’m also considering tin panels instead. Not sure on what to use yet.

 

[SpeedSpeak2me]

Because it will be covered by shiplap wood planks. Something like this.

View attachment 144132

But now looking at all the wood I’m also considering tin panels instead. Not sure on what to use yet.

View attachment 144133

I like that copper look, but with the color of the wood you’re already using I think it would be way too much of that tone. Something with a bit of contrast that has a bit of the wood color in it would work nicely.

It’ll help tie the room together. Like a good rug.

 

[Pro Stock John]

Both look like great ideas.