Building a Bar Top

[Brian Livingstone]

Hello,

I am in the final stages of building a bar in my rec room.  I am building a L shaped bar top.

I ripped three 12 foot pieces, and planed to 3/4 inches thick.

In a perfect world I would be using 1.5 inch thick red oak.  Very expensive in 12 foot lengths.  So I am compromising and using 3/4.

The boards come together reasonably well with clamping pressure. May try doing a straight line rip with the kerf of the blade in between the boards.  Will put a 1.5 inch piece on the side to give the illusion of a thicker board.

What do you think ?

Thanks.

Brian

 

[leakyroof]

Yes, old trick for Table Tops.... You add depth and the appearance of 'heft' with that side piece... [wink]

 

[sancho57]

The grain matches nicely.

Make sure you support it from underneath when installed on the bar itself.

It will come out nice when finished.

What stain/ finish are you planning on using?

 

[Cheese]

It should look nice, I'd recommend using the straight-line rip. Here's a shot of it on some 1 1/2" walnut.

[attachimg=1]

And here's proof that is actually exists.

[attachimg=2]

 

[Getmaverick]

I would glue that top to some plywood to get my 1.5" thickness. Then I would trim it out with solid oak, rout a nice profile, stain and finish.

 

[Brian Livingstone]

Hi,

Thanks for the good advice.  Just straight line ripped the boards.  Screwed each board at the end to some scrap ply.  First two boards required one rip.  The second two required two rips.  Installing dominoes every 300 mm.

I will install on a piece of ply and trim with solid oak- great advice.

I am finishing with Antique Mahogany stain, alcohol conditioner.  I use Finitec floor finish for a topcoat. 

I will post a final picture.

All the best from Nova Scotia.

Brian