Just thought I would post some shots of the home bar I built myself. I have about $400 in it which is not a lot when you start looking into having a bar in your home. A cheap piece of crap will cost $800 to $1500. If your just a little handy, you can do it yourself. All materials were purchased at one of the big box stores. Top rail I got from an internet site for $9 a foot, red oak. This price dose not include the bar stools. They were my wifes contribution. It is a great place to entertain and relax, and the sence of pride you get is worth all the toil. Hope this inspires some of you out there. https://www.flickr.com/photos/42427213@N06/sets/72157645762071048/
Unfortunately, I'm at work and flickr is blocked. I'll definitely look at these pics when I get home. I'm assuming your avatar is a view of the bar. I bought the same top rail (that's called a 'Chicago Rail', BTW) for my bar a few years ago. I was at Home Depot looking at something for the bar, but otherwise unrelated, on a lower shelf. I stood up and there it was! The most heavenly piece of red oak I had ever seen! (ok, maybe I'm exaggerating just a little). At that point, I wasn't yet sure what I was going to do for a rail. I don't recall what I paid for it, but $9 sounds like the right ballpark. I'm probably better off not knowing. Congrats on what appears to be a job well done (judging solely from the avatar - which I hope like hell is it). Mine was probably the most enjoyable home project I ever embarked on. So enjoyable, in fact, that I actually finished it!
Yep, avatar is the bar. And I have done many projects over the years,this was by far my favorite. You are correct in that it is a "Chicago" style bar rail. Very classy and comfortable. Really Akers the whole thing work.
The bar rail is a must for a truly complete looking home bar. I have my own planned out in my head. The idea of mitering the Chicago rail makes me nervous, though. Any issues with that?
I cheated and bought pre-mitered, ready made corners. (I'm good, but I'm not that good! ) It would appear that Avool1960 is not quite as timid as I.
Your just mitreing at 45 degrees or 22 1/2 in my case. All you need to do is make sure you have a piece of scrap the same thickness as the bar top in your saw so the rail sits just like it will when installed.
Great job on the inlay. I have done a lot of wood working but never built up the confidence to try an inlay like that. The two pieces have to be cut/routered really accurately for it to turn out right. Looks really good from what I can see in the pics.
