Wood Bar Countertop Construction Options
 

Hey Guys

I searched and didnt find an answer to this:

I am looking into making a wood bar countertop. It is the pass through
area, not around the sink. I plan on adding the typical large wood molding
on the edge for leaning/etc.

This piece will be 6 feet long by 18" wide...what is the best technique? I
have a table saw and other good hand tools (biscuit joiner etc) and good
skills.

My first thought is to buy maple at local supply and biscuit them together
lengthwise (sorta like a 2x4 on edge...but probably rip them in half or
thirds...so 1.5" wide by whatever depth I get by ripping the boards (inch or
so)...even 3/4" wide boards would look good I think.

Anyway, do the above and then sand to smooth...once it is installed with
molded etc, I thought to use the epoxy coating for that thick hard look and
make it safer for drink water rings etc.

Thoughts or other options to construct? I have seen edge grain or same as
above but width (18" long boards....joined side by side to get 6')

Thanks!

--
Jim

On Fri, 8 Oct 2004 09:20:58 -0400, "Jim"
wrote:

Hey Guys

I searched and didnt find an answer to this:

I am looking into making a wood bar countertop. It is the pass through
area, not around the sink. I plan on adding the typical large wood molding
on the edge for leaning/etc.

This piece will be 6 feet long by 18" wide...what is the best technique? I
have a table saw and other good hand tools (biscuit joiner etc) and good
skills.

My first thought is to buy maple at local supply and biscuit them together
lengthwise (sorta like a 2x4 on edge...but probably rip them in half or
thirds...so 1.5" wide by whatever depth I get by ripping the boards (inch or
so)...even 3/4" wide boards would look good I think.

Anyway, do the above and then sand to smooth...once it is installed with
molded etc, I thought to use the epoxy coating for that thick hard look and
make it safer for drink water rings etc.

Thoughts or other options to construct? I have seen edge grain or same as
above but width (18" long boards....joined side by side to get 6')

Thanks!

Do you have something like this
http://tomstudwell.com/Projects/BarTop/project.htm
in mind? I can provide details beyond what is on my web site if you
are interested.


TWS
http://tomstudwell.com/allprojects.htm

"Jim" wrote in message ...
Hey Guys

I searched and didnt find an answer to this:

I am looking into making a wood bar countertop. It is the pass through
area, not around the sink. I plan on adding the typical large wood molding
on the edge for leaning/etc.

This piece will be 6 feet long by 18" wide...what is the best technique? I
have a table saw and other good hand tools (biscuit joiner etc) and good
skills.

My first thought is to buy maple at local supply and biscuit them together
lengthwise (sorta like a 2x4 on edge...but probably rip them in half or
thirds...so 1.5" wide by whatever depth I get by ripping the boards (inch or
so)...even 3/4" wide boards would look good I think.

Anyway, do the above and then sand to smooth...once it is installed with
molded etc, I thought to use the epoxy coating for that thick hard look and
make it safer for drink water rings etc.

Thoughts or other options to construct? I have seen edge grain or same as
above but width (18" long boards....joined side by side to get 6')

Thanks!

I'm not sure if this style would work (style wise) in your house or
if you have any sawmill operations in your area to find these, but we
sell a lot of flitches (slabs cut straight through the log) for bar
tops. You want it about 3" thick though. Jana

On 8 Oct 2004 15:05:21 -0700, (Jana) wrote:

"Jim" wrote in message ...
Hey Guys

I searched and didnt find an answer to this:

I am looking into making a wood bar countertop. It is the pass through
area, not around the sink. I plan on adding the typical large wood molding
on the edge for leaning/etc.

This piece will be 6 feet long by 18" wide...what is the best technique? I
have a table saw and other good hand tools (biscuit joiner etc) and good
skills.

My first thought is to buy maple at local supply and biscuit them together
lengthwise (sorta like a 2x4 on edge...but probably rip them in half or
thirds...so 1.5" wide by whatever depth I get by ripping the boards (inch or
so)...even 3/4" wide boards would look good I think.

They had some nice looking maple slabs at the hardwood supplier last
week, jointed together from 1" strips like butcher's block, and about
2.5" thick. That would make a heck of a bar if you've got the
patience for all that gluing, IMO.

Anyway, do the above and then sand to smooth...once it is installed with
molded etc, I thought to use the epoxy coating for that thick hard look and
make it safer for drink water rings etc.

Fifty-coat poly is another popular choice for bars, but it's pretty
plastic looking.

Thoughts or other options to construct? I have seen edge grain or same as
above but width (18" long boards....joined side by side to get 6')

Thanks!

I'm not sure if this style would work (style wise) in your house or
if you have any sawmill operations in your area to find these, but we
sell a lot of flitches (slabs cut straight through the log) for bar
tops. You want it about 3" thick though. Jana