Started dabbling with the restoration of this awesome bar back, not sure on its age. Story goes it came out of an old strip joint and I think it would be awesome to refinish. I’ve always built from scratch so finishing was never super difficult but I’m a little lost on this thing. It’s like a laminate finish so I sanded a section down with 320 than 600. But I have no idea how I’m going to match the holes/chips. You can’t sand through it because it isn’t real hardwood. I dabbed some dark stain on it with no luck. Maybe someone has some suggestions? All help is appreciated.
Anyone into wood working? Restoration project.
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I have never done it before but I am wondering if you can add a new veneer to it.
First thing that needs to be done is to completely strip the old finish off. I appears that there is a lot of finish pealing off. Get it down to bare wood so you can see what needs to be done. Be surprised how many blemishes will go away once the finish is removed. I am restoring a Victrola and you would be surprised how many nooks and crannies there are to get the old finish out of.
@HillbillyHotRod you were right, there was a few layers of finish. A lot of razor blade work! I stripped almost all of it. Put a light sand on it 120 to 320. Put a test coat of stain on the top to see how it looks. I guess I can always light sand it back off. Thanks for the input guys.
Looking great, nice thing you can do with wood restoration/custom work is fill in damage or rot with resin, especially in a tasteful way like this table with resin, pebbles, and a boxed metal or glass edge
Here is a fun live edge idea you can do around a living room too.
I didn’t make this, but it’s nice to make shelves and tables from live edge.
I do simpler versions of this kind of stuff on the side, and am working into getting good at welding and glass, wood working etc.
Keep at it, lots of good youtubers doing cool how to vids, live edge explanations etc.
I listen to podcasts and interesting stuff while killing a few hours on some good work. You can get stuff free from local listings like a Craig list or so on, out 15 hours into it and sell it for $500 and up if you don’t suck, or keep those early resto’s and do better on future projects. I made $2500 on a custom dining table with 6 chairs. Spent 25 hours on it and ~$400 in material. Nice fun side hustle
Here is a fun live edge idea you can do around a living room too.
I didn’t make this, but it’s nice to make shelves and tables from live edge.
I do simpler versions of this kind of stuff on the side, and am working into getting good at welding and glass, wood working etc.
Keep at it, lots of good youtubers doing cool how to vids, live edge explanations etc.
I listen to podcasts and interesting stuff while killing a few hours on some good work. You can get stuff free from local listings like a Craig list or so on, out 15 hours into it and sell it for $500 and up if you don’t suck, or keep those early resto’s and do better on future projects. I made $2500 on a custom dining table with 6 chairs. Spent 25 hours on it and ~$400 in material. Nice fun side hustle
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More cool ideas, dive in! It’s good clean fun, very enjoyable
Live edges are cool, I built a couple of dressors that have live pine tops with the bark Still on them. My sisters bar top is live too but we had it poured. I still think this is an awesome idea. At her wedding she had everyone sign the raw wood then poured over it.
Wow, that table is stunning.
It’s a real looker. I know people who make very unique pieces like that and it’s truly inspiring to see them work on projects.
Regardless what the economy does, if you can make use of tools and your hands to make that kind of stuff, you’ll always be fine financially.
Update, got the final coat on and all polished up. Put tin foil backing behind where the glass rods go. Built a hinged flip top for the top lights. Top glass will be a white glass so you won’t see the tin foil or leds. Put in two outlets one for the front, one for the top where the lights plug in(I know the bottom one is crooked). Ran 55ft of leds. I’m super happy with how it’s going! Need new bras pieces and glass.
Putting together a “shop bar” and finally get to utilize this back bar. I did find out the strip club this came out of was called Ken’s Hideaway.
The electric Co-op required 20ft of clearance of their overhead lines so they mowed down quite a few of our cedar trees (a shame really). We took them to a local mill and had them cut into 1 inch boards for the wall backing.
It’s not done yet but turning out awesome! Hope you guys enjoy this 5-year update.
The electric Co-op required 20ft of clearance of their overhead lines so they mowed down quite a few of our cedar trees (a shame really). We took them to a local mill and had them cut into 1 inch boards for the wall backing.
It’s not done yet but turning out awesome! Hope you guys enjoy this 5-year update.
They were throwing it out at my girlfriend’s dad’s work, so he grabbed it for me. I believe it’s in Monroe Center, IL.
If I remember right you’re up in this neck of the woods, right?
Looks like its the same owner. I used to live by the one in Gilberts.
Definitely neat. I have a pretty nice bar but it’s nothing super custom or refurbished like this.
Does the atmosphere make the beverages taste better? If so, 100% success!
Is this a detached pole building, or part of an attached garage?
Does the atmosphere make the beverages taste better? If so, 100% success!
Is this a detached pole building, or part of an attached garage?
It’s a detached pole building.
I’ll let you know how the beers flow once we’re done. It was a short trip so probably won’t get back to it until spring. But not bad progress for 3 days!
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