M
Joined: Apr 24, 2012
Posts: 77
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M
on to the barrels.
i had two barrels that would anchor the bar and they take up a lotta space so i figured i'd utilize that space by cutting openings in the back where i could build storage.
in order to do this you have to stabilize the boards cause if ya just start cutting, the barrel will fall apart.
first up i figured out what boards would need to be cut. once that's figured out mark where you'll cut. it's easiest if you use the hoops as a guide as you'll want to keep the top and bottom hoops structurally intact.
once that was done it was time to drill a pilot hole through each hoop for each board (except the sections to be removed).
this will take a while. get a good metal drill bit, trust me it will make your life much easier.
next is driving screws into each of the holes you've drilled. i highly recommend using a power driver for this.
once that's done, drill a hole in one of the boards to be removed, big enough to fit a jigsaw/sawzall blade in and then using whatever reciprocating saw you choose, cut along your cut line.
if you've taken advantage of the natural lines of the barrel you should only be making 2 cuts as the barrel staves will just fall out once cut top and bottom.
the opening i cut was large, almost top to bottom so this left 2 hoops running across my opening. in order to make the opening unobstructed i had to cut the hoops. had the hoops not been screwed everywhere else this wouldn't be possible so don't skip that step.
i measured the thickness of the barrel stave's and used that measurement to figure out where to cut the hoops. you could just cut them flush with the opening but that would be unfinished and leave sharp edges. i added the thickness of the stave plus an 1/8" to make up for the bending and marked the hoops. i then cut with a sawzall with a bi-metal blade leaving a small tail at the end of each hoop.
next i got my hammer and beat the ends of the hoops over so they wrapped around the stave.
once that was all done mrs. muskrat stained the barrels and painted the hoops black. she also painted on the "rum" lettering in an old font we found.
with that done it was time to start putting it together.
next up, framing the bar.
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