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tikiskip
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05/26/2012
Thought it might be good to have a thread that tells people that want to build And this is one year later. [ Edited by: tikiskip 2013-12-08 06:28 ] |
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MadDogMike
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05/26/2012
I thought I made a mistake once but I was wrong. :D Great idea for a thread TikiSkip! I wish I had burned and varnished the lumber in my deck instead of painting it "redwood". It would be pretty much impossible to go back and do that now. |
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Slacks Ferret
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05/26/2012
The best thing I did was I sketched hundreds, if not thousands, of drawings of my tiki room and bar before I did anything. I ended up only using about 30% of the ideas I sketched. I should post those drawings sometime...they can get pretty fanciful. |
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Masher88
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05/26/2012
I agree with Tikiskip. As someone who has a backyard tiki patio...the midwest winters (Cleveland) are BRUTAL on everything "tiki". I have to dismantle the patio when winter comes. No amount of sealer or shellac keeps things from rotting. I'm in the middle of adding onto the house so I can move the tiki bar inside. If you plan on outdoor tiki living...be prepared for the sun and rain to really take its toll. |
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Swanky
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05/29/2012
I built a sub-floor over concrete. I should have put a vapor barrier down under the wood, and I should have put in venting to get air flow. I was able to get back under and put in vents witha large Forstner bit and then put in a small fan, but there is mold and mildew in there that will be there forever. It is just hopefully not growing now. But that is what happens when you buidl yourself. A contractor would have done things more "right". I also have tried a variety of under bar lights. We started with a rope light and those little plastic clips. Those break easily and are a pain to begin with. Plus the rope light gets hot and it is big. You can see it hanging under the bar. I was wanting ambient light, not to see the rope. When they are on and heat up, they sag even more. Later we discovered an LED system that you can change the color and brightness. It is super thin. And you can buy it in pieces to make as long as you want. But the glue will not last. We ended up super gluing them onto veldro and using the velcor to attach to the bar. That also allows us to replace a pice if it goes south. We also put the edge on the bar so that it makes a little lip. We imagined we wanted to trap stuff on the bar top. Wrong! you want to be able to wipe off into the floor or your hand or whatever. Make that trim edge flush or lower for best clean-up. |
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LoriLovesTiki
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05/29/2012
What a great idea for a thread! Since I'm in the middle of my build I'm anxiously awaiting all the replies. Keep em coming!!!! The only thing I've found out so far is you can't have enough tiki stuff or bamboo. If you see something you like, buy it. You'll find a place for it later. And nothing's going to be perfect so try to relax on your perfectionism. (that's really hard for me. I tend to second guess myself a lot.) |
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Atomic Tiki Punk
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05/29/2012
Use LED lighting when ever possible, low heat, easy on the electric bill Only use glue,varnish & sealers rated for indoor use or you can get sick!!! a "level" is you best building buddy, use one. |
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tikiskip
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05/29/2012
Good post Swanky. "The only thing I've found out so far is you can't have enough tiki stuff or bamboo" [ Edited by: tikiskip 2012-05-29 16:12 ] |
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tikiskip
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05/29/2012
Now for some good stuff. |
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tikiskip
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05/30/2012
For your home tiki bar you will need LOTS of shelving. |
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Swanky
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05/30/2012
We hoarded for years before build out. A lot of what we bought was close-out and discounted stuff from stores like Target, Home Goods, TJ Maxx, etc. They all have stuff like placemats, plate chargers and all sorts of stuff made with tropical mattings and natural fiber stuff. And then you start re-purposing it: The squares behind the masks are actually plate chargers from Target bought super cheap. The other side is natural colored and like a very fine lauhala. The material behind that is a drop cloth that we "tea stained" to age. We later found that using coffee and the tea bags themselves was best for the heavy cloth. Even much maligned Party City has table runners and other stuff cheap that can be repurposed later. Then we built the bar and sold off and tossed a giant mess of stuff that was not needed! But, I can't get rid of it all. Never know what you'll build next!
[ Edited by: Swanky 2012-05-30 08:30 ] |
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Q-tiki
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06/01/2012
I've had the great pleasure of visiting Mr. and Mrs. Swanky's Hideaway and I can tell you that it is top notch!! I would have never guessed those items were created in that manner. GREAT thread idea!! |
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harro
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06/02/2012
Yup indeed, keep the tips coming! |
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harro
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06/02/2012
Dam double post again [ Edited by: harro 2012-06-03 10:12 ] |
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VampiressRN
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06/02/2012
Nice Nice Nice...I better add to my bottle collection...obviously I am not up to par. Great info! My sharing is not much cause I can't do any building myself, but I can shop, so buy what YOU like and put it WHERE YOU WANT. I have taken a lot of hits on hanging my Tiki bike from the ceiling, but I like it and once I hang a bunch of other crap up there it will blend in. Always look through pictures on this board for ideas...it is the most wonderful resource. If you have the opportunity to run plumbing and install a sink go for it...I wish I had that in my bar area. I also wish I had more bar space, so if you have the room...go big! Support the fabulous Tiki artists on TC...it fills your lounge with love. Good lighting and sound system and TIKIS!!!
[ Edited by: VampiressRN 2012-06-02 18:18 ] |
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hang10tiki
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06/03/2012
skip- |
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pappythesailor
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06/07/2012
I have to disagree for two reasons. 1. I don't have a single shelf in Bora Bora Basement--this is strictly a matter of taste. and 2. If you find you need one, you can add a shelf later. Now electrical outlets--THAT's something you want lots of. |
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Big Kahuna
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06/08/2012
I ran outlets, in my ceiling, all around the perimeter, operated by wall switches. Best thing I ever did. |
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tikiskip
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06/08/2012
" I don't have a single shelf in Bora Bora Basement" |
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Swanky
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06/08/2012
Agreed. I put a 4-gang outlet in the ceiling on a switch behind the bar. I then ended up running a black extension cord over to the wall and to a black power strip to get more stuff on that switch. Nothing there is over 15 watts. You can also daisy chain power strips if needed and plug one into another. I have a power strip mounted under the bar and between these 2 switches, nearly everything comes on. The Home Theater is plugged direct. I still have to go around and hit one switch for the mug shelf and a few more. It is still about 6-8 things to turn on to get the bar going, but it is getting to be less and less. I try to put them on a single switch anywhere possible. |
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markmywords
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06/08/2012
One of the best (and simple) things I put in my room were the remote power controllers. They were cheap and just plug in between the outlet and the lights/effects/whatever. I think it was $20 for a set of two. I can control 6 outlets with the remote. I wish I had outlets in the ceiling. At the same time, given that my ceiling is covered with reed, I'd probably be nervous if there was an outlet up there... |
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tikiskip
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06/08/2012
Yes outlets are needed in your tiki bar. And Pappy just saw your bar on TC, I've never seen one so neat. Most tiki hoarders like me have sooo much crap everywhere it kinda |
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teamtom
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06/08/2012
My lessons from 10 years of maintaining a "private" tiki bar in the summer: Once I used fresh bamboo and will never make that mistake again. It split up and fell apart in 1 year. Same with bamboo / grass matting on vertical surfaces, with a wet season, it gets black and rots. Smells bad too. Thatch is as good as your last hurricane season. I am looking at fake thatch now due to picking up 100 lbs of it out of the yard every spring. I currently have a recycled metal roof and love it for the zero maintenance. Make the roof big enough so people can still sit at the bar if it's raining, and you can still make drinks without water dripping down your back. I have to agree with shelving. My third version will have a lot more exposed shelving behind the bartender (me) to show off the rum and mugs. Ice melts. I go through $30+ of ice on a good night. I need more fridge space at the bar to keep beer, juice, wine cold and that way gearing up and shutting down each time doesn't mean a lot of trips to the basement / garage fridges. People bring you tiki stuff, all the time, a lot of it. I hate paying shipping but I also hate driving. It evens out most times. Just my $.02 Tom [ Edited by: teamtom 2012-06-08 09:44 ] |
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freddiefreelance
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06/08/2012
X10 controllers? |
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thomamas
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06/09/2012
Have a look at http://www.digital-loggers.com/lpc.html -- eight independently controlled outlets, Ethernet, scriptable, at $129. I made a web page so I can control my bar lighting from my phone. I'll add more complicated mood settings someday, like a button to play Les Baxter and turn on only the puffer fish lights... |
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tikiskip
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06/11/2012
I love those light controllers! Here's a new one. |
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tikiskip
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06/11/2012
Here is a photo of the outlets you can add to a cord at any place you want. Leviton Snap-In Receptacles 1306 - Snap-In Panel Mount Receptacle Commercial Grade 1-15R 15A 125V - Black More... [ Edited by: tikiskip 2012-06-12 07:15 ] |
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markmywords
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06/11/2012
Nah, not that complicated. Like this: http://tinyurl.com/7t5wvy5 Mine is the 6 outlet version. |
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harro
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06/12/2012
what do you call those things? not sure if they sell them down here. very handy. |
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tikiskip
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06/12/2012
Looks like they changed a bit. |
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WestADad
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06/12/2012
This looks like it may work too, but I can't find any online. http://electrical.hardwarestore.com/12-34-cord-ends-female-110v/brown-add-an-outlet-231993.aspx |
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tikiskip
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06/12/2012
Yes thats it. Eagle Snap-On Triple Outlet BP2602W 10A 125V White Quick Attach Cord End Triple Outlet Residential Grade NEMA 1-15R High Impact Resistant Thermoplastic Construction For Cord Size 18-2 SPT-1 Insulation Piercing Terminals Cube Tap Made In USA And one more. White Snap-On Female Outlet Description: White Snap-On Outlet for an Electrical Extention Lead But you get the idea, you can find these on line. [ Edited by: tikiskip 2012-06-12 07:51 ] |
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LoriLovesTiki
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06/13/2012
WestADad & tikiskip - thanks for all those links! I've been trying to figure out how everyone lights a zillion floats, mini lights, lanterns, etc without having eight million outlets in their tiki space and how everything gets lit up. Great ideas/solutions. You solved a big mystery for me. Keep the ideas coming, you are helping so much! |
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Bonj
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06/13/2012
I doubt you'll find those in AU. They aren't compatible with our power point style and you need a license here to do electrical work. Better off with low voltage (12V) alternatives if you want to string your own. |
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tikiskip
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06/25/2012
So here's a new one. |
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Swanky
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06/25/2012
Yeah, skip, I just bought 10 small dock cleats to use and pulls fo rcabinets and drawers. Cheap and easy. |
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Swanky
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06/25/2012
This is not exactly what I used under my bar, but similar. A flat ribbon of LEDs that has a remote control and allows you to change the colors and dim and brighten them. The ones I have came in 1 foot sections you plug end to end. The glue eventually failed and we reworked them with velcro instead. This was much easier and better than traditional rope lights. And the disco strobe effect comes in handy at times... |
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TIKI DAVID
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06/25/2012
Too Big? |
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Greg_D_R
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06/26/2012
Well, hell. I wish I had known about those before I put my dimmer/string light circuit together. |
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tikiskip
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06/29/2012
"Too Big?" David I love it! |
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TIKI DAVID
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06/29/2012
it's not,it is about 50# |
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Kane Tiki
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07/23/2012
My number 1 tip.... work out exactly how much raw materials you need before you start the build out and then buy about a quarter extra. You'll need it, especially if you're doing your first build. A lot of trial and error, that is screw ups, means you'll use more than you think. Also, If you can afford it, buy it all at once. There's nothing worse than going to pick up supplies only to find something you need is out of stock, or worse still, discontinued. Nearly a year out from the start of my build I'm still going because of this. It'll be finished next week I hope! |
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Kon-Hemsby
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07/23/2012
IMHO, I agree with Swanky, LED strip lights (I got mine from Ikea) are brilliant to light up shelves. I have mine lighting up my rums and mugs and as you can change their colour you can change them according to the best setting for your place. And they are low heat and very small and discreet. And one regret, if you can make your bar a 'wet bar', it makes keeping things clean a lot easier. I have to run up and down stairs to wash things up. [ Edited by: Kon-Hemsby 2012-07-24 04:19 ] |
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Bloody Good
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07/23/2012
Tikiskip, thanks so much for the porthole idea!!! Im totally going to use that!! |
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tikiskip
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08/01/2012
Glad you like. Here's a cool one. |
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markmywords
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08/08/2012
Excellent tip. Another good reason to do this is shipping costs. If you do not have a local source for bamboo, reed, other natural materials going into your bar - you often end up spending near as much money on shipping as the cost of the material itself! |
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Monkeyman
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08/08/2012
The best thing I did was installing 2 hard wired plug mold strips in my center beam. Ive got 6 plugs in the ceiling on each side of the center beam and can run swag chains from 12 lamps directly to the ceiling without having a bunch of wire and chains running down the walls to the floor. Its great because I can turn all of the ceiling lamps on and off at the same time. [ Edited by: Monkeyman 2012-08-08 09:45 ] |
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tikiskip
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08/09/2012
Thanks for adding your experienced opinion MM. So you could say the very best thing you can do is plan, plan, plan!! I would like to thank all who have added to this thread it will only be |