Every since I was a little kid, my uncle had a wine barrel bar that always made me think of the Wild West. I've been wanting one for years, but never had the space or money to get what I actually wanted.
The single nicer barrel bars range from $550-$1,000 and the double barrel bars I've seen and actually liked go for over $2K. Not a lot of money for some, but not the type of "loose" change I keep in my pocket. I searched around and many of the barrels are expensive, but found a few that suits my needs at half the price from what everyone was asking for them.
I'm making this an evolving project as I'm not sure if I'm using a live edge bar top or butcher block. Other ideas I've been floating around is a Baja themed fishing bar... so many ideas are going through my head, that I'm just going to let this project evolve like a piece of art.
The stock barrels straight from Napa Valley. One French Oak and one American Oak barrel.
Not sure if I'm going to cut the barrels in half long ways and add doors to the back or use them as complete barrels and cut a door with hinges on the back side of the and leave them whole. I actually did a lot of sanding, but wanted to keep it just rough enough to not look like a barrel that just came off the shelf. I polished up the rings to give it a shine when I stain the wood and those bands should pop!!!
The problem with cutting the door is the rings would fall off and the barrel would fall apart. They are only held together because the wood is swollen and only the rings are there to keep it together. I saw some ideas online and liked the pan head bolts in every slat to keep it all one piece well after it all dries out. The stainless shiny bolts and bands should look pretty sweet with the darker stain when I get there.
That was a lot of screws!!!!!! I think I put in 180 of them total just for one barrel!!! I had to order more so I could start the French Oak barrel now.
I'm heading over to see my wood-working neighbor today to see about some live edge/kiln dried wood he has in his shop. If it's wide enough, I probably just go for it and make that the "double" centerpiece of the bar.
Well, I'll keep updating this project as it goes. I'm getting a new patio and cover in the backyard soon. Construction guys are all backed up a few months at the moment, so just waiting for them to finish up the current project before they start on mine. It will give me a little time to really get these pieces looking really good without having to rush.
Check back for updates.