My first bar, looking for critique, sugg
Hi, I’ve recently built a bar for a customer. I have never done it prior to this, and I will admit that it has been a tough learning curve for me. Making the boxes to work with my trim…. then realizing it didn’t work with the bar fridge… Making the upper level fit under the top rail of my wainscotting, but still having height for the amplifier ect. The list goes on as long as my arm. I have learned a few lessons from this.
The bar would have been much easier built in the shop than on site, then trimmed up to it. Next time I will have the bar inplace before the trim.
Keep a list of all dimensions with you at all times, form a shopping list that is generous, you can always return the extra.
Plan all plywood cuts before setting the saw or router. and Lable everything!
Sand the plywood before putting the rails on, might even be a good idea to stain it.. Your input would be appreciated here.
I’ve got some flack from the H.O over the grain of the wood running horizontal, I dont’ mind it running that way, but next time I will ask first.
There was some blotchiness, I had to resand the entire bar, It looked as good as I think it could, the h.o tried to touch up a few spots now it’s blotchy again. I need to know what type of stain to use, I used an oilbased sherwin williams, went on o.k but some panels just wouldn’t take. So I had to try to blend some stain into the clearcoat.
Do you think this bar needs to have new panels put in or am I getting harrassed over something trivial. At this point I’m heavily biased because I’m sick of working on it.
Replies
got any photos?
"Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words." - St. Francis of Assisi
No, I didn't vote for him; but he IS my president. I pray for the his safety, and the safety of his family every day. And I pray that he makes wise decisions.
I've done a few commercially, and the basic rules, as I see them, are:
Look massive and impressive from the customer side.
From the business side, be hollow, surprisingly-lacking in substance, but by all means accommodate every single appliance that needs to be housed.
So. Massive, impressive moldings on the outside, minimal, carefully-laid-out structural dividers, usually 3/4"ply, on the inside.
Also, the code standard for commercial establishments usually stipulates indirect drains. These usually look like dog dishes routed into the floor, the sinks above typically draining down through PVC pipes, cut off at an angle (usually 45ยบ), and hanging a crucial inch or so above the recessed floor drain.
This crucial gap prevents the transfer of contaminated waste back up to the sinks in the event of a sewer backup.
That's about all that I know -- I don't do a whole lot of commercial work. But Commercial /Best Practice would be a good place to start from -- who can argue aganst that?
AitchKay
horizontal grain is a big no no and the plywood needs to have a sander sealer used on it first before staining to avoid the blotches stain in the clear coat usually adds to the disaster and the final product is only as good as the finish on it.
standing vertical grain will keep you out of trouble. you would'nt want to see horizontal grain on your kitchen cabinets, same goes for most other casework
welcome to the world of cabinetmaking.
I have photos of some of my first work that I was so proud of way back when and now when I see it I shudder. I made so many mistakes
I was so precise it didn't fit where it was supposed to go.
Har.
I'm reading that yer client seems to object, and yer tired of it.
You have exactly two options in that case.
Option one is to walk away and absorb the loss and accept that yer reputation is trashed.
Option two is to fix it.
I'd opt for the second
I cannot see how you made it, so I cannot suggest how to fix, but if you generate some photos and send them my way, I'd be happy to suggest what I would do if it can be fixed.
The mark of a professional is the ability to turn mistakes into design features.....
but rest assured, mistakes will happen, so your goal is to do the woodwork well, but be considerate of the "what if" scenario, and even then you'll be suprised from time to time. BTW details is important, cause that's where the call backs come from.
My most important axiom is that NEVER EVER leave a visibile defect in front of the toilet.
But consider this for a moment. if you will...You can buy every past issue of FWW or FHB for less than it would cost you to take a 1 credit course in a tech college. And in doing that you are exposed to probably at least two millenia of acumulated experience. All you gotta do is read them and suck up the knowledge. The practice is up to you.
And hey, the sun will rise tomorrow.....
Eric in Calgary
Edited 9/19/2009 12:34 am ET by cowtown
Your name is forever attached to this bar, they will look at it everyday and think about the guy that did it. Do you want that them to run you down for the rest of their lives?
It would help if we could see whats going on and I bet an easy fix could be had, theres lots of wisdom here that love to look at pictures.
Customers wont always be easy to please or even right but they need to be satisfied if you want to maintain a good name and image of quailty attached to your name. Here is something familar:
I use to build alot of bars... all commercial... but.. doors are a great place to start with bar fronts... single panel... 2 panel... 4 panel... whatever you can find that works... then pile on the trim... for bartops... I've used pine & hardwood t&g flooring... resawn old beams... concrete... tin... copper... sheet steal... most bars are masculine by nature... as suck look better with a bit of wear
p
I agree w/ some of the posters. Your name can be tarnished.
Maybe time for attitude change and a somewhat expensive (?) lesson. If necessary, replace the top and ... use it as a valuable educational lesson rather than the drudgery of having to fix a mistake. I know nothing of the details, here, so my comments should be taken w/ a grain of salt.
I was shocked to read that the owner made an attempt to correct a situation ... BAD NEWS. While his intent was definately honorable, he should not have done it ... and you shouldn't have allowed it (in the event you knew he would or might do it).
Maybe he bought some responsibility by doing that? Only you can judge. Even if technically he did, it may not be a point to push ... 'simply' redo it and show that you are a man of your craft.
One thing I always ask myself ... if you look at it and ask yourself ... would you pay another person your hard earned money for what you see, or would you tend to reject the work and politely ask for it to be done to the level of quality you would expect? If the later ... then you should fix it.
Are you talking about blotchiness on the bar surface (the top) or elsewhere? More details might help us provide more feedback. Any pics?
I may be wrong and someone please correct me if I am, but how about a veneer panel on the front of that bar to change the wood grain and give you a fresh start on stain?
Trust me I'm not a know-it-all, I'm learning as I go along.