PVC Tiki Bar

So being stuck in cold Michigan winters and needing a project, I got inspired by the "faux bamboo" instructable and decided a great use for this awesome instructable to construct a Margarita Blender holder (aka PVC Tiki Bar).   Now I love to go camping in the warm summer months, so I thought this was the perfect medium to create a "semi-mobile" bar to take with me camping and tailgating!   The project is actually really easy, hardest part is actually making PVC look like bamboo and cutting it into sections to construct the bar.  

For starters, you'll need to get familiar with these two instructables first, as they are at the core of this project:

How to make faux bamboo:  http://www.instructables.com/id/Faux-Bamboo/
PVC 101: http://www.instructables.com/id/PVC-101/?ALLSTEPS

The cost of this project really depends on how extravagant you want to go with your accessories but plan about $200-$350 for the bar, mine set me back about $325.00 + bar stools.

As the instructions below are mainly in imperial units, I tried to provide metric conversions for the cuts: 
 

Step 1: Tools / Materials

So, what does it take to assemble your own bar you ask? The list below contains the recommended tools and parts. Take note that the base of the tiki bar is made up of 1-1/2" PVC pipe and fittings, while the canopy is made from 1" PVC Pipe and fittings, I attempted to use 3/4" PVC but it was not rigid enough, so I recommend the 1". Most of the PVC can be found at your local hardware store with the exception of the 1" 22.5 degree elbows and 1-1/2" Side Elbows These are the 3-way elbows used for the 4 corners of the bar, I found them reasonably priced at http://www.pexsupply.com or http://www.pvcfittingsonline.com you can order many of the other PVC parts from them as well. I got everything schedule 40, and the bar is sturdy enough for me to sit on.

Tools:

• PVC Cutting Device (I elected for the miter saw, but hacksaw or pipe cutter works as well)
• Torch (to make it look like bamboo)
• Stanley Knife
• Hacksaw
• Jigsaw (to cut corners and grooves for countertop and shelf)
• Circular Saw (to cut wood for countertop and shelf)
• Drill + 2-3/4" Hole Saw (jig saw can be used instead, to cut holes for for canopy support posts)
• 2" Foam Brushes (I went through about a dozen after varnishing the countertops)
• Sandpaper (always a requirement when staining and varnishing)
• Compass (for rounding corners and cutting holes)

Materials:

I listed the suppliers I used for the project, but these are relatively easily found anywhere.

Quantity Item Supplier 8 1-1/2 PVC Side Elbows Pexsupply.com 14 1-1/2 PVC Tee Lowes 6 1-1/2 PVC Pipe x 10 ft Lowes 1 1-1/2 PVC Cross Lowes 1 24"x60" Ash Panel Lowes 1 18"x60" Ash Panel Lowes 4 1" PVC Pipe x 10 ft Lowes 8 1" 22.5 Deg. Elbow Lowes 8 1" PVC Tee Lowes 2 1" PVC Cross Lowes 4 1" 90 PVC Elbow Lowes 2 Tiki Masks Things2die4.com 1 4'x8' x ¾” Bamboo Fence Wayside Fence 2 7'x30" Thatch eBay 1 8oz Kona Stain Lowes 1 1qt Amber Shelac Lowes 1 1qt Spar Polyurethane Lowes 1 PVC Glue Lowes 1 PVC Primer Lowes 1 Pkg of Velcro Cable Ties Lowes 1 Can of Acetone Lowes