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:
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:
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Signing UpStep 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:
Materials:
I listed the suppliers I used for the project, but these are relatively easily found anywhere.
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 |
| 9 | 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 |
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I'm going to use plastic primer paint, then the shellac, to get a better stick to the finish. All of the main frame is hidden, just glimpsed through the bamboo fencing, so it's just colored, not bamboozled. I will bamboozle the canopy frame.
I was worried I had missed something, because after I had cut all base parts, I still had 4 10 foot pieces of 1 1/2" PVC left, plus about 4 1/2', with just the canopy supports left to do. You only need 6 of them, not 9 as listed.
Many words: Excellent job on the instructions. Well done. Can't wait to show this to my friends and family. We've got PLENTY of PVC piping. I mean how cool would this be to break out during a taligate party? Or camping at the river? So many uses. Thanks!
long live the Tikis!
http://organicpassion.info/cancer-alert-pvc-the-poison-plastic/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvinyl_chloride#Health_and_safety