Home Bar Blog http://www.barplan.com/blog/home Discussing DIY Projects, Home Improvement & Other Fun Stuff. Mon, 14 May 2012 16:21:10 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 How to Spend Your Tax Refund – Build a Home Bar http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2012/04/16/how-to-spend-your-tax-refund-build-a-home-bar/ http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2012/04/16/how-to-spend-your-tax-refund-build-a-home-bar/#comments Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:19:57 +0000 admin0 http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/?p=13427 It’s tax time again, and if you’re one of the lucky few to actually get a refund check from Uncle Sam, spend it on something that will help you save money and at the same time help make you a true patriot by helping the recovery of our economy.  Don’t just spend it at the local bar!

Uncle Sam wants YOU to build a home bar!

Build a home bar! Why? Let’s run down the reasons, since they all make a lot of common sense….

1. Building a home bar helps you save gas, by not having to drive to your local watering hole.

2. It saves you a considerable amount of money by paying much less for your drinks. Wouldn’t you rather drink a 75 cent can or bottle of beer at home in a bar like environment rather than spending $3.00 a beer at that fancy sports bar.

3.  Regarding that fancy sports bar, it puts the TV remote back in YOUR hands to watch what YOU want on TV.

4.  It dramatically reduces your chance of getting a drunk driving charge.

5.  You can stay open much, MUCH later!

6.  Since most states have now OUTLAWED cigarettes in public places,  you can smoke ‘em if ya got ‘em.

7.  The peanut & pretzel bowl won’t contain the e-coli that Bubba spreads after not washing in the public restroom.

8.  You’ll learn a fun new woodworking skill.

9.  Save a small fortune over buying a pre-made store bought home bar model.

10.  It’ll make you a true patriot! Spending your refund buying the affordable plans and materials will help spur the economy just a teeny, tiny bit, but every little bit helps!

You don’t have to give up your favorite bar, but if you need to save some cash, yet still want to enjoy a little bar atmosphere when ever you like, check out the Easy Home Bar Plans site.

I’ll bet you can come up with a few more good reasons to spend your tax refund on building one of these cool home improvement projects.

 

]]> http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2012/04/16/how-to-spend-your-tax-refund-build-a-home-bar/feed/ 0 Do It Yourself Cove Cut Bar Arm Rail http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2012/04/09/do-it-yourself-cove-cut-bar-arm-rail/ http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2012/04/09/do-it-yourself-cove-cut-bar-arm-rail/#comments Mon, 09 Apr 2012 13:33:54 +0000 admin0 http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/?p=13413 For many years we have, for the sake of simplicity,  been steering our customers toward a simple square framed arm rail or recommended buying that fancy cove cut arm rails from our bar store. You still have those options, but we are now announcing the release of a handy Cove Cut Arm Rail Guide as an cool alternative to overly simple or overly expensive arm rest rails.

cove cut arm rail

EHBP-06 now available

The EMBP-06 is a 15 page document that shows you how to set up your saw to safely machine your own arm rail. We start with softwood pine, which is great for a rustic bar look and leave you with the ability to advance to hardwood arm rails.

The new document includes a dozen three dimensional instructional images to help your fully understand the setup of your saw.

This guide is aimed at both novice and expert woodworkers alike.

Instructions walk you through each step in non technical terms and emphasize avoiding common hazards and practicing proper safety techniques.

The EMBP-06 is included FREE along with over a dozen other plans that are included with your one time membership fee to the Easy Home Bar Plans website at: http://www.barplan.com

More information on the EMBP-06 can be found here > Cove Cut Arm Rail Guide.

Enjoy!

 

]]> http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2012/04/09/do-it-yourself-cove-cut-bar-arm-rail/feed/ 0 Summer is the best time to build a Home Bar! http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2012/03/22/summer-is-the-best-time-to-build-a-home-bar/ http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2012/03/22/summer-is-the-best-time-to-build-a-home-bar/#comments Fri, 23 Mar 2012 02:50:50 +0000 admin0 http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/?p=13375 For whatever reason, we see a lot of folks starting to build a bar when the temperature drops and the leaves start to fall and right on through the coldest months of the year.

While that might seem logical for doing indoor work, let’s not forget about outdoor bars and grilling areas. We can show you how to build a cool bar that will be the center of your outdoor entertainment.

Outdoor parties are something your guests won’t soon forget, so take advantage of the warm weather and start planning your outdoor bar area.

Outdoor Bars Make Summer Fun!

If you’ve got a pool, then you really have no excuse for not having either a portable bar or a permanent, weather proof bar built into a shady area of your pool area.

Once you build your bar core, top it off with tiki style decorations and your guests will think they are on vacation at a tropical resort.

We have several models of bars that will get you started and finished in a weekend or two of fun construction.

The plans are in PDF format and can be downloaded instantly to your PC.

These are a few of our summertime favorites:

EHBP-01 Straight Bar – Build a fleet of these and rent them for parties!

EHBP-05 Portable Bar – breaks down for easy transport in your truck or van.

EHBP-20 Party Hut Bar – build your own tropical bar complete with hut roof.

Any of our other plans can be built outdoors for summer party fun!

Join Today & get ALL our plans included with your membership.

]]> http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2012/03/22/summer-is-the-best-time-to-build-a-home-bar/feed/ 0 How to Transport Lumber and Building Materials for Home Projects http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2012/02/10/how-to-transport-lumber-and-building-materials-for-home-projects/ http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2012/02/10/how-to-transport-lumber-and-building-materials-for-home-projects/#comments Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:08:59 +0000 admin0 http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/?p=13363 After eagerly digging in to plans for a new project, you now need to come up with your bill of material and shopping list.  Before you hit the road for your favorite home center, be sure you have a good idea how much space all that lumber is going to need for a safe ride home.

overloaded car

it's wasn't the plywood, it was the 30 bags of concrete mix in the back seat

We’ve all seen the intrepid weekend warrior running through every isle loading up on lumber and building materials. Once they check out, they roll up to a hatchback or some other compact POS. Amazingly people have tried some MacGyver  like tricks in loading their vehicle, but never made it far. The 30 bags of concrete mix in the back seat was just too much!

The guy in the red car is paying the price for doing it wrong.

 

Here’s some tips in material transport.
1. Make multiple smaller runs.
2. Call your buddy with the pickup truck and trailer.
3. Ask about free delivery…
4. If no free deliver…get the paid delivery. It’s always worth it!

So, if your going to the store for anything other than a few 2×4′s, fasteners, tools, paint and all that little stuff, be sure make a list and estimate the load size. Know your load before you pick it up.

]]> http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2012/02/10/how-to-transport-lumber-and-building-materials-for-home-projects/feed/ 0 The Winter Without Snow – 2011 / 2012 remains mild and dry. http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2012/01/04/the-winter-without-snow-2011-2012-remains-mild-and-dry/ http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2012/01/04/the-winter-without-snow-2011-2012-remains-mild-and-dry/#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:57:32 +0000 admin0 http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/?p=13313 Where’s the snow? That’s the question we keep hearing this year. It’s now January 4th 2012, yet here in Northeastern Wisconsin, we have nothing but a light dusting that today is melting quickly.  It’s about noon and my personal weather station indicates a balmy 34 degrees with mid 40′s forecast in the next few days. If you’re curious as to where snow may fall in the next three days, checkout this snow forecast site.

where is the snow? take advantage of the mild weather and build your home bar now!

Last year we experienced the third snowiest winter on record , but 2011 and 2012 already look to be the least snowy year on record. Good thing I didn’t buy that snowmobile this year! However, I did buy a SnowSport HD snow plow for my Ford F-150, maybe that’s the reason we have no snow! Seriously though, many businesses that reply on income from snowmobiler’s, winter sports or snow removal service are suffering and there is no snow in the extended forecast.

So where is the snow? Well it’s up there somewhere and it’s just a matter of time before we get that first big snowstorm. The nice part of all this delayed snow is that if you’re interested in starting a building or remodeling project, now is the time to take advantage of the dry roads, easy driving and mild temperatures.

A little more interesting information regarding the Sun and a possible future forecast for the planet…
Space.com has reported that the current La Nina pattern may be the result of the nearing solar maximum period where sunspot activity is at a peak level, creating higher than normal solar heat output. The unusually long solar minimum that started in 2004 and it’s associated cooler temperatures is predicted to be followed by and even lower period of sunspot activity that could extend into 2021 or beyond.  This low level of sunspot activity could rival the 75 year long Maunder Minimum that created abnormally cold summers back in 1645 to 1715 and was called the Little Ice Age. So, enjoy these warm spells while you can! Build that home bar now so you can enjoy the coming years of cold in the comfort of your own home. Cheers!

]]> http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2012/01/04/the-winter-without-snow-2011-2012-remains-mild-and-dry/feed/ 0 Happy Holidays 2011 from Barplan.com! http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2011/12/23/happy-holidays-2011/ http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2011/12/23/happy-holidays-2011/#comments Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:18:34 +0000 admin0 http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/?p=13307 Happy Holidays 2011 from Barplan.com!
As we enter our 12th year in business, we’d like to wish all our customers and fellow bar builder’s a happy & joyous Holiday Season! 2012 will bring many new improvements to the membership site including several new plans for your home bar.  We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and remind you to please be safe & don’t drink and drive…that’s why you have a home bar!

Cheers from everyone at Barplan.com!

BTW – the bar shown with the Charlie Brown tree is courtesy of a good friend of mine, Doc James.  His amazing bar top is custom made of exotic laminate woods from around the world. The bar is located in the lower level of his home. Pretty nice place to kick back & relax. You can have a bar similar to this is your own home when you join the Easy Home Bar Plans website.

Be sure to check out our new Bar Supply Store with over 5,000 hard to find items for the home bar enthusiast.

]]> http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2011/12/23/happy-holidays-2011/feed/ 0 Bar Stools to Complete Your Home Bar http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2011/12/07/bar-stools-to-complete-your-home-bar/ http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2011/12/07/bar-stools-to-complete-your-home-bar/#comments Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:18:27 +0000 admin0 http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/?p=13284 Once you’ve tackled the construction of your home bar project, you will certainly need to finish off with a set of bar stools…plus bar equipment and cool gizmos for the complete bartender.

Visit our new barstool & bar accessory store!

We’ve put together a great selection of affordable classic, yet non pretentious style stools, all at affordable pricing.
Our new store section includes our Classic Bar Stools, a selection of Fun Bar Stools emblazoned with cool graphics and finally for the jazzy style bar, we offer a selection of Modern Bar Stools.

We also offer complete Portable Home Bar Setups  and our unique line of metal and glass Bistro / Dinette Tables and chairs. We even have Outdoor Deck Chairs to complete your outdoor bar entertainment area.

That’s not all, we also offer over 5000 hard to find home bar and man cave products and bar supplies, everything from Stir Sticks to Commercial Grade Beer Cooler systems.

We have literally everything your need to complete your home bar! Start Shopping Now!

We accept all major credit cards and payment through Pay Pal.

]]> http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2011/12/07/bar-stools-to-complete-your-home-bar/feed/ 0 Where to Buy a Case of Cocktail Umbrellas http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2011/09/27/buy-a-case-of-cocktail-umbrellas/ http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2011/09/27/buy-a-case-of-cocktail-umbrellas/#comments Wed, 28 Sep 2011 02:52:21 +0000 admin0 http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/?p=13267

No Tropical Drink is Complete with a Paper Parasol Umbrella

Summer may be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy tropical drinks throughout the entire year!
Crushed ice, rum and a can of frozen daiquiri or rum runner may be the required ingredients for a tasty drink, but if you’re missing that that little paper parasol umbrella, then it’s just no fun. Order enough of these handy umbrellas to last an entire year or more. You get a whopping 144 umbrellas in four popular colors. The best part is the low, low price of only $3.54 per box of 144. That’s only two cents apiece! Don’t forget to add more party extra to your order! ORDER NOW


Also, don’t forget to stock up on plastic drink cups and shot glasses at rock bottom prices.

]]> http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2011/09/27/buy-a-case-of-cocktail-umbrellas/feed/ 0 Classic Modern Basement Bar http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2011/09/18/classic-modern-basement-bar/ http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2011/09/18/classic-modern-basement-bar/#comments Sun, 18 Sep 2011 16:02:38 +0000 admin0 http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/?p=13244 Since 1997 we’ve seen the whole gamut of basement bar projects from your basic crate in an unfinished basement to extravagant theme bars with all the bells and whistles (Mr. Marks Dungeon Bar comes to mind). Most of what we see has one or two areas that remain unfinished; perhaps the ceiling or maybe a wall missing here or there or a space where a cupboard or fridge could be placed in the future. Occasionally we see a project like this complete classic home bar that seems  to have everything tied together and complete.

Classic Modern Home Bar

Looking closely, you’ll find all the elements of a classic modern home bar:
1. Fridge w/ ice maker.
2. Stove w/ overhead vent.
3. Completed drywall floor to ceiling.
4. Completed wood laminate  floor.
5. Beautiful bar with raised panel front, hardwood arm rest molding and brass rail foot rest.
6. Full liquor stash.
7. Full set of matching bar stools.
8. Bar style lighting and wall decor.

All in all a well rounded home bar setup!
This attention to detail really makes the difference in completing any home bar project.
See over 4,500 more photos of member built home bars when you join the
Easy Home Bar Plans website.

 

BTW – the only thing I see missing is a draft beer system. ;^)

 

]]> http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2011/09/18/classic-modern-basement-bar/feed/ 0 How to Trim Tenderloin – Video http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2011/08/15/how-to-trim-tenderloin-video/ http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/2011/08/15/how-to-trim-tenderloin-video/#comments Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:33:56 +0000 admin0 http://www.barplan.com/blog/home/?p=13219 I just picked up a whole tenderloin for only $5.99/lb and had no idea how to trim it properly.
This YouTube link will show you how to do it properly:

How to Trim and Cut a Tenderloin

watch this video on Youtube

BTW: Sorry for the lack of postings in recent months – we’ve just been taking some time off for the summer. We’ll be back in a few weeks creating new stuff for the site. Hope you’re having a great summer too!  Cheers! – Barplan.com

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