Two teams of marines compete to see who can design and build the best patio bar in just eight hours. The teams: Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina The project: The Timeframe: 8 hours (9.a.m. -5 p.m.) These combat engineers are rough and ready for any challenge. The warehouse is stocked and the clock is starting to tick. Let's meet the teams! Red Team Sergeant Bryan Burgett
Corporal Brandon Risch
David Ward
Blue Team Sergeant Matthew Cornett
Lance Corporal Jason Puetz
Private First Class Thomas Hook
Red Team Activity Journal (9 a.m. - 11 a.m.) - The Red Team designs an octagonal bar with a work area cut into the center. There will be cabinets, wine racks, a refrigerator and they'd like to cover their patio with a roof.
- They begin cutting 2 x 4s to size and nailing them together to create a frame (figure A). Additional 2 x 4s are added for support. The team continues this process to make four frames.
- Next, three of the frames are nailed together (figure B) to make the front, back and left side of their patio.
- The fourth 2 x 4 frame serves as a sub-wall to support the bar top and it is connected to the left side frame.
Ed's tip: To build an outdoor bar, you should use materials that will last like pressure-treated wood, cedar, or teak. The bar will also need to be close enough to the house to make water and electric hookups.
Blue Team Activity Journal (9 a.m. - 11 a.m.) - The Blue Team decides on a bi-level, L-shaped patio bar featuring brick and copper accents plus room for a refrigerator and a sink.
- They begin by choosing two pre-made cabinets to serve as the base for their bar. They also select and measure the sink and refrigerator.
- A sheet of 3/4-inch plywood is cut to size for the countertop and a 15 x 15-inch hole is cut for the sink (figure C).
- The Blue Team wants to tile their countertop, so they go ahead a mix a batch of quickset mortar. Then, pre-made mosaic tile sheets are selected, measured and attached to the sink-side countertop with the mortar (figure D).
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