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Crawland
03-18-2009, 09:49 PM
Hi all,

New guy here. I've been lurking for a while over at the other forum. I've stared gathering all my materials for my first poker table. That brings me to my need for a man cave to put it in. I've got all the plans, but they're currently only in my head.

Unfortunately, it's going to be a drawn out process getting it all together. My wife and I just got back from adopting our daughter in China. That's her in my avatar. I know what you're thinking...we were surprised by the mustache too, but we love her!:mrgreen: So, like the U.S., a lot of our money is tied up in China now.

Our basement is about 35x28 less some space for the stairs. The stairs break it up into three areas.

12.5x15 workout area
16x15 area for home theater
35x13.5 area for pool table, poker table, kids play area, etc.

It will have a drop ceiling and the floor will be carpeted. The walls are poured concrete that will just be painted for the time being to save money. The walls were poured in a form to make it look like brick so it looks pretty good painted.


Now a couple questions for the experienced cavers. Since the walls won't be insulated, it can get pretty cold in the basement. Have any of you guys added any heat to your basement? I've been thinking of some different options and thought about using something like this. (http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_595_595)

The other thing I was wondering is how do you determine how many lights you need? I learned while building our house that I need more lights than I think I need.

Well, that's it for me for now. I hope to have this finished by the time my kids leave for college.:p I'll be posting pictures along the way. Hopefully that will keep me motivated to finish it.

-Crawland

MsprinM
03-18-2009, 09:51 PM
Welcome aboard. While I cant answer you questions someone who can should be along shortly.

morningwood
03-19-2009, 07:51 AM
The pool table can suck up alot of area, How big is the pool table? If its non regulation (more like a bar room size table) laying the long way to the 13.5" dimention will help with space.

No experience with the heater you want but it looks robust enough to do the job. Others can chime in on that. I'd be careful where its is placed (the little one). If your using a dropped ceiling can you run duct to supply the room that way?

There has got to be a ratio of light/space for a given area, again depending on what you use. Cans are more of a pain and you will need to set up alot more compared to flourescents. But the cans would be better in the home entertainment area where you may want more intimate lighting.

Pics and progress updates welcome. I'm interested on how this shapes up.

Best of luck on your project and congrats on your newest family addition. The eyebrows needa trimmin. :)

Crawland
03-19-2009, 08:09 AM
Thanks for the welcome guys.

Yeah, the pool table is not full size. I think it is a 7' table. It will be set length wise along the 13.5 dimension and will actully spill into the workout area a bit.

The heaters will be hung from the ceiling so I'm not worried about safety. I'm just wondering how effective they will be. I'll try it out and if it doesn't work I'll use it in my garagae.

I agree with you about the cans. I like the look of them better than florescents, but the florescents light better. but, I don't want it to look like an office building either. Decisions, decisions.

MsprinM
03-19-2009, 08:09 AM
Remember with the pool table it isnt just the space needed for the table. You have to account for the use of the stick. You can usually get away with 3 feet away from the edge of the table but there will still be times when the butt of the stick hits the wall when the ball is on the rail. I prefer 5 feet at least.

Crawland
03-19-2009, 08:13 AM
That reminds me of the Seinfeld episode when Frank decided to turn George's old room into a biliards room.:D Him and Kramer were in there banging against all the walls. Ahhh Seinfeld.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7enkHIEkKZ8&feature=related

morningwood
03-19-2009, 11:37 AM
Remember with the pool table it isnt just the space needed for the table. You have to account for the use of the stick. You can usually get away with 3 feet away from the edge of the table but there will still be times when the butt of the stick hits the wall when the ball is on the rail. I prefer 5 feet at least.

Thats what I was trying to point out....thanks for further defining that.

We had a short stick for those "tight" spots.

Irish
03-19-2009, 11:49 AM
We had a short stick for those "tight" spots.

No need to change sticks - a little lube will help with that problem.

Irish
03-19-2009, 11:53 AM
BTW welcome to PMC Crawland ;) :mrgreen:

morningwood
03-19-2009, 02:48 PM
No need to change sticks - a little lube will help with that problem.

Doh!!! :eek:

I deserved that.

Oz
03-20-2009, 04:06 PM
Welcome - enjoy your long vacation here!

From the heating stand point - don't do what you have in mind! It takes a lot of energy to run, big cables to get there, takes up space (which most basements don't have), and it basically is ugly! They belong in a shop.

Look for cadet heaters --- here like these: Cadet Heater (http://www.cadetco.com/show_product.php?prodid=1002)

They come in small sizes and you can place them around in different places to take care of the whole basement if needed. Nice thing about these - individual control of heat. You don't have to have them all on at the same time.

But, why don't you tap into your heating system that provides heat to the rest of the house?

Crawland
03-21-2009, 04:09 PM
Those heaters are a good option Oz. There are a couple of heating ducts in the basement already, but they don't really seem to pump out much heat and they definitely aren't putting out enough heat right now to warm the basement. I wouldn't want to add any more registers at the detriment of the rest of the house.

I like the option of the heaters since they could be shut off for the 18+ hours a day that the basement wouldn't be used.

CRAW
03-24-2009, 12:44 PM
BTW welcome to PMC Crawland ;) :mrgreen:

Ditto! Sweet name, Crawland!!! ;)

Crawland
03-24-2009, 01:01 PM
Thanks Craw. I hope I didn't infringe on any trademarks.:p

CRAW
03-24-2009, 01:31 PM
Thanks Craw. I hope I didn't infringe on any trademarks.:p

Of course not. The more the merrier!