Trann's Man Cave

[Trann]

I'm so enamoured with my own work, I'm going to pseudo-blog it twice...

Enjoy!

Again!

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[Quads]

You're not done yet?

[Gerdass]

Did you remove the time stamp from the pics you took 2 years ago?

[doughboy63]

Totally jealous! I want to finish ours so bad. How much experience did you have before taking on the electrical? I need to rewire our house(circa1928) before I start closing in the basement walls. It is about the only trade that I am hesistant on doing my own work.

[Trann]

How much experience did you have before taking on the electrical? I need to rewire our house(circa1928) before I start closing in the basement walls. It is about the only trade that I am hesistant on doing my own work.
None.

Replaced a light fixture here, a new dimmer switch there, but no "new" wiring.

But, as many have said, it's not hard. Shut down the breakers. Get a multimeter/circuit tester and check before you fiddle. Be aware of loads (how many things will be on one circuit drawing power), derated devices (eg, wall switches can only power N-x watts when put in a multi-gang box), and don't cross the streams. Er, wires. I've only zapped myself twice so far. Just little nibbles.

All my new circuits are wired and run back to the main junction box. There is plenty of wire for the hookup but that's where I stopped: the only thing I won't be doing is the main power shutoff and breaker installation. My nephew is doing electrical work as his profession and he's going to lend a hand so it gets done right the first time.

[Trann]

Did you remove the time stamp from the pics you took 2 years ago?
One year, two months, if you please.

In all seriousness, I'm happy with the progress to date. We're ringing up mudders now and I'm starting on the ceiling lights...

[Quads]

mudders ?

Is that something you hang your tuque on?

[Moddy]

mudders ?

Is that something you hang your tuque on?No yuo sillay! It's what fodders marry!

[Irish]

Nice update Trann, the lighting for the stairs came out great.

[Quads]

It's really not all that bad as it is.

Slight step down from the B, and perhaps a step up from my place.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/00980022-1.jpg

[Trann]

It's really not all that bad as it is.
Thanks. Yeah, it's rather functional at this point.

I want it done so it becomes a useful place to hang out. The kids will enjoy it now and years from now when they bring their girlfriends over to "study".

Wifey wants it done because, after some 10 years of kid-abuse, the next project is refinishing the walls and floors upstairs. 8)

[TotalDonkey]

[quote="The ModfatherNo yuo sillay! It's what fodders marry![/quote]

HAHAHA, I lol'd at this.

Nice work so far Trann. Looks like it'll be pretty sweet.

[jbwhip]

really nice work, exactly why I wish we had basements in Texas!

[MsprinM]

Tranns man cave sounds like a gay porn title. NTTIAWWT

[Aust1227]

Nice place Tranny!!

[Me2hunter]

I'm really diggin' the stairway........Nice job

[j p frog]

nicely done on the transfer. I like seeing all the pix together. I was thinking about that with build pix on tables and how transferring them all in one post will make for easier perusal. Now finish it Trann the Mann!

[Trann]

A bit delayed but still progressing:

Lots of time was spent doing another cleanup. The back storage area (outside of the reno area) was crammed with nearly everything and so it was all pulled out and only what we wanted to keep was sorted and returned. Another pickup truck packed to the rafters went to the dump that day.

Pot lights were installed and wired-in without problems. Lighting levels are pretty good for poker (no complaints). My nephew did a fine job dropping the wire loops I had waiting for him at the breaker panel.

Walls got their mud and tape, primer, two coats of a very light brown/tan (trim will be white) and all looks good so far.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_0485.jpg

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Bath got its lino installed and is ready for fixtures next.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_0487.jpg

Carpet is being sought and installation prices compared.

For the past few weeks, however, Halloween plans have taken priority.

[StrangeMan]

What month is #25? ;)

[Trann]

Trannuary. I love this month.

[Trann]

Just got an email from the missus. We're talking about what to put in the space next to the wet bar at the top right. The bottom right will have the entertainment area (TV, sofa/loveseat, coffee table) while the bottom middle holds the two poker tables...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/RenoPlan.jpg

She came up with this marvelous idea to have a pedistal table and bar stools, giving folks there a place to hang out and getting them enough height to see the TV overtop of any heads on the sofa.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/RenoPlan-1.jpg

And, eerily enough, she agreed with my choice of backless stools. For an old married couple, agreeing on furnishings is full of win.

http://www.ashleyfurniture.com/Graphics/Web/Large/D371-12_KO.gif

I can just imagine this thing with cardboard coasters, a bowl of pretzles, and a plate of hot wings... 8)

[Bixby]

...I can just imagine this thing with cardboard coasters, a bowl of pretzles, and a plate of hot wings... 8)

If I leave now, I could be there in 5 1/2 hours. Long enough for you to shuffle the cards, chill the beer, and heat the wings.

operators are standing by....

[KingGeorge]

Are 2X4's called 2X4's in Canada?


george

[Bixby]

Are 2X4's called 2X4's in Canada?
george
Yep

[Trann]

Minor update to my PMC blog: I got in about two full days of work during the break and the bathroom got a lot of finish work.

A section of ceiling using the CeilingLink product and a run of 2x2s to accomodate the dropped plumbing lines...
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_0688.jpg

The same section all closed up...
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_0693.jpg

The exposed drain stack and finished ceiling...
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_0706.jpg

The same stack primed and painted...
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_0707.jpg

Barkerboard to cover the stack collection area and trim applied behind the ceiling...
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_0726.jpg

And the other side of the bathroom which was far less interesting (read: difficult) to work on...
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_0727.jpg

The shower goes in next.

...

Highly recommend using CeilingLink as a suspended ceiling if you need to maximize your space. It attaches to the floor joists above and only drops 1" overall.
ref. http://ceilinglink.com/

Installation is first attaching the Ts to the ceiling joists then snapping an 8' track (upside-down T) into place on one side, another 8' track on the other, then sliding in a tile and a cross-brace and another tile. Repeat.

With objects in the way (duct vents, lighting), there's a bit of pause involved: zip things together up to the point of obstruction, cut your cross Ts and ceiling tile to fit and when happy, hold tile in place and zip together. Continue with obstruction-free tile installation, as above. Note: one side may already be done so you're only "unzipped" on the side you're adding to.

To access stuff, you just have to find a seam and unzip the track. Get help to hold tiles or pull track because it will fall on your head when you're not paying attention. 8)

Here you can see I've finished the center run which had the most light interruptions and the first right-side run (much easier) and am starting the joist-attached Ts further right still.

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Don't get ahead of yourself: doing all the joist-attachment first may introduce errors you won't find until you place tiles. One row at a time.

Tools I used include tape measure, L-square, pencil, compass (for circle scribing), knife (for straight scribing), and hacksaw blade (great for cutting circles). Math is your friend.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_0916.jpg

Not shown is the most important: an anvil cutter for the Ceiling Link product itself. I tried an anvil pruner but it didn't have the leverage to finish cuts right. Find something that countersinks. Mine is a Loewe and the cutting "deck" had a slot so the blade could really do it's work.

http://www.original-loewe.com/typo3temp/pics/ce90e57337.jpg
Ref. Loewe Scheren | Anvil Cutters, with standard replaceable trapezoidal blade (http://lowe-de.com/gygj6.asp)

...

The ceiling in the basement is fully independent of the floating walls so it uses their C-channel along the perimeter and a piece of trim fitted behind to give it some finish. You can see the trim applied in the bath pics above and near the end of this thread..

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/floatingwall-C.jpg

[j p frog]

nice work...but how did it end up in this part of the forum??? LOL

[Wedge Rock]

Primed and painted came out pretty good!

I've got an HVAC run right down the middle of the part of the basement I am finishing... Rather than framing it in, I may paint it flat white. Any advice on materials?

[jrees]

I have that exact table and stool set. It's pretty sweet. Nice choice!

[mikeneron]

For a second there Trann, I thought you notched out the floor joists to run the copper pipe ;) Lookin' good.

[Trann]

Primed and painted came out pretty good!
Yeah, we debated boxing it all in but the reduced headroom would have been annoying.

I've got an HVAC run right down the middle of the part of the basement I am finishing... Rather than framing it in, I may paint it flat white. Any advice on materials?

Um, paint? 8)

You're working with tin so I'd be thinking of Tremclad primer and colours. Never had problems with them and metal together. Then again, never used anything else either.

One thing I'd suggest is a light sanding to rough up the surface and get the paint to adhere better. This is more like real finish work and needs to look good rather than spray bombed quick n' dirty garage work.

[Wedge Rock]

I've got an HVAC run right down the middle of the part of the basement I am finishing... Rather than framing it in, I may paint it flat white. Any advice on materials?
Um, paint? 8)

See, and I was thinking crayons... thanks for the tip.


You're working with tin so I'd be thinking of Tremclad primer and colours. Never had problems with them and metal together. Then again, never used anything else either.

One thing I'd suggest is a light sanding to rough up the surface and get the paint to adhere better. This is more like real finish work and needs to look good rather than spray bombed quick n' dirty garage work.


I guess that was what I was really looking for, paint suggestions and tips like sanding the surface. Thanks.

[Trann]

This is what I do on a Superbowl weekend...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_0838.jpg

Shower finished, toilet replaced, vanity installed, floor trim everywhere. Need to hook up the vanity's water/waste lines and chop a door down to fit and install.

Of course, the wifey has ideas for shelving, towel bars, and general pooftering on top of this but that's trivial.

[Quads]

Why is there a white pipe through the middle of the room?

[NuRelic]

Very nice work Trann but like Quads said, what's with the pipe in the middle of the room? :D

I especially like the recess behind the john.

Nu

[MsprinM]

very nice work sir.

[Trann]

Stripper pole. Beats reading on the can.

[Trann]

I especially like the recess behind the john.
It wasn't by choice: the guy who did the basement drainage put the shower and toilet drains too close together and too close to the outside wall. The recess is to fit the tank and we were forced to get a 31" shower (one of the smallest).

But at least it functions now.

[NuRelic]

It wasn't by choice: the guy who did the basement drainage put the shower and toilet drains too close together and too close to the outside wall. The recess is to fit the tank and we were forced to get a 31" shower (one of the smallest).

But at least it functions now.

I've had several similar situations come up in the remodel of my own house and as I looked at it, I immediately knocked it off as prolly being a "deal-with-it" kind of look. I personally like it, adds character. Nice work all around!

Nu

[Trann]

I'm days away from ordering all the cabinetry for the wet bar so before I jump into this mini-project on the way to man-cave completion, I thought I'd ask the PMC hivemind...

Any words of advice or things to be aware of?

For what it's worth, I've got 7' 10" of wall.

[SniperD5]

1 Word:

KEGERATOR!!!!!:mrgreen:

[Trann]

Update: wet bar is done.

The flooring, made up of the 2'x2' tongue-and-groove subflooring panels with plywood on top, was made true (but not level). Shims were set in place to get the cabinets level and screwed/glued down to the floor.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_0965.jpg

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The studs of this wall were not ideally placed for the wall cabinets so I decided to run a strip of fir across the length, driving it into the studs and then the cabinets could hang anywhere off of it.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_0966.jpg

This is my load helper.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_0968.jpg

First cabinet up, plumb, and level.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_0969.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1017.jpg

Other cabinets the same.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1018.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1021.jpg

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Test-fitting the base cabinets and showing the severe shimming going on here.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_0976.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_0977.jpg

Laser level, baby.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_0978.jpg

Cabinets fastened to the wall and to each other.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1028.jpg

Cutting into the countertop took hours, mostly measuring, remeasuring, and taping the surface so the jigsaw wouldn't damage it. Not a single mistake or off-line cut.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1029.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1030.jpg

Sink, drain, and lines installed. Because the water lines here are shared with those in the bathroom on the other side of the wall, one had to "cross" the other -- I wasn't going to cross the copper lines -- so I figured the bar would get the job.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1032.jpg

The mounting framework proved to be an annoyance when it came to getting the tap fixture installed. I had to lay under the sink, goggles on, and use a hole saw to carefully cut upwards into two layers -- the first being the base cabinet mount strip, the second being the countertop mount strip -- leaving just the last layer of the countertop for the fixture mounts to lock onto.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1035.jpg

And done.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1031.jpg

Access panels for...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1038.jpg

...sewer and vent clean-outs. May never be needed but I'd rather have the cut outs where I want them now than to be bashing my way through the cabinet and drywall later.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1037.jpg

The rest of the cabinet doors were added and straightened out to perfection. Only the handles remain.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1041.jpg

The floor will be a marble-like finish done using 1'x1' stick-on tiles rather than linoleum but that won't be done until the carpets are about to go in (or after, depending on how I'm going to handle the transition strips).

Next up: spare room subfloor.

...

The wife and I have been dickering over the furniture. She wants leather, I want to save a few bucks and get comfy/cheap simply because I don't care if it lasts, it's cheap enough to by something else. She wants sofa/loveseat combos and I figured a sectional would work better. It wasn't looking good for an agreement on this one...

The she e-mails me a link one day and asks if I'd consider this leather piece:

http://s7d3.scene7.com/is/image/TheBrick/JASPERHT?$productdetails$

*drool*

A home theatre sectional! It's perfect for our space and can be broken down and repositioned for larger poker games.

I think I'll keep her!

[mikeneron]

Looking good man. Did you make the cabinets yourself?

I hear you on the sink install. Have had to do that with the last 2 taps I installed...messy job and awkward cause you are in a tight space. After I did that the first time, I bought the enclosed goggles :)

[Trann]

Did you make the cabinets yourself?
Wish I had the tools for that. They're Kitchen Craft.

[SniperD5]

Looks awesome dude. I may have to put up with your little farm town calling station players one night in order to come see these in person.;)


As for the leather theatre seating, your wifey has basically just given you the go ahead on turning the spare room down there into a home theatre. Get a nice projector with some good audio and you're set!!!!:D

[Jack Napier]

I just peed all over myself

[gator20]

Very nice Trann!!!

[chuckerin]

...The wife and I have been dickering over the furniture. She wants leather, I want to save a few bucks and get comfy/cheap simply because I don't care if it lasts, it's cheap enough to by something else. She wants sofa/loveseat combos and I figured a sectional would work better. It wasn't looking good for an agreement on this one...

The she e-mails me a link one day and asks if I'd consider this leather piece:

http://s7d3.scene7.com/is/image/TheBrick/JASPERHT?$productdetails$

*drool*

A home theatre sectional! It's perfect for our space and can be broken down and repositioned for larger poker games.

I think I'll keep her!

Yup yup! I love those home theater sectionals.
Good choice in the middle section being a love seat. Perfect for snuggling.
Are those storage containers behind the cup holders?

[Trann]

And now the handles are complete.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1043.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1044.jpg

I had to find machine screws long enough to go through the drawer faces and the interior drawer box. 8-32 x 1-3/4". Windsor didn't have 'em. HD didn't have 'em. Rona had 'em but only in a box of 100!

Although I only needed six, I figured it would be bad karma to return the other 94. 8)

Are those storage containers behind the cup holders?
I've no idea (yet): wifey and I are planning on finding a store with one there as a demo to check it out before we order our own.

Don't worry: I'll update with details and provide pics when appropriate.

[Trann]

I may have to put up with your little farm town calling station players one night in order to come see these in person.;)
Don't worry: you'll get the invite on the inaugural day, if not sooner.

I've bumped my home games to Dennis' place for this month and maybe next so I can press on and don't have to worry about cleaning up. Once I'm done making sawdust, I'll be open for games again.

As for your game Friday: I'm juggling some things and hope to make it but can't confirm just yet. I'll ring you up when I know (our mail system is acting up on campus).

[MsprinM]

We have a theater chair sectional, Do it you wont regret it.

[Quads]

Looking good Trann.
Surprised your floor has that much fall in it in that corner.
Love that cabs. Slick, dark, simple.

Very nice work so far.

[JbaIV]

Can i move in?? :Please:

[Trann]

Surprised your floor has that much fall in it in that corner.
An annoyance, for sure. And it's not just that one corner: imagine a crack running down the center of the basement where the ground has heaved, leaving the perimeter at the original height and the center almost 2" higher. And ours isn't the best or the worst: my FiL's places has barely a hairline, while a neighbour's place shifted even worse.

The clay in our soil really does magic on some basements in this area and heaving is common, hence the floating stud wall design. Interestingly, Americans tend to float theirs from the bottom; we do it from the top (you can see the 2" gap and 6" spikes pinning the walls to the floor joists).

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/00340021.jpg

It has moved perhaps 5mm in the last 10 years so we figure things have stabilized enough to finish the basement. All we can hope for is minimal shifting for the next 30 or so...


http://s7d3.scene7.com/is/image/TheBrick/JASPERHT?$productdetails$
Are those storage containers behind the cup holders?
We scoped it out and they are indeed storage: the padding lifts up to reveal a deep storage box. One thing that surprised me was the size: it's about twelve feet from end to end, which makes positioning it unexpected but still quite doable. We'll have to break one end down during poker games but that's a small price to pay to also avoid the sterotypical 90 degree placement of sofa/loveseat combos.

There is an accompanying footstool for the two center seats that we'll be getting, too, which is also a storage container: it's big enough to hold either kid (yes, we tried it!)

http://s7d3.scene7.com/is/image/TheBrick?$medium_clip$&$img=JASPER-O

And we found a nice wall unit to go with it all: dark-stained wood, brushed aluminum handles, and clean lines (I hate ornate woodwoork) to go with the wet bar.

http://s7d3.scene7.com/is/image/TheBrick/2706PK4?$productdetails$

And we're looking at the 50" LG plasma to go in it with a home theatre unit, too. There's a sale Friday and we can get a bit more of a deal if we get it all through them and delivered to the house.

We tried to get the pub set through them, too, but they had nothing we liked so we're going to get something we found at Ashley that fit my wants perfectly: center supported round table with swivel seats.

http://www.ashleyfurniture.com/Graphics/Web/Large/D371-12_KO.gif

Whew.

The work is almost done but the money keeps flying out of my wallet!

Can i move in?? :Please:
We require a non-refundable deposit for all such considerations.

Once I buy all this crap, I'll let know how much the deposit will be. 8)

[km630]

Trann --

Remember that EVERYTHING you are purchasing is negotiable. Negotiable in price, as well as other things -- free delivery, tax waivers, etc. So, particularly if you are getting a large item, or several items, talk to the store manager about a better deal. The salesperson probably cannot give you a discount, but the store manager certainly can.

Furniture and electronics have high retail markups generally, so even if the item is "on sale" ask if they can give you a better deal for purchasing the whole lot from them. Or, ask them to throw in something at the end of the deal. You would be amazed at how much extra money can be saved simply by asking for a better deal.

By the way -- it is looking very nice. Good job so far.

[Trann]

Before and After Carpet Installation...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1169.jpghttp://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1176.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1168.jpghttp://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1175.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1167.jpghttp://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1174.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1166.jpghttp://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1172.jpg

...

Time to pay the balance on my deposit and get the furniture shipped.

[huge1s]

Nice.....the carpet makes a huge difference in the appearance and your will to finish the damn thing up.

I have bad soil too, and they didn't even do slab on grade....did a structural subfloor and have had no problems with it. I was a little iffy at first, then realized they actually did this to solve the problem, instead of throwing the slab in there for someone else to deal with 5-10 years down the road.

[Slev]

Trann,

I've got a great product for you that I used in my basement for the columns that I couldn't remove. You space these things out and wrap them around your columns (package of 5). Then you can drywall right to them. Simple, easy way to dress up your columns without wasting space by framing around them. I used them on 3 columns in my basement and they were very easy to install & drywall to.

http://www.grabberman.com/ItemDetails.aspx?pkey=Framing+Solutions|E-Z+Framing+Collar|E-Z+3"+COLUMN+FRAMING+Kit+5%2FPKG&pval=34|96|EZCOL3&pIds=CategoryID|ProductTypeID|itemid&itemid=EZCOL3

Your mancave is looking GREAT!

[dblemuney]

wow, nice space!

[Trann]

Slev, the wife and I discussed column covers and we found about 3 different variations out there for fully encasing them but nothing like your suggestion...

http://www.mcfeelys.com/img/column-plastic-framing-EZC-0002.jpg

I love the simplicity of it! If I were going to cover it with anything, I'd do it this way.

But, in the end, we're actually going to leave them as-is (or rather, just painted with a built-up decorative cover for the tops and caps for the bottoms). And here's why:

The very first day down there, the kids were doing what I remember doing as a kid: holding onto the post with one hand and running myself dizzy going around it.

Something more fancy couldn't handle that abuse. 8)

[Trann]

Stand by...

[Trann]

From the far end of the space...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1368.jpg

From where the pub table may sit...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1367.jpg

The theatre seating...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1366.jpg

The entertainment center and 50" plasma...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1365.jpg

*Aside: my mother came over last weekend and was asking no end of questions about this and that. After staring at the entertainment center for a moment, she asked, "So, what made you decide to by a large brand?"

I blinked. "A what?"

"A large brand."

My wife whispered, "She means LG."

Yeah, my family is like that.

...

Poker night, however, requires things to be broken down...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1363.jpg

No one needs to get into the storage room anyway, and the hall leads to laundry, so it all works...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1364.jpg

And there's plenty of space to get around and behind each table...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1353.jpg

As you can see, I've got some stairs to paint yet and we're still debating the pub table and stools. When those issues are closed, I'll share and end this thread for good.

But where it counts, the space is fully usable: I've reconnected my satellite lines to serve the downstairs instead of upstairs --- the old lines remain for if/when we get digital up there -- and we've brought down the Wii and DVD players (the PS2 remains upstairs with the standard def. tube).

Vacation starts in a week and I'm going to enjoy relaxing down here every night.

*Aside: I've gotten some family who've not really believed that I did what I've said. A brother-in-law asked the missus, "Yeah, but did he do this?" to apparently half a dozen different aspects of the build. She was happy to correct him, repeatedly.

On the other end of the spectrum is the high praise from others who, probably honestly, didn't expect this much from me. I don't take insult from that -- I'm an overeducated computer geek, mostly -- but I do take it for what it is: exceeding expectations.

I'm also fearless when it comes to nearly any (future) home reno work. All it takes is research, patience, time, and a wee bit of money. 8)

Thanks for all the kind words throughout this project, everyone. It was fun to share.

[km630]

Very nice work Trann. You SHOULD be proud.

[Bixby]

Well done Trann. Awesome work!

[Hemps]

Nice work sir.

[The Madturk]

NOICE..... very nice..

[Quads]

Impressive.

[JbaIV]

WOW. looks great Trann. Give yourself a pat on the back and have a nice cold one.

[SniperD5]

Good work buddy. If my game hadn't gone til 4 in the morning on Friday, I would've made the trek out to your place on Saturday for your game. It seems I missed out.

Oh well, next time I'll be there.

[TotalDonkey]

Good work buddy. If my game hadn't gone til 4 in the morning on Friday, I would've made the trek out to your place on Saturday for your game. It seems I missed out.

Oh well, next time I'll be there.

You and me both Sniper...

BTW, nice work Trann!!

[gator20]

Awesome job man!!!!

[Trann]

Although the major work was done, some little things take "forever" to get completed, annoying the wife, which in turn annoys me. 8)

So, here's those last few annoyances that got cleaned up.

Vinyl stair edging trimmed (depth of riser), cut-to-fit, and glued down to the fir edge, finally taking the wet bar floor from rough:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_1184.jpg

...to finished:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_2138.jpg

Stairs painted with two coats of a high-traffic enamel (rust colour) and trimmed up (picking up hand-rail today, actually):

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_2146.jpg

Posts got capped with two boards of pine, trimmed and painted up:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_2154.jpg

And, if you were paying attention in the last shot, you saw that the pub table set was ordered, picked up, assembled, and put in its new home:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_2139.jpg

Here's a view to the telly while you're munching on nachos and enjoying a bevy:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/100_2148.jpg

...

Last week, I was doing my usual after work errands and parked at the hardware store, walked in, and before I even pulled my list from my pocket, I knew I had nothing to buy there. Even when I go unplanned, I can think of something to pick up. That day, I went there out of habit, and couldn't think of a single thing to buy.

Lately, I'm walking around the basement, wondering what I'm missing and the wife actually has to tell me to sit down and stop muttering already.

Yeah, I am so done. Hard to believe.

I almost don't know what to do with myself anymore...

...until January when the upstairs reno begins. 8)

...

EDIT: adding pics with movie posters.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/101_0032.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/101_0033.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/101_0034.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/101_0035.jpg

...

EDIT: can't believe I never added pictures with the poker tables set up!

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/101_0522.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/101_0523.jpg

...

For those of you who are into before and after views, I made this slideshow for others with new pics taken from the same angle as old pics and figured I'd share it here, too:

http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/RenoSlides/?albumview=slideshow

[CRAW]

Wow! That looks great, Trann. Very well done.

[SniperD5]

Not bad dude, only took about 2 1/2 years or so. ;)

[huge1s]

I agree with your wife...you are lazy and need to get to work!

[Quads]

You've done a nice job in there Trann.

[NCGrimbo]

Very nice job! And congrats on finishing it.

[Trann]

It was time for a cherry on this project and with access from behind a finished wall, I could take this on pretty safely.

I had an under-utilized electrical run going to outlets throughout the room -- most outlets are only there for code; the only one in use is powering the computer -- so I figured I'd draw power from the first in that series.

I pulled out half my tools and the shelving to get access from behind the finished wall and started cutting open the drywall. I then ran plenty of cable...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/101_0731.jpg

I popped open the outlet and wired it to the new run...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/101_0732.jpg

After an agonizing time of measuring and figuring, I plotted the location on the finished wall to begin the destruction and hoped I had it all right...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/101_0734.jpg

I reached the stud then re-measured and scribed with a blade to make the cut as clean as possible...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/101_0735.jpg

The box was mounted and I wired in the switch to it; luckily, I bored a hole through the top plate large enough for me to manually fish the two lines...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/101_0737.jpg

Everything was tightened down and closed up...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/101_0738.jpg

Using the extra long paint sticks from the upstairs painting, I chopped them in half and set up the drywall repair...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/101_0739.jpg

Funnily, the last screw created a pretty resounding crack as it set but everything did set firmly...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/101_0741.jpg

The mounting could have been done in a variety of ways but I finally settled on some square J-hooks: with their slotted holes, they could be adjusted to level -- the frame holding the tubing isn't necessarily perfectly level as it must run to support the tubing first -- and the deeper-than-pictured J-hook means the frame can't fall out of the mount...

http://www.cornerhardware.com/images/21/21141.jpg

I took a moment to loop up and zip-tie the plug-in wire to the back of the frame so no excess would be dangling down and out.

And the final result...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/101_0745.jpg

Stepping back to take it in...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/101_0746.jpg

And the close-up in the dark...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/PokerTrann/Reno/101_0749.jpg

The only thing I'm considering at this point is unsplicing the switch that came with the neon and wiring the plug back in to be just long enough to reach the outlet. The whole point of me wiring in a separate switched outlet was that 1) I didn't want dangling wires to a floor-level outlet and B) I didn't want anyone to have a reason to be reaching up to the neon tubing itself.

But for now, I'm leaving it all as-is so I can sit back and enjoy.

[Bixby]

That looks awesome. Where did you get the sign made?

[Trann]

There's a subforum for that: The Neon Factory.

Recommended.

[Moby]

Sierious cave project going on bro