Ok so after many months of lurking and question asking I have decided to finally start my own build thread. Unlike most on AVS mine will be VERY modest due mainly to budget constraints (aka The Wife:rolleyes:) This will be a complete DIY project by yours truly. Minimal knowledge of what I am doing may slow me down at times but that wont keep me from powering forward. Now let me start by saying that there will be NO.....GG,DD,hat channel,or any other type of sound isolation as that simply isnt important to me. I wouldnt know the difference between good or great sound if it came with a label. Plus the basement is open to the upstairs with no door. I say all this so that I am not questioned and/or ridiculed for not using any of the above mentioned products. Basically this is a generic attempt at a theater/bar to entertain and have fun. Our main use will be TV, Video games and then movies.

Now I stumbled upon AVS while searching for "bar plans" on the internet. As my original intentions were to just add a bar in the back corner of our half finsihed basement. I was searching for plans and landed on HeyNows thread first and simply fell in love with the bar, so I thought ok I am set here is an idea of what to do but upon further searches and LOTS of sleepless nights I found MANY other beautiful spaces on here and I was hooked. The rest is history as my intentions of building a bar and hanging a big ol' plasma on the wall are now trashed (like my wallet) and were on to projectors and theater seating....where will it ever end??:confused:

I need to thank all of you that have contributed ideas and responded to my numerous (and annoying) PMs. And to all those that have inspired me like HeyNow,LSWHO,HawkeyeJosh,Netko350Z,Satelliteguy and MANY others that I could just keep on naming I am sure. Without you guys and your spectacular builds and ideas I would be lost (even more so than I am now):D

Ok to the room. I have already begun on the room, I started in late December working here and there on it and would say I am 1/3 of the way done.....maybe!! I forgot to take pics of the room setup prior to gutting all the memorabilia and furnishings out of it so go easy on me for that and I dont have fancy CAD drawings or computer mock ups either. I am the guy that gets an idea in his head and tries to apply that idea to the project not to paper. The room is an open basement (half) that is 25'8" across and 16'2" wide on the bar side and 17'5" on the theater side. It has an annoying support beam that was already drywalled in the middle to break up the two sides. I have wonderful :( drop ceilings with a height of 7'2" that I will have to live with. I have purchased some of my components recently and the others will be soon to follow.

AV receiver-Denon 988
Front Speakers-Energy C-300s
Sides & Rears-Energy C-100s
Center-Energy XL-C1 (for now)
Xbox 360
Directv HD receiver

Projector-Panny PT-AX200U (to be added soon)
Sub-PA-120 (to be added soon)
Blu-Ray-?? (to be added soon)
Screen-Fixed frame (to be added soon)120" maybe bigger:D

That is all I can think of for now but I am sure theres more I will add when I remember. Pictures will be added soon and updates as often as I can remember to take pics and upload them from the camera. That takes me to another thing I suck at....PICTURE TAKING :o I can guarantee that there will be pics but no guarantee of the quality of the said pics. Please enjoy, say hello, critique but be gentle as I am a rookie at most of this. My only construction history is a mammoth deck I built just this last summer around our above ground pool. That was fun since its round but its nothing like building a bar/theater. Anyway I will add new pics of the progress already made periodically until I catch up to real time then it will be as progress is made. Thanks for looking!

The room after moving things out and priot to some minor destruction. The future site of the Copper Top Bar

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover002.jpg
You can see in this pic the electric fireplace that was poorly installed (and since removed)
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover001.jpg
Looking toward future bar area
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover004.jpg
Future screen wall and a beauty of a couch (Free for the taking for anyone interested)
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover005.jpg
ANother of the electric fireplace
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover006.jpg
Looking from the bar area at the soon to be vanished fireplace
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover008.jpg
A look at the screen wall from the bar area and you can see the stairs coming down here as well
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover009.jpg

Say, that is a sweet couch :D I'll go ahead and be that guy that asks if you've got a rough drawing of the layout.

Looks like a great space... looking forward to seeing it come together.

Say, that is a sweet couch :D I'll go ahead and be that guy that asks if you've got a rough drawing of the layout.

Looks like a great space... looking forward to seeing it come together.

HAHA I knew I would get some humor from you as I have dished you my fair share as well. That couch is even better than you know....it has dual recliners!! And Free is hard to beat....can i consider this the first offer on the couch? And as for drawings....DONT BE THAT GUY!!:p

Nice another Irish fan.

Will be following this thread. Starting my HT in 3 months.

You have yet to see Irish fan....wait until I get all the N.D. memorabilia that is my addiction back up on the walls....then you will tell me I need help. Thanks for stopping and there is much more to come.

You have yet to see Irish fan....wait until I get all the N.D. memorabilia that is my addiction back up on the walls....then you will tell me I need help. Thanks for stopping and there is much more to come.

Steve - About damn time you started a thread .... :D JK
Glad to see what the space looks like from all the stuff we've talked about, now I can visualize it much better.

Do the Irish have a football team? :)

It's about time you started your own thread so we can poke a stick at you.

Does this mean Dennis can have his thread back now? Just kidding, I've been learning a lot from you guys.

Steve - About damn time you started a thread .... :D JK
Glad to see what the space looks like from all the stuff we've talked about, now I can visualize it much better.

I am glad I can help you visualize what I am verbalizing. :D And I know it was about time I have been too busy lurking(slacking) to start one.

Do the Irish have a football team? :)

It's about time you started your own thread so we can poke a stick at you.

Actually they used to have a team and once they get rid of the man at the helm they will have one again.....and please make sure that stick isnt too sharp

Does this mean Dennis can have his thread back now? Just kidding, I've been learning a lot from you guys.

No your right Dennis' thread is Dennis' thread I need to stay away :p Thanks for looking. If I were you I dont know if I would have time to be on here seeing how you have one of the coolest spaces developing in your own basement. I mean that screen wall is insane. ;)

Ok a few more pics..

The other corner where the fuseball table resides, may put something else there after the works done.
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover010.jpg
Now is where the lapse in pics came. I didnt take any of the fireplace removal or the wall demolition. I for some reason waited until that was done
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover013.jpg

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover012.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover011.jpg
That insulation is what was left laying around after destruction and isnt the what I used. I dont ahve any pics of the final insulation before i sealed the wall. Damn I am a slacker. Lastly looking back toward the bar area
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover014.jpg

No your right Dennis' thread is Dennis' thread I need to stay away :p

It's really no big deal Steve, were just messin with ya.

Whats the plans for the bar decor, All your ND stuff?

It's really no big deal Steve, were just messin with ya.

Whats the plans for the bar decor, All your ND stuff?

Oh I know I enjoy a little harassment. I mean I am the first to dish it out so I had better be able to take it. ;)

Decor?? What the heck is decor?? LOL I am thinking Copper!!!! Honestly I am unsure yet. I have boxes and boxes of ND stuff that covered every wall inthis room prior to this and now they wont all fit so I will probably save what I want up and sell the rest.

Do the Irish have a football team? :)


Yes they do. It's the only team Syracuse can beat anymore

Yes they do. It's the only team Syracuse can beat anymore

Ouch man OUCH!!:o That one hit hard at home.......Time to rename the thread. But hey look its the guy from MTV Cribs........man I want your backyard

Yes they do. It's the only team Syracuse can beat anymore

Nice poke Dinger.. :)

Nice poke Dinger.. :)

Yea thats great encourage the onslaught will ya :rolleyes: Speakin of poke WHERES OUR CLOSUPS OF YOUR END CAP????? Now take that will ya:p

Nice poke Dinger.. :)

It was kinda a dig on how bad my Syracuse football program has fallen

It was kinda a dig on how bad my Syracuse football program has fallen

They are on the rebound and are getting better, they surely looked better than ND did. The problem with Cuse football is that they dont have Marvin Harrison or Donovan McNabb there anymore

Looks like your room would be better suited for this sign
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg111/mding23/DSC01231.jpg

That couch is even better than you know....it has dual recliners!! And Free is hard to beat....can i consider this the first offer on the couch? And as for drawings....DONT BE THAT GUY!!:p

Dual recliners?!? Awesome. I am still shopping for seats, and free seems like a bargain. What's the catch? There's gotta be a catch. How much is shipping?

Looks like your room would be better suited for this sign
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg111/mding23/DSC01231.jpg

Dinger that says it much better than the real sign does. I am glad though that being a Cuse fan you still have a "hidden" peice of Irish garb.

Dual recliners?!? Awesome. I am still shopping for seats, and free seems like a bargain. What's the catch? There's gotta be a catch. How much is shipping?

Yea baby I said DUAL recliners!! Thats one for you and one for the Mrs. and a middle seat for the new baby once he/she arrives here. As for catch....No catch. I just want it out of here, maybe I will do a give away. I can pick a certain post # in my thread and whoever's post that happens to be wins this beauty. What do you think? And shipping well thats going to be hefty unless you live close then its yours to pick up. Maybe you can have the bikini guys help your carry and load it :p

Oh I know I enjoy a little harassment. I mean I am the first to dish it out so I had better be able to take it. ;)



Ok.... "FOOSBALL"!

Fuseball sounds like something else entirely.

:p

Maybe you can have the bikini guys help your carry and load it :p

I believe they prefer to be called "Speedo Dudes" :p I'll check with the Mrs on the couch, though if it's not free shipping I imagine she'll tell me if I want a couch like that I can go use one of the two that are in our basement.

Ok.... "FOOSBALL"!

Fuseball sounds like something else entirely.

:p

was there a spelling test? :p I'm from Northern Indiana (almost Michigan line) that should give me a freebie on spelling errors....:D

FOOSBALL-Table football, also known as foosball, fooseball, fusball, fuseball, table soccer, taca-taca, gits, footine, baby foot, is a table-top sport that is based on association football (soccer). Table football is normally called foosball in the United States and Canada, with the name coming from Fußball, the German word for soccer

Better?? :D

I believe they prefer to be called "Speedo Dudes" :p I'll check with the Mrs on the couch, though if it's not free shipping I imagine she'll tell me if I want a couch like that I can go use one of the two that are in our basement.

No I think she will want it......the women LOVE it. Tell her I will throw in a matching blanket too

...I can pick a certain post # in my thread and whoever's post that happens to be wins this beauty. What do you think?

Can I delete my posts then? I certainly don't want to win that hideous piece of furniture! :eek:

You might think about keeping that couch... the next time the Irish win a national championship, you can toss it into the street and light it on fire. Ya know, like the kids do whenever anybody wins anything these days.... there's always a burning couch. Why that is, I do not know.

Though the cost to store it until then might be a budget buster. :D

Can I delete my posts then? I certainly don't want to win that hideous piece of furniture! :eek:

What? :confused: This is a collectors item..a rare one of a kind find. No deleting of the posts...besides its way too early on to be giving it away.

You might think about keeping that couch... the next time the Irish win a national championship, you can toss it into the street and light it on fire. Ya know, like the kids do whenever anybody wins anything these days.... there's always a burning couch. Why that is, I do not know.

Though the cost to store it until then might be a budget buster. :D


That my friend is DAMN funny. And oh so true. But if I am waiting unitil they win a title it may be stored for a long,long time. I am going to stick with the give away and I have decided the magical post # that will win it too.

But if I am waiting unitil they win a title it may be stored for a long,long time.

Why do you think I have two in my basement? Bo... don't let the Husker nation down, or we'll be up to our eyeballs in ugly couches!

Why do you think I have two in my basement? Bo... don't let the Husker nation down, or we'll be up to our eyeballs in ugly couches!

Yea the Huskers are struggling as bad as the Irish in recent years.

Where is the fridge!

Hey - don't listen to these nay-sayers Iusteve! I might be interested in taking that couch.

Let me just double check to make sure that it matches the pattern on my old 70's leisure suit! I just know that sucker is bound to come back in style sooner or later ...

Groovy, baby! :p

Struggling football teams? Please... try being a Miami Hurricane...

Struggling football teams? Please... try being a Miami Hurricane...
At least the canes have produced some good players recently. You can have Dan Morgan back, but we like Jon Beason! :D

Where is the fridge!

Oh here we go......the comedians are awake and aware of my thread :D I havent decided on a fridge yet :p

Hey - don't listen to these nay-sayers Iusteve! I might be interested in taking that couch.

Let me just double check to make sure that it matches the pattern on my old 70's leisure suit! I just know that sucker is bound to come back in style sooner or later ...

Groovy, baby! :p

Haha I think this actually originally came with a matching leisure suit....the best part of this beauty is that the fabric actually feels like wool.....nice and warm in the winter (dont mind the itchy, scratchy part):rolleyes: If interested please make me an offer.:D

Good to see you got a thread going Iusteve, if it wasn't for this darn * I would have been able to take that sweet double recliner off your hands. Darn sweepstakes rules :p

*Give away of ugly coaches to winners randomly picked out of somebody's build thread are not valid nor permitted in Massachusetts

Good to see you got a thread going Iusteve, if it wasn't for this darn * I would have been able to take that sweet double recliner off your hands. Darn sweepstakes rules :p

*Give away of ugly coaches to winners randomly picked out of somebody's build thread are not valid nor permitted in Massachusetts

That is truly funny but you didnt read the ** also known as the fine,fine print did you? It appears by this clause you are still in the running for the Grand Prize :D;)


** Any giveaway of ugly furniture to random winners in states not permitiing giveaways may still receive their winnings via a loophole known as the "IUSTEVE" clause. The said clause allows winners from Massachusetts, Maine and other non-conforming states to receive their items at the nearest state line.

Doh!!

Ok on to some actual construction. Here is the new half wall or breakfast bar(not sure what to call it)framed out
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover015.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover016.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover017.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover018.jpg
As you can see the large opening in the lower left is where I am incorporating my AV rack. A different place but with this setup I will have access from both sides and the 2 feet it takes up under the half wall bar is dead space for screen viewing as that damn support beam
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover020.jpg

This is where I need some help from the AVS community. I am not at this point yet but I need some ideas or links of companies that I can get low watt led lighting for my AV rack. I would like blue and probably 12 inch strips. I hope to find something that I can get 3 or 4 strips and wire them together and then to a transformer of some kind that will just plug into a standard outlet. Anyone with any ideas??

No treated wood for the bottom pieces ? What city are you located in again ? I need to get that inspector out there and check your work out... LOL hopefully you have no water or mositure concerns

This is where I need some help from the AVS community. I am not at this point yet but I need some ideas or links of companies that I can get low watt led lighting for my AV rack. I would like blue and probably 12 inch strips. I hope to find something that I can get 3 or 4 strips and wire them together and then to a transformer of some kind that will just plug into a standard outlet. Anyone with any ideas??

Check Costco they have 12" LED lights there, there was also a thread on them somewhere on here, maybe someone has the link ?

No treated wood for the bottom pieces ? What city are you located in again ? I need to get that inspector out there and check your work out... LOL hopefully you have no water or mositure concerns

Shhhh!! I may have forgot a small detail and didnt realize until it was way too late. We have been in this house for 3 1/2 years and no moisture whatsoever. The sill plates on the existing framing was dry and mold/moisture free when I opened the wall and the carpet has always been dry and clean. Crossing fingers though as I truly forgot until after the drywall was up and mudded and I wasnt turning back at that point........keep your fingers crossed for me :o

Check Costco they have 12" LED lights there, there was also a thread on them somewhere on here, maybe someone has the link ?

Checked their website and nothing but that doesnt mean they dont have them. And the only Costco near me is 1 1/2 hours away...not worth that trip

Checked their website and nothing but that doesnt mean they dont have them. And the only Costco near me is 1 1/2 hours away...not worth that trip

You can also order them at costco online :D

They are CYRON MEDIA HIGHLIGHTER #202476 $49.99 for 6 at costco. See them on the CYRON website also.

You can also order them at costco online :D

^^ This guy is like my wife...NEVER listens to me :rolleyes: I couldnt find them at Costco.com .....Lol I tell ya

Have you ever in your build got to a point where you had 1000 things to do but didnt know where to start and couldnt find the motivation to determine a starting point??

Have you ever in your build got to a point where you had 1000 things to do but didnt know where to start and couldnt find the motivation to determine a starting point??

That's when you grab a beer and think about it for a bit

Have you ever in your build got to a point where you had 1000 things to do but didnt know where to start and couldnt find the motivation to determine a starting point??

Of course...you should see my to do list...LOL I have multiple pads of paper for to do lists....I can't tell you the amount of hours I stood staring at things, talking to myself, going over what I needed to do and spend all my time doing that and never getting anything done. Then somedays I'll do 2 weeks worth in a day. Don't get down buddy, there's always tomorrow....

^^ This guy is like my wife...NEVER listens to me :rolleyes: I couldnt find them at Costco.com .....Lol I tell ya

Opps I forgot to finish, I addded the item # and name ... so there.

Opps I forgot to finish, I addded the item # and name ... so there.

There we go.....lets start acting like we've been here :p Still couldnt find the damn things on Costco.com Did look at the Croyon site and there isnt any sort of pricing I could find. Whats the price for these things at Costco Mr. Dennis???

Of course...you should see my to do list...LOL I have multiple pads of paper for to do lists....I can't tell you the amount of hours I stood staring at things, talking to myself, going over what I needed to do and spend all my time doing that and never getting anything done. Then somedays I'll do 2 weeks worth in a day. Don't get down buddy, there's always tomorrow....

I am too afraid to even create a to do list. I figure if I can think of 10 things off the top of my head then I dont need a list. The problem with this method is that I often do things in weird and out of synce order therefore I make things harder down the road. Besides if I made a list it would take me a week just to think and remember all the things I have to do :eek:

There we go.....lets start acting like we've been here :p Still couldnt find the damn things on Costco.com Did look at the Croyon site and there isnt any sort of pricing I could find. Whats the price for these things at Costco Mr. Dennis???


Now were even Steve, your acting like my wife...the price was next to the item # and name....crack head :D

Now were even Steve, your acting like my wife...the price was next to the item # and name....crack head :D

LMAO HAHAHAHAH I never saw it......Man your right we are even. I can only imagine what I would be like if I did do crack?!?!?! Why cant I find em on the Cosco website though?

Somebody give that boy a link....

Somebody give that boy a link....

AMEN MY BROTHER!!! Finally somebody understands me :D

More progress-Half wall bar from front(theater side of the room)
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover019.jpg
Now on to the bar.....As you can tell I tend to forget to take pics but thats because I am working.....lol I went with 2x6 framing over 2x4 for the "strurdiness factor" And it helped
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover024.jpg
The top layer(MDF) is just laying there for visual purposes. The first layer is 3/4" sanded ply with 3/4" MDF on top
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover025.jpg
Once I framed out the footrest/step it really added strength to the structure. I then cut come 2x4 scrap to attatch to it then to the concrete....This baby aint goin nowhere
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover026.jpg
Behind the main bar
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover029.jpg
Behind the bar looking toward the half wall bar
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover030.jpg

Steve, looking good brother.... Question, Where is your electical coming from to go behind the bar ? Don't see anything coming through the wall or through your studs of the bar? just curious.

Steve, looking good brother.... Question, Where is your electical coming from to go behind the bar ? Don't see anything coming through the wall or through your studs of the bar? just curious.

Not in this pic but in pics to come. I actually took a pre existing outlet that was in the wall almost where the bar is and ran it through the bar framing to 2 spots behind the bar. That wall the bar is on actually sits about 16" away from the foundation wall so I got to crawl behind there in all the insulation and cobwebs and un wire and fish the wire through there. FUN FUN

EDIT:

Actually 2nd pic from the bottom you can see the one outlet sideways near the bar top. I then piggy backed off that one for one down lower for the fridge

Not in this pic but in pics to come. I actually took a pre existing outlet that was in the wall almost where the bar is and ran it through the bar framing to 2 spots behind the bar. That wall the bar is on actually sits about 16" away from the foundation wall so I got to crawl behind there in all the insulation and cobwebs and un wire and fish the wire through there. FUN FUN

EDIT:

Actually 2nd pic from the bottom you can see the one outlet sideways near the bar top. I then piggy backed off that one for one down lower for the fridge

I saw the box but couldn't figure out where the wire was coming from. You must have it high to the top of the bar and through the wall.

The bar foot rest will be covered in wood or copper ?

I saw the box but couldn't figure out where the wire was coming from. You must have it high to the top of the bar and through the wall.

Yea its only a few inches away from the plywood base. It may be the abgle of the photo as I think I held the camera up a little high. Its there trust me. The 2nd outlet isnt there yet so your not missing anything.

The bar foot rest will be covered in wood or copper ?

The footrest as is the entire bar will be covered in oak from head to toe. I was going to go copper bar similar to a brass rail but I didnt want the headache of attatching that into the concrete.

Yea its only a few inches away from the plywood base. It may be the abgle of the photo as I think I held the camera up a little high. Its there trust me. The 2nd outlet isnt there yet so your not missing anything.



The footrest as is the entire bar will be covered in oak from head to toe. I was going to go copper bar similar to a brass rail but I didnt want the headache of attatching that into the concrete.


I'm going the copper bar route :) .. I never make it easy for myself. The oak will be very nice too. I was going to do that also but I found some holders for the bar that attached to the front of the bar and only rest on the floor so you don't have to worry about securing the bottoms in concrete or in tile as in my case.

I'm going the copper bar route :) .. I never make it easy for myself. The oak will be very nice too. I was going to do that also but I found some holders for the bar that attached to the front of the bar and only rest on the floor so you don't have to worry about securing the bottoms in concrete or in tile as in my case.

Go ahead rub it in after all you are Mr.Copper !!! I am going to give you a run for your $$ (or in this case title)though. If I could just find some copper carpet :rolleyes:

Steve,

Please send my 19.2 driver back after you are finished. Sheeesshhhh.

Steve,

Please send my 19.2 driver back after you are finished. Sheeesshhhh.

Are you referring to my Craftsman driver? Man that took me a while to figure out what you meant(had a few Valentines Day cold ones :D)If so I will ship it back when I am done with it if you dont mind:p

uh huh..

Go ahead rub it in after all you are Mr.Copper !!! I am going to give you a run for your $$ (or in this case title)though. If I could just find some copper carpet :rolleyes:


Ok I couldn't find Copper Carpet, but how about a Copper Rug?

http://interstore.com/product/155-18457/165637/Kane_Carpet_Cloud_Nine_Shag_5_x_8_Posh_Copper.html?ref=base

Ok I couldn't find Copper Carpet, but how about a Copper Rug?

http://interstore.com/product/155-18457/165637/Kane_Carpet_Cloud_Nine_Shag_5_x_8_Posh_Copper.html?ref=base

Now that is a must have.......:p

Well I found out late last night about the deal of a lifetime on a set of Berklines!!! The seats much talked about all over AVS the brown microfiber/microsuede berks that were at Costco for $799 went on sale yesterday for $499 ($300 instant mfg rebate) and I jumped at the idea, borrowed a pickup from a family friend as these boxes were 36" square all the way around and no way they were fitting in my Explorer. Then loaded up the Mrs. and headed off to my "local" Costco......(91 miles one way)...I know that aint local is it???? Anyway after we get there it took me 10 minutes to find an employee that wasnt busy who would assist me. He had to call on his radio 12 people to find one that knew where they kept these. After 30 minutes we had a set on our cart and headed toward checkout.......then in the long line I realized that you need to be a member to purchase here (never been to a Costco in my life) so after a talk w/the manager I was notified I needed to purchase a membership (for a store that I live an hour and a half from)for $50. It was a hard pill to swallow but I drove 91 miles to get here I aint goin home empty handed. SO I coughed up the extra $50 and for a total of $605 I was out the door with a set of BERKLINES BABY!!!!!! I never thought I would be able to afford Berk's on my VERY modest budget but getting these for $499 + tax and of course the membership was a no brainer!!!

Got home took them out of the boxes to make sure they were all in good shape I did what any person in the middle of a theater build SHOULD do...I covered them back up and let them be. If I put them in or near the theater I would NEVER get anything else done. All in all in was a GREAT find and I am super happy now. I did want black seats as I plan on painting the bottom half of the theater room wall black with a chair rail and the top half a dark shade of tan/brown. But my carpet is a shade of beige/tan so I wonder how these will look in there? It doesnt matter as now I will have to paint to match the seats not match the seats to the paint as I already have them. I didnt take any pics but I will get a link on here to someone else's pic to show what they look like.
Any input on the seats and my thoughts on color scheme I would appreciate

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1115581&page=3

Theres the thread these have been discussed in with some pics as well

Nice thread! Ohhhh the pain, I didn't get a mention in your first post:

"I need to thank all of you that have contributed ideas and responded to my numerous (and annoying) PMs. And to all those that have inspired me like HeyNow,LSWHO,HawkeyeJosh,Netko350Z,Satelliteguy and MANY others that I could just keep on naming I am sure. Without you guys and your spectacular builds and ideas I would be lost (even more so than I am now)"

The curtains, the crown, the Berkline thread......it hurts man, it hurts!

J/K good luck with the HT

Nice thread! Ohhhh the pain, I didn't get a mention in your first post:

"I need to thank all of you that have contributed ideas and responded to my numerous (and annoying) PMs. And to all those that have inspired me like HeyNow,LSWHO,HawkeyeJosh,Netko350Z,Satelliteguy and MANY others that I could just keep on naming I am sure. Without you guys and your spectacular builds and ideas I would be lost (even more so than I am now)"

The curtains, the crown, the Berkline thread......it hurts man, it hurts!

J/K good luck with the HT

Lol I couldnt remember EVERYONE at that precise moment.......But you have helped me as much as anyone......so without further ado........**

**I would also like to thank some of the others that have helped me along the way such as DocPrego, defrederickjr ,Batpig and MANY others I have again forgot to mention :D To all of those I have forgotten I sincerely apologize but just know that you too were there to assist me along the way

Lol I couldnt remember EVERYONE at that precise moment.......But you have helped me as much as anyone......so without further ado........**

**I would also like to thank some of the others that have helped me along the way such as DocPrego, defrederickjr ,Batpig and MANY others I have again forgot to mention :D To all of those I have forgotten I sincerely apologize but just know that you too were there to assist me along the way

Hahahaha, thanks for the mention! You HT looks like it is coming along nicely. Still going with the curtain idea?

Hahahaha, thanks for the mention! You HT looks like it is coming along nicely. Still going with the curtain idea?


Absolutely I have them in the closet in the bag still from BBB. I havent taken even one out of the bag yet as I dont want the dog to get hair on them.

Absolutely I have them in the closet in the bag still from BBB. I havent taken even one out of the bag yet as I dont want the dog to get hair on them.

Excellent! Looking forward to seeing your progress. Are you considering the crown idea too?

Excellent! Looking forward to seeing your progress. Are you considering the crown idea too?

Possibly but not sure. I have drop ceilings in there since its a basement so I dont know how it will look. I am however doing some sort of chair rail thats why I was asking you about that company and if they had chair rail

Nice pick up on the Berks Steve. I went to Costco on Sunday but they did not have the lights. I didn't see the berks there either otherwise I may have picked some more up :)

Nice pick up on the Berks Steve. I went to Costco on Sunday but they did not have the lights. I didn't see the berks there either otherwise I may have picked some more up :)

I am pretty happy. I wanted black originally but hey for $500 I cant complain. I also wanted 2 sets but I couldnt justify the extra cost right now. I looked briefly for the lights but wasnt sure where they were so no luck there either.

The brown chairs may or may not affect my original colo plans for the walls though. I wanted black on the lower half but not sure how that will look with these seats.........

Time for more updates . . . Here is the bar top with the 3/4" MDF glued and screwed in place from the bottom of course
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover027.jpg
This is the turn the top takes back toward the wall. Also a sample peice of the rail I will be using
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover028.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover034.jpg

Then we move on to the half wall bar and here I usedtwo peices of 3/4" MDF sandwiched together with glue and screwed together again from the bottom.
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover031.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover032.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover033.jpg

Also got some drywall hung on the new wall and around the half wall bar

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover047.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover048.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover052.jpg
And now the half wall bar
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover054.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover046.jpg
In this photo down on the inside counter under the half bar you can see a last minute solution to an issue I had. I had to build that box so I had a place to run all my wiring (which I didnt take pics of for whatever reason). Since I built the AV rack out of 2x4's that I placed sideways drilling holes in them to run wires through wasnt an option so I had to build this little box for cable management. Looks a little weird but it will work.
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover050.jpg

Not too exciting of pictures but with some drywall hung it really starts to give you an idea of what things are going to look like.

Steve, In your rack are you going to have drywall on the back side? The bottom picture which has the rack drywalled doesn't have drywall on the backside but the picture above it does so didn't know if you are cutting out the backside or not. if your not, do you think you'll have any cooling issues or heat buildup or are you installing some fans?

Steve, In your rack are you going to have drywall on the back side? The bottom picture which has the rack drywalled doesn't have drywall on the backside but the picture above it does so didn't know if you are cutting out the backside or not. if your not, do you think you'll have any cooling issues or heat buildup or are you installing some fans?

Actually the "backside" is the side that is where you sit at the half wall bar...between the 2 bars. It is cut out on both sides and is drywalled. I plan on leaving the front (theater side) open and the back side I am going to get a custom built oak door frame (custom due to its rather odd size) that I plan on putting a smoked plexiglas panle or 2 in depending on the style I go with. I dont think there will be any heat issues but if there are I can always leave the door on the back open during movie time and or add a cooling fan later on. I wont have that much equipment like alot of others I have seen on here so it shouldnt get too hot

EDIT:
Just realized what you meant. The 2nd to last pic is actually just drywall leaned up against the front of the half wall as that is where I put it when I hauled it all to the basement, so that is what you are seeing

Actually the "backside" is the side that is where you sit at the half wall bar...between the 2 bars. It is cut out on both sides and is drywalled. I plan on leaving the front (theater side) open and the back side I am going to get a custom built oak door frame (custom due to its rather odd size) that I plan on putting a smoked plexiglas panle or 2 in depending on the style I go with. I dont think there will be any heat issues but if there are I can always leave the door on the back open during movie time and or add a cooling fan later on. I wont have that much equipment like alot of others I have seen on here so it shouldnt get too hot

EDIT:
Just realized what you meant. The 2nd to last pic is actually just drywall leaned up against the front of the half wall as that is where I put it when I hauled it all to the basement, so that is what you are seeing


Oh okay, I gottcha now.

Need a little help if anyone is here and or awake(well atleast here) I was staining my cabinets for behind the bar and I flicked a little (oil based)stain on the drywall that has been primered. So I went to lay my brush down to wipe the few drops up and the brush went flying and splattered the wall with stain........what do I do? Can I just put another coat of drywall primer on and all will be fine or am I going to have problems since the primer is latex and the stain is oil based? Anyone ever done this (I highly doubt anyone is this dumb) or had any experience with something similar? Please help a noob

Need a little help if anyone is here and or awake(well atleast here) I was staining my cabinets for behind the bar and I flicked a little (oil based)stain on the drywall that has been primered. So I went to lay my brush down to wipe the few drops up and the brush went flying and splattered the wall with stain........what do I do? Can I just put another coat of drywall primer on and all will be fine or am I going to have problems since the primer is latex and the stain is oil based? Anyone ever done this (I highly doubt anyone is this dumb) or had any experience with something similar? Please help a noob

Do you have any KILLZ? I would try that on the spots, if not just re prime it, you may need 2 coats depending on how bad it is. Will your paint in that area be a light color or a darker color?

might want to sand the area a bit too (after it dries) before repriming (killz).

You're not the first and certainly wont be the last for such things... As far as what to do the guys above got you pretty well covered.

Thanks guys. I dont have any Killz but can get some if all else fails. I will try a light sanding and then another coat of the drywall primer I used and see what happens.

On another note heres the new seats....well atleast them in their boxes and then in their plastic until the theater is ready for them......I have them in the living room upstairs to fight off temptation but also so that I can see them and maybe they will add a little motivation to get things moving on those "sluggish" days

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover002-3.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover001-3.jpg

Maybe you can all help me out with another issue. I had to stain 4 cabinet doors and 3 of the 4 look about the same but the 4th looks alot darker. Can i do anything to fix this or am I stuck? I left the stain on all the panels the same amount of time and then used a rag to wipe the excess off but this one door (actually just the center panel) is darker than the others.

Maybe you can all help me out with another issue. I had to stain 4 cabinet doors and 3 of the 4 look about the same but the 4th looks alot darker. Can i do anything to fix this or am I stuck? I left the stain on all the panels the same amount of time and then used a rag to wipe the excess off but this one door (actually just the center panel) is darker than the others.

First can you live with it or is it way to noticable? Second, Is the darker one too dark for you? It will be easier to make them all darker than bring the darker one back to being lighter unless you sand it back down to bare wood and use a conditioner on it. You didn't mention if you used conditioner on all of these or not. You can also strip it down and shoot it with a spray gun to achive a lighter coat but now your getting way deep into it.
Any pics of it?
Also did you sand all of the cabinets with the same steps and with the same grain of sandpaper each time? You can achive a darker color by only going up to 150 coarsness whereas by going to 420 (80, 100, 150, 220, 320, 420) you will achieve a lighter stain. This is in reference to the first coat only.

First can you live with it or is it way to noticable? Second, Is the darker one too dark for you? It will be easier to make them all darker than bring the darker one back to being lighter unless you sand it back down to bare wood and use a conditioner on it. You didn't mention if you used conditioner on all of these or not. You can also strip it down and shoot it with a spray gun to achive a lighter coat but now your getting way deep into it.
Any pics of it?
Also did you sand all of the cabinets with the same steps and with the same grain of sandpaper each time? You can achive a darker color by only going up to 150 coarsness whereas by going to 420 (80, 100, 150, 220, 320, 420) you will achieve a lighter stain. This is in reference to the first coat only.

Well I will have to live with it since I dont want to strip it down and all that jazz. It is a little darker than I wanted. Maybe I will 2nd coat the others and just go with the darker color. I sanded 80-100-150-220-320 and used conditioner on all of them. This one has a grey tint to it. I also made sure I stirred the stain before I started each door. Oh well it is for behind the bar which is not well lit nor a very wide open space so to look down and notice shouldnt be a problem.

Not the best pic due to lighting and the flash but hopefully you can see the difference
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover015-2.jpg

Iusteve,

Damn you have been busy - nice work! Seems that "1/2-wall-bar" is going nowhere soon, 2 layers of MDF !!

I am about to post those additional EQ. closet room photos for you on my thread - thanks for the patience!

I've had similar experience when doing some staining. Even though you stir when getting to the bottom of a stain you tend to get a darker pigment sometimes. I would just try to make the other doors a little darker.

Iusteve,

Damn you have been busy - nice work! Seems that "1/2-wall-bar" is going nowhere soon, 2 layers of MDF !!

I am about to post those additional EQ. closet room photos for you on my thread - thanks for the patience!

Haha I wish Oman.....actually if you read my first post of this thread I had done alot of work ahead of starting this thread so I am just catching up the pics day by day.....the cabinet stain issue is current but I have more photos to catch up sometime soon..thanks for stopping bye

I've had similar experience when doing some staining. Even though you stir when getting to the bottom of a stain you tend to get a darker pigment sometimes. I would just try to make the other doors a little darker.

Actually I am only abut 20% into the can so it confuses me a little. I could understand if I were at the bottom. I may just have to go with the darker color against my will :rolleyes: Thanks for the input, any help is greatly appreciated.

Not the best pic due to lighting and the flash but hopefully you can see the difference
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover015-2.jpg

IMO, I would just 2nd coat the others, it doesn't look that much darker however I am going based on this picture with flash. Looks good. Did you get the unfinished cabinets at the big box stores ? Looks good eitherway.

Yea Menards had the unfinished oak on sale and I grabbed them. I am on a tight budget so I couldnt afford to splurge on anything over the top. Should I just wait until they are good and dry and slap a 2nd coat on them? And should I recoat them all or just the lighter 3? And what about sanding in between coats? The can say s dont sand between but others have said too.

Yea Menards had the unfinished oak on sale and I grabbed them. I am on a tight budget so I couldnt afford to splurge on anything over the top. Should I just wait until they are good and dry and slap a 2nd coat on them? And should I recoat them all or just the lighter 3? And what about sanding in between coats? The can say s dont sand between but others have said too.

I do not sand them between coats of stain only between coats of poly. But if you do I would only suggest using a 000 steel wool and do it lightly. I would only do the lighter 3 to see if you can match it up to the darker one then go from there. If your using a rag I would only wait 30 min to an hour. if your using a brush which tends to soak the wood, I would wait a lot longer especially if your going to sand the stain.

I used a foam brush then wiped the excess with a rag. I wont sand between coats. I am going to wai until they are totally dry and take them upstairs to some "normal" light and compare them and go from there. Regarding the poly. Did you use an actual polyurethane or something else? ANd what did you sand with between coats and how many coats?

Yea Menards had the unfinished oak on sale and I grabbed them. I am on a tight budget so I couldnt afford to splurge on anything over the top. Should I just wait until they are good and dry and slap a 2nd coat on them? And should I recoat them all or just the lighter 3? And what about sanding in between coats? The can say s dont sand between but others have said too.

Iusteve,

I see you bought your cabinets at Menards. I am also shopping and think I am considering the same ones. Are these the unfinished Oak cabinets that they keep in stock?

For comparison I noticed they had a 30" base cabinet for ~ $90.00, everyone else wanted $100 ~ $120.00. To me the construction quality seems very similair (oak fronts, and particle board sides/back). Are you happy with the overall sturdiness and construction quality?

Iusteve,

Don't mean to interrupt; but my 2 cents worth

I just finished staining and top-coating my doors. Once I was happy with the staining results. For a topcoat: I went with 2 coats of oil-based-satin polyurethane, and sanded between with "00" fine steel wool.

I used a foam brush then wiped the excess with a rag. I wont sand between coats. I am going to wai until they are totally dry and take them upstairs to some "normal" light and compare them and go from there. Regarding the poly. Did you use an actual polyurethane or something else? ANd what did you sand with between coats and how many coats?

I use either the oil or water based polys. I use the water based which dries faster and no odor on stuff like cabinet doors that wouldn't get too much abuse. I wouldn't use water based on let's say a wood floor with dogs (nail scratches). I also use 000 steel wool between coats of poly. I normally do at least 2 coats on oil and minimum 3 coats with the water based poly or more because it dries faster. Anything after 3 coats really depends on how shiny you want it.

Iusteve,

I see you bought your cabinets at Menards. I am also shopping and think I am considering the same ones. Are these the unfinished Oak cabinets that they keep in stock?

For comparison I noticed they had a 30" base cabinet for ~ $90.00, everyone else wanted $100 ~ $120.00. To me the construction quality seems very similair (oak fronts, and particle board sides/back). Are you happy with the overall sturdiness and construction quality?

Yep those are the ones. I also bought them due to the price and the same basic ones at lowes for $25-$40 more per cabinet for the same ones. They are very well built IMO. Now they arent solid oak all the way around or the quality of Maple or the higher end cabinets but that said for the price they are great. I got them because it is a basement and it is a bar. I would use them for the main kitchen or anything.
Iusteve,

Don't mean to interrupt; but my 2 cents worth

I just finished staining and top-coating my doors. Once I was happy with the staining results. For a topcoat: I went with 2 coats of oil-based-satin polyurethane, and sanded between with "00" fine steel wool.

Thanks for the heads up. I was trying to decide if I should use a satin or whatever the next level of gloss is up? Whats your opinion on the satin? How glossy is it? And how hard do you sand in between coats? I assume that after the first coat dries you sand then recoat then your done?

I use either the oil or water based polys. I use the water based which dries faster and no odor on stuff like cabinet doors that wouldn't get too much abuse. I wouldn't use water based on let's say a wood floor with dogs (nail scratches). I also use 000 steel wool between coats of poly. I normally do at least 2 coats on oil and minimum 3 coats with the water based poly or more because it dries faster. Anything after 3 coats really depends on how shiny you want it.

Can I do water based over an oil based stain? I thought I had to use oil based over oil etc.

Can I do water based over an oil based stain? I thought I had to use oil based over oil etc.

Most go over both oil & water based stains plus it can go over bare wood, paint and wallpaper. I use the Miniwax water based Polycrylic. it comes in satin, semi and gloss. I used them all but like semi the most, seems to match my taste for sheen.

Most go over both oil & water based stains plus it can go over bare wood, paint and wallpaper. I use the Miniwax water based Polycrylic. it comes in satin, semi and gloss. I used them all but like semi the most, seems to match my taste for sheen.

That was my thining....hit the middle of the gloss chart and be happy. I will pick some up at big blue when I go as well as some steel wool. I may try the 2nd coat on the doors tonight and see how that goes but am afraid that I will ruin them. We will have to see. How long should I wait to poly after I stain the doors? Days, weeks ?

Also I lightly sanded my stain on paint goof then put some more of the primer I used over it and am letting it dry. I hope that does the trick but I guess I can always try another coat and or some Killz. I just dont want the damn spots of stain to show through

Copper? Commercial bronze is better!

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/3971/123wtd3.jpg


http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/411/124wsl9.jpg

Well I have to say that came out of left field.......but to that I say to each his own. One man drinks beer the other mixed drinks is either of them wrong?

What is the actual material for the bar front? And is the top the same? I cant tell in the pic. Copper was the pre-chosen material for me and I am VERY happy with it so far. Also why didnt you take the metal panels (I assume its your bar) closer to the floor?

Sorry, you apparently didn't get the humor. I came across your project and was surprised to see someone else want a copper top bar.

It was part of my design all along and many people gave me funny looks.

The material is all the same (panels and bar top.) There is also built in storage benches with the same pattern as the front of the bar in a different spot in the basement.

Commercial bronze is 90% copper, and 10% zinc (alloy 220). The color is between orange copper and yellow brass. It's use is primarily decorative. It is tougher than pure copper with wear and tear. These were pictures during construction that I happened to have at work and accessible. They do appear to be different material, but it is exactly the same, from the same heat number. The top was a 36" x 120" sheet, so it is one solid piece, no seams anywhere.

The reason for the panels was to tie it in to the storage benches. What is not seen is the 2"od tube foot rail that sits below the panels. It is also alloy 220 bronze.

Sorry, you apparently didn't get the humor. I came across your project and was surprised to see someone else want a copper top bar.

It was part of my design all along and many people gave me funny looks.

The material is all the same (panels and bar top.) There is also built in storage benches with the same pattern as the front of the bar in a different spot in the basement.

Commercial bronze is 80% copper, and 20% zinc (alloy 220). The color is between orange copper and yellow brass. It's use is primarily decorative. It is tougher than pure copper with wear and tear. These were pictures during construction that I happened to have at work and accessible. They do appear to be different material, but it is exactly the same, from the same heat number. The top was a 36" x 120" sheet, so it is one solid piece, no seams anywhere.

The reason for the panels was to tie it in to the storage benches. What is not seen is the 2"od tube foot rail that sits below the panels. It is also alloy 220 bronze.


Its all good humor is great I just wasnt sure where you were going with it....;) Whatever bar top the bottom line is that it is a bar. I plan on an epoxy pour over the copper so durability is not an issue. As for your base the storage benches make sense as well as the foot rail. I couldnt actually see the bar top that well so I couldnt tell if it was the same material thats all. Looks good and I am sure you get alot of use out of it. Why were you sruprised to see someone else using copper?

Yep those are the ones. I also bought them due to the price and the same basic ones at lowes for $25-$40 more per cabinet for the same ones. They are very well built IMO. Now they arent solid oak all the way around or the quality of Maple or the higher end cabinets but that said for the price they are great. I got them because it is a basement and it is a bar. I would use them for the main kitchen or anything.


Thanks for the heads up. I was trying to decide if I should use a satin or whatever the next level of gloss is up? Whats your opinion on the satin? How glossy is it? And how hard do you sand in between coats? I assume that after the first coat dries you sand then recoat then your done?

I found Satin to be just right for me. Just a little bit of sheen, any glossier and I feel it takes away from the natural look of the wood (and could also cause reflections..?). Yes I just rub the surface down by hand with steel wool grade "00" between the two topcoats, and yes I used only two coats on my doors.

Not the best pic due to lighting and the flash but hopefully you can see the difference
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover015-2.jpg

Just my $.02 but I would want them all to match the way that I had intended. I would redo the darker one.

On another note heres the new seats....well atleast them in their boxes and then in their plastic until the theater is ready for them......I have them in the living room upstairs to fight off temptation but also so that I can see them and maybe they will add a little motivation to get things moving on those "sluggish" days

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover002-3.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover001-3.jpg

Congrats on getting in on such a great deal. I can't believe how much Costco let these go for. At that price, if I didn't already have my seating I would have ended up with two rows of three instead of four!

Congrats on getting in on such a great deal. I can't believe how much Costco let these go for. At that price, if I didn't already have my seating I would have ended up with two rows of three instead of four!

I wanted 2 rows but didnt really think I had the room for them so I went with just one. I hope I dont regret that one

Ok so a few new pics...
Back side of the half wall bar mudded
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover012-1.jpg
And the front...
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover013-1.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover058.jpg
The new wall...
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover057.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover060.jpg
I have realized that at the rate that I am adding pics I will have you all caught up to the current progress in no time and then you will all see how much of a slacker I truly am.

So how's the wife handeling all this ? New chairs, new bar, drywall, copper etc...

So how's the wife handeling all this ? New chairs, new bar, drywall, copper etc...

Well at first she was like oh no here goes Steve with yet "another one of his projects" then she was like this is going to be neat but now she may be rethinking it since I have her vacation next week all planned out with a paint brush and lots of primer and paint....:rolleyes: I think overall she is happy with it as long as I dont spend too much money. Shes always really supportive and laid back when I decide to take on another project that costs alot of $$ and takes alot of time....I married "easy going" :D

As for the chairs on Sunday when I told her she had 30 mins to shower and be ready we were heading for Chicago she was lik :eek: But after it was all said and done she was happy we saved some cash

I have realized that at the rate that I am adding pics I will have you all caught up to the current progress in no time and then you will all see how much of a slacker I truly am.

And all this time I thought you were hard at work... cruisin' right along... nose to the grindstone... a busy beaver... working like a dog... blazing a trail... working your fingers to the bone... giving a 110%.... (and any other cliche I can't think of)

And all this time you've just been pulling the pics out a stash that you've had built up?!?!??? And here I was just thinking that I wished the guys that I'm paying would work that fast!

The Speedo Dudes would not approve of such tomfoolery. ;)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3507/3215718770_7b1558a3a2_m.jpg
(and yes, the Speedo Dudes like to use words like "tomfoolery" :D)

And all this time I thought you were hard at work... cruisin' right along... nose to the grindstone... a busy beaver... working like a dog... blazing a trail... working your fingers to the bone... giving a 110%.... (and any other cliche I can't think of)

And all this time you've just been pulling the pics out a stash that you've had built up?!?!??? And here I was just thinking that I wished the guys that I'm paying would work that fast!

The Speedo Dudes would not approve of such tomfoolery. ;)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3507/3215718770_7b1558a3a2_m.jpg
(and yes, the Speedo Dudes like to use words like "tomfoolery" :D)

OMG I always hoped that the Speedo dudes would NEVER show up on my thread and boom here they are page 5 :eek: Man I could of done without that today but thanks for the laugh. I am in fact "hard at work... cruisin' right along... nose to the grindstone... a busy beaver... working like a dog... blazing a trail... working my fingers to the bone... giving 110%" its just that the pics you are seeing are not current work in progress but work that has already been done and I am slowly adding as the days go bye until I catch up. If I only lived on the beach (like someone else I know :rolleyes:) things might get done faster....or maybe slower.

Well they got tired of showing up on mine, so they were looking for some new places to visit. I just showed them the way... :p

So what did you decide to do with the stain on the cabinet door issue?

So what did you decide to do with the stain on the cabinet door issue?

I actually (after it dried) gave all the doors another coat with a rag this time (foam brush the first time) and worked it in good and they all look good now. They may be a little off here or there in spots but my floor has a few shades of brown in it so they will look good with that....I hope.

I actually (after it dried) gave all the doors another coat with a rag this time (foam brush the first time) and worked it in good and they all look good now. They may be a little off here or there in spots but my floor has a few shades of brown in it so they will look good with that....I hope.
Nice move! In the long run you'll be so much happier having it look right. Can you post a pic?

Nice move! In the long run you'll be so much happier having it look right. Can you post a pic?

Yep as soon as I get off my butt and find the camera and venture down there to take a few I gladly will do so..........Geeesh people are so demanding :p J/k

Ok per request I bring to you the stain on the cabinets fixed about as much as they are going to be....remember poor lighting behind the bar which is where these are being stained as well as a junk camera may make the pics look poor. Hopefully the color difference isnt that noticeable now.
Two of the doors...
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover004-4.jpg
The drawers---(atleast 2 of the)
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover002-4.jpg
ANother shot of the doors (didnt take a pic of all 4 of them for whatever reason)
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover001-4.jpg

That is 100% better, in fact I don't think anyone would have realized anything had you not said they were redone. Excellent job.Ok per request I bring to you the stain on the cabinets fixed about as much as they are going to be....remember poor lighting behind the bar which is where these are being stained as well as a junk camera may make the pics look poor. Hopefully the color difference isnt that noticeable now.
Two of the doors...
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover004-4.jpg
The drawers---(atleast 2 of the)
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover002-4.jpg
ANother shot of the doors (didnt take a pic of all 4 of them for whatever reason)
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover001-4.jpg

That is 100% better, in fact I don't think anyone would have realized anything had you not said they were redone. Excellent job.

I still can tell them apart but I have been looking at them for a few days straight. I am not sure that if someone walks in if they could tell the darker one from the other 3 now that I re-did them. Thanks for the positive feedback I apprecaite it

I still can tell them apart but I have been looking at them for a few days straight. I am not sure that if someone walks in if they could tell the darker one from the other 3 now that I re-did them. Thanks for the positive feedback I apprecaite it
I hear what you are saying but they are so close now it is a non issue.

Are the above pictures with poly on them ? They look shiny but could be the flash too...

Are the above pictures with poly on them ? They look shiny but could be the flash too...

Yea thats after the 2nd coat or maybe the 3rd. I used the semi-gloss..it may be a combination of that and the flash.

Yea thats after the 2nd coat or maybe the 3rd. I used the semi-gloss..it may be a combination of that and the flash.

Looking good. Are you happy with the results of the stain and poly so far?

Looking good. Are you happy with the results of the stain and poly so far?

Actually quite happy. The doors now have a 4th coat of poly and I sanded prior to that with the steel wool, I think they are pretty good now. They are quite smooth, though not like pre-finished ones from the cabinet store but I never expected them to be that nice anyway.

Ok time for some more updates. Got the new wall/coved area all mudded/sanded etc and a coat of primer on. Its amazing how nice it looks once its white wall vs. bare drywall
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover010-2.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover011-2.jpg
A few of the front of the half wall bar and my makeshift rack space
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover009-3.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover012-2.jpg
Things are actually starting to take form and thats always a nice kick in the pants of course that always means that its getting closer to time to buy the more expensive toys.....projectors, screens etc.

Also stuffed the inside frame of the bar with some extra insulation I had laying around to help prevent the hollow sound you might hear from kicking it. I stuffed the step on the front as well but I tend to forget to take pics sometimes.....I am in a 12 step program and working to get better I promise...
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover044.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover045.jpg
Here is the step covered with 1/2" or 3/4" (cant honestly remember and too lazy to measure)oak. Again poor picture quality.
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover035.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover036.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover037.jpg
Everything was just test fit into place here so it may not look the best.

Just realized how pathetic those pictures are...WOW sorry for that. My camera tends to take a poor picture unless its is totally still and even the slightest movement makes it blurry. Need to update camera......

SteveO,

I was going to do the say thing you are doing regarding the step. I think it's going to look terrific. Keep up the good work.

SteveO,

I was going to do the say thing you are doing regarding the step. I think it's going to look terrific. Keep up the good work.

Thanks my man. I hope it looks good. I was going to go with a brass rail then decided to go with a step for some reason.....I think I wanted the extra work for something to do :D

Looking good Steve keep it up. Your not going to miter cut the corner of the step/foot rest? Did you say you were going to Etex the foot rail / step or just poly it - now that your an expert at Poly-ing?

Steve, looking good. I thought I was subscribed to your thread and all of the sudden I see how far along you are. I am sure to be subscribed now!

I felt your pain when I saw your darker stain ordeal. I had the same problem with the underside of my soffits that I stained. They all came out very dark. I ended up sanding them all down to the bare wood veneer and restained. It cost my some time but they came out in the end. It looks like your doors came out well too.

Oh, and the bar is looking nice too.

Get any more snow today? We got about 2-3"...thankfully!

Looking good Steve keep it up. Your not going to miter cut the corner of the step/foot rest? Did you say you were going to Etex the foot rail / step or just poly it - now that your an expert at Poly-ing?

I assume that you mean where the top of the step is in the corner? If so the answer is NO.....I cut it this way to make sure that I got all my oak out of 2 sheets and I did. Where the two peices meet at the "L" I plan on filling and sanding that crack 1000 times if I have to to try to make it appear seemless but not sure how that will work. As for coating it, its just getting poly like the rest of the bar. I dont want the step to look different than the bar front so its poly from head to toe except the top and the drip tray.

Steve, looking good. I thought I was subscribed to your thread and all of the sudden I see how far along you are. I am sure to be subscribed now!

I felt your pain when I saw your darker stain ordeal. I had the same problem with the underside of my soffits that I stained. They all came out very dark. I ended up sanding them all down to the bare wood veneer and restained. It cost my some time but they came out in the end. It looks like your doors came out well too.

Oh, and the bar is looking nice too.

Get any more snow today? We got about 2-3"...thankfully!
Well I am glad to see you checking in on me....finally :rolleyes:
Yea the stain was just a matter of 2 things....1-I may or may not have used the same amount on each door and 2-The fact that I used raw oak cabinets off the shelf at Menards the door inserts are different grains than each other and not much I can do about that. So when stained they take on a bit of a different appearance. Overall they look good to me now.

Snow?? yea we got(and still getting) about 4" or so today but the worst part is the blowing.......WINDY WINDY!! Hey I was up in your area last Sunday at Costco in Merreville picking up my seats......just thought I would tell you.....:D

That will expose the endgrain and will darken when you stain it. Miter it in the middle of the rail/board/footrest at a 45 and you won't see it. The only thing you will see is a line.

That will expose the endgrain and will darken when you stain it. Miter it in the middle of the rail/board/footrest at a 45 and you won't see it. The only thing you will see is a line.

I am confused. Whats the difference with mitring a 45 and a straight line where they meet like I have now? Either way I will have a seem where two boards meet

Yes, you will. However, the exposed endgrain of your left hand board in the picture will expose the end grain and it will stick out like a sore thumb. If the junction is 45'd you won't see it.

Yes, you will. However, the exposed endgrain of your left hand board in the picture will expose the end grain and it will stick out like a sore thumb. If the junction is 45'd you won't see it.

Oh i see you mean on the ends......actually I am putting oak corner trim on that so you wont see the seam. Does that make sense? I was worried about the seam on the top (where your feet rest) how noticeable that will be? Whats your opinions of that seam?

I would still 45 it and then use a router and round it over. That way you won't have a sharp edge where the feet will break it off and the stain will match up. If you use a 90 trim peice, it will break off and hold dirt. Just my opinion, I'm not an expert.]

I would still 45 it and then use a router and round it over. That way you won't have a sharp edge where the feet will break it off and the stain will match up. If you use a 90 trim peice, it will break off and hold dirt. Just my opinion, I'm not an expert.]

My other problem is that the front section of the bar is 9' long so either way I will have a seam somewhere plus its already cut and I dont want to redo it. I have already cut the trim at 45 degrees so it covers the end grain and makes a nice looking corner.......I will have to show further progress and see what all opinions are then....I am nowhere near an expert so it wont take that much to make me happy

Your happiness is what is important.

Hey I was up in your area last Sunday at Costco in Merreville picking up my seats......just thought I would tell you.....:D


Wow, that was just past my town. It looks like you got yourself a good deal.

Are you still planning on getting the PT-AX200u?

Wow, that was just past my town. It looks like you got yourself a good deal.

Are you still planning on getting the PT-AX200u?

Yea that is my plan but plans do change. For the longest time I was going with the Optoma HD65 so we will see when the time comes. ALl the reviews of the Panny are good.

Yea that is my plan but plans do change. For the longest time I was going with the Optoma HD65 so we will see when the time comes. ALl the reviews of the Panny are good.

I owned the HD70 for 2 years and LOVED it. I sold it to buy the PT-AX200U and I like it even more! I was sensitive to rainbows so the Panasonic solved that problem automatically. I also find the Panasonic to be more cinematic looking, the HD65 more digital. Hard to explain but I hope you get the gist of what I am trying to say. The other thing is that the AX200U will throw a MUCH bigger picture at a given throw distance than the Optoma will. Finally the Panasonic has great lens shift, both vertical and horizontal which makes placement so much easier than the Optoma.

I owned the HD70 for 2 years and LOVED it. I sold it to buy the PT-AX200U and I like it even more! I was sensitive to rainbows so the Panasonic solved that problem automatically. I also find the Panasonic to be more cinematic looking, the HD65 more digital. Hard to explain but I hope you get the gist of what I am trying to say. The other thing is that the AX200U will throw a MUCH bigger picture at a given throw distance than the Optoma will. Finally the Panasonic has great lens shift, both vertical and horizontal which makes placement so much easier than the Optoma.

Those are preciesely the reasons I changed to the Panny. While the reviews of the HD65 are also stellar and as good as the Panny, the placement of it was going to be difficult. With ceiling of only 7'2" I wanted to mount it all the way to the back of the room (around 17') so it was out of the way and the Optoma wouldnt allow me to do that it was going to have to be hung around 14' for a 120' diagonal screen so that was a big reason for the switch plus I have heard ALOT of good things about the Panny.

Those are preciesely the reasons I changed to the Panny. While the reviews of the HD65 are also stellar and as good as the Panny, the placement of it was going to be difficult. With ceiling of only 7'2" I wanted to mount it all the way to the back of the room (around 17') so it was out of the way and the Optoma wouldnt allow me to do that it was going to have to be hung around 14' for a 120' diagonal screen so that was a big reason for the switch plus I have heard ALOT of good things about the Panny.

Did you already get it or just made the decision to? You will LOVE it!

Those are preciesely the reasons I changed to the Panny. While the reviews of the HD65 are also stellar and as good as the Panny, the placement of it was going to be difficult. With ceiling of only 7'2" I wanted to mount it all the way to the back of the room (around 17') so it was out of the way and the Optoma wouldnt allow me to do that it was going to have to be hung around 14' for a 120' diagonal screen so that was a big reason for the switch plus I have heard ALOT of good things about the Panny.

If I can give you one piece of advice (that I wished I listen to) DO NOT HANG THE PROJECTOR until you are done, don't talk about a projector don't look at other peoples projectors etc. LOL I didn't and now I watch it more than I work. :D

If I can give you one piece of advice (that I wished I listen to) DO NOT HANG THE PROJECTOR until you are done, don't talk about a projector don't look at other peoples projectors etc. LOL I didn't and now I watch it more than I work. :D

I couldnt agree more. However, there are times when you need to hang it so that you can do some measurements. I had to do this when I got close to finishing my front wall, so that I could build my screen. Its hard, but when you get your measurements, put it away. And by "away",I mean, box it up and put it out of site!

If I can give you one piece of advice (that I wished I listen to) DO NOT HANG THE PROJECTOR until you are done, don't talk about a projector don't look at other peoples projectors etc. LOL I didn't and now I watch it more than I work. :D

I couldnt agree more. However, there are times when you need to hang it so that you can do some measurements. I had to do this when I got close to finishing my front wall, so that I could build my screen. Its hard, but when you get your measurements, put it away. And by "away",I mean, box it up and put it out of site!

Guys no need to worry here as that is the one thing I told myself prior to starting this build. I havent ordered or even considered ordering the projector. I have only done research on the one that I want and have been monitoring prices waiting for that day that I can get the one I want (currently the Panny pt-ax200u) for a GREAT deal.....until then its work, work work

Did you already get it or just made the decision to? You will LOVE it!

Just the decision to ...... so far but I may change my mind before i am ready as I already have once. It I could just find it for a GREAT price I would order but so far the best I have seen is $999 :(

Now onto the bar front...I have it faced in 1/2" Oak on the front and the sides. I plan to add some trim boxes on the front to give some detail to it
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover038.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover039.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover040.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover041.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover042.jpg

I know theres alot of pictures but A) everyone likes pics and B) I know that half are blurry or crappy in some way.

Now onto the bar front...I have it faced in 1/2" Oak on the front and the sides. I plan to add some trim boxes on the front to give some detail to it

I know theres alot of pictures but A) everyone likes pics and B) I know that half are blurry or crappy in some way.


Now were getting somewhere... A. can never have too many pics and B. have the wife take the pictures already :D J.K. anyway, keep it up it's starting to look like a bar now. Can't wait to see the progress.

Now were getting somewhere... A. can never have too many pics and B. have the wife take the pictures already :D J.K. anyway, keep it up it's starting to look like a bar now. Can't wait to see the progress.

These are all pics that I have stored up and releasing little by little. I may let her take the future pics but shes not much better as the problem is the camera plus I have her busy painting the entire basement (primer coat) :p

Alright a little more progress, slowly inching closer to reality here. Here is the Copper instalation progress. I didnt take alot of pics and again some may be poor (I really want to stop adding disclaimers to my pics...lol Anyone with a good digital camera for sale?) The first one is the copper rolled out in place, This is the only one I took pre glue...
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover053.jpg
Now onto the copper glued in place. I used PL Adhesive and a lamination "J" roller to smooth it out as best I could and even though I used MDF which is as smooth as glass the adhesive still left some bumps in the copper BUT I can fix that....lol
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover061.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover062.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover063.jpg
Heres a closeup
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover064.jpg
And now its on to giving the copper the swirled look......stay tuned

Steve, Didn't you go with 12" wide copper? looks bigger like 24" wide.

Steve, Didn't you go with 12" wide copper? looks bigger like 24" wide.

No its 12"....It must be the wide angle lens I used on my hi-tech camera :p Nope still 12" wide.

Looking good, I like your design. I need to come up with a concession/bar counter and your setup is giving me ideas. I would have to do a different top as it wouldn't match my space but stainless steel would work. If not I still like the overall design and I could incorporate a different type of material for the top. Keep up the good work.

Ok how in the world do people do it. We are in the midst of painting with a dark color (Cocoa Brown-Dutch Boy) and we used 2 coats of Zinnser primer and now have 2 coats of the brown up and you can still see areas of the primer showing through or where the brown hasnt fully covered.....man what gives here. Am I going to have to go with a 3rd or 4th coat or is there another secret? Is it just that dark paints take so much to cover or is it me?

I did a mocha brown in my living and I was able to successfully get good coverage with just 2 coats. My home was fairly new at the time so I basically just painted over the existing paint without priming. Now if I were priming or if I expected to have problems because the color was very dark I would have tinted the primer to the color of the paint.

Hopefully you should be able to get sufficient coverage with a 3rd coat.

Ok how in the world do people do it. We are in the midst of painting with a dark color (Cocoa Brown-Dutch Boy) and we used 2 coats of Zinnser primer and now have 2 coats of the brown up and you can still see areas of the primer showing through or where the brown hasnt fully covered.....man what gives here. Am I going to have to go with a 3rd or 4th coat or is there another secret? Is it just that dark paints take so much to cover or is it me?

Good luck on this, you do not want to know how many coats I had to put on my office walls when I did it in a burgandy color, I was so frickin mad... so I feel your pain.
Was your primer a grey or white? With darker colors your suppose to use a grey primer at least that is what the sherwin williams rep told me or at least tint it like Oman suggested. I didn't and it took me 6 coats to cover my office which was new drywall with 2 coats of white primer.

Good luck on this, you do not want to know how many coats I had to put on my office walls when I did it in a burgandy color, I was so frickin mad... so I feel your pain.
Was your primer a grey or white? With darker colors your suppose to use a grey primer at least that is what the sherwin williams rep told me or at least tint it like Oman suggested. I didn't and it took me 6 coats to cover my office which was new drywall with 2 coats of white primer.

HOLY FREAKIN MOTHER OF GOD :eek::eek::eek::eek: SIX COATS??????????? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We used white primer and didnt tint because we werent sure the final color yet, I didnt even know about grey as a choice. We have 2 coats on now and had to get another gallon (which may be another issue) and are planning coat #3. The coverage is good but there are parts where you can faintly see the white primer or lighter shades of the brown.........Also along the ceilings and other "trimmed" areas it appears to be darker in these spots what did I do? Man this SUCKS!! Back to the other concern.......we originally got 2 gallons thinking that would be enough and it would of been had we not had to do 3 or more coats and didnt think we were gonna have to with 2 coats of primer so I had to get another gallon from Menards.....my concern is that this gallon may have a different tint than the 1st two!! Is this a concern I should have or since its all computerized will I be ok? With the first 2 gallons I mixed them as I went along as to keep the color uniform

I did a mocha brown in my living and I was able to successfully get good coverage with just 2 coats. My home was fairly new at the time so I basically just painted over the existing paint without priming. Now if I were priming or if I expected to have problems because the color was very dark I would have tinted the primer to the color of the paint.

Hopefully you should be able to get sufficient coverage with a 3rd coat.

Man I hope so. I didnt tint the primer because I didnt know what color we were going with at the time so I figured white would be fine. I am sure a 3rd or 4th coat will be fine assuming that since I had to get a new gallon of paint that its color blends well with the first two???? Any tips on making the trimmed areas blend better with the rolled sections?

I just read your thread and felt compelled to chime in on another Hoosiers build. Looking good.

I love the copper bar top. You commented that there were some bubbles under the copper due to the adhesive, I like the ripple effect if give the copper and if you are going to epoxy over the copper then it might add some interesting texture to the look.

Also my .02 regarding the paint. Having done dark colors several times (usually with a like colored primer) I usually need two coats of the actual color and one coat of primer. One time I did need three coats of color with one coat of primer, but I never had to go six coats sheesh. Regarding the blending of the edges of the cut in and the rolled area I have used a dry wall knife to protect the edge of the trim and allow the roller to get very close to the cut in without touching the trim. The ceiling is trickier due to the texture but it can be done. The ceiling is usually less noticeable just because it is further from the eye.

Good luck and keep it up. Us Hoosiers need to stick together.

Regards,

RTROSE

I just read your thread and felt compelled to chime in on another Hoosiers build. Looking good.

I love the copper bar top. You commented that there were some bubbles under the copper due to the adhesive, I like the ripple effect if give the copper and if you are going to epoxy over the copper then it might add some interesting texture to the look.

Also my .02 regarding the paint. Having done dark colors several times (usually with a like colored primer) I usually need two coats of the actual color and one coat of primer. One time I did need three coats of color with one coat of primer, but I never had to go six coats sheesh. Regarding the blending of the edges of the cut in and the rolled area I have used a dry wall knife to protect the edge of the trim and allow the roller to get very close to the cut in without touching the trim. The ceiling is trickier due to the texture but it can be done. The ceiling is usually less noticeable just because it is further from the eye.

Good luck and keep it up. Us Hoosiers need to stick together.

Regards,

RTROSE

About damn time you showed up!! :p Seriously thanks for the visit and valued opinions. As for the copper once I put the swirl texture on it which you will see in the near future(when I get the pics loaded) it actually made the bumps disappear and the ones you still can see it actually gave it a 3-D look to it. I think once it is covered with the envirotex that it will look cool.

Now on to the dreaded paint situation....ARGHHHHH!! :mad: Well I went with Zinnser white primer, two coats over a light beige room because I didnt know what color we were using at the time and I also didnt know about using a grey primer as I have never painted a dark color before. So we had two coats of the primer and then two coats of the brown........but as I type this the wife is down there putting coat #3 on and from what I saw it was looking better but it always looks good while wet. Hopefully for her sanity and mine it turns out better when its dry or she may go off the deep end and like a good husband I may be forced to follow. As for the trimmed areas we taped everywhere so to roll up to the edges but trimming near a drop ceiling is difficult. So after two coats I decided it was time to go a different route because I was absolutely hating the edges. I grabbed some litte 3"(i think) foam rollers (w/metal roller handles) figuring that they may give a better finished appearance than a 1 1/2" trim brush as brush marks might have been part of the issue.....we will have to wait and see on this though.........man I really hope this goes better or it could be a long weekend :(

I used something similar to this....
http://doitbest.com/Main.aspx?PageID=64&SKU=783284&utm_source=Froogle&utm_medium=FREECSE&utm_term=783284&utm_content=6790&utm_campaign=DATAFEED

For the edge I usually cut in (rather my wife does, as this is one of my most hated things in the world) with a good brush. Once she finishes about 6' of edge I start to roll, I roll as Rtrose said as close close as possible to the edge horozontally to help blend everything in, but with a good brush you should't see many brush marks especially after the first coat. I know they're expensive but Purdy makes a good brush and so long as you clean right when done and stored properly they will last you a long time.

After going horizontal to blend in the edge then I start going vertical with the roller. Make sure the roller is nice and wet and keep refreshing the roller often. So long as you don't have any raised paint lines you don't want to keep going over freshly painted areas as this will start to pull off the paint and is probably the reason why your seeing lighter and darker areas. Good luck hope it worked out with the final coat.

For the edge I usually cut in (rather my wife does, as this is one of my most hated things in the world) with a good brush. Once she finishes about 6' of edge I start to roll, I roll as Rtrose said as close close as possible to the edge horozontally to help blend everything in, but with a good brush you should't see many brush marks especially after the first coat. I know they're expensive but Purdy makes a good brush and so long as you clean right when done and stored properly they will last you a long time.

After going horizontal to blend in the edge then I start going vertical with the roller. Make sure the roller is nice and wet and keep refreshing the roller often. So long as you don't have any raised paint lines you don't want to keep going over freshly painted areas as this will start to pull off the paint and is probably the reason why your seeing lighter and darker areas. Good luck hope it worked out with the final coat.

Great tips.....where were you yesterday and the day before?? I too hate painting, it is my least favorite thing in home improvement to do. Well once we used the mini (2") foam roller for the trim it worked real well and I am happy to report that the final coat looks real good......now on to the next issue. She used painters tape along the drop ceiling grid and when I started to pull it off this a.m. it tore into peices everywhere leaving thin slices of tape against the grid and is causing us great grief currently, any ideas??

As for the brush we used for trim, I think she used an older brush that had been used 20x and the bristles werent in the best shape but the foam roller really helped.

Glad to hear the 3rd coat worked out and that the trim is good also.

Unfortunately not around on the forum too often in the evenings, just occassionally.

Great tips.....where were you yesterday and the day before?? I too hate painting, it is my least favorite thing in home improvement to do......

Well you know always a day late and a dollar short!

I hate cutting in and my wife hates rolling walls. This is a perfect match for painter bliss! She cuts in (does a great job too BTW) and then I follow behind with the big roller and do the main area of the wall. We have tried just about every edger gizmo and have have varying levels of success. The drywall knife trick gives us just about the best result. I hate that painters tape too. It is either too sticky or not sticky enough and it seems no matter how good of a job we do taping the trim off paint always seeps under onto the trim......very frustrating.

Glad the third coat work for you, I know the more coats I have to put on the less I get about the transformation and the more like work it becomes.

Regards,

RTROSE

So after the copper was glued in place it was time to give it the detail it needed to hide the bumps.......I did this by using a 2" and a 3" wire brush attatchment for my cordless drill (Compliments of Dennis and his great ideas,completely stolen) and just made a circular pattern all the way across the top, overlapping kind of like mowing the lawn....I apologize as I took alot of pictures of this and figured I would share them
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover009-1.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover010-1.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover011-1.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover073.jpg

And here are a few more

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover074.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover075.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover076.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover077.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover078.jpg

A 3M metal finishing pad, and a palm sander will give the desired look as well.

It will give complete coverage of the "brushed/buffed" appearance, with minimal scratches or voids.

Plus it works very quickly with little effort.

A 3M metal finishing pad, and a palm sander will give the desired look as well.

It will give complete coverage of the "brushed/buffed" appearance, with minimal scratches or voids.

Plus it works very quickly with little effort.

I agree that probably would work as well. However I acheived the desired look with the good old wire brush attatchment and my handy dandy cordless drill.....though much more effort I am sure

A 3M metal finishing pad, and a palm sander will give the desired look as well.

It will give complete coverage of the "brushed/buffed" appearance, with minimal scratches or voids.

Plus it works very quickly with little effort.


I did try this method except with a DA sander but it didn't give me the depth or 3D look I was looking for. And since I an covering mine with envirotex the look was more important to me than the scatches. I however do think yours looks a little more professional looking (if that is what you did to yours)

I did try this method except with a DA sander but it didn't give me the depth or 3D look I was looking for. And since I an covering mine with envirotex the look was more important to me than the scatches. I however do think yours looks a little more professional looking (if that is what you did to yours)

Agree with Dennis here the scratches arent important as they will be covered/filled with the epoxy

I did try this method except with a DA sander but it didn't give me the depth or 3D look I was looking for. And since I an covering mine with envirotex the look was more important to me than the scatches. I however do think yours looks a little more professional looking (if that is what you did to yours)

Completely understood. The desired effect that you are personally looking for is most important.

I tried the brush with my drill, five different pads with my sander, and several techniques with good old fashioned elbow grease.

Plus I experimented with five different alloys (c110, c220, c230, c260, c510) with all the different textures to determine which combination achieved my "vision".

The lighting was a crucial aspect as well. My garage, workshop and final resting place all exhibited different shades of the same material. In the picturs I posted earlier, the final material looks much more light and yellowish than it really is. Even the difference between holding it horizontal and vertical (on the panels) changed the color. Here is a basic color chart for the various alloys.
http://www.metalreference.com/CU_220.html

Point being, you never know what you really want until you experiment. I had settled on several techniques/combos, only to try one more and changing my mind!

I think your project turned out fabulous. I like the idea of the copper footrail as well. Because I have never seen it done before. I love new and unique looks.

Another poster here might not some aspects of yours, or mine. In fact they might hate mine completely. But what we have done is shared our projects for others to critique and change to complete their "vision". The exchange of ideas is one of the best things about this forum!

One definite plus in all this is the use of nonferrous material in different ways. The more copper and copper alloys used, the better for the industry I call home!

Completely understood. The desired effect that you are personally looking for is most important.

I tried the brush with my drill, five different pads with my sander, and several techniques with good old fashioned elbow grease.

Plus I experimented with five different alloys (c110, c220, c230, c260, c510) with all the different textures to determine which combination achieved my "vision".

The lighting was a crucial aspect as well. My garage, workshop and final resting place all exhibited different shades of the same material. In the picturs I posted earlier, the final material looks much more light and yellowish than it really is. Even the difference between holding it horizontal and vertical (on the panels) changed the color. Here is a basic color chart for the various alloys.
http://www.metalreference.com/CU_220.html

Point being, you never know what you really want until you experiment. I had settled on several techniques/combos, only to try one more and changing my mind!

I think your project turned out fabulous. I like the idea of the copper footrail as well. Because I have never seen it done before. I love new and unique looks.

Another poster here might not some aspects of yours, or mine. In fact they might hate mine completely. But what we have done is shared our projects for others to critique and change to complete their "vision". The exchange of ideas is one of the best things about this forum!

One definite plus in all this is the use of nonferrous material in different ways. The more copper and copper alloys used, the better for the industry I call home!

dannynoonan - Thanks for the kind words, your bar is really nice also, very professional looking. Any links you can share on where you got your sheets from. Also at the thickness you used, how did you have to cut it? I'm always looking for new ideas and resources...especially in copper.
Thanks,
Dennis

Completely understood. The desired effect that you are personally looking for is most important.

I tried the brush with my drill, five different pads with my sander, and several techniques with good old fashioned elbow grease.

Plus I experimented with five different alloys (c110, c220, c230, c260, c510) with all the different textures to determine which combination achieved my "vision".

The lighting was a crucial aspect as well. My garage, workshop and final resting place all exhibited different shades of the same material. In the picturs I posted earlier, the final material looks much more light and yellowish than it really is. Even the difference between holding it horizontal and vertical (on the panels) changed the color. Here is a basic color chart for the various alloys.
http://www.metalreference.com/CU_220.html

Point being, you never know what you really want until you experiment. I had settled on several techniques/combos, only to try one more and changing my mind!

I think your project turned out fabulous. I like the idea of the copper footrail as well. Because I have never seen it done before. I love new and unique looks.

Another poster here might not some aspects of yours, or mine. In fact they might hate mine completely. But what we have done is shared our projects for others to critique and change to complete their "vision". The exchange of ideas is one of the best things about this forum!

One definite plus in all this is the use of nonferrous material in different ways. The more copper and copper alloys used, the better for the industry I call home!


Well I am happy to help keep you in business ;) Atleast one of us is.

Well I am happy to help keep you in business ;) Atleast one of us is.

You can make that 2 of us. :D

You can make that 2 of us. :D

Lol I meant atleast one of us is in business Dennis. I know your happy. I mean who wouldnt be with all that copper?:rolleyes:

Lol I meant atleast one of us is in business Dennis. I know your happy. I mean who wouldnt be with all that copper?:rolleyes:

I know what you meant but responded to what you typed :D

dannynoonan - Thanks for the kind words, your bar is really nice also, very professional looking. Any links you can share on where you got your sheets from. Also at the thickness you used, how did you have to cut it? I'm always looking for new ideas and resources...especially in copper.
Thanks,
Dennis

Thank you!

I used .050" x 36" x 120" half hard alloy 220 sheets. I cut the panels for the bar and storage benches on a shear. For the top, a jigsaw with a metal blade worked fine. Wood was clamped on both sides of the cut for stability. the rail was also cut from the same sheet. So they are both continuous pieces, no seams. I gently filed all the edges by hand. It didn't take much. The edges aren't seen anyway, but I wanted to ensure it would lay perfectly flat.

I cleaned all pieces in the garage and used the sander to make the texture. Then I stretched some black/white vinyl on all the pieces to protect the finish. They were then brought downstairs and installed. Once in, the protective covering was peeled off, then sealed.

Here is a poor quality pic of the benches:
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/7278/dsc0138.jpg

Here are a few sites that may be of interest:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#metals/=seu7l
Good selection, pretty good pricing on small quantities.

http://www.reverecopper.com
90% sure Storm gets their metal from them.

http://www.lewisbrass.com
Good place for brass tubing, especially ornamental.

http://www.metalartistforum.com/forum/index.php
Cool forum by artists who use metal.

http://www.themetalpeddler.com/products/copper-switch-plates/
Cool aftermarket products here.

Ok now that we got that out of the way lets move in the direction of progress. I have also at this point installed the copper on the half wall bar as well. These pics are bad I admit but they are what I have and should give a decent idea of what I am going for here.

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover017-1.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover018-1.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover019-1.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover020-1.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover021-1.jpg

I swirled the top of this one as well and will envirotex it as well. I have one picture of the top of it swirled and not sure why I didnt take anymore. I will do so when I get a chance.
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover023.jpg
When I am in the middle of projects I tend to jump around with my to do list hence the reason the pics are all over the room. SO here I have trimmed out the half wall bar front with oak and also you can see the swirl in the copper here.
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover003-2.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover004-3.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover005-2.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover006-3.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover003-1.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover004-2.jpg

Looking good steve, Did you think about routering the top outside edge of the oak ? a 1/4 round might do the trick. I wish I would have on mine and will be going back and re-doing it. It catches clothes and splinters easily. I thought the envirorex would cover it but I am only using poly since what I went thru on the bar rail. Even with the poly on it still splinters, that 90 degree angle just gets beat up. Just a thought....and sorry I should have mentioned it before now.

http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp239/LSWHO/basementmakeover004-2x2.jpg

Looking good steve, Did you think about routering the edge of the lip of oak ? a 1/4 round might do the trick. I wish I would have on mine and will be going back and re-doing it. It catches clothes and splinters easily. I thought the envirorex would cover it but I am only using poly since what I went thru on the bar rail. Even with the poly on it still splinters, that 90 degree angle just gets beat up. Just a thought....and sorry I should have mentioned it before now.

Oh I just saw your pic.....actually no and the reason is that I used a 1" x 6" peice of oak and then a peice of trim that is rounded on 2 edges on top so there is not a true 45. I nailed the 1"x6" and then the trim is on top in the opposite direction to form an "L" if that makes sense. I have then sanded them down alot and they are very smooth and rounded its just hard to capture in a pic. If it poses to be a problem then I will have to redo it but for now I am going to let it go.

Where exactly are you referring to this? More info

Ummm The edge with the blig blue arrow pointing to it LOL :D.... you were too fast I was uploading the pic and you already responded...

Ummm The edge with the blig blue arrow pointing to it LOL :D.... you were too fast I was uploading the pic and you already responded...

Yea I happened to look when your message was there but no picture yet. I since changed my reply....lol

Yea I happened to look when your message was there but no picture yet. I since changed my reply....lol

Oh okay...just looking out for you is all.

Oh okay...just looking out for you is all.

You know I appreciate that ;) But I am hoping that the rounded trim peice that I used gives enough of a curve to it that there wont be a problem. I plan on poly not etex due to the problems that you had and we will have to see what happens. Worst case scenario is I will have to redo that peice but I dont have a router and my wife may kill me if I tell her I need another new tool as I have already bought a new table saw,jigsaw, air compressor, reciprocating saw, 2 nails guns and I am sure a few others that I cant recall at the moment for this project...:D

You know I appreciate that ;) But I am hoping that the rounded trim peice that I used gives enough of a curve to it that there wont be a problem. I plan on poly not etex due to the problems that you had and we will have to see what happens. Worst case scenario is I will have to redo that peice but I dont have a router and my wife may kill me if I tell her I need another new tool as I have already bought a new table saw,jigsaw, air compressor, reciprocating saw, 2 nails guns and I am sure a few others that I cant recall at the moment for this project...:D

LOl been there done that with the wife and tools. I just brought home an orbital sander and she looked at me and just shook her head. It was only 20 bucks at HD with no box, no manual, sold as is and is in perfect condition. It normally runs for 80 bucks so I paid the $4.99 for a 1 year warranty, made them plug it in and show me it worked and still think I got a hell of a deal for $25 bucks...one of those I can't pass this up men moments...tools arr arr arr
The trim should work fine if it does not have the 90 degree edge, mine will have to be redone. Do you have a scap piece you could photo so I can see it in detail, maybe that will be an option for mine.

LOl been there done that with the wife and tools. I just brought home an orbital sander and she looked at me and just shook her head. It was only 20 bucks at HD with no box, no manual, sold as is and is in perfect condition. It normally runs for 80 bucks so I paid the $4.99 for a 1 year warranty, made them plug it in and show me it worked and still think I got a hell of a deal for $25 bucks...one of those I can't pass this up men moments...tools arr arr arr
The trim should work fine if it does not have the 90 degree edge, mine will have to be redone. Do you have a scap piece you could photo so I can see it in detail, maybe that will be an option for mine.

Give me a few minutes and I will run down and snap a shot of scrap....the best i can with my camera. It basically is a square oak trim peice that is rounded on the top two edges slightly. As for the tools I do that all the time. I told her I needed the table saw for this bar project and have only used it once.....lol. But hey atleast I have it for the future right?! I basically use my mitre saw for everything....hell I built a monster of a deck with just it and a circular saw for a few cutoffs this summer.

Well I had a hard time capturing the picture of the curved detail but heres 3 shots of it. The first is of the installed peice....
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover022-1.jpg
The second two are scrap peices...
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover025-2.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover026-2.jpg

Hope this helps. I got it from Menards it is just "stop" trim
3/8" x 1 1/4" SKU: 417-1812

Well I had a hard time capturing the picture of the curved detail but heres 3 shots of it. The first is of the installed peice....

Hope this helps. I got it from Menards it is just "stop" trim
3/8" x 1 1/4" SKU: 417-1812


Okay gotcha now, thanks. it looks like that will work, I'll have to run up and get one to see.

Okay gotcha now, thanks. it looks like that will work, I'll have to run up and get one to see.

Hope it does....and I hope it works for me. I personally am off on my latest "Sunday Journey" this time to a Michigan Home Depot (location to be named later for obvious reasons) to pick up the beverage center deal of the year. Last week was the 200 mile round trip journey for the Berkline deal and this week we head the other way.......will post more later with pics of my find

Well this is starting to become a Sunday ritual....Me, the wife on a "road trip" to pick up the latest deal that I have come across for the basement. Last week if you remember was the 200 mile round trip to Costco for the spectacular deal on the Berklines. And this week it was off to Three Rivers, MI for this week's deal on a beverage center/wine cooler. Well worth the trip as this baby was on closeout for $347. The cheapest I was able to find it online was $799 but most places it was still over $1000. So I think I got a great deal.
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover003-6.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover004-7.jpg
It has double glass doors and dual-digital climate control. It came with extra shelves so that I can configure the interior anyway imagineable. I can make one side beer and one wine or mix and match. It also is considered a "built in" unit which means it should ahve no problem cooling while being built into my cabinets behind the bar.

Now that's a beauty!

Let us know if that sucker can get beverages down to a drinkable 34-35 degrees.

Now that's a beauty!

Thanks thats what I said when I first laid eyes on her :rolleyes:

Let us know if that sucker can get beverages down to a drinkable 34-35 degrees.

Will do as this was my biggest drawback with beverage centers as most wont get that cold but another member here got one and said his went down to 36 Now I am happy if it gets to 36 as thats what my main refrigerator in the kitchen is set at. But will definately let you know, I plan on plugging it in tomorrow and test it. But if you plan on getting one they are on closeout at HD's and you may have a hard time finding one for much longer

Another day another dilema!!

Well I have my cabinets (as most know) stained and awaiting the bar area. I have a 36" an 18" and a 15" for a total of 69". These numbers when plugged in to the space behind the bar 91" left me 22" for a fridge. No problem with the units I was looking at previously but now that I got this baby I have a PROBLEM! This thing is 23 5/8" wide. Thats 1 5/8" too wode for the space.......what am I to do now??? The only options I have come up with is leave out the 18" and build just some shelfs there that are narrower or replace the already stained and polyed 18" with another 15" which would give me an additional 3" which would then leave me almost an 1 1/2" space by the fridge (3/4" on each side) Anyone with ideas or suggestions for me here?

Another day another dilema!!

Well I have my cabinets (as most know) stained and awaiting the bar area. I have a 36" an 18" and a 15" for a total of 69". These numbers when plugged in to the space behind the bar 91" left me 22" for a fridge. No problem with the units I was looking at previously but now that I got this baby I have a PROBLEM! This thing is 23 5/8" wide. Thats 1 5/8" too wode for the space.......what am I to do now??? The only options I have come up with is leave out the 18" and build just some shelfs there that are narrower or replace the already stained and polyed 18" with another 15" which would give me an additional 3" which would then leave me almost an 1 1/2" space by the fridge (3/4" on each side) Anyone with ideas or suggestions for me here?

Not sure how the space looks now but in previous pics (post #143, 1st picture, far left) you show you have
(2) 2x4 supports on the wall, can you remove/reconfigure them and get your 1 1/2 " back by being able to put the cabinet all the way to the wall? Not sure if that was temp or permanent support.

Not sure how the space looks now but in previous pics (post #143, 1st picture, far left) you show you have
(2) 2x4 supports on the wall, can you remove/reconfigure them and get your 1 1/2 " back by being able to put the cabinet all the way to the wall? Not sure if that was temp or permanent support.

Yea those are gone giving me 91" they were a temp setup. I dont know if I have any other solutions other than not using the 18" and picking up another 15" and using it.

Let us know if that sucker can get beverages down to a drinkable 34-35 degrees.

Ok update for you. I plugged her in and set the lcd display to 36 on each side and let it go for an hour and boom it read 36 on each side with no problem. So if the display is accurate then yes it gets to 36 on each side or whatever you would want to set it at. Now is the display accurate?? Thats another question all together. I cant find a thermometer around here so I will have to wait to get a true interior reading. I must say again this thing is beautiful looking

That has to be one of the best looking mini coolers yet. Congrats on a great deal!

That has to be one of the best looking mini coolers yet. Congrats on a great deal!

Thank you very much but your going to have to get your own as this one is mine :p:p

Well I fixed my cabinet spacing dilema and picked up a 12" cabinet at Menards today to replace the 15" which will give me the 3" more that I so desperately need...(insert jokes here) So I have this stained 15" base cabinet laying around with no future home. Like throwing $$ away

Ok update for you. I plugged her in and set the lcd display to 36 on each side and let it go for an hour and boom it read 36 on each side with no problem. So if the display is accurate then yes it gets to 36 on each side or whatever you would want to set it at. Now is the display accurate?? Thats another question all together. I cant find a thermometer around here so I will have to wait to get a true interior reading. I must say again this thing is beautiful looking


Take a glass of water and put in the fridge for at least a couple of hours the longer the more accurate. Then put a thermometer in it that will give you the liquid temp of the cooler. I use this method in mine as well as my kegerator so I know what my beer temp is at all times. I always have a glass in there and measure every few days.

Take a glass of water and put in the fridge for at least a couple of hours the longer the more accurate. Then put a thermometer in it that will give you the liquid temp of the cooler. I use this method in mine as well as my kegerator so I know what my beer temp is at all times. I always have a glass in there and measure every few days.
Now THAT'S what I call genius! When I grow up I wanna be just like you! :D

P.S. Can I come over to your house to play sometime? ;)

Now THAT'S what I call genius! When I grow up I wanna be just like you! :D

P.S. Can I come over to your house to play sometime? ;)

I stole it from the beer forums and the kegerator guys but it's simple and it works. You can come by anytime, just bring some pretzels to go with the beer.

So we went ahead and decided to paint the room earlier than I would of liked but my reasoning was that I wanted to get behind the bar rail as it rests against the wall rather than try to trim around it so it was time to paint......heres a few of the many I took. Not sure how well the color really comes out in these pics.
First a few shots of good old primer:
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover002-5.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover005-3.jpg
And now on to its final color....the theater side we went with Dutch Boy color: Cocoa Brown and I think Bamboo on the bar side as I didnt want the bar side as dark

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover010-4.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover011-4.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover012-4.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover014-3.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover013-3.jpg
And I just realized that I have no pictures of the other side painted....lol
Ok ok thats enough pics of brown walls.

Well this is starting to become a Sunday ritual....Me, the wife on a "road trip" to pick up the latest deal that I have come across for the basement. Last week if you remember was the 200 mile round trip to Costco for the spectacular deal on the Berklines. And this week it was off to Three Rivers, MI for this week's deal on a beverage center/wine cooler. Well worth the trip as this baby was on closeout for $347. The cheapest I was able to find it online was $799 but most places it was still over $1000. So I think I got a great deal.
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover003-6.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover004-7.jpg
It has double glass doors and dual-digital climate control. It came with extra shelves so that I can configure the interior anyway imagineable. I can make one side beer and one wine or mix and match. It also is considered a "built in" unit which means it should ahve no problem cooling while being built into my cabinets behind the bar.

I need that now. Wow that beverage center is BEAUTIFUL! Now that you have it in hand, who is the manufacturer? I can't quite make it out in the photos, all I can read is Evers. Tell us a little more about this unit, specifically capacity.

Congrats!

Closeout for the fridge where ?

Closeout for the fridge where ?

Check out this forum.....last few posts we were talking about it but HD is the place if your fortunate to find one still.....

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1107399&page=3

I need that now. Wow that beverage center is BEAUTIFUL! Now that you have it in hand, who is the manufacturer? I can't quite make it out in the photos, all I can read is Evers. Tell us a little more about this unit, specifically capacity.

Congrats!

Check out the link here the last page of the forum we were talking about it. It is a Franklin Chef model that is being sold by HD under the Everstar name. I have only plugged it in to see if it got done to the advertised 36 degrees and that all lights. fans etc. worked then I unplugged it as I am not ready for it yet.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1107399&page=3

Also check this link to Franklin chef where theres a better pic of the unit. Now keep in mind HD does not show it on their website as it is a closeout model everywhere

http://franklinchef.com/FBC36ID.html

Progress time. I decided to test the stain I chose on the drip tray area. I went with Varathane Early American. Here are some shots of the tray..
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover014-1.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover015-1.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover033-1.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover036-1.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover030-1.jpg
I also hard to custom cut a 1/4" peice of oak for an end cap to the bar rail section....I cut 2 test peices and the third peice ended up perfect. Here you can see the bar rail clamped in place to test fit the peices..
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover022.jpg
And a few test peices
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover026-1.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover004-1.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover006-1.jpg

Also did a test fit of the bar rail as well as used some scrap rail to test clamp, fill with filler and stain to see how it worked.
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover068.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover016-1.jpg
All in all these angles werent the trickiest but they were something that I stressed about for a while due to the cost of this stuff as I didnt want to have to order more. Sorry for the crappy pics as these were taken a few weeks ago, I have since been trying to take better ones.

Steve,
looks like you got the better bar rail than I did. Yours fits perfectly, mine had a slight angle on the inside slots. This will make mounting it much easier. Looking good.

Finally got a fridge! I looked at that fridge at the depot, but it doesnt seem like you will able to fit more than 1 case of beer in it..if that. It does look cool though!

Let me know when you stock it..

Finally got a fridge! I looked at that fridge at the depot, but it doesnt seem like you will able to fit more than 1 case of beer in it..if that. It does look cool though!

Let me know when you stock it..

I will let you know although the manual states.....90 cans or 45 cans on one side 18 wine bottles on the other. For me 90 cans is plenty as I can restock as I go and the new stock will get cold before I got through 90 cans :p But yes I FINALLY decided.....though it took me a while I did it.

I need that now. Wow that beverage center is BEAUTIFUL! Now that you have it in hand, who is the manufacturer? I can't quite make it out in the photos, all I can read is Evers. Tell us a little more about this unit, specifically capacity.

Congrats!

I got the same beverage center about 6 months ago, also on closeout from HD. Closeout price + 15% off appliance special + 10% coupon equalled $285 out-the-door. :D

It is branded "Everstar" but is made by Franklin Chef. It is a real quality piece of appliance!

It has been running without a single problem for me. Currently, I have it boxed up as I don't have a space for it while I'm working on the HT. It gets everything pretty cold...not frozen, but cold...and it holds a TON of drinks.

Nothing for 3 days....hmmm did Steve fill the beverage center and now can't leave the T.V. and the couch ?

Nothing for 3 days....hmmm did Steve fill the beverage center and now can't leave the T.V. and the couch ?

I could only wish I was that lucky :rolleyes: I have been crazy busy here the last few weeks with my sons 6th grade basketball team and the city tourney it seems like we have had a game every night this week and then Saturday night he wanted to go to my high school (and someday his) basketball game as they were in the sectional championship against an undefeated team (atleast before we got a hold of them) so I have been all over town. I have been working on a few things here and there but my problems with projects is the finishing touches or detail work.....I stink at it. So the frustration has set in a bit here..... but here are some updates.

I have since sanded (with 100,150,220 and 320) the rail. I installed it with wood glue underneath and a row of nails (from the nail gun) and two staggered rows of screws. I clamped it for a few hours to help the glue set up and here it is. 100 pictures of it......more pics than any other part of the room so far....lol
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover001-6.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover003-5.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover006-4.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover002-6.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover004-6.jpg
Then I filled the corners with "red oak" wood filler. This part looks ugly but the outcome pelased me....
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover005-4.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover007-4.jpg

I also, on my 3rd attempt managed a pretty good looking end cap peice for the open end of the bar rail. I cut this out of 1/4" oak with a jigsaw and sanded it smooth.
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover015-4.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover016-3.jpg

So after removing the clamps I went to town with the sandpaper again. I went 150,220 and 320 and smoothed it all out real nice.
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover019-2.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover020-2.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover012-5.jpg
And here is my beautiful corner work.....
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover010-5.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover008-3.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover011-5.jpg
ANd this is the other corner going to the back bar area
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover018-3.jpg
And a top view of the end cap after I filled and sanded the seams where it was nailed to the end of the rail
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover017-3.jpg

An overview of the bar..
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/Iusteve/basementmakeover021-2.jpg

Very nice edge on the bar!

Nice work Mr. Questions. One recommendation. On your drip tray....I did just as you, and put down a wide grained piece of oak...I went to Lowes and got a $20 sheet of cabinet grade 1/4 in ply...tight grain and put it OVER my other piece in the drip tray....100 times better looking...you have the room and it will flush out your trim nearest the bartender....I love your work... keep posting.

Nice work Mr. Questions. One recommendation. On your drip tray....I did just as you, and put down a wide grained piece of oak...I went to Lowes and got a $20 sheet of cabinet grade 1/4 in ply...tight grain and put it OVER my other piece in the drip tray....100 times better looking...you have the room and it will flush out your trim nearest the bartender....I love your work... keep posting.

You mean a 1/4" peice over the top of the drip tray? What that is is the 3/4" sanded ply that the bar top is and I just sanded it and wood conditioned and stained. Should I use the 1/4" oak stock over it? That is basically what I cut my end cap out of and it comes in various widths and lengths.

yes! Wide grain looks a bit ordinary, your bar is extraordinary!!!

EDIT...EDIT...it's a 8X4 sheet of cabinet grade 1/4 inch PLYWOOD, not the 1/4 inch solid oak!

Keep the pics coming, It's looking like a bar now...almost open for business.
Knowing the difficulties of the end cap, You did a great job on it. Can't wait to see though whole thing stained.

yes! Wide grain looks a bit ordinary, your bar is extraordinary!!!

EDIT...EDIT...it's a 8X4 sheet of cabinet grade 1/4 inch PLYWOOD, not the 1/4 inch solid oak!

What is the difference between the 4x8 sheet and the oak stock? I would only need a small amount and I would assume that I would gain the same thing with the stock but I may be wrong....correct me if i am wrong as I have been a few times in life...:p

Keep the pics coming, It's looking like a bar now...almost open for business.
Knowing the difficulties of the end cap, You did a great job on it. Can't wait to see though whole thing stained.

Man you ask alot of me.....I mean you thought I was MIA or atleast drunk next to the new beverage center so I came through with updates for you and now you want stain too???;) Maybe I will have to post the 75 random pics of the rail installed......will that hold you over? As for open for business.....I hope so. I want to get it to the point that I can pour the e-tex atleast on the drip tray so that I can work on installing the cabinets and working on the back bar area. I am holding off on that until the e-tex is done to give myself enough work space back there. But I also have been working on the half wall bar. I have wood to stain and poly there as well as the dreaded AV rack area....that I have NO idea what to do with. It is all dryalled and I am painting it black but I am unsure what or how to do shelves in there. Any input from anyone? I dont need anything really fancy just some shelving probably out of MDF painted black so that its mainly unseen but for some reason I am totally blank on this part of things ........ :confused:

What is the difference between the 4x8 sheet and the oak stock? I would only need a small amount and I would assume that I would gain the same thing with the stock but I may be wrong....correct me if i am wrong as I have been a few times in life...:p


Oak stock is more expensive, the 1/4 ply is a bit cheaper....your choice.

Oak stock is more expensive, the 1/4 ply is a bit cheaper....your choice.

But other than price its the same thing? I used the oak stock on some other things in the room so I am more familiar with that. I only ask due to lack of knowledge