The Plains Theater - Page 24

Another update, and a near crisis.

I got part of the "fireblocking" in. I'm waiting to do the other half of the room pending a decision on whether to put Roxul around the top of my exterior walls. Everything passed my framing inspection, but there is clearly a gap between the top plate and the concrete wall. It's odd that this wasn't a problem considering that they went through and foamed all of the holes where wires come through the plates. Decisions, decisions. You are probably thinking that the drywall up there looks terrible, but remember that you and I are the only ones that will ever know it's there. So, if you won't tell, I won't either.



I also started on adding clips to the walls. I got three rows done on one long wall and across the back of the "nook." Again, that laser level is a life saver. BTW, how do you guys like my tripod extender?



I really need to cleanup, but our yard is so waterlogged from all the rain that I'm afraid to take my truck back there for fear of tearing up the yard. It'll just have to wait.

Now for the crisis, I checked with Ted about using 1-5/8x8 screws on the ceiling since my furring strips on the ceiling are only 1-1/2" thick. I got the go ahead, and proceeded to finish up my clips on the ceiling. Last night, I started on the walls, and as soon as I grabbed a handful of the 2"x8 screws, I knew they were different. They are noticeably larger diameter. I checked with Ted this morning, and he said as long as they're not drywall screws, it's not a problem. Next time, I'll just follow the directions, though And I assure you, the boxes for both of those screws say they're #8s.



Again, a huge thanks to Ted and company for their fast responses to my questions. I'm sure I've asked enough questions that they've considered upcharging my next order

Thanks BIG, I was actually thinking of the finished areas in the basement that are framed the same way (except they didn't get any insulation). I realize this has been a point of debate on the boards here, but I have not had the room inspected. Perhaps I need to call and see if they feel the need to.

BTW, have you run across this issue with the screw sizes?

Just talked to our building inspector. Extremely nice and helpful. Looks like I'll be picking up a building permit and having everything inspected. It also looks like I'll need to get more insulation stuffed into the walls. After all that agonizing over having insulation touching my concrete, now I'm just going to go stuff it in there on purpose

In case anyone is interested, I called Grip Rite to see what they had to say about the two different sizes of their #8 screws. To summarize, they said, "it's a box of screws," and, "we get them from China," and my favorite, "you get what you get." So there you have it.

I'm a little spoiled by the customer service I get from Ted and John

yeah, no kidding! I was expecting something along the lines of manufacturing tolerances. When I mentioned that, they were quick to agree that must be the cause. I suppose it's only, "a box of screws," after all

Minor update, I got the insulation stuffed in the gap at the top of my wall last night. Let me tell you, that was a miserable process! I usually try not to "fluff" the insulation much, and try not to touch it as much as possible. Unfortunately, trying to cram that stuff into a 1/2" gap doesn't really afford you the luxury of being delicate with the stuff No pain, no gain, right! It'll all be worth it, though. I'm really looking forward to having this space finished! Needless to say, there are no update pictures. When I finished with this last night I didn't want to stop and pickup the camera. I just wanted a shower ASAP!

I've got a question about the requirement for fire blocking every 10' horizontally, but I think I'll start another thread as it might be useful for others as well.

This is a bit of double post since I updated the fire blocking thread as well, but it seemed like useful information. I've finished with my fire blocking. Here's a shot showing the insulation at the top of the wall stuffed between the top plate and the foundation wall as well as the DW I used to provide blocking every 10' horizontally. I used some fire rated caulk to fill the gap between the DW and the foundation.



Here's another shot showing the DW at the top of the wall that I will use to seal my first layer of ceiling DW against. This would not normally be necessary had I not had to fur down my ceiling to clear the beam.



And here's a shot showing an odd section at the back that would have been been compliant except for the furred down ceiling. I just added some 2x6 blocking to give me something to seal against.



I believe I'm ready for first inspection. I'm still waiting on my actual permit, but I should be able to schedule my first inspection immediately. Does anyone know of any "gotchas" that I might be overlooking? I've never had anything inspected before, so I'm not sure what's supposed to be done for each milestone.

And finally, I'm still worrying over the screw issue. Those 1-5/8" screws that are "supposed" to be #8s worry me. I did a little field testing, and they pull out of a 2x before the head snaps off (which according to Ted is the primary concern). I tried running one of the 2" screws into a hole that I backed one of the 1-5/8" screws out of, and it seems to hold well, but it bottoms out. Meaning it's not threaded down the shank far enough, so it turns in the hole without getting any tighter. I'm not sure which situation is preferable. Ted assured me there is nothing to worry about, and I trust his judgement, but I have no experience with this sort of installation, and I keep thinking of the ceiling crashing down on my 3 y.o.

In the end, I'll probably leave the screws I've got up there.

That's sort of how I felt about having it inspected to begin with Then, I started thinking obsessing about fires and my 3 y.o.'s room is right above our theater. I've got a friend who's house burned and it's scary. Welcome to the world of unmedicated Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Speaking of obsessing, I've been noodling on the wood screw business. Based on this entirely reliable internet source, it looks like worst case situation for those screws gives a pullout rating around 180 lbs.

p = 15,700 * G^2 * D * L
p = 15,700 * (0.29)^2 * 0.138 * 1
p = 182.2 lbs

According to Ted, each clip only needs to support about 25 lbs. Should be good, just like Ted said I'm thinking of trying another field test involving one of the screws, an overhead joist, a hammer, and a large 30 y.o. man that greatly exceeds that 180 lb rating.......... I wish I could find my hard hat

Thanks, Auburn! It's fun to finally be building it

Mr. Tim, at this point my concern is the screws I used "look" like a #6. So now I'm concerned about just reusing the same hole with a true #8. I'm afraid it won't hold as it should. I wish I could find my mic, I'd measure them. I suppose I could use a #10 instead. Analysis paralysis sets in again

I managed to get a little done last night. I only have the top and bottom rows of clips left to finish, and a row on one wall under my sons room. I'll have to find some time during a day to finish up that wall.

Also, my second field test was a success. The 1-5/8" screws I've been worrying over will support..... let's say well over 200# for at least a second or two. I drove one into the furring on my ceiling and left just enough sticking out to get the claw of a hammer under it. I then proceeded to hang from it for just a second. I just knew that thing would pull out and I was going to end up catching that hammer with my head Luckily, the screw didn't budge. I feel better knowing it only needs to hold 20-30# and it will hold me up.

Hopefully I will get my building permit soon, and I can schedule my inspection. I have a few extra 10' sheets of drywall that I'd like to see if I can get them on the ceiling by myself before I order enough to finish the room. If it seems like it's going to be too difficult, I'll probably order 8' sheets for the ceilings and 10' sheets for the walls.

RT, I'm not sure what to say about that I chuckle every time I think about a grown man in wrestling match with his shower curtain, and obviously getting whipped handily Add to that I imagine the shower curtain as being pink and covered in kittens with those sad expressions and unnaturally large eyes

I'm still waiting on my building permit. Hopefully tomorrow. Unfortunately, the way our weekend is shaping up there won't be any time for theater related activities even if I do get it. I don't suppose it would matter, I really need to have my rough-in inspection done before I do much else.

LALALALALA!!!!! I can't hear you! I see pink kitten covered shower curtain! Although, I think I may have spent a little too much time thinking about this

Minor update, turns out, framing is NOT done. I put up a few clips under my son's room that I can't get to after bedtime and I found yet another twisted/bowed stud. I'll have to cut it out and replace it

However, I have found a bit of motivational news! One of the big reasons that I got interested in building a home theater to begin with is gaming. Back before I was married with kids, I used to play a LOT of Halo. When we decided on a lot for our house, we were told that DSL was available here, life was good. Along about the time they were framing the house, I called ATT and wouldn't you know it, no love. Their network is overloaded, and they aren't adding any more users. Well, long story short, I decided to check the 4G LTE ping times on my phone, and HELLO! I might have a viable option for gaming! If that turns out to be the case, I may have to take some time off work/school and dip into the 'ol retirement account to get this theater DONE!

Well, I won't go that far, but I am pretty excited about the prospect of being able to play onine video games again!

I knew I could count on you, RT

Satellite broadband. It's fast, but the latency is horrible. We did exceed our bandwidth cap last month, and with all those new pics in TMcGs thread, I gotta feeling I'm on schedule to do it again