[boosterjuice]

Greetings to all,


I've finally got the green light from the wife to start with our basement development and home theatre project. We've decided on using a projector for our theater room. We also plan on using the the theatre room for other social activities so we don't want the restricted feel that a dedicated home theater brings.


I'm in the planning phase now and have attached a photo of a concept drawing. I'm looking for suggestions on where to place my AV cabinet. I plan on placing it to the left-hand side (facing the screen).


I'm also looking for ideas for where to palce my left/right surround speakers along with my base box. We already have all the audio equipment for a 5.1 system. All polk speakers with a Onkyo receiver.


Any other ideas would be most welcome.


I plan on doing most of the work myself through the help of trades friends & family. Without any of the AV equipment, I have budgeted $7000 for this project. I may need to increase this budget once I start researching various sound proofing and acoustic options. Any tips on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[boosterjuice]

Another item that I would apreciate advice on would be what projector to get. I'd like to fit a motorized 106" (diagnol distance) screen in between my (2) cabinets. Do you know of a good projector that could throw a 106" image 14 feet?

 

[boosterjuice]

Project update: Spent the weekend clearing out the junk that has accumulated there over the past 3.5 years. Might start framing next weekend. Pics to follow.


Any feed back on rear speaker placement or projector recommendations?

 

[g_bartman]

You would get more responses in the projector and speaker threads. Also, there is a distance calculator at projectorcentral.com

 

[boosterjuice]

Hey Guys,


It's been awhile since I've checked in here. Just wanted to show you my progress to date. Always looking for tips and feedback

Here's a pic of a major change that we decided on. In between our telepost and storage area, we decided to have a wet bar with double arches. One arch for the entrance to the the theatre room, and the other arch will be the wet bar area.

https://flic.kr/p/6477166545 ​

https://flic.kr/p/6477166545 ​

by Tim Nash , on Flickr

 

[boosterjuice]

As you can see, all the framing is done in our basement. We've also completed all the rough in for plumbing and electrical.


This picture shows the screen wall. I plan on putting the A/V cabinet to the left of the screen. I taped out the size of the screen in the picture below. 106" will fit comfortably. Also in this picture, you can see the bedroom behind the screen wall along with the bathroom to the left of the screen wall. I am really liking the orientation of everything.

https://flic.kr/p/6477170631 ​

https://flic.kr/p/6477170631 ​

by http://www.flickr.com/people/timnash/]Tim Nash

 

[boosterjuice]

Here is another shot of the double arch wet bar and entrance. We plan on putting slate around the arches and columns. Should look amazing when completed.

https://flic.kr/p/6477174891 ​

https://flic.kr/p/6477174891 ​

by Tim Nash , on Flickr

 

[boosterjuice]

Here's a blurry progress pic of us installing the drywall. Why use a ladder? Shoulders worked!

https://flic.kr/p/6477639131 ​

https://flic.kr/p/6477639131 ​

by Tim Nash , on Flickr

 

[boosterjuice]

Drywall was completed after 1.5 days and some beer.


Here is a picture of the entrance/wetbar. I'm getting pumped about how this is turning out. All columns and arches will be slate.

https://flic.kr/p/6477641539 ​

https://flic.kr/p/6477641539 ​

by Tim Nash , on Flickr

 

[boosterjuice]

This is a shot of the screen wall.


You'll notice we got the wiring hanging down for the pot lights.

https://flic.kr/p/6477644347 ​

https://flic.kr/p/6477644347 ​

by Tim Nash , on Flickr


I still have to put insulation in the ceiling for this room.


For all the walls, I used standard R12 bat. For the ceiling I'm using 6" R20 bat.

 

[boosterjuice]

This is a pic of the bedroom. Nothing fancy.

https://flic.kr/p/6477647209 ​

https://flic.kr/p/6477647209 ​

by Tim Nash , on Flickr

 

[boosterjuice]

Next up: Mudding and taping. Dec 14-19th. (I have to take time off work for this)


I'll be doing this myself so any tips from pros would be greatly appreciated.


-I purchased a drywall banjo. I saw a few youtube videos that made it look amazingly quick to do the first coat. Anyone ever use a banjo?

-I'll be using "dust control" mud. I hope the product works as advertised. Last time I mudded and taped (5 years ago in our last basement), the dust was horrible.

-The last time I mudded and taped, we sanded after every coat (3 times). I've heard conflicting reports on whether or not one should sand after every coat. I've seen a lot of youtube videos where they only sand after the final coat. Rather than sanding, they simply use their drywall blade to scrape away any inperfections from the mudding coat. Any opinions on this?

 

[Hockeypuck25]

From my own basement experience I have found out that sanding between layers is a waste of time. I knock the big stuff off then go right back at it. But then again I have been stuck on coat two for about 5 months...

 

[Mark F]



Quote:
Originally Posted by boosterjuice /forum/post/21319210


Next up: Mudding and taping. Dec 14-19th. (I have to take time off work for this)


I'll be doing this myself so any tips from pros would be greatly appreciated.


-I purchased a drywall banjo. I saw a few youtube videos that made it look amazingly quick to do the first coat. Anyone ever use a banjo?

-I'll be using "dust control" mud. I hope the product works as advertised. Last time I mudded and taped (5 years ago in our last basement), the dust was horrible.

-The last time I mudded and taped, we sanded after every coat (3 times). I've heard conflicting reports on whether or not one should sand after every coat. I've seen a lot of youtube videos where they only sand after the final coat. Rather than sanding, they simply use their drywall blade to scrape away any inperfections from the mudding coat. Any opinions on this?

Best advice is to have someone else do. Next best advice and the route I went after too many years of hand sanding drywall was to spend the money on a Porter Cable drywall sander. It's a power sander that hooks up to a shop vac and pulls most of the dust while it does the work. It's worth it for the cleanliness if nothing else and it gives a great finish. Around $475 new but now that I'm done with mine I figure I should be able to get around $375 for it and I'll be happy.

 

[ack_bk]



Quote:
Originally Posted by boosterjuice /forum/post/0


Drywall was completed after 1.5 days and some beer.


Here is a picture of the entrance/wetbar. I'm getting pumped about how this is turning out. All columns and arches will be slate.

https://flic.kr/p/6477641539 ​

by Tim Nash , on Flickr

Are you going to drywall the ceiling?

 

[boosterjuice]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ack_bk /forum/post/21323796


Are you going to drywall the ceiling?

I'm doing ceiling link/ceilume tiles for the main theatre room. The bathroom, bedroom, bar/entrance has drywall ceiling.

 

[boosterjuice]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark F /forum/post/21323130


Best advice is to have someone else do. Next best advice and the route I went after too many years of hand sanding drywall was to spend the money on a Porter Cable drywall sander. It's a power sander that hooks up to a shop vac and pulls most of the dust while it does the work. It's worth it for the cleanliness if nothing else and it gives a great finish. Around $475 new but now that I'm done with mine I figure I should be able to get around $375 for it and I'll be happy.

Great idea. I'm going to look into renting one of these bad boys.

 

[Mark F]

This website has the best drywall inspection info I think the web offers, his info and videos are excellent. The one thing you might not want to play with though is the corner knife. There's a knack to using that knife and there's nothing wrong with doing one side at a time.

http://drywallschool.com/

 

[boosterjuice]

Thanks Mark


I will give that a try. I start on Wednesday morning. Should be close to completion on Sunday. Fingers crossed

 

[boosterjuice]

Just about done my third coat of mud. Looking great so far. This pic was after the 1st coat. That drywall banjo was amazing to use for the first coat and tape. Very happy with it.


I tried to rent a porter cable drywall sander. No luck though as all rental stores in Calgary don't carry them.