Gun Room is nearing completion...(a preview)
- Thread starter Rembrandt
- Start date
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Kind of Blued
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Snag some of those cool old tin posters off of E-Bay!
http://cgi.ebay.com/WINCHESTER-Guns...ryZ71139QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/WINCHESTER-Guns...ryZ71139QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
32winspl
Member
Love the room! Very jealous.
Glockman, if by "cold ones", you mean Coke or Orange Crush, cool. If you mean beer... (while reloading), baad idea. ...been there, done that. I highly don't reccomend.
Glockman, if by "cold ones", you mean Coke or Orange Crush, cool. If you mean beer... (while reloading), baad idea. ...been there, done that. I highly don't reccomend.
41magsnub
Member
Where is the "Kegerator"? IMHO that is required in any room that will be called a Man Cave!
You may have addressed several of these issues, but from my own experience building one in the garage I remember these coming up:
Ventilation - This is not a luxury. This is a requirement. Does this have a 'roof' on it? When you shut the door, is there a way for the air pressure to get out?
Heat & A/C - Will make it much more enjoyable.
Fire extinguishers - 2. Yes 2. One on one end, another on the other. In that small space they can be the very small type, with a larger unit outside the box.
No Smoking signs - Should be clearly posted whether you allow smoking or not. I have had friends, stranagers, workers - whatever over to my house and they don't think twice about walking around with a cigarette lit until they see the signs.
Power outlets - you cannot have too many. Extention cords are messy and easily overloaded and are a tripping and fire hazard.
Lights - You can never have too much light and as you age there never seems to be enough. If you think it is enough, add 50%, including overhead shop lights and moveable spot lights. The hidden spots look sweet, but they don't provide the maximum amount of light from multiple angles that is so helpful when looking at tiny detail. Can you get outside light in?
Magnification - I have a lighted magnifier on my bench. Wouldn't know what to do without it.
Tumbler - keep it outside that room, somewhere else in the basement. They are dusty and noisy - 2 things you don't need in there. Think clean!
Rubber floor mat - You will be on your feet more than you think. Take care of your joints.
Cleaning - keep a dustpan and small handheld brush for quick/easy sweep ups. I use it all the time rather than try to do one 'big' clean up later. In fact I bought 3 small paint brushes to use on the machines.
Organization - sit in there before you start and go through the motions... where do you want to have your bullets, your brass, your powder, your other stuff. Get organized FIRST and you won't have to redo something later. Ask me how I know.
. SEEriously consider putting up some pegboard. I wish I had a pic of mine after all the stuff was hung. You will not believe how many tools, die heads, and even small shelves for books you can hang on the walls.
Cabinets - You are obviously handy, so think of what will you use the upper cabinets for. Many items can be mounted on pull out shelves so you don't have to take it out, unpack it, place it on the bench, yadda yadda... for instance RCBS brass multi machine, brass trimmer, electronic scale. Pull them out, use it, push it back. HUGE time saver. That way the power outlets can be inside the cabinets as well. Have a pull out on the bottom shelf of each one and stored items above it.
Storage - Powder and primers should be stored separately from each other and kept udner lock and key. No question about it. All liquids - cleaning, oils, etc, etc should be kept in one location too.
Television - FWIW I would never have a television around while I am reloading. I find I even turn my radio off. I want 100% concentration.
I'm sure there's more but that's all I can think of off the top of my head.
Ventilation - This is not a luxury. This is a requirement. Does this have a 'roof' on it? When you shut the door, is there a way for the air pressure to get out?
Heat & A/C - Will make it much more enjoyable.
Fire extinguishers - 2. Yes 2. One on one end, another on the other. In that small space they can be the very small type, with a larger unit outside the box.
No Smoking signs - Should be clearly posted whether you allow smoking or not. I have had friends, stranagers, workers - whatever over to my house and they don't think twice about walking around with a cigarette lit until they see the signs.
Power outlets - you cannot have too many. Extention cords are messy and easily overloaded and are a tripping and fire hazard.
Lights - You can never have too much light and as you age there never seems to be enough. If you think it is enough, add 50%, including overhead shop lights and moveable spot lights. The hidden spots look sweet, but they don't provide the maximum amount of light from multiple angles that is so helpful when looking at tiny detail. Can you get outside light in?
Magnification - I have a lighted magnifier on my bench. Wouldn't know what to do without it.
Tumbler - keep it outside that room, somewhere else in the basement. They are dusty and noisy - 2 things you don't need in there. Think clean!
Rubber floor mat - You will be on your feet more than you think. Take care of your joints.
Cleaning - keep a dustpan and small handheld brush for quick/easy sweep ups. I use it all the time rather than try to do one 'big' clean up later. In fact I bought 3 small paint brushes to use on the machines.
Organization - sit in there before you start and go through the motions... where do you want to have your bullets, your brass, your powder, your other stuff. Get organized FIRST and you won't have to redo something later. Ask me how I know.
. SEEriously consider putting up some pegboard. I wish I had a pic of mine after all the stuff was hung. You will not believe how many tools, die heads, and even small shelves for books you can hang on the walls. Cabinets - You are obviously handy, so think of what will you use the upper cabinets for. Many items can be mounted on pull out shelves so you don't have to take it out, unpack it, place it on the bench, yadda yadda... for instance RCBS brass multi machine, brass trimmer, electronic scale. Pull them out, use it, push it back. HUGE time saver. That way the power outlets can be inside the cabinets as well. Have a pull out on the bottom shelf of each one and stored items above it.
Storage - Powder and primers should be stored separately from each other and kept udner lock and key. No question about it. All liquids - cleaning, oils, etc, etc should be kept in one location too.
Television - FWIW I would never have a television around while I am reloading. I find I even turn my radio off. I want 100% concentration.
I'm sure there's more but that's all I can think of off the top of my head.
Don Gwinn
Moderator Emeritus
Jealousy . . . . RISING . . . .
Actually, there are a few features going into the kids' renovated bedrooms that are going to make fantastic gun rooms and libraries when I finally give the little joys of my life the boot.
Actually, there are a few features going into the kids' renovated bedrooms that are going to make fantastic gun rooms and libraries when I finally give the little joys of my life the boot.
Limeyfellow
Member
I have one of those stools I use for telescoping.
Nice room. Now to convince my wife to let me build myself one, I guess in the basement.
Nice room. Now to convince my wife to let me build myself one, I guess in the basement.
okiebuckout
Member
Thanks for the updated pictures. It really is a nice setup for the given amount of space. It gives me some ideas for when I get out of this tiny apartment.:banghead:
OP
OP
Rembrandt
Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2003
- Messages
- 4,657
Never been satisfied with drilling holes in a bench and bolting a press down. Once installed most presses never move again. Always intrigued with the possibility of a quick change system that gives more bench room if needed. Here's what I came up with, two rails of extruded aluminum recessed into the bench top that presses get mounted to. Composite bases are attached to each loader and accessory. Rail allows press to slide up and down the bench, then simply lock it in place by tightening bolts. Next step will be a stock and forearm rest that attaches to the same rail system for cleaning guns.
Deacon Blues
Member
Fantastic setup, Rembrandt. You've inspired me with the rail system. It's rare to find the perfect arrangement on the first go, so being able to reconfigure is a great thing.
Lucky Strike
Member
wow that rail system is awesome.....i totally intend to steal the idea when I have my reloading table built.
Bazooka Joe71
Member
Really, really awesome Rembrandt...I'm quite jealous.
--- Makes my gun safe look like a lunch box ---
Memorable quotes for
Tremors (1990)
[Burt Gummer, with his wife Heather at his side, berates the dead monster fought off with their "family arsinal"]
Burt Gummer: Broke into the wrong God damn rec room, didn't ya you bastard!
[Burt Gummer looks at his bomb shelter for perhaps the last time]
Burt Gummer: Food for five years, a thousand gallons of gas, air filtration, water filtration, Geiger counter. Bomb shelter! Underground... God damn monsters.
Memorable quotes for
Tremors (1990)
[Burt Gummer, with his wife Heather at his side, berates the dead monster fought off with their "family arsinal"]
Burt Gummer: Broke into the wrong God damn rec room, didn't ya you bastard!
[Burt Gummer looks at his bomb shelter for perhaps the last time]
Burt Gummer: Food for five years, a thousand gallons of gas, air filtration, water filtration, Geiger counter. Bomb shelter! Underground... God damn monsters.
FuzzyBunny
Member
Power outlets and circuits.
When ever I redo a room I add at least 2 extra 20 amp circuits. The 12 ga. wire is a little stiffer to work with but I like the safety factor of the heaver wire and the 5 extra amps.
Believe me in the future you never know what you might want to use the room for. I put more outlets on the wall and closer together than the electrical code calls for. I'm also a big fan of GFI plugs around anything wet or flamable vapors.
I hate having a plug just 2 inches farther than the cord of what I want to plug in.
+1 in the fire suppression! Try to have some Halon or CO2 as dry chemical is a real pain to clean up after. Also have 2 smoke alarms in there just in case one goes bad. I have had some just 6 months old fail to work. It is cheap insurance and 2 make more noise than one.
I'm a big fan of HEPA air cleaners. Cuts down on 99% of dust and the need to dust things off so often.
Great room!
When ever I redo a room I add at least 2 extra 20 amp circuits. The 12 ga. wire is a little stiffer to work with but I like the safety factor of the heaver wire and the 5 extra amps.
Believe me in the future you never know what you might want to use the room for. I put more outlets on the wall and closer together than the electrical code calls for. I'm also a big fan of GFI plugs around anything wet or flamable vapors.
I hate having a plug just 2 inches farther than the cord of what I want to plug in.
+1 in the fire suppression! Try to have some Halon or CO2 as dry chemical is a real pain to clean up after. Also have 2 smoke alarms in there just in case one goes bad. I have had some just 6 months old fail to work. It is cheap insurance and 2 make more noise than one.
I'm a big fan of HEPA air cleaners. Cuts down on 99% of dust and the need to dust things off so often.
Great room!
Last edited:
phantomak47
Member
A little off topic and I am not trying to hijack the thread, but does anyone have any experience with those portable ac units that they are selling everywhere these days? The problem I have is that I would love to do more gun work in the summer time, but I am banned from inside the house because of the chemical smells and the garage just gets very "warm" in the Houston summer. Thoughts suggestions?
romma
Member
repaint that red toolbox.... Great job!
phanto - we be neighbors of sorts. I got one two years ago to use in my garage. It is separate from the house so it is not insulated. The little portable unit requires venting outside to move the hot air. I just ran the bit tube over to the garage door, put an stud down about 7' long, closed the door on it. The resulting gap I stick the oblong vent out. Looks fairly innocuous and gets the hot air out.
The unit works as advertised. BUT... since we are talking about a non insulated space, it will remain hot... it just cannot keep up with the heat load. It is useful only to position so that it blows cold air directly on me. If I were to get serious and completely insulate that part of the garage (it is a 3 1/2 car size with my 1 1/2 separated by twin plastic sheets floor to ceiling) I would probably just try to hide a window unit.
The home owner nazi's won't allow them of course but I think I could hide one behind the hibiscus bushes out back.
The unit works as advertised. BUT... since we are talking about a non insulated space, it will remain hot... it just cannot keep up with the heat load. It is useful only to position so that it blows cold air directly on me. If I were to get serious and completely insulate that part of the garage (it is a 3 1/2 car size with my 1 1/2 separated by twin plastic sheets floor to ceiling) I would probably just try to hide a window unit.
The home owner nazi's won't allow them of course but I think I could hide one behind the hibiscus bushes out back.
If it were me, I'd have put some plumbing in there for a sink for various projects (like refinishing) and a venting system (for things which produce odors/gases you don't want to be breathing). Maybe the kind of sink that you could put a "board" or something on top of so you'd not lose that space. Running water can come in handy for a lot of things, but I guess it depends on how extensively you "work on guns".
Also, I'd add cushions on those seats and maybe a nice recliner/fold-out bed/recliner.
Also, I'd add cushions on those seats and maybe a nice recliner/fold-out bed/recliner.
TexasSkyhawk
Internet SEAL
Rembrandt,
Awesome job. Simply beautiful. I really like your compressed air supply set up/application. Good stuff.
Interesting how some folks say "yes" to a TV and other folks say "no." Both sides make valid points. I have a TV in my workshop, and one of my greatest pleasures is turning to one of the outdoor channels while I'm reloading. For me, the TV is like audio/visual wallpaper. It's not really a distraction and actually helps me stay more focused.
Agree with the plumbing/sink suggestion if it's feasible. I just finished building a sink for my shop. I do a lot of darkroom work in my shop as well, and needed running water. Couldn't find a pre-existing darkroom sink that met my needs, so I got some cabinet grade oak, fiberglass resin and enamel expoxy and made my own. Just finished it only a few weeks ago.
Now I wonder how I lived without it. I'm going to put a small hot-water heater in underneath and plumb it for two lines.
I use it for everything. I also cut a remaining piece of the oak to dimensions of the sink. This gives me yet another stable, solid work area when I put it over the sink opening.
Jeff
Awesome job. Simply beautiful. I really like your compressed air supply set up/application. Good stuff.
Interesting how some folks say "yes" to a TV and other folks say "no." Both sides make valid points. I have a TV in my workshop, and one of my greatest pleasures is turning to one of the outdoor channels while I'm reloading. For me, the TV is like audio/visual wallpaper. It's not really a distraction and actually helps me stay more focused.
Agree with the plumbing/sink suggestion if it's feasible. I just finished building a sink for my shop. I do a lot of darkroom work in my shop as well, and needed running water. Couldn't find a pre-existing darkroom sink that met my needs, so I got some cabinet grade oak, fiberglass resin and enamel expoxy and made my own. Just finished it only a few weeks ago.
Now I wonder how I lived without it. I'm going to put a small hot-water heater in underneath and plumb it for two lines.
I use it for everything. I also cut a remaining piece of the oak to dimensions of the sink. This gives me yet another stable, solid work area when I put it over the sink opening.
Jeff
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