My man cave build

[rfuerst911sc]

Finished off the Rapid Air install last night so that portion is done . I have to go through the sea of moving boxes in our basement to find my air filters/regulators . That will have to wait as today I'm turning to soffit prep......... tired of the bees/wasps in the garage ! The ventilated soffits will cut off the main entry point for the bees so will be a good thing when complete .

[rfuerst911sc]

So made good progress today except for the hammer blow to the head ! I'm up on the ladder making an adjustment and all is good . I hook the hammer to the top ladder rung and start going down the ladder to grab a 2 x 4 . Next thing I know I'm seeing stars because the hammer decided to take flight ............. claws down but the good thing is my head was in the way to save the hammer from any harm . The damn thing hit me square on the top of my head , blood pouring out and oh yeah I'm still on the ladder ! I quickly collect my thoughts and get off the ladder , grab a rag to apply pressure and go in the house .

I calmly tell the wife " might need a little help here " and I get the normal bark of horror when she see's the blood . Turns out the claws of the hammer just nicked me so grabbed two paper towels , folded into a 4 x 4 square , ran under the water and applied to hammer strike zone . Grabbed a hat to hold everything in place and went back to work . So the 2 x 4's are all done now I can go over them with 1 x 6's this will make a strong foundation for the soffits and gutters . This is another grandchildren weekend so not sure how much I'll get done but I'm hoping to have the 1 x 6's and the aluminum trim done by end of next week . Here are pics of today's progress , you can kind of see the dark ends of the rafter tails . Not sure what the blocking is officially called but I took 10 " pieces of 2 x 4 , cut to the angle of the rafter tail and used my air nailer to nail them to the rafters . Held them back 1.5 " for the face 2 x 4's to install against . It was a lot of piddly work glad it's done !

[billybek]

It is amazing how much blood can come out of a minor head wound...
Hope you are ok..

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by billybek

It is amazing how much blood can come out of a minor head wound...
Hope you are ok..

Yeah I'm fine , being German ancestry my head is quite hard hahaha Just two tiny scabs as of this morning so good to go . But yeah there was no shortage of blood flow when it happened

[rfuerst911sc]

Hey guys today I started on the right side of the building to install the ventilated soffit . Picked up the soffit , F and J molding at Home Depot . Standard white vinyl . All the molding is done on the right side of the building and I'm about 70 % done with the soffit . I'll finish tomorrow and start on the left side . For never doing this before I think it looks good . At one point this afternoon it was 99 in the shade per two thermometers and the sweat was pouring off like Niagara falls ! I worked 6 hours and finally waved the white flag .

[rfuerst911sc]

Another great day in the sweltering South , it was a mild 95 degrees today . Anyway I finished installing the ventilated soffit pieces , then screwed the 1 x 6 fascia boards into place and ended with covering with metal . This side is now ready for gutters . I was going to start on the other side when I got the call that my work bench metal top was ready . So I stopped and went and picked up the two pieces .

My work bench is basically 18 ' 4 " long and 32 " deep . They made me a 12 ' and a 6 ' 6 " pieces with a front apron and a back splash all made from galvanized 20 gauge . Between my expert dimensions and their skill of metal bending = a great looking top !!! It is just sitting there for now I think I'm going to use silicone to glue it down vs. a true adhesive just in case it ever has to be peeled off . I only plan on putting 4 screws at each end and the seam and that's it . Add to that my 2 bench vices I don't think it will go anywhere Anyway here are pics of today's progress .

[Captain Ahab Jr]

really enjoying your man cave build, great work you're doing, take it steady in the heat

You're thread has inspired me, I might even this weekend start my own 'man cave build - UK style'

[URY914]

Lookin' good. Like that bench but what do you need all that space for?

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by URY914

Lookin' good. Like that bench but what do you need all that space for?

I don't but I'm doing this build one time and go big or go home With minimal discipline it will quickly turn into a giant shelf I had asked in a previous thread what size bench is " good enough " ? Most replies were in the 12 ' - 16 ' range so I decided on the 18 ' to fit the space I have at the front of the garage . Because of my eventual ceiling height I may use part of the bench top as the landing strip for attic stairs . Crazy prices for custom attic stairs but I can use an over the counter set of stairs if I have them land on the bench top . It's all part of the crazy master plan

[rfuerst911sc]

Another scorcher today mid 90's and humid . I started at 8:45 this morning by pulling off all the boards/weights I had stacked on the metal work bench top . I glued it yesterday with PL375 that I had , did some S patterns and along the front/back edge . Did some screws on both ends and the over lap seam it is VERY solid ! When I got done with that clean up I started with the soffit moldings on the left side of the building . The left side is now done in regards to the ventilated soffit , tomorrow I add the final fascia boards and the metal wrap and we're done . I still have to bend up some cosmetic metal to conceal the ends on both sides of the building but I am now bee/wasp free

At one point during the day I walked under our carport and saw something move , turns out it was a baby rattlesnake He quickly lost his head and was flung into the woods to be recycled I showed it to my wife and made her understand you have to be careful here moving stones or logs or whatever . Overall it was another great day on the progress of the man cave .

[rfuerst911sc]

Hey guys I took a few days off as I was getting burnt out on working on the building But today was back at it I finished the left side soffit/fascia so that is now done . I still have to bend up some end trim pieces but that will wait for now . Today I also started trying to figure out the safety locks on the 2 post lift . I could not find any 1/8 OD poly tubing locally so will have to purchase online . I'll need a few fittings also . Also mounted my big air filter/water separator/regulator but need to buy some fittings there also That ate up the entire day now enjoying some cold adult cocktails

[Captain Ahab Jr]

I envy how much space you guys have

Always good to take some time out, hope your enjoying your cool beverage sat in a deck chair looking at the fruits of your hard work

Here is a beer for you

[rfuerst911sc]

Today I ordered from Amazon the 1/8 OD tubing for the lift locks and some fittings . While I wait for those to arrive I turned my attention to the " box ceiling " I have to make over the lift posts . Because I screwed up on the floor to ceiling height when I poured the floor the lift posts are about 3 - 4 " ABOVE the bottom of the ceiling rafters Totally my fault it is what it is . So I am going to box it in using two rafters as my main structure . Picked up some lumber today so will get started on it tomorrow morning . Will post some pics when I get some lumber installed .

[rfuerst911sc]

Hello everyone the past two days I have worked on the framework for the extended ceiling over the lift . Today I finished the frame , it is made up of 2 x 12's screwed to the existing rafters on either side of the lift . Angles cut to the ends to match the rafter pitch it came out good and VERY strong . So all I have left to do is the " ceiling " which I will make out of 1/4 " luan with some 2 x 2's for strength .

Tomorrow I will draw up a quick plan and measure for the metal ceiling panels , will have them cut to exact lengths so only have to lift and screw into place . I am going on vacation soon so will hold off ordering the metal until I get back . But another good piece of the puzzle now almost done .

[rfuerst911sc]

Today I finished scabbing on 2 x 6's to the existing roof trusses . I did this to give a little additional strength to the center 8 ' portion of the rafters to support a walkway and maybe some storage . I am now ready for ceiling metal ! I will order the metal right after I get back from vacation at the end of the 1st week of August . So here is what I have left to do.

1.Order and install ceiling metal .
2.Install fiberglass ceiling insulation .
3.Install LED light strips .
4.Install Mitsubishi mini split AC/heat
5.Install Gladiator wall cabinets .
6.Hang various Porsche posters/pics/banners .
7.Have gutters and downspouts installed .
8.Figure out what I want for a retaining wall and purchase/install .

Looking at the list I am feeling very confident that she will be done this year ! It may be Dec. 30th but it will be done I have said it before and I'll say it again this is the biggest DIY solo project I have ever done and so far I am VERY happy with the results . I'll post pics next month of ceiling panels going up .

[rfuerst911sc]

I'm still here guys just been busy with other stuff . Anyway today I made a list of misc. air line fittings I need to go from the RA stuff to my hose reels and the safety locks on the lift . I think I covered everything but I'm sure one more run ( at least ) will be needed . Heading out to dinner then stopping at HD for the fittings . With any luck I'll have the RAV4 up on the lift this weekend for an oil/filter change . That will be the maiden vehicle to use the lift for the first time ! I sprayed the line locks today with black satin Rustoleum as they were rusty but they look like new now . Will post pics of the Toyota on the lift . Going on vacation later next week for almost 3 weeks so nothing will get done

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by URY914

Lookin' good. Like that bench but what do you need all that space for?

BLASPHEMY!
BLASPHEMY!
BLASPHEMY!
BLASPHEMY!

That question should never be asked of a garage or man cave build. That is like asking why someone needs more than one car per driver. Ban him Ban him!

[URY914]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

BLASPHEMY!
BLASPHEMY!
BLASPHEMY!
BLASPHEMY!

That question should never be asked of a garage or man cave build. That is like asking why someone needs more than one car per driver. Ban him Ban him!

[rfuerst911sc]

Hey guys today I completed 100 % of the air line install ! I started with the safety locks for the 2 post lift , that was a combo of 1/4 " OD for feed line to the actuator knob/valve and 1/8 " OD to the actuators on the lock mechanisms . That was poly line using push insert fittings . After that I turned to terminating the Rapid Air manifolds to my hose reels . Various combinations of regulators and filters with shut off valves . Ended with making the connection from the compressor to the 3/4 " black pipe . I counted up 60 joints/leak paths and when I turned everything on I had only 3 leaks .

One leak was from previous filter setup I pulled from previous house so really only 2 leaks . Very minor I'm kind of hoping they seal on their own . I was very happy to see that the safety latches on the lift work perfectly . Raise the lift off the latches , hit the button and BOOM the latches retract . So tomorrow the wifes RAV4 is the guinea pig to be the first vehicle on the lift . Going to do an oil and filter change and probably rotate the tires . I am really looking forward to trying out the lift . It's starting to feel like a garage !

[URY914]

Pictures are required tomorrow.