Lakeville, MN
Things have changed since these pics were taken, but you get the idea.
http://usergallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/Gameroom
Bryan (CARGPB 14)
http://usergallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/bspins
(Topic ID: 1058)
You're currently viewing posts by Pinsider Bryan_Kelly.
Click here to go back to viewing the entire thread.
It was in the basement of a local convenience store I did work for. It was about a month old and the Star Trib decided not to use it anymore. They just never came back to get it. It took me a good six months before I could talk the owner into selling it to me.
Bryan (CARGPB 14)
http://usergallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/bspins
Quoted from PinRaider:Great room, I like the paint stripes on the walls. How did you get the Star Tribune vendor?
3 years later
Quoted from JustinKelly:The wife said I could use the downstairs bedroom as my game room. It's small, but it'll do! Not finished yet as we're still missing one pin and then some wall art!IMG_0508.JPG
Those games look awfully familiar.
2 years later
Quoted from MustangPaul:But the real test is when everything is being played, that's when the BIG drain comes, that's when I was seeing 2 seconds per revolution.
But keep in mind, you're paying for each kilowatt-hour. That's the use of one kilowatt of power for one hour. Have a party some night and how long does that last? Six hours, maybe. That party won't cost you much in electricity. What you want to be concerned with are items that run for a few hours, every single day of every single month.
1 week later
Quoted from spinal:Very nice! Not an electrician myself but for those that want to do custom switches ensure that everything is rated properly for current and up to code or, in some cases, it can be a fire hazard. Not saying you did this here just making a general comment for others that may follow your lead without considering the details.
He mentions in his post, the original Decora style switches are still there. His buttons do nothing but operate them.
2 months later
4 months later
Quoted from TheLaw:Good to see you're moving out the topper era of your life
Such a polite way of saying, "what the fuck is all that shit on top of your games!"
I like it.
3 months later
Quoted from MustangPaul:Surface mount is nice and easy.
Sorry, but concealing the wiring is MUCH easier and takes less time than running pipe on the outside. Piping does allow you to make changes in the future.
Quoted from toyotaboy:Serious question (and I know codes vary by area). Based on what I've read up on, If I wanted to throw up some walls in my basement I need:
* pressure treated lumber on the bottom plate for the wall frame (optional if I want to use nails or tapcons to secure). This is so that if I should get a flood, the base is waterproof
* Ideally I should have an insulation barrier between studs (either fiberglass or pink foam)
* I need a moisture barrier (IE polyurethane sheet at least 6 mil) on the outside before the drywall so in case moisture somehow gets through, it won't rot from the inside
Assuming I don't also need a moisture barrier behind the wall (I do plan on coating every concrete wall with drylok) ?
I'd like to get some real flooring down at least partially, and I don't want to do that until I have some real walls up. I also plan on using dricore tiles before I put down anything on the concrete floor.
That sounds about right. If you go to your city hall, I have a feeling they'll have a homeowner handout that explains many of the issues you need to deal with when finishing your basement. I know ours does.
1 month later
Quoted from jrockne:Quick question for those of you with a bunch of machines. I'm getting ready to run electrical along the wall that the pinball machines are going to line. the wall is 18'6" so room for 7 games. The room is currently wired on a 15amp circuit, so I am leaving the 15amp for a couple arcade machines, stereo, black lights, etc. So should I run one 20amp circuit along the wall (running 5 pins) and plug a couple pins into the 15amp... or just run two circuits and be done. I would rather not overload the breakers...
Thanks for any insight
You could probably get by with one 20 amp circuit, but I'd be safe and run a couple.
Quoted from f3honda4me:That won't be a problem. It's a brand new top of the line carrier furnace and AC. And it's sized for the full square footage of the home including the basement.
Radiant heat is wonderful and I'd put it in a new home all day long. Adding it after the fact can be a bitch. Not only is it costly to install but it's costly to operate, if it's electrical cables. If you've never done cables, it's time consuming the first time. I guarantee you'll mess up on the length of the runs. If not done right, you could end up with cold spots. Is the panel located such that you can get circuits to where you need them? You'll probably need more than one and sizing each cable set can get tricky.
If you do the radiant heat, you'll still want air circulation/AC in the summertime for the basement. You'll only get that with heat/AC runs. And if you add runs, you'll need cold air returns added.
I'd call a couple of heating contractors and have them look at things. Without seeing what your actual situation looks like, all we're doing is guessing. You can also get very bad advice here from people who have no clue. Sorry, but true.
2 weeks later
Quoted from mikecav:We bought a new house and are in the middle of a complete reno/addition. We've been renting for the past 2 years and all of my games are out on loan to friends at the moment.
Part of the deal with the new house was that under the new family room area I'd get a basement with 9 foot ceilings. This is as of today.. to be my game room in just a few months...
[quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]
Very interesting framing. Where are you from?
1 year later
Quoted from StoneyFL:I decided to go with https://astrocarpetmills.com/recolor_carpet/465/ for our arcade/theater lobby and home theater carpet (thanks for the recommendations!) Minimum order was 600 square feet, which worked perfectly for me. I got the UV lights installed this week, now I just need to find an installer and get the carpet ordered.
For those who have had patterned carpet installed, I'm curious if you had it direct glued to the sub-floor, or if you used padding? The person I spoke with at Astro suggested that no padding should be used. I'm also curious about how how y'all went about finding a qualified installer. My understanding is that these types of carpets can be tricky (due to the patterns), and I want it done right.
Thanks!
Here's an old pic of our carpet. It was custom made for a local movie theater and we were lucky enough to have a hook up with them. It's about 25 years old and still looks the same.
It's commercial carpet glued directly to the concrete. No pad. That's the only way they would install it. They would also only allow their installers to do the install.
The only issue you could have with ordering carpet with a pattern is knowing where the seams will be and ordering enough to deal with those seams.
I would suggest finding a carpet installer and have them look at what you want and get advice from them. Do NOT just order what you think you'll need.
If you have a larger flooring store near you, check with them for an installer. Even though you aren't buying carpet from them, they may give you a name or two.
287378031_ZNCrW-L (resized).jpg 3 weeks later
Not a game room but a game room bath. The old silvered walls were about 25 years old. Time to match it up with the rest of the game room.
Just waiting on the light fixture to come.
756199C8-CE84-4E95-AC69-E6410A8CA22C_1_105_c (resized).jpeg1D418CD9-3F5F-4DFB-A099-823228A514D7_1_105_c (resized).jpeg4FF172F6-F91A-4529-9738-D54EB0214CCB_1_105_c (resized).jpeg4B159E02-81F8-4B48-92CB-D1BCA491AAB1_1_105_c (resized).jpeg8EABE732-638F-4476-AFA4-7656B9268876_1_105_c (resized).jpegF6BF603A-6585-4EA8-8646-D28B34127FA3_1_105_c (resized).jpegDCA6103E-F822-4066-B5FF-695908B3E01C_1_105_c (resized).jpegDAC97D41-F904-4697-A782-8BFC4F6F4AE8_1_105_c (resized).jpegCF9F12A4-FA4C-4521-89F2-800CA4843DD9_1_105_c (resized).jpeg 1 week later
Quoted from Kkoss24:Damn I was thinking about that .At least the shower is a straight shot 1 elbow .Thanks for the tip
Your electrical looks a tad sketchy too. 
Quoted from Kkoss24:I havnt tightened up yet but no I don’t like inspectors they slow me down .Usually theyre the mayors nephew that wants to red flag you as much as possible so he can start getting commissions on them .
That is absolutely not true. I dealt with inspectors my entire 40 years as an electrical contractor, as well as seeing them interact with all the other trades.
Are there some bad ones? Sure there are, just like there are in every profession. But for the most part, they're just like you and me just doing their job.
I don't know what it's like in other states, but in MN, I would advise taking out all permits necessary, especially on newer homes. The older the home, the less of a paper trail. Let's say you wired your own basement and did not take out a permit. When you go to sell your house, the third party inspection service (if they're any good) will call the city and also the state to see what permits are on file. Let's say the state says the only electrical permit was when the house was built and it did not include the basement. Yes, the inspector will always make that note. He will also always note how many circuits were in the panel on final inspection. The city building permit will also show the basement was not finished at the time the house was built.
Guess what happens now? You've just opened the ugliest can of worms at the worst possible time. And yes, as a contractor, I was involved in a few of those type jobs. It wasn't pretty and it cost the homeowner WAY more than than if he had done things the right way. It also delayed the selling of his house by months.
Didn't mean to derail the thread, just fair warning.
Quoted from Calfdemon:Not to be a killjoy here, but can we get more pictures of game rooms and take the contracting conversations to a "how to build a game room" thread? lol
Here are a few pics of some of the neons in my game room, in which all pertinent permits were pulled.
512A14C6-ABF8-4314-BB6F-7F3C3F3794FD_1_105_c (resized).jpeg8997ACC2-0D2D-424B-A668-8DBC93990B8B_1_105_c (resized).jpegAE6ECC10-8A74-4F93-8695-44017F86D49B_1_105_c (resized).jpegD52B946E-ADCB-4D4B-926D-77E7DAB1DFA4_1_105_c (resized).jpegQuoted from AlexRogan84:Cool drop ceiling panels! Wow. You have more pictures of that somewhere? Looks like the coin door, backbox back and fronts from Attack From Mars. Those light up? Great idea!
It's a project I did about 15 years ago. If you ever took drafting, this is an exploded view of an AFM cabinet. All custom made to fit in 2X2 and 2X4 tile spaces. Otherwise, I made it to look as authentic as possible.
Power switch turns on the coin door lamps and the speaker is tied to a receiver.
It's also my avatar.
03FC787B-E9A1-417E-85CD-13C74DCD94F6_1_105_c (resized).jpeg415C7F9A-C2FB-48C9-B740-438884E3AE2F_1_105_c (resized).jpeg4A32FBA0-5DAC-4E53-BE98-767201C76D6A_1_105_c (resized).jpeg528A54B9-928F-4E43-9533-8381AC38B73D_1_105_c (resized).jpeg611309B1-D9C5-4BE7-89DA-8A89BFE7EC8C_1_105_c (resized).jpeg61A0EA84-5198-4C49-A5D4-4CDD9FEA6AE0_1_105_c (resized).jpeg8E4C2525-3EDC-4196-9EBB-5F4DFA96E723_1_105_c (resized).jpegDE8CCAF3-F421-49E2-81A3-96D73172525C_1_105_c (resized).jpegF5993A4A-55FB-48DA-89BE-274414967845_1_105_c (resized).jpeg 1 week later
Quoted from I-Closed-Wolskis:Ceiling painted black. Electrical all done. Ready for drywall
[quoted image]
Next time, drill your holes farther away from the boxes. At least a good foot away.
Trust me, it'll be easier getting the wires in the boxes and stapling.
1 week later
Quoted from dyopp21:Small update on "Dave's Ballshack" (pool house full of pinball eventually).
Brick was finished a couple days ago, as well as most of the insulation. The insulation folks broke the brick loose on the threshold of the shack because it wasn't dry yet so they'll have to come back and reset it. Also the pocket door frame for the bathroom has been installed (did a pocket door because I'm trying to minimize how much internal loss of space with doors that swing out into the space). Also pictured is the breezeway/entrance between the house and the shack leading into the back yard which will include a gate with magnetic lock.
We have high hopes we'll be moving in around the early part of May.
Sorry, but I have to ask...does no one pick up after themselves?
2 weeks later
Quoted from dyopp21:The Ballshack has made it up to the “cold gray void” stage. Drywall is up. I guess they’ll finish mud before they add the pocket door to the “world’s smallest shitter” (I ain’t giving up much room for pinball machines, one small closet and one small .5 bath)[quoted image][quoted image]
Don't make me come over there and clean that place up!
3 weeks later
Quoted from Pinkitten:For all you electricians and experts who built and wired their own gamerooms out there, can you recommend the proper electrical setup for a basement with 15-16 pins and several other electrical devices (toppers, a tv, etc.)? I bought this house in 2009, built in 1995, before I was a collector. The current system can support almost all the games, but if I turn on all of them, I blow a fuse. I’m concerned I’m asking too much of the current system, no doubt designed for average household use. If I want an electrician to boost the electrical, what would you suggest I step up to? Thank you!
[quoted image][quoted image]
Ideally you want 20 amp circuits set up with no more than 5 pins on a circuit. If you have existing 15 amp circuits, that's fine too, just figure maybe only 4 pins per. The issue you're going to have is getting those circuits to where they need to be. It appears you have a suspended ceiling which should help immensely, but the only way to get answers to your questions is to have a contractor look at your situation and advise you. He can see what you have now, and figure out what it'll take to get added circuits to the room.
Quoted from JayDee:It’s amazing to me how codes change from state to state. I cringe at the sight of that. Not knocking you at all. Just used to EVERYTHING having to be in metallic conduit
My understanding is, the code is pretty consistent throughout the US. The huge exception is you guys around the Chicago area. I've got friends in the area that tell me it's union thing.
Quoted from bigguybbr:Nothing crazy but it keeps me entertained...
[quoted image]
Sometimes simple is the best.
4 months later
Quoted from Nepi23:Some changes to the lineup:
[quoted image][quoted image]
Love the Pin Foots. They really tie the room together!
5 months later
Quoted from phillyfan64:I see it now. There’s actually a drop ceiling going in. Does that make a difference?
As for the soffit apparently he plans to do something called scabbing. I’m not familiar with the technique.
So many things wrong with that framing job.
In the second pic, what's up with the framing in front of the window? Why is the opening so high?
Is this being inspected?
Quoted from phillyfan64:This whole thing is stressing me out!
The fact it passed inspection kinda gives the framers an out. When I see soffit work like that, it just tells me how they do all their work.
Just in pics I can see cracked framing members and some locations have one nail and some two.
And the fact they tow nailed everything doesn't help. Walls and soffit pieces should be built in one piece then set in place.
I was never a framer but being a retired electrician, I saw my share of good and bad framing jobs.
Quoted from Spyderturbo007:Edit -> This guy does a great job of explaining things. I actually spent the $100 for his training videos before I started doing mine. It was worth 10x that amount. He does everything and shows you how to do it from start to finish assuming that you don't know anything. From he has on YouTube for free.
[quoted image]
Yup! His name is Eddie Case and he has a 6 part series on basement framing.
Best framing videos you'll find on Youtube.
3 weeks later
Quoted from Bmanpin:I was inspired. You have me beat however![quoted image]
Looks great! Where do you have the Grain Belt plugged into?
Quoted from SantaEatsCheese:I know lots of you guys have drop ceilings. Took my son to a comic book store today that had this on the ceiling. I could see doing this with tracing from a projector. Just some ideas for you folks.
Took my son to a comic con too. Lots of cheap local nerd art. Got a few things I'll hang and post pics of later. Custom art there was almost cheaper than the store. If I ever do a home brew pinball I think I found the guy for the playfield.
[quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]
Damn! That took some talent and time!
Here's another idea. MY wife and I had originally thought about doing a number of panels of different side art but it's tough to find just one side decal for sale.
I've posted this before but maybe some new guys have never seen it. It's simply an exploded view of an AFM.
Needless to say, this all had to be custom cut to fit 2x4 and 2x2 spaces.
01DFAC4A-2AED-496E-8F14-F4F52380A003_1_105_c (resized).jpeg12341E26-0B07-4225-BF6E-1F874C58EFDA_1_105_c (resized).jpeg5D94C686-037C-496D-A122-E3540E379DA5_1_105_c (resized).jpegQuoted from TimBoch:I have a drop ceiling in my game room if you want a place for your AFM panels when you sell. [quoted image]
Check back with me in a couple months. House goes up for sale in a couple months or so and I have no idea whether that's something the new owners will want or not.
2 months later
Current state of the game room.
We're moving in a couple of months and have sold the house to a fellow pinball collector that lives about 1/2 mile away. We were texting a couple days ago and he said he was putting his 5 games in a POD on the driveway for 3 months while they stage the house before going on the market.
I said no you're not.
His are the green ones in back along with the totes. Mine are the 3 in front.
Once done, we couldn't play much pinball but we didn't care.
0466DDE4-9186-4404-97E8-C347943ECF19_1_105_c (resized).jpeg38D7E1F1-9DB6-4E39-9548-4C12AD275C92_1_105_c (resized).jpeg 1 month later
Quoted from Pinkitten:Question for you electrical experts out there…is 110 adequate for a 12k btu mini split, or is 220 a must? I’ll need a 220 outlet installed if 220 is the only way to go. The cost between a 110 and 220 unit is about the same. I’m guessing 220 is more efficient and cheaper to run?
If they're the same size unit, they'll both cost you the same to run. The difference is, the 220 unit will draw half the amps then the 110 unit. And because of that, a smaller wire size can be used for the 220 unit which ends up being cheaper to install.
1 year later
Quoted from Pinzap:Gameroom has undergone a lot of transformations over last couple of years. Finally getting to the point of being able to entertain a bit more. About 25 or so games out in the heated shop. The rest are spread through a couple locations inside the main house.
[quoted image]
Would love to visit some day.
You're currently viewing posts by Pinsider Bryan_Kelly.
Click here to go back to viewing the entire thread.
Reply
Wanna join the discussion? Please sign in to reply to this topic.
Hey there! Welcome to Pinside!
Donate to PinsideGreat to see you're enjoying Pinside! Did you know Pinside is able to run without any 3rd-party banners or ads, thanks to the support from our visitors? Please consider a donation to Pinside and get anext to your username to show for it! Or better yet, subscribe to Pinside+!
