Man cave digout

**surfdabbler** · 3rd May 2017, 07:04 PM

Time for some more man-cave photos. I’ve finished painting the doors and trim.

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I wasn’t planning to start moving in yet, as the room is not yet complete (still requires a proper staircase) but several things happened at one. First, I went to buy a can of paint and came home with a set of shelves that had been discounted, so of course that had to be assembled in the new room, which gave me more storage space in the new cave. Then we had a long weekend, which was a great time to move stuff. Then we had a kerbside rubbish pickup, which was a great excuse to clean out the old workshop and get rid of junk. So, I made use of the opportunity, and I’ve now officially moved in to the man cave!

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I’ve mounted a few shelves above my main workbench. Also, thanks to the kerbside pickup, I scored a few useful sets of shelves and drawers. The best score was a complete flat-pack wardrobe, and I’ve mounted the drawers of the wardrobe under my workbench. Due to the sloping wall, it all had to be customised and fitted to the available space, and I built a third drawer from spare parts, but it turned out very neatly. Note that it’s well off the floor.

The cupboard next to it was a kerbside pickup too.

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It was certainly nice to work in the new space - I couldn't have done this size of project in the old space, but I did find myself getting caught up in piles of tools, and having to walk around things a lot. It will take a while to get used to the organisation of space, and I’m sure things will move around a lot in the early days as I find better ways to arrange the space. The initial move was mainly about getting everything into the new space, so I didn’t spend a lot of time visualising and agonising over the layout. The bench in the middle is on lockable castor wheels, so it can be moved around easily. The lathe takes several blokes to lift it, so it’s really not easy to move. I’m not sure about the ‘main’ workbench being up the end of the room – I would like it more centrally placed, along with its frequently used stuff. Anyway, once I have some more clutter packed away, and had a bit of time to work in the space, I will experiment more with moving some things around. I did get some heavy duty castor wheels in the pickup too, so I can make some frames to roll the heavier machines around the room a little easier.

**bryn23** · 3rd May 2017, 07:31 PM

It looks amazing with a coat of paint, those green primed doors are gone

Good luck with the organising, i procrastinate, so it takes me forever to decide on were something should be.

I agree with making frames to put things on castors, space is valuable in a small area.

Enjoy the new basement workshop

**graham.murfett** · 3rd May 2017, 08:32 PM

Good job.
I don't see any sound absorber any where.
I expect it may get a bit of severe echo in there, which can be quite fatiguing.

**surfdabbler** · 3rd May 2017, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by graham.murfett

I don't see any sound absorber any where.
I expect it may get a bit of severe echo in there, which can be quite fatiguing.

There's not really that much echo. Yes, concrete will reflect sound, but there's so much furniture in there, it's fine. Even before the furniture went in, there wasn't much. There's not really any parallel concrete walls, so that probably helps. The block walls either all face gyprock, the angled wall, or cabinetry.

**KBs PensNmore** · 3rd May 2017, 11:57 PM

Nicely done, would make anyone proud to work in there.

**woodPixel** · 4th May 2017, 12:48 AM

Have you considered a workshop name?

Dungeon, grotto, The Cave, Hermitage, SweatBox or even Nuclear Bunker ???

Mine is The Chalet

**ian** · 4th May 2017, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by woodPixel

Have you considered a workshop name?

Dungeon, grotto, The Cave, Hermitage, SweatBox or even Nuclear Bunker ???

Mine is The Chalet

The Basement ?

The Cavern ?

Though I do like "The Bunker"

**rwbuild** · 4th May 2017, 08:53 AM

The Tardis

**fletty** · 4th May 2017, 09:08 AM

CONGRATULATIONS! Given the trials and tribulations you endured to get to this point you deserve all of the enjoyment that a personalised man cave can provide. Like many, I was amazed (and inspired) by the energy and commitment that you showed in those first 'days' when all you could see ahead of you was MORE dirt, MORE barrow loads and MORE hill climbs! Your occasional diversions, such as the powered wheelbarrow, were a delight to follow even though I was conscious that I (and many others?) would have been so deterred by the manual task ahead that my diversions would have taken over from main job.
Enjoy the organising and enjoy the satisfaction of creating, you have worked hard for it.
fletty

PS, As I imagine that your man cave is inconspicuous from outside the house but opens up into the fabulous workspace that we see above, my vote for a name goes to Ray's suggestion of ......... TARDIS

**BobL** · 4th May 2017, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by rwbuild

The Tardis

In the 1980's I was the main guy to fit out a new clean lab at work so they gave me naming rights. I wanted to call it SIDRAT (tardis backwards) because it looked smaller on the inside than the outside. Age bosses didn't go for it, instead it was called "femtolab" because for the first time we were able to measure 0.000 000 000 000 001 g of something in 1.0g of something. Femto = 10^-15

Back on topic, how are plans going for ventilation?

**surfdabbler** · 4th May 2017, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by BobL

Back on topic, how are plans going for ventilation?

The extraction fan seems to work surprisingly well. I chopped a few pieces of shelving the other day which generated clouds of dust from the drop-saw, and within about five minutes, the air was totally clear again. I know, it's not really a scientific test, as it's possible the dust was just fast settling, but I was happy. In quieter times, having the half-door open also gets a nice breeze of fresh air through.

I love all the name suggestions, however, it's just called "The Cave". The man-cave name has been in use since the start of the project, particularly relevant at the digging stage, and it's just been shortened over time to "The Cave". If I called it the Tardis, I would just have to give it a blue telephone-box door, which would be cool.

**old1955** · 4th May 2017, 02:05 PM

Totally agree with fletty @ #144.

It's been a great WIP to follow. You can now reflect back too when the dirt was being moved with much satisfaction.

Ross

**richmond68** · 4th May 2017, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by surfdabbler

I love all the name suggestions, however, it's just called "The Cave". The man-cave name has been in use since the start of the project, particularly relevant at the digging stage, and it's just been shortened over time to "The Cave". If I called it the Tardis, I would just have to give it a blue telephone-box door, which would be cool.

I reckon you're more than entitled to call it B.H.W. Bloody Hard Work. And hoping all the effort put into waterproofing works as intended. From some of the pics you posted I thought it would end up being called Atlantis. Outstanding work, you've done good.

**crowie** · 4th May 2017, 06:43 PM

Top effort indeed sir... Instead of digging your way out, you've dug your way in!!

So for me it's a refurbished "DUNGEON"..... were any bloke would love to be chained up!!!

Cheers, crowie

**truckjohn** · 5th May 2017, 12:36 AM

Very very nice. Beautiful work. It will serve you well for a long time.

Didn't think of this at the beginning.... And its probably too late now....

Since you are on a hill and all.... Any chance you could just run your basement sump out under the pad/foundation and gravity feed down the hill.... Would not have prevented water from coming in during the cyclone..... But would have averted your custom indoor pool.... I trust gravity a lot more than I trust electricity.

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