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February 18, 2007
Construction Daily
Boys with toys...
Today was day one of the AV component installation. The goal was to get all the high stuff installed so I don't have to put scaffolding on the hardwood floor in a few weeks. Target for the day was to get the dropdown screen, center speaker, main PA speakers, and stage lighting installed. Ken offered to come by to help out with the installation, as it would be pretty tough (not to mention unsafe) to try and wrangle that big thing into place by myself.
Step one was to construct a scaffolding platform with safety railing so didn't have to work from ladders. Once that was in place, we started taking measurements and I realized the screen wasn't going to be hidden behind the cross beam as I had originally anticipated, but would have to hang below. Once I knew where the screen was going, I installed the center speaker. Had to bend some heavy duty L brackets to the proper angle to ensure good coverage, and it was a relatively simple matter to find the center line and bolt it in place.
The more complex operation came with installing the screen. Ken helped me lift it up onto the scaffolding, then up onto the railing. Took some more measurements, then drilled pilot holes into the timber frame for the hardware. Then I climbed out onto the side beam while Ken lifted the screen into place and installed the hardware. Did the other side pretty quickly and voila - a big-ass movie theater right in our living room! Rigged up a temporary AC service to test the motor, hit the button and lowered the screen into place. It took a little while to adjust the stops to get the screen to lower into the correct position, but once it's dialed in it only takes a switch to lower/raise the screen.
Next step was to install the PA speakers, which was a bit more difficult due to having to do the whole install from on top of the side beam. It also took a while to figure out which hardware to use, and I realized I needed a few more pieces from Home Depot, which brought the installation to a halt. About this time Ken had to get home, and the Klauses came by bring lunch and dinner in celebration of Duncan's arrival. So after a tasty lunch and chasing toddlers around the house I headed off to Home Depot to get the remaining bits. Got back and installed the right speaker, and as I was unpacking the left I heard a loud clunk when I picked the box up. Oh good grief now what...? Apparently the crossover transformer inside had come loose and was dangling inside the cabinet. I just plain didn't feel like messing with it so I just boxed it up and decided to send it back. For $800 a speaker I think the damn thing just needs to be right!
So that brought the day's events to a close - not as successful as I'd hoped but still got a lot done, and only a few more hours and the loft AV will be complete (except for the projector!)
Check out the pics.
Daily hours = 10
Total hours = 196
Posted by
Stephen
at
February 18, 2007 1:29 PM
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