JonH's Simulator

[JonH59]

Hi Brett,

Thanks for the kind words. I do hope that others can use my write-up for help with their sims. And I cannot take all the credit for the write up as my daughter is a manager for Adobe and she knows all that web site stuff like it's second nature. She showed me how to do things and turned me loose.

For the extra digging, I don't think that the builders did anything different, other than just extending the walls, so to speak. That is, where the foundation was taller by the extra two feet, there was only extra forms and rebar for the extra tall walls in that area. And, where the pit 'drop off' was located, they just had to plan for that extra little two foot wall with extra forms and rebar. Because this was a completely new home build, there was no drilling for installing rebar. Then the pour for the slab was normal, except that some of my slab was just two feet lower than the rest.

Did I answer your question right? Or did I totally misunderstand?


Hey Stetson,

The builders nicked us for an additional $6000.00 for the extra dig. A little pricey but luckily it was absorbed into the budget for the house, not my sim.

A moisture barrier? Hmmm. I don't think that ever entered either of our minds! BUT, we did use pressure treated 2x4s.

Hope that helps,
Jon in American Fork

[Stetson]

I read the journal, great info!

I will be building my next home with an extremely similar plan for the basement. How much did the builder charge for the 20x20 area at 2’ extra depth?

Also, why did you decide to not put any moisture barrier under the subfloor?

[SkeetShooter]

Hey Brett, I've talked to a few structural engineers and contractors and they all agree that on existing construction, when they dig a basement down, they always put in a ledge (so to speak) that is reinforced. This ledge/sill whatever you want to call it is something that is determined by local building codes and regs. In Connecticut, I understand that to be required as part of the dig down, and additionally, in some areas, a new drainage and sump-pump has to be installed where water-table restrictions come into play.

[Brettster]

Wow JonH59 - that's an impressive Sim build, and even more impressive write up! Thank you so much for doing that... You will help many with your write up, as they will not have to ask all the questions that you answered. I think that's often the hardest part of the build - the little things that don't go as expected, and can often cost hundreds of dollars and eat away at your budget.

I do have one question, and I'm not sure if you can answer it... I'm also at a point where I am considering a basement dig, after looking at about every other option (shed, addition, garage), I've come back around to basement dig, mostly because I want the Sim to be in the home and have the benefits of extra space, and able to use my current HVAC rather than trying to heat/cool my shed year round.

So, that being the case, I have to ask, when they did that dig down (2') in your basement, when they were doing construction. Did they have to do anything special around the edges of the 'dug out' area? I'm asking because in my past research, talking to concrete/foundation guys, and with others (up here on forum) that had this done, they always seem to run into this point where the outer edges (on the outside of your house, or near an area where there are footings, or post/beams) - have to be propped up in some way, either with an 8" edge, and 1' depth added below where you currently need the floor... This often involves rebar, and drilling, and back-filling the area. Did they have to do that with your new construction?

Thanks again Jon, hope to see you in the online tournaments soon - when my build is also completed (which can happen easier/faster now with your excellent write-up)!
-Brett

[JonH59]

Thanks for all the nice comments. It was a fun 'trip' seeing all my ideas come together and actually work.

Leveling the sub-floor was my BIL's idea with respect to the technique. We were first just going to get it a little close. But once we set everything up, the laser made it super easy to get it real close. It probably took about 90 minutes to do the whole area.

I'm also disappointed with the projector part. I just read about some possible settings within FSX that I'm going to try. And then there's always Reshade (which will be a lot of reading first) . But if I cannot get any improvement, I'm perfectly okay with the way that it is.

The mat was a big decision point for me. I also didn't want to injure myself and the stories I read about members who went with another brand other than Fiberbuilt, got hurt, THEN got the FB and wished that they did that the first time pushed me in the FB direction.

And with respect to the whole build, I tried real hard to get the best item, part or piece that my budget would allow. I REALLY didn't want to have a version 1.1, 1.2, etc. (PLUS having to get rid of the old parts). In the end, I had to 'borrow' from the house to finish a couple small things. My wife took pity on me and donated to my sim fund.

Jon in American Fork

[Holtzeeeeee]

Nice job and enjoy! Smart choice by going with the fiberbuilt imo ... I’m dealing with golfers elbow because of a thin mat and getting a prp injection to (hopefully) heal it.

[Adrenaline]

Awesome build and write up too. I am surprised the projector fell short.

[wbond]

Nice build and write up.

[JayJo13]

Very well done! I love the blog and all the detail. Just a really great job. Looks like you thought of everything. Interesting process to level the sub floor.

[JonH59]

Hello all.

My simulator is finally up and running, just in time for winter. I want to thank all the forum members who helped out with answering my questions and DBgolf for the impact screen. I ended up with a Foresight Sports GC Hawk and it's awesome. My daughter helped me with making a website...blog....whatever it's called and I invite anyone to go and see it. There's lots of pics and also a parts page with links to all the parts that I put into the build. After the pics, there's a (long) diary about the adventures in getting this thing finished.

If there's any questions, please ask away. I would be happy to help out anyone that I can.

Thanks again to the forum and the members.
Jon in American Fork