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After always thinking about doing this, I finally pulled the trigger. I moved my living room furniture aside to set up a simulator. Trying to gauge my family's response... my kids (and I) love it and my wife hasn't kicked me out... yet.
The non-low-budget part was the hardware:
Carl's Place 8.5 x 10.5 enclosure
Benq AK700st projector
Foresight GC3
But the "fun" DIY part was building the base. I thought the commercial options were ridiculously expensive. I used 2 layers of 0.75" gym mats to build a base on which I placed a GoSports Elite 15mm 5x4ft hitting mat (Amazon). I initially used 6x7 2x2 tiles (=12 ft x 14 ft)... but it took too much space, so I removed a row of tiles on each side of the hitting area (which now became 8 ft wide). I placed a SigPro Softy hitting strip by cutting out the appropriately sized rectangle from the hitting mat and the 2 underyling mat layers. This allows the hitting trip to sit flush with the hitting mat. (Credit needs to go to an online video where I got the idea and the measurements. I think he used 1.25 + 0.25" inch mats, but I used 0.75" x2 for the same thickness.)
I then created another layer of 0.75" mats to go around the hitting mat. This allowed me to place a low pile carpet on top to sit flush with the hitting mat. After exploring multiple options, by far the best and cheapest in my opinion was Lowe's Grizzly carpet - cut to order. They have dark green and grey, and I chose grey. Finally, I curved the corners (just for a smooth look) and placed a 2.5" base molding that I bought from Amazon (usually used for walls) all around to finish the look (the edges of 3 layers of gym mats don't look that great). The molding was a great addition, but it's a little wavy. The box recommended letting it sit flat for 24 hours, which probably would have helped, but I wasn't patient enough.
Although I have a multi-tool (which was recommended by the above online videoI referenced), I used a hobby knife to cut the mats, and the hobby knife and scissors to cut the carpet.
I am still finishing things up... trying to figure out how to hide the GC3 wires, media cabinet for the gaming PC and AV equipment, etc. But I'm happy with the end result for a relatively low budget but pretty good looking home sim.
Wanted to share in case this can help someone else.
GoSport Elite Hitting Mat https://www.amazon.com/GoSports-Hitt...04&sr=8-4&th=1
2.5" molding https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BKCDL81...sin_title&th=1
0.75" floor tiles https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYHL6SFX...sin_title&th=1
The non-low-budget part was the hardware:
Carl's Place 8.5 x 10.5 enclosure
Benq AK700st projector
Foresight GC3
But the "fun" DIY part was building the base. I thought the commercial options were ridiculously expensive. I used 2 layers of 0.75" gym mats to build a base on which I placed a GoSports Elite 15mm 5x4ft hitting mat (Amazon). I initially used 6x7 2x2 tiles (=12 ft x 14 ft)... but it took too much space, so I removed a row of tiles on each side of the hitting area (which now became 8 ft wide). I placed a SigPro Softy hitting strip by cutting out the appropriately sized rectangle from the hitting mat and the 2 underyling mat layers. This allows the hitting trip to sit flush with the hitting mat. (Credit needs to go to an online video where I got the idea and the measurements. I think he used 1.25 + 0.25" inch mats, but I used 0.75" x2 for the same thickness.)
I then created another layer of 0.75" mats to go around the hitting mat. This allowed me to place a low pile carpet on top to sit flush with the hitting mat. After exploring multiple options, by far the best and cheapest in my opinion was Lowe's Grizzly carpet - cut to order. They have dark green and grey, and I chose grey. Finally, I curved the corners (just for a smooth look) and placed a 2.5" base molding that I bought from Amazon (usually used for walls) all around to finish the look (the edges of 3 layers of gym mats don't look that great). The molding was a great addition, but it's a little wavy. The box recommended letting it sit flat for 24 hours, which probably would have helped, but I wasn't patient enough.
Although I have a multi-tool (which was recommended by the above online videoI referenced), I used a hobby knife to cut the mats, and the hobby knife and scissors to cut the carpet.
I am still finishing things up... trying to figure out how to hide the GC3 wires, media cabinet for the gaming PC and AV equipment, etc. But I'm happy with the end result for a relatively low budget but pretty good looking home sim.
Wanted to share in case this can help someone else.
GoSport Elite Hitting Mat https://www.amazon.com/GoSports-Hitt...04&sr=8-4&th=1
2.5" molding https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BKCDL81...sin_title&th=1
0.75" floor tiles https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYHL6SFX...sin_title&th=1