Garage Smoking Setup

I read a post today on the "Today's smokes...." Thread and searched the board to see if anyone had pictures of their garage setup.

I am banned from smoking indoors and I get pretty bored out on the porch smoking by myself. I would definately enjoy being able to sit comfortably in my garage smoking a stogie while watching a game or my favorite shows. A couple of questions to throw out there:

How difficult is it to run a cable line through the attic/walls to hook it up to a TV in a garage?

Would an open garage door be enough ventilation or would something simple like a fan help?

Feel free to post any pics of your own set-up!

Thanks!

I am having the same problem right now. In CO it gets pretty cold during the winter and bundling up to smoke gets old pretty quickly. However, the wifey doesn't get too excited about the garage smelling like a cigar, so I'm working on a new setup as well. I'm thinking space heater to keep warm in the winter, box fan to pull smoke out through the window, and a smoker cloaker to remove any residual smell. I can't give advice on the cable because we have a detached garage and it would be a real bitch to wire cable out there.

I'm pretty happy with my garage setup. Two comfy chairs, the old 32" box and stereo system wired for surround. A little space heater takes enough of the chill off when it's really cold out. As far as ventilation, if I'm smoking alone I just crack the window and the back door for a little flow. If the wife and/or friends join me smoking, I run the garage door up about 6" and open the window, then leave the window open overnight to clear it out.
I'd guess the easiest way to run your cable would be to find the access point into the house and just run your line on the outside of the house to your garage. Our cable access was actually through the garage so I didn't have the problem of running line.

My garage is detached as well. No cable for me, but the pot-bellied stove, dogs, and the radio keep me plenty entertained. My wireless reaches fine too, so I sometimes take the laptop and watch a DVD or sumptin'.

I don't do a damn thing for the ventillation. It's my garage and if it smells like cigars, well, good for me!!

I have run cable lines in my house before and i can tell you this ill pay the Cable company the next time, its not as easy as it looks.

If i remember right i saw a wireless cable TV system before that may work for you.

I have a detached garage as well. It has a large attic fan on one wall, which blows the smoke out and keeps it quite cool inside, especially if I leave the door open. I mostly work on my woodworking projects out there, but always have a radio with me, listening to old country music. I have my dartboard setup out there, and it's soon to have a mini-fridge. I'd never put any cloth furniture out there, though. It's not, shall we say, completely protected against the elements. I do have a couple of wood chairs and benches, though.

My brother in law has something similar in his garage (although he doesn't smoke cigars). He just had the cable guys run another line to his man-cave. He NEVER uses it, though.

We used to have satellite at my parents house and my Dad liked to move the dish around to various spots on the house to try to get a better signal. I helped him run the cable quite a bit and we never had any problems with it. Just drill a hole, run the cable through, and seal the hole with caulk if you'd like. You can't possibly do any damage that the cable guy can't undo, so you might as well give it a shot first.

I use my garage for my wood shop but I have a corner for enjoying my smokes. I have a leather chair, an old tv and a couple video game systems. With all the dust the smell doesn't stay around long and I don't make enough smoke to be an issue getting in the house. I have an air cleaner that I run if I have anyone over smoking with me. I'd love to run the cable in so I could watch the games on Sunday but am just too damn lazy to do it myself and too cheap to pay someone else :smiley36:

Thanks to all for your posts / comments. I am more determined now to do something about setting up my man cave. A friend of mine also said a poker table would be great in there and I seem to agree.

I will toy around with this idea and report back.

I guess I'm going for some overkill then .....

I plan on getting a projector and some real movie screen material, and making a small theater in my garage. XBOX and PS3, Sony projector mounted overhead, and 5.1 surround once I upgrade the one in the house.

I've got a projector and 5 channel sound out here on my FOB with a 12 foot screen, and every Wednesday night is movie night. The nights are getting colder here in the sandbox so I'm not sure how much longer we'll be doing them.



Kris

I will be setting up something in my garage soon as well. I have a detached garage, but it will be easier for me since I worked for a cable company for 5 years. I will be running a length of underground wire myself. Some how I still have all the tools needed to connect cable lines correctly and a few boxes of wire.:smiley15: Also I'll be including my dartboard and I already have a full sized fridge in there. I just need to find the time to clean out all the scrap lumber and empty paint cans and whatever else got thrown in there.

My garage is peaked and has a gabel vent, gabel fan and wood stove. Once the wood stove warms the room up the fan kicks on. Come Jan/Feb I'll start the stove an hour or two before I go out so it's toasty and the fan is already running.

If you have a gabel vent adding a fan will be less than a 75 bucks. You can probably hardwire it to a standard light switch bypassing the thermistat. That way, just flick it on and you're good.

Another idea is if your state has banned smoking in Bars and such you might be able to pick up a old smoke eater on the cheap. With the economy the way it is, I'm sure some owner would take less than its worth.

I ride my bike about 220 to work and back about 2-3 times a week. it gets cold up here in the mid atlantic. But last night it only got down to a balmy 43 degrees before I got home. I can't touch the people who live in the frigid cold like Canada and Colorado (or even Iraq I know how cold the nights get over there) just saying it sounds like some people have a cold pussy.

I don't have a garage. I'm hoping to get a storage shed in a couple of years and fitting it with a space heater. I have a fire pit right now and about 10 acres of forest in my back yard. Every couple of months I chop down a new tree and just start burning it up. (No chainsaw - chainsaw's for pussies). The fire pit keeps me fairly warm while I smoke but God blessed me a little more warmer blooded than most.

I've cancelled my cable and gone to all internet entertainment. Hooked up my laptop to the TV. I find going to hulu and network websites gives me all the shows I want to watch. Just about every show is online now so if you have a wireless internet that reaches you're gold. If you don't have wireless internet a router and laptop should only set you back $300-$400. Heck Wal-Mart has everything you need now.

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Originally Posted by knightnorth

I ride my bike about 220 to work and back about 2-3 times a week. it gets cold up here in the mid atlantic. But last night it only got down to a balmy 43 degrees before I got home. I can't touch the people who live in the frigid cold like Canada and Colorado (or even Iraq I know how cold the nights get over there) just saying it sounds like some people have a cold pussy.

I don't have a garage. I'm hoping to get a storage shed in a couple of years and fitting it with a space heater. I have a fire pit right now and about 10 acres of forest in my back yard. Every couple of months I chop down a new tree and just start burning it up. (No chainsaw - chainsaw's for pussies). The fire pit keeps me fairly warm while I smoke but God blessed me a little more warmer blooded than most.

I've cancelled my cable and gone to all internet entertainment. Hooked up my laptop to the TV. I find going to hulu and network websites gives me all the shows I want to watch. Just about every show is online now so if you have a wireless internet that reaches you're gold. If you don't have wireless internet a router and laptop should only set you back $300-$400. Heck Wal-Mart has everything you need now.

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Well, I don't think its a question of being a "pussy" or not, I think its more a matter of being comfortable & relaxed in order to fully enjoy whatever cigar you're lighting up. I can stand outside in my jockstrap too and smoke a PAM #9, but I think I'd enjoy it more & not be distracted by my nuts numbing off in my coal stove heated basement, in a lawn chair & a cold beer.

Will

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Originally Posted by badwhale

I can stand outside in my jockstrap too and smoke a PAM #9, but I think I'd enjoy it more & not be distracted by my nuts numbing off Will

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LOL! I agree. It gets cold here in CO in the winter, and I am certainly used to it, but I would prefer to sit inside with some heat where I can relax and enjoy a good smoke instead of standing outside in a down jacket, beanie, and gloves. Plus it can't be a man cave if I'm just sitting outside, I need the cave so I can go plan my world domination in solitude without being interrupted!

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Originally Posted by MarineOne

I plan on getting a projector and some real movie screen material, and making a small theater in my garage. XBOX and PS3, Sony projector mounted overhead, and 5.1 surround once I upgrade the one in the house.

I've got a projector and 5 channel sound out here on my FOB with a 12 foot screen, and every Wednesday night is movie night. The nights are getting colder here in the sandbox so I'm not sure how much longer we'll be doing them.

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Kris,

When you say "real movie screen material" are you talking about the screen itself? I did the projector thing for years - it was great. I'm due for another projector now, and the current house (and budget) don't really support it. I still think they are a better buy than the large screen plasma tv's, although the upkeep on them (from what I remember) was expensive, in terms of buying replacement bulbs. My projector now is pretty good, and pretty bright. I have a beaded screen, and of course the surround sound. Love playing some Ghost Recon or Rainbow Six on the big screen. Anyways, I was just wondering about your setup. You also mentioned a 12 foot screen - that's corner to corner though, right?

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Originally Posted by knightnorth

I ride my bike about 220 to work and back about 2-3 times a week. it gets cold up here in the mid atlantic. But last night it only got down to a balmy 43 degrees before I got home. I can't touch the people who live in the frigid cold like Canada and Colorado (or even Iraq I know how cold the nights get over there) just saying it sounds like some people have a cold pussy.

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The cold isn't a factor for me. Hell, the nights are just now getting bearable to BE outside (imagine an evening where it's 95 degrees and 90% humidity). Also, when it rains here, it's unlike the rain I've ever seen anywhere else. Not something I can really smoke outside during. I might not have a forest behind me, and it's illegal to have an open burning fire within city limits, but I make do with what I have. My garage doesn't have any insulation or a space heater outside.

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Originally Posted by badwhale

I can stand outside in my jockstrap too and smoke a PAM #9,

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If you wore the jockstrap on your "jock", instead of over your head, it would keep the nuts a little warmer... I'm just sayin'! :smiley36:

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Originally Posted by knightnorth

I ride my bike about 220 to work and back about 2-3 times a week. it gets cold up here in the mid atlantic. But last night it only got down to a balmy 43 degrees before I got home. I can't touch the people who live in the frigid cold like Canada and Colorado (or even Iraq I know how cold the nights get over there) just saying it sounds like some people have a cold pussy.

I don't have a garage. I'm hoping to get a storage shed in a couple of years and fitting it with a space heater. I have a fire pit right now and about 10 acres of forest in my back yard. Every couple of months I chop down a new tree and just start burning it up. (No chainsaw - chainsaw's for pussies). The fire pit keeps me fairly warm while I smoke but God blessed me a little more warmer blooded than most.

I've cancelled my cable and gone to all internet entertainment. Hooked up my laptop to the TV. I find going to hulu and network websites gives me all the shows I want to watch. Just about every show is online now so if you have a wireless internet that reaches you're gold. If you don't have wireless internet a router and laptop should only set you back $300-$400. Heck Wal-Mart has everything you need now.

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I have a garage. It's warm, quiet, and has all the amenities. Why wouldn't I use it? That's not being a pussy; that's common sense. I'm not going to bang my head on a nail to drive it into the wall when I have a perfectly good hammer laying there.

And it does get a bit chilly in Montana.

I have an indoor man cave...

Window A/C unit blowing in (in the summer, fan mode in winter), and an exhaust fan in a different window blowing out. Keeps smoke under control nicely. I have my PC with a very large selection of music and video.. Now I just need a small refridgerator, and I'll have every thing I need!

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Originally Posted by bigwhiteash

I have an indoor man cave...

Window A/C unit blowing in (in the summer, fan mode in winter), and an exhaust fan in a different window blowing out. Keeps smoke under control nicely. I have my PC with a very large selection of music and video.. Now I just need a small refridgerator, and I'll have every thing I need!

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Would you be willing to post a pic of your man cave? I have been doing some research for a future project (additional room to the house) and I'd like to get some ideas from anyone.

And knightnorth, Its not a factor of being tolerant to the cold. If I really needed to, I would bundle up and no problem. The fact is that I get bored smoking in the patio if I have already done my yardwork. I just want to be able to sit back and enjoy some TV while having a nice smoke.

I have an indoor cave too I like to spend time in.

Wait, are we talking pussy again.

I get confused.

:smiley29:

IP means "In Progress" in case anyone was wondering.

Thermometer on the back patio reads -11 this morning. I better start the garage warming up so I can watch the Packers play tonight...I'd hate to have a frozen pussy for the big game.

http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...91204-1919.jpg

My man cave started out as a chair and an end table in the corner of my heated garage.

The previous owner added a heater from an old warehouse. It feeds from the furnace gas line. He was an HVAC guy, and did a superb job!

As more visitors came, including my wife and kids, I added more furniture. All in all, including a t.v., I paid around $100. Most items came from the goodwill, or craigslist.

The wall which the t.v. is on, is adjacent to my livingroom wall, so passing cable through was a breeze.

As for ventillation, I just crack the door to my porch, and breath easy.

I don't allow the kids out there while I smoke, and I leave the large garage door open for a few minutes after a smoke. The fire door between the garage and house keep smoke from entering the house.

My friends love it! So do I!

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Originally Posted by mrtr33

Kris,

When you say "real movie screen material" are you talking about the screen itself? I did the projector thing for years - it was great. I'm due for another projector now, and the current house (and budget) don't really support it. I still think they are a better buy than the large screen plasma tv's, although the upkeep on them (from what I remember) was expensive, in terms of buying replacement bulbs. My projector now is pretty good, and pretty bright. I have a beaded screen, and of course the surround sound. Love playing some Ghost Recon or Rainbow Six on the big screen. Anyways, I was just wondering about your setup. You also mentioned a 12 foot screen - that's corner to corner though, right?

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Yup, its the same stuff they use in the local movie theater (Edwards, etc.) or for a high end at home setup. He got the screen material from Home Theater Mart (http://www.htmart.com/) and just had a roll of it sent out and mounted it on a home made frame.

It's not too expensive for a smaller screen, but for what we have out here (14 foot diagonal mounted on 15 foot concrete T-walls) I know the guy that put it up spent almost 8 grand on the screen, sound system, and weatherproof speakers.


Kris

Thats a nice setup you got there Victor.

Update on my progress:

- A buddy and I went up to the attic this weekend to run some cable lines from one side of the master bedroom to the other, at the same time, we added a splitter to the cable line and dropped it through the ceiling in the garage in one of the corners. Not the nicest/cleanest job but I am not going for looks.

- Putting in an old 22 in. box TV in today and a couple of lawn chairs for the time being. Since we recently moved, I still have to finish organizing the garage. I'll post some pictures soon on the work-in progress.

Thanks,
Nelson

Sounds like mine....a work in progress!
It will develope nicely as you go.
I look forward to the pics!!
Mine isn't fancy, but I am very happy with it.