The Battle Barn

Hey guys,
I wanted to take a moment and share with you my thoughts were on Barn projects for this year as well as solicit feedback from you on what projects we should be looking at this year. My hope is to get a monthly plan together by the end of February so when the weather begins to get nice in late March we can start on these projects in earnest.

Barn Improvements
1 – Installation of 2 new windows
2 – Improve the step
3 – Add larger roof over hang over door.
4 – Move center lights to point directly down
5 – Complete south wall paneling
6 – Insulation stairway
7 – Utilize remaining insulation on Barn ceiling
8 – Remove Garage door
9 - Add additional outlets on far walls.


Tables and Terrain
1 – Upgrade all tables to be free standing with storage areas beneath the table
2 – Inventory all Barn owned terrain
3 – Increase Barn terrain inventory to 25% of total gaming space, ensure a diverse mix of terrain including both LOS and Non-LOS blocking pieces
4 – Provide easy to use 4x4 tables
5 – Flock and paint all gaming surfaces
6 – Paint or stain tables
7 - Add additional outlets

Misc
1 – Clean out area by refrigerator
2 – Clean out and organize painting area

What would you like to see?

Remember that these projects will require people to help make them a reality, if you are willing to help out on any of the projects please let me know

I'd like to see about improving the wiring in the barn. Adding a few outlets around the north and east walls would be nice for people with laptops. It removes some of the traffic we occasionally see around that middle outlet.

I like the fact that we now have a good idea of what we can do during the nice months of the year.

I'll draw up plans for the steps and the overhang roof.

Less completely LOS blocking terrain. Or people not putting three fraking bastions in the center of the board like a cowardly bitch. That's what I'd like to see.

I am willing to help out with any of these projects.

I really like the free standing tables with storage areas and flocking/painting all gaming surfaces the best, though.

Apparently the Imperial Guard can only properly defend wheat fields.

Those wheat fields are valuable damn it. Do you know how many acres it takes just to feed one human? Now imagine a hive world. Yeah them fields need defending.

*cough* Ahem, as I was saying.

Complete LOS blocking terrain set up in the center of the board is just lame. Something that gives a hell of a cover save is one thing, completely blocking a third of the board is another.

I like the idea of adding more outlets and will add that to the list.

As for terrain my desire would be to have a diverse selection of terrain that players can choose from for their games. The only reason I want to include more LOS is that I think we are lacking in that department. However it maybe a good idea to review all of our terrain and fill out all areas as needed.

What else?

as to terrain.. I haven't played in years until recently, but back when I did, we always chose x number of terrain pieces ( 25% now being the preffered amount ) then rolled to see who placed one first, and went that way.. if need be.. You could roll to see who chose what pieces you would even use first, set up 25% of the board, being covered.. then having agreed on the terrain choices, roll for placement.. Done that way.. you should, I would think, be able to offset the terrain choices by moving 2 or 3 of them to corners on your turn.. If you can't agree on a reasonable terrain placement after all that.. Find a new opponent.

Lets move any discussions about terrain and terrain setup to the general discussion board. We should try and1 keep this thread focused on Barn projects and ideas people might have on improvements we could make this year.

I really like the idea of flocked boards. We have the one board with felt on it, and while it isn't bad, it's very drab and one dimensional. With flocked boards, we can easily paint it in different shades fairly easily, either with cheap hobby paints or different colored cans of spray paint.

Raising the tables up for better storage underneath is fantastic. While the center table is just slightly too high, I think the other tables can be raised about 6" or so, thus being right about waist height. That would give us room to put some storage underneath for all out bags, trays without having to put them directly on the floor.

Shelves under tables might even be a possible idea....at that point we would be giving up future thought of moving tables more than a few feet

I think Jeff actually did mention that when he and I were throwing ideas around. Not only large shelves further below, but cubbyhole style shelves under the long table edges. Something like what the Game Room in Toledo has for anyone who's been there. They make great little areas to put killed off models, or to hold models that are being held in reserve. I don't think it would require a lot of extra work considering what we'd be doing to them as it is. I also don't see any issue in moving the tables. For the most part, I think we've found our optimal setup at the Barn in the current way. We can still add a 7th or 8th table if really needed. It would just cut down on the available space to sit around is all. For future tournaments, a small investments in thin boards and simple felt to cover them would then give us easily transportable tables thus letting us leave our nice flocked ones at home.

Depending on when you plan to make improvements I can probably lend a hand. I'm no finish carpenter, but I can certainly build a battle table. I just built a pretty sweet upper and lower cabinet for my kitchen, and have built 3 loft beds for the kids in the last few years.. I also work as a 3D artist doing architectural renderings, so I could draw up a plan and material list per table if you wanted them built from scratch, or we can just ad lib something on the spot per table if you want to reuse the existing tops.. I'm not typically available on Sundays, and work till 6 during the week however.

I was actually going to ask previously.. If you plan to remove the Garage door, which, if memory serves, is supported by that stud wall, does the stud wall need to remain? If it's not load bearing removing it might open up enough room for another row of tables if needed, or provide room to spread out the tables a bit so you could get around the ends of each table. Even if it is load bearing, you could probably replace it with a couple columns?..

Anyway, let me know if you need a hand on what ever you decide to improve..