The Little Man Cave

[DIYPatriot]

When my son turned 5 he told me two things: 1) that he was old enough for a real rifle 2) that he wanted an Army fort for a bedroom because Thomas The Train was for babies. After a little consideration, I met up with a retired 12 series and we hashed out a plan one morning over coffee.

With the help of a friend, the following was built in 3 days working around the clock. I sent my wife and kids on a little trip so I could surprise the little guy. He's had a rough go of it, the past few months and as a dad, you just want to see your kids smile. By the way, the ceiling fan motor is switched off. I'm looking to replace it with something like this or like this and mount it without an extensions so I'm not giving my son a free haircut every time he stands up.

1. LED light-up rock climbing wall w/photo sensor; serves as a night light
2. Dimmable mason jar lights with protective cages because we play rough
3. A fire tower with a quick E&E route (slide)
4. Belt-fed automatic nerf gun w/a swivel mount
5. Scalable storage options to include ammo cans (still under construction)
6. Camo netting
7. Expandable for a bottom bunk (currently designing a Willys Jeep bed that'll incorporate a hidden chair inside the radiator. This way he can use the hood as a desk).
8. Rope/Pulley system to send and receive things from the little boots on the ground (his little sister)

So far, the overall investment is around $700 and that's a bargain if you've ever priced a bunk bed. Most of the beds I researched were made from cheap materials in a country I despise. I found the slide on the side of the road and reconditioned it. I bought the ammo belts and nerf SAW on ebay for $35. That price included 50 darts and 6 D batteries. The LED lights were $30. The ammo cans were $20 and the hand holds for the wall were $20. The mason jar lights were $45. His four toy grenades were $9 with free shipping. Other materials, paint and whiskey round out the rest of the project's cost.

[craigepo]

Amazingly cool.

One possible cheap addition: the old 101st Airborne Club in Nashville had sandbagged walls. A couple of old burlap sandbags, filled with something lighter than sand, might make an interesting, cheap, addition to your motif.

[DIYPatriot]

Originally Posted by craigepo

Amazingly cool.

One possible cheap addition: the old 101st Airborne Club in Nashville had sandbagged walls. A couple of old burlap sandbags, filled with something lighter than sand, might make an interesting, cheap, addition to your motif.

Thank you! I meant to add that I am looking for suggestions and of course, I'm always open to learning new things or correcting existing ones. I like the sandbag idea. I could see a lot of uses/configurations with that. I'll definitely keep it in mind. I appreciate the tip.

By the way, here's a pic of my son after playing on it for hours. I was impressed with how quickly he fell asleep that night!

[PSM]

Pretty damn, cool! Lucky kid.

Pat

[BryanK]

Now that is cool! However, I may have to steal this idea when my newest addition gets a little older

[DIYPatriot]

Originally Posted by BryanK

Now that is cool! However, I may have to steal this idea when my newest addition gets a little older

Go for it! It's a rewarding experience. Just make sure you don't walk into the ambush that I did. A few minutes after tucking him in, I hear him shouting, "Daddy! Daaa---ddy!!!" and I'm thinking he's fallen down the rock wall or something, so I make a mad dash across the house, swing his bedroom door open and then BANG BANG BANG...he unleashed with his nerf gun and rolled a grenade down the slide. Btw those grenades actually have sound effects.

Since it appears that you have some time on your hands, you might be able to save some cash by creating a watchlist on CamelCamelCamel.com. After creating an account, I entered the URL/item number of the items I wanted. Then I set my alerts/price points and as the prices dropped I received notifications.

[Divemaster]

In the Wussified States of America, that is child abuse and basic training for a future mass shooter. Personally, I think it's basic training for a fine young man who will grow up knowing why this country was founded.

[Ambush Master]

It was a rather "Comical" experience when the Wife and I went to the "Parent-Teacher" evening @ the Elementary School when our Oldest was younger. The Teacher started out that she found it rather interesting when he had told her, earlier in the year, that his "Favorite Color" was Camoflage. But it was when he told her that he had Shot Machineguns during the Summer and had Camped out in the Davis Mountains, hunting Deer and Javelina, over Thanksgiving that were a "little far-fetched"!! The look on her face when I asked "What is "far-fetched" about that?!?! When I showed her the "pics" of him shooting Machineguns...............PRICELESS!!!

Air.177 is now in 3rd Group!!

Later
Martin

[SigmaAaron]

I need to enhance my building skills....thanks for the idea.

[Silver Eagle]

Just in case you need more ideas, fast rope & zip line

[SF_BHT]

A Swing Landing Trainer with beanbag landing pit. Suspended harnes to practice for his future jump training.

[DIYPatriot]

Originally Posted by Divemaster

In the Wussified States of America, that is child abuse and basic training for a future mass shooter. Personally, I think it's basic training for a fine young man who will grow up knowing why this country was founded.

It never ceases to amaze me whenever I see how other parents interact with their kids (or don't). It's almost as if having children was like wanting a puppy. They take it home only to realize it requires dedication and nurturing, but they don't want to take the time and they let it run wild and are totally shocked when it attacks someone. Compared to other places I've been, America is becoming deficient, ill-prepared for life and lazy. We've gone in reverse from JFK's "ask not" speech to a nation of addicts whose drug of choice is a so-called entitlement. The only thing my son is entitled to is having a mom and dad that are hell-bent on raising him to become a solid man instilled with good and decent values so that he can take the initiative to pursue a purpose-driven life.

Originally Posted by SF_BHT

A Swing Landing Trainer with beanbag landing pit. Suspended harnes to practice for his future jump training.

That's a cool idea and it's ironic that you mention that. We considered a rope mounted to the top support over his rock wall that would allow him to practice repelling down it.

Originally Posted by Ambush Master

Entire post

My son's favorite colors are camo, too (he usually tries to wear something with camo, even to church). I would've loved to have seen the expression on that teacher's face when she realized your son was telling the truth and not embellishing his story. By the way, he is lucky! I didn't get to fire my first automatic weapon until later in life!

Last year, while my wife was in J-bad, some of our friends invited us down to the beach. On the way home, my son asked if we could visit Camp Shelby (that's where he last saw momma prior to her going wheels up). We get there and he's obviously sad. A few other soldiers noticed and I told them the back story. Next thing I know, we're invited to an impromptu cookout and they give him some combat patches and one of their PC's. Totally made his day

[SigmaAaron]

A ladder out the window for all the dawsons creek girls when hes older.

[DIYPatriot]

Originally Posted by SigmaAaron

A ladder out the window for all the dawsons creek girls when hes older.

His mother mans the Ma Deuce quite effectively. I doubt they'll ever get close enough for those attempts. With that being said, his tower stands next to his bedroom window. We're saving up some cash for a telescope. When I told him about this he said, "Yes! You're the best dad ever!!!" and I'm thinking, "Alright...cool...glad you like astronomy and share your mom's affinity for the solar system" and he goes on to say, "Now, I can see whenever Julie Anne or Jenna are outside playing!!!" - they live quite a way down the street and they're 8 and 6, respectively. They're also very cute and he's told me this numerous times.

He's 5 and he's already gathering intel and planning his recon of the ladies. Not sure whether I should be proud or terrified. BTW, this pic is of him when we were watching a documentary on Tora Bora. He slips off to his room and returns with a shemagh that a buddy of mine sent him a couple months ago.

[PSM]

Originally Posted by DIYPatriot

We're saving up some cash for a telescope.

Stay away from refractors as a first telescope...or a tenth for that matter, unless you are rich.

This is the beginner scope I recommend: Astroscan! I have an 8", 5 1/4", and, until recently, an Astroscan. It's easy to use, has good optics with a nice wide view, and can take a beating. It was the one I always took camping. It was almost 35 years old when I gave it away. I also took it as carry-on until it started freaking out airport security.

ETA: Another good beginner tool is a good pair of 7x50 binoculars that can be mounted on a tripod. A lot of amateurs, with very large scopes, end up in a recliner looking through the binos far more than the scope. They are also often needed to "recon" the area of the sky you want to aim the scope at. Plus, they have everyday uses, as well.

Pat