These are the kinds of things that I would like to do, and probably could do, but would stretch a project like this from 2 days into 2 months.YellowKing wrote:He's also planning on building a couple of dice towers that collapse and store inside it.
Building a Gaming Table
Moderators: The Preacher, $iljanus, Zaxxon
- Boudreaux
- Posts: 2816
- Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 12:18 am
- Location: St. Louis
Re: Building a Gaming Table
- Zurai
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 11:30 pm
Re: Building a Gaming Table
You can get patterns for collapsable papercraft dice towers that you can finish in an afternoon. Not as durable as wood, but way, way easier to handle (and you can always print off a new one).Boudreaux wrote:These are the kinds of things that I would like to do, and probably could do, but would stretch a project like this from 2 days into 2 months.YellowKing wrote:He's also planning on building a couple of dice towers that collapse and store inside it.
- Chaz
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- Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 7:37 am
- Location: Southern NH
Re: Building a Gaming Table
And if one angers you by delivering sub-par results, you can punish it by smashing it into a pancake. This will eliminate the offending tower, and make you feel like The Hulk.
I can't imagine, even at my most inebriated, hearing a bouncer offering me an hour with a stripper for only $1,400 and thinking That sounds like a reasonable idea.-Two Sheds
- Zarathud
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Re: Building a Gaming Table
Expected life of paper tower: 30 minutes. If your players set it on fire, you have been warned.
"If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts." - Albert Einstein
"I don't stand by anything." - Trump
“Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” - John Stuart Mill, Inaugural Address Delivered to the University of St Andrews, 2/1/1867
“It is the impractical things in this tumultuous hell-scape of a world that matter most. A book, a name, chicken soup. They help us remember that, even in our darkest hour, life is still to be savored.” - Poe, Altered Carbon
"I don't stand by anything." - Trump
“Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” - John Stuart Mill, Inaugural Address Delivered to the University of St Andrews, 2/1/1867
“It is the impractical things in this tumultuous hell-scape of a world that matter most. A book, a name, chicken soup. They help us remember that, even in our darkest hour, life is still to be savored.” - Poe, Altered Carbon
- Zurai
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Re: Building a Gaming Table
Not if you use the proper paper (cardstock). I've used papercraft terrain for my campaign several times and it's held up perfectly fine.Zarathud wrote:Expected life of paper tower: 30 minutes.
- Zarathud
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Re: Building a Gaming Table
I'm just saying that you can't trust my friends not to spill their beer, then light the card stock on fire. And it's not just hepcat.
"If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts." - Albert Einstein
"I don't stand by anything." - Trump
“Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” - John Stuart Mill, Inaugural Address Delivered to the University of St Andrews, 2/1/1867
“It is the impractical things in this tumultuous hell-scape of a world that matter most. A book, a name, chicken soup. They help us remember that, even in our darkest hour, life is still to be savored.” - Poe, Altered Carbon
"I don't stand by anything." - Trump
“Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” - John Stuart Mill, Inaugural Address Delivered to the University of St Andrews, 2/1/1867
“It is the impractical things in this tumultuous hell-scape of a world that matter most. A book, a name, chicken soup. They help us remember that, even in our darkest hour, life is still to be savored.” - Poe, Altered Carbon
- jztemple2
- Posts: 11620
- Joined: Fri Feb 13, 2009 7:52 am
- Location: Brevard County, Florida, USA
Re: Building a Gaming Table
I saw this topic and I just had to post my own experience. Just about thirty-five years I married my wife and we moved into a two bedroom apartment. One room was for us, the other was for my gaming which she has nicely agreed to. At this time I was playing The Campaign for North Africa by SPI which I was was playing on a card table, which meant I could only put out about three of the mapsheets at one time. Well, I came home from work one day and found she had built me a gaming table, ten feet by three feet, so I could set up CNA in its entirety. Now that's love
My father said that anything is interesting if you bother to read about it - Michael C. Harrold
- Zarathud
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Re: Building a Gaming Table
Mission: Assemble the kids a LEGO table - Complete
Mission: Assemble a desk from Butcher Block Workbenches and Pipe Legs - Complete
Mission: Treatment of Butcher Block Workbenches with mineral oil over several days - Not Complete
Mission: Assemble a desk from Butcher Block Workbenches and Pipe Legs - Complete
Mission: Treatment of Butcher Block Workbenches with mineral oil over several days - Not Complete
"If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts." - Albert Einstein
"I don't stand by anything." - Trump
“Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” - John Stuart Mill, Inaugural Address Delivered to the University of St Andrews, 2/1/1867
“It is the impractical things in this tumultuous hell-scape of a world that matter most. A book, a name, chicken soup. They help us remember that, even in our darkest hour, life is still to be savored.” - Poe, Altered Carbon
"I don't stand by anything." - Trump
“Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” - John Stuart Mill, Inaugural Address Delivered to the University of St Andrews, 2/1/1867
“It is the impractical things in this tumultuous hell-scape of a world that matter most. A book, a name, chicken soup. They help us remember that, even in our darkest hour, life is still to be savored.” - Poe, Altered Carbon
- Zarathud
- Posts: 16511
- Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:29 pm
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
Re: Building a Gaming Table
This table project involved some Edsal Butcher Block Workbench tops from Home Depot and Klee Klamp pipe legs. The Staples office furniture I was using for my parent/kid computer desks was flaking in places and there wasn't enough room at the desk for the kids to both play LEGO games at the same time, resulting in big fights.
I chose two 30 x 60 inch Workbench tops from Home Depot to get reasonably priced slabs of solid wood. Since Edsal is a local Chicago shop, they delivered on their Home Depot order in less than 1 week -- and arrived 4 hours before the UPS notice went out! That's usually not a bad thing, except I wasn't able to arrange for someone to help my wife accept the delivery. The result was a few dings in the wood that could have been avoided.
Rather than messing around with getting the legs cut, I ordered a precut set of connectors and legs. Again, a substitute UPS delivery guy tried to drop the 9 foot long box of pipes on our front porch -- which isn't 9 feet long! Here is the parts inventory (without all of the connectors):
Assembly wasn't too bad once I figured out the right drill bits, and used a small drill to get the screw started then a stronger drill to finish up. Only cut my thumb once on the metal shavings. Here's the first desk upside down in front of the new Ikea LEGO table for the kids:
This thing is sturdy. The hex screws end up keeping everything connected well, and I'm pretty sure my entire family could get on top without any problems. A shot of the desk right side up:
While I missed GenCon (using the weekend and my extra money on the project), I now have a pretty sweet, solid desk set up for the family gaming. I have some work treating the counter top with mineral oil and cleaning up the cable clutter underneath. I added 2 extra clamps to the far right of the desk so I can later attach a shelf for the backup battery for our flood control system that keeps the basement dry.
I chose two 30 x 60 inch Workbench tops from Home Depot to get reasonably priced slabs of solid wood. Since Edsal is a local Chicago shop, they delivered on their Home Depot order in less than 1 week -- and arrived 4 hours before the UPS notice went out! That's usually not a bad thing, except I wasn't able to arrange for someone to help my wife accept the delivery. The result was a few dings in the wood that could have been avoided.
Rather than messing around with getting the legs cut, I ordered a precut set of connectors and legs. Again, a substitute UPS delivery guy tried to drop the 9 foot long box of pipes on our front porch -- which isn't 9 feet long! Here is the parts inventory (without all of the connectors):
Assembly wasn't too bad once I figured out the right drill bits, and used a small drill to get the screw started then a stronger drill to finish up. Only cut my thumb once on the metal shavings. Here's the first desk upside down in front of the new Ikea LEGO table for the kids:
This thing is sturdy. The hex screws end up keeping everything connected well, and I'm pretty sure my entire family could get on top without any problems. A shot of the desk right side up:
While I missed GenCon (using the weekend and my extra money on the project), I now have a pretty sweet, solid desk set up for the family gaming. I have some work treating the counter top with mineral oil and cleaning up the cable clutter underneath. I added 2 extra clamps to the far right of the desk so I can later attach a shelf for the backup battery for our flood control system that keeps the basement dry.
"If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts." - Albert Einstein
"I don't stand by anything." - Trump
“Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” - John Stuart Mill, Inaugural Address Delivered to the University of St Andrews, 2/1/1867
“It is the impractical things in this tumultuous hell-scape of a world that matter most. A book, a name, chicken soup. They help us remember that, even in our darkest hour, life is still to be savored.” - Poe, Altered Carbon
"I don't stand by anything." - Trump
“Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” - John Stuart Mill, Inaugural Address Delivered to the University of St Andrews, 2/1/1867
“It is the impractical things in this tumultuous hell-scape of a world that matter most. A book, a name, chicken soup. They help us remember that, even in our darkest hour, life is still to be savored.” - Poe, Altered Carbon
- RMC
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Re: Building a Gaming Table
Very nice.Zarathud wrote:This table project involved some Edsal Butcher Block Workbench tops from Home Depot and Klee Klamp pipe legs. The Staples office furniture I was using for my parent/kid computer desks was flaking in places and there wasn't enough room at the desk for the kids to both play LEGO games at the same time, resulting in big fights.
I chose two 30 x 60 inch Workbench tops from Home Depot to get reasonably priced slabs of solid wood. Since Edsal is a local Chicago shop, they delivered on their Home Depot order in less than 1 week -- and arrived 4 hours before the UPS notice went out! That's usually not a bad thing, except I wasn't able to arrange for someone to help my wife accept the delivery. The result was a few dings in the wood that could have been avoided.
Rather than messing around with getting the legs cut, I ordered a precut set of connectors and legs. Again, a substitute UPS delivery guy tried to drop the 9 foot long box of pipes on our front porch -- which isn't 9 feet long! Here is the parts inventory (without all of the connectors):
Assembly wasn't too bad once I figured out the right drill bits, and used a small drill to get the screw started then a stronger drill to finish up. Only cut my thumb once on the metal shavings. Here's the first desk upside down in front of the new Ikea LEGO table for the kids:
This thing is sturdy. The hex screws end up keeping everything connected well, and I'm pretty sure my entire family could get on top without any problems. A shot of the desk right side up:
While I missed GenCon (using the weekend and my extra money on the project), I now have a pretty sweet, solid desk set up for the family gaming. I have some work treating the counter top with mineral oil and cleaning up the cable clutter underneath. I added 2 extra clamps to the far right of the desk so I can later attach a shelf for the backup battery for our flood control system that keeps the basement dry.
Difficulties mastered are opportunities won. - Winston Churchill
Sheesh, this is one small box. Thankfully, everything's packed in nicely this time. Not too tight nor too loose (someone's sig in 3, 2, ...). - Hepcat
Sheesh, this is one small box. Thankfully, everything's packed in nicely this time. Not too tight nor too loose (someone's sig in 3, 2, ...). - Hepcat
- coopasonic
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- Location: Dallas-ish
Re: Building a Gaming Table
I finally finished it last weekend... fingers crossed it is visible:
-Coop
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- Boudreaux
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Re: Building a Gaming Table
That turned out really well. Did you bevel or soften that inside edge at all? I'm also curious how high the top surface of your table is from the ground.
I'm envious of the neoprene approach for the gaming surface. I had to re-do mine with a different top (switched from thin plywood to MDF) which is covered in felt. Cost all of $10 to do, but the pilling problems that people have noted with felt have started to appear. Although, I've noticed that it's only happening where my kids sit....
I'd like to do the neoprene but I can't bring myself to shell out the $$$ yet. I might look into a velveteen or microsuede fabric like they use on poker tables.
I'm envious of the neoprene approach for the gaming surface. I had to re-do mine with a different top (switched from thin plywood to MDF) which is covered in felt. Cost all of $10 to do, but the pilling problems that people have noted with felt have started to appear. Although, I've noticed that it's only happening where my kids sit....
I'd like to do the neoprene but I can't bring myself to shell out the $$$ yet. I might look into a velveteen or microsuede fabric like they use on poker tables.
- coopasonic
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Re: Building a Gaming Table
Just sanded it to round it off a tiny bit. I haven't had a chance to try it out yet. Hopefully this weekend I will get a chance.Boudreaux wrote:Did you bevel or soften that inside edge at all?
From memory I think it is right around 32 inches high. Again, until I get to play something on it I am not sure if that was right or not.Boudreaux wrote:I'm also curious how high the top surface of your table is from the ground.
It was nerve wracking cutting the neoprene. It would be really easy to make an $80 mistake.Boudreaux wrote:I'm envious of the neoprene approach for the gaming surface. I had to re-do mine with a different top (switched from thin plywood to MDF) which is covered in felt. Cost all of $10 to do, but the pilling problems that people have noted with felt have started to appear. Although, I've noticed that it's only happening where my kids sit....
I'd like to do the neoprene but I can't bring myself to shell out the $$$ yet. I might look into a velveteen or microsuede fabric like they use on poker tables.
-Coop
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- TheMix
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Re: Building a Gaming Table
I think it was this thread that gave me the idea, but I took an old yoga mat that I never use and cut it in half. Now I use that for my gaming surface. We've only used it once, but so far so good.
Wonder if a cheap mat would fit a table like that. Probably be too narrow.
Wonder if a cheap mat would fit a table like that. Probably be too narrow.
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- coopasonic
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Re: Building a Gaming Table
Crappy quality pic of zombicide on the new table. Just enough room.
-Coop
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- stessier
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Re: Building a Gaming Table
Very nice!
Dice are so archaic, though. Why not embed tablets into the railings at each position so you can call up Random.org for all of the rolls? No more rogue dice wiping out game boards!
Dice are so archaic, though. Why not embed tablets into the railings at each position so you can call up Random.org for all of the rolls? No more rogue dice wiping out game boards!
I require a reminder as to why raining arcane destruction is not an appropriate response to all of life's indignities. - Vaarsuvius
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- coopasonic
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Re: Building a Gaming Table
Apparently you missed the two dice towers in the near corners.stessier wrote: No more rogue dice wiping out game boards!
-Coop
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- Holman
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Re: Building a Gaming Table
I'm impressed with these desks! Good work, folks.
We're finally getting our basement into liveable shape, and the first order of business will be stable surfaces for gaming/projects/laptops. It won't be as fancy as what's in this thread, but it's a start.
We're finally getting our basement into liveable shape, and the first order of business will be stable surfaces for gaming/projects/laptops. It won't be as fancy as what's in this thread, but it's a start.
Much prefer my Nazis Nuremberged.
- stessier
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Re: Building a Gaming Table
Indeed I did.coopasonic wrote:Apparently you missed the two dice towers in the near corners.stessier wrote: No more rogue dice wiping out game boards!
I require a reminder as to why raining arcane destruction is not an appropriate response to all of life's indignities. - Vaarsuvius
Global Steam Wishmaslist Tracking
Global Steam Wishmaslist Tracking
Running__ | __2014: 1300.55 miles__ | __2015: 2036.13 miles__ | __2016: 1012.75 miles__ | __2017: 1105.82 miles__ | __2018: 1318.91 miles | __2019: 2000.00 miles |
- Boudreaux
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Re: Building a Gaming Table
I ended up swapping out the fabric surface on mine. The felt looked terrible after a month or two, I was able to get a huge sheet of dark blue poker table-style velveteen online for about $12. Works much better.
The sprawling expanse that is Firefly fits pretty well. My son and I played over the weekend. We'll see if it still works with Blue Sun.
The sprawling expanse that is Firefly fits pretty well. My son and I played over the weekend. We'll see if it still works with Blue Sun.
- Holman
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- Boudreaux
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Re: Building a Gaming Table
There are only two things I don't like about the table - one minor, one annoying.
The minor thing is from the way it's built - there is just the slightest bit of wobble because the tabletop is just 5/8" plywood. It's not a problem for board games, but when we've played D&D and I've propped up the starter box and lid as my DM screen, it doesn't take much of a bump to knock them over.
The annoying thing is that fabric top - it is amazing how much dirt/dust it collects in a short amount of time. I can sweep it clean very easily, but within a couple of days there are little specks of dust all over it, which are pretty noticeable on the dark blue. I'm hoping that once the basement is finished this winter, a lot of that will go away.
Otherwise, having a dedicated game table is freaking awesome. I left a 2/3-finished solo game of Mage Knight set up on it last night, and I can jump right back in when I get home this afternoon.
The minor thing is from the way it's built - there is just the slightest bit of wobble because the tabletop is just 5/8" plywood. It's not a problem for board games, but when we've played D&D and I've propped up the starter box and lid as my DM screen, it doesn't take much of a bump to knock them over.
The annoying thing is that fabric top - it is amazing how much dirt/dust it collects in a short amount of time. I can sweep it clean very easily, but within a couple of days there are little specks of dust all over it, which are pretty noticeable on the dark blue. I'm hoping that once the basement is finished this winter, a lot of that will go away.
Otherwise, having a dedicated game table is freaking awesome. I left a 2/3-finished solo game of Mage Knight set up on it last night, and I can jump right back in when I get home this afternoon.
- RMC
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Re: Building a Gaming Table
Man, my wood working skills are so horrible in comparison to everyone else. I just used some MDF and 2x4's to make a 4x8 table. I sandwiched two 4x8 sheets of MDF together with a 2x4 border and built a 2x4 stand for it to sit on.
Then I just painted it green, which was some paint I had laying around, and used varnish on top to make it resist water.
It is just a big ugly table in my basement that only my gamer friends see, as the basement is not really something that anyone would want to hang out in.
Then I just painted it green, which was some paint I had laying around, and used varnish on top to make it resist water.
It is just a big ugly table in my basement that only my gamer friends see, as the basement is not really something that anyone would want to hang out in.
Difficulties mastered are opportunities won. - Winston Churchill
Sheesh, this is one small box. Thankfully, everything's packed in nicely this time. Not too tight nor too loose (someone's sig in 3, 2, ...). - Hepcat
Sheesh, this is one small box. Thankfully, everything's packed in nicely this time. Not too tight nor too loose (someone's sig in 3, 2, ...). - Hepcat