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Epic Warcaster
Posts: 144
 
| Hey guys I posted something to this effect at the PP forums but was curious if anyone here in the area had tips on materials and tools I will need to grab for creating a table.
I have a few ideas on the layout and design, I grabbed a link here of a table that was made by a gent.
It looks like a difficult job but if someone has insight on the process for this please let me know.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31039228@N05/sets/72157622889346061/ |
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Brass Dragon
Posts: 285
 
Location: Fargo | The PP forums do have a number of nice tables that people have made, along with some valuable tips and tricks as to how they made them. One thing I can tell you is that if you use that blue or pink insulation foam, which is probably the most common way to build a gaming table, make sure that if you glue on a very large hill or something, put some weight on it overnight to keep the thing flat while the glue sets. One of the big things is what size you are planning to make. Some people go for the full 4' x 4' in one chunk. This makes for a very nice gaming surface, but is not the easiest to transport. The two that I have made were in pieces that were 2' x 4' and if or when I make any more, I've given serious consideration to making pieces that are 2' x 2' to provide more options for board layout. |
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Gold Dragon
Posts: 771
 
| We will need a bit more info on what you want to do first. 1. Is the table always going to be setup? 2. If not, is just to be stored at home or is to be portable? 3. If it’s portable how big of parts can you transport? 4. Are your accents (hills trees etc..) going to be part of the board or just sitting on the board? 5. Who is going to be using the board? If it’s just going to be you and a few trusted friends go crazy with the details and fancy bits. If its going to be random people playing, keep it simpler. If it’s not theirs some people just don't respect the work that goes into things and will trash fiddly bits without even noticing they are doing it. I find that bigger is better for playability. The less seams and chances for things to shift around the better. While the table you link to looks really nice, playing on it wouldn't be so nice. Big slanted hills like that make it real tough for models to stay standing when possitioned on them. I've got one fancy table like that that gets used for demos, but once it’s built you’re always stuck playing the same battlefield over and over again... For functionality I'm a much bigger fan of the terrain on the table rather than in it. Keeping the built-in parts more decorative than game effecting. Once we have a better idea of your goals for the board I'm sure the peanut gallery here can help you out with some ideas:) Komabai |
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Warrior
Posts: 20
| My table is incredibly simple. I had it built 4' x 5', an extra foot long for cards and dice rolling. It folds in 2 places for storage, so I can prop it up against a wall easily. Then I got green and white felt, and sewed them back to back for either grass or snow terrain. Other terrain is simply felt cut into shapes that can be placed, such as blue strips for rivers, brown for hills, light green for forests, etc. Not pretty, but incredibly effective and not too expensive. |
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Epic Warcaster
Posts: 144
| 1. Is the table always going to be setup?
I would like to have something I can put away in the closet and bring back out for those evenings I need it. Having something like what StretPharmacist describes sounds appealing but I would like to have a bit of terrain already built into it - maybe it won't have to fold.
2. If not, is just to be stored at home or is to be portable?
Stored but somewhat portable. I have a big car, it won't be a problem moving it into a vehicle.
3. If it’s portable how big of parts can you transport?
I am pretty flexible on the idea of either one whole piece or something made up of 2 or 4 total sections.
4. Are your accents (hills trees etc..) going to be part of the board or just sitting on the board?
I would like at least a pond/river somewhere, I think I will be constructing hills separately or perhaps even go as far as a trench. I am still working on the design.
5. Who is going to be using the board?
I would mainly like a few friends to stop on by since the table at home isn't big enough for a game.
Edited by jdelrio22 2010-02-17 18:14
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Gold Dragon
Posts: 771
| Do you have any kind of a budget in mind? Makes it easier to recomend tools and supplies once I have an idea about that. Its a matter of balancing time vs money. Most everything can be done the hard (time consuming) way if cash is short, but if you plan to make a few tables/accessories I'd recomend investing in some decent tools for the long run.
I think 1" thick foam mounted on a 1/4" mdf backer for support. I prefer to use the blue foam rather than the pink. Seems like the blue coats over easier than the pink.
Lowes stocks the blue and Home Depo the pink. I'd use the heavy duty liquid nails to attach the foam to the MDF. That would get you started if your antsy to get the project underway. While we work on the other details.
Komabai |
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Epic Warcaster
Posts: 144
| Well I do have some tools at this point but I haven't looked at what the costs of the foam and the backer are going to be. I'm not really on a budget but if I wanted to keep below something I am thinking $75 not including tools. If that is low for a table though let me know.
Things I have and picked up yesterday:
2 bottles of Liquid Nails
xacto knife
utility knife
large brushes (cheap walmart stuff)
carpenter square
elmers white glue and wood glue(not sure if i'll need this one)
plastic spackle knife(for the liquid nails)
glue gun (not sure if i'll need this one yet)
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Gold Dragon
Posts: 758
| I would suggest a sanding block if you're making any hills, it's handy for rounding off the edges. You'll also need several heavy items for when you attach the mdf to the foam to weight it down while it drys. |
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Epic Warcaster
Posts: 144
| Duplicate.
Edited by jdelrio22 2010-03-05 06:07
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Epic Warcaster
Posts: 144
| http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/dd267/jdelrio22/Table%20project/
Here are a few pics of what I was doing. I like that the blowing snow effect came out decent but some of the material just seems to come off with ease. Anyone have ideas on how to stop that? I'm using scenic cement which works somewhat. |
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Gold Dragon
Posts: 771
| How are you applying the cement? I use an eye dropper that got over at pet smart. It was originally intended for feeding baby animals. Works great as I can control how much and where the glue goes. I will check out the pictures once I get home to a decent net connection.
Komabai |
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Building a WM Table
