I need lots of tables!

[Mad 'At]

Hi everybody!

A friend of mine and myself will, in a not to distant future, host a fantasy tournament. For this we need tables, about 20 of them. So I turning to you guys for advise on making these tables.

The price tag is of course of consideration, but we've got founds from our government to cover most expenses. More important would be the weight, adding sand to the whole surface would surly make them a bit heavy. But on the other hand, texture would be nice. Another question mark would be static grass, would it be wise?

So, anyone got any experience with this type of thing?

 

[Santawraith]

Plywood

Paint it desired color sprinkle sand on it

Let dry put a top coat of paint.

 

[Johnny-Crass]

There is also textured spraypaint

 

[Santawraith]

so true that also might be easier then how my game store did there's.

 

[Mad 'At]

Textured spray paints? Missa likein da sound of dat.

And we are already pretty settled on plywood, or similar.

EDIT: Ohh, and thanks for the input so far, keep it coming (must remember my manors here).

 

[Lynks]

The textured spray paints I've seen used provide a very smooth look and feel, with only a little bit of grainy-ness. If you want texture, there is really no competition to glueing down sand

 

[Yorga]

But I hate 'sand' tables at more often than not they are too grainy and make sliding movement trays hard. Moreover, doing a number on your painted big stuff if it falls over.

 

[Adam_Barrow]

Agreed, Yorga. I much prefer a green felt table (think a billiards table). And yards of that stuff are very cheap.

 

[Zhatan]

If I were you I would stay away from the sand. Either go with the simple painted plywood or get some of the green mats they use for model trains and staple them to the plywood. Guess it depends on how much money you have to spend.

EDIT: Ohh, and thanks for the input so far, keep it coming (must remember my manors here).

Manor is an estate. You're talking about manners =)
Sorry but I can't resist my urge to correct people.

 

[Medusas Guild]

Dont use static grass. After one game on that you feel like you have been putting up fiberglass insulation all day!

Jay

 

[Mad 'At]

Thanks for the replies.

Never really thought about green felt, I guess it would be alright. Money wise I think we could handle it. Must consult my friend about it fist though.

I've heard you could mix some sand with the paint to get texture, anyone know if it's good?

Also, one the static grass issue, do you guy know if it's possible to seal it with spray varnish or similar?

EDIT: Ohh, and thanks for the input so far, keep it coming (must remember my manors here).

Manor is an estate. You're talking about manners =)
Sorry but I can't resist my urge to correct people.

Doh! I really suck at English, it good you are correcting me Zhatan.

 

[BloodbathMcGrath]

I agree on green felt. Static grass would be best put onto some homemade foam terrain for extra character. I've heard spray paint will help hold sand and static flock onto their bases better, and you could try Army Painter or another clear matte varnish to hold it down without obscuring the color (though I have never tried it yet...).

4x8 sheets of plywood will work great for makeshift tables, and you could use 2-3 saw horses to prop them up, but they would still be prone to tipping over and bending if anyone leaned on them. You could screw the tables onto saw horses to prevent them from tipping over catastrophically. 2 horses would hold, but a third in the middle would be ideal to prevent the plywood from bending.

Another suggestion would be to buy discount 4x4s 4 feet long (it doesn't really matter if they are twisted or warped) and screw 1 into each corner and probably another 2 at the middle edges. Then you would have yourself relatively stable tables. They would also be permanent until you took the legs out.

A final option (maybe I'm getting too expensive here) would be to run 2x4s on their sides for full support. 2 8-footers down the length and 4 4-footers across the width. Then screw in 4x4s for your legs and you've got yourself professional grade tables.

Also keep in mind that if you want to go with only saw horses (or a similar temporary standing item) for support, I would use 1/2 inch or thicker plywood (maybe 5/8") to keep the board from bending under weight. If you built it as the last option using 2x4s for support, you could get away with 1/4 inch plywood.

-Not sure which is most cost effective, but I know 2x4s are cheap and 5/8" plywood is expensive. Sorry if I seem to be blabbing. I just wouldn't want to see your tournament go topside (or at least the tables).

 

[Mad 'At]

Thanks for the input McGrath. The tournament will be hosted in the dining hall of a local school. We were planing on just putting the 4x6 feet (or 120x180 cm) tables (without any legs) on top of the dining tables and call it a day.

 

[BloodbathMcGrath]

Oh okay, cheers. Try looking into scenic train paper. It's got some texture and is kinda grassy/sand-like, though I'm not sire if it costs less than felt. Also, the train paper will shed its scenic toppings after some use, just like sand or flock.

 

[Kassill]

Yeah, if you do go the plywood route though I would definitely suggest building a frames underneath to remove the bendy-ness of plywood. Also, having played on many a table with glued down sand that has been painted, they can take a toll on a tipped over model really quick, so I'd be more towards going the felt route personally. Also would remove the bouncy-ness of dice flying into your buddies brand new painted models

Be sure to post pics when you've got em up!

 

[horrid]

I read the thread and realized nobody had given you,"the warning" about plywood. If you intend to use it be sure to seal it with a coat of paint prior to laying down and glue and sand or any other "wet work". Ply is cheap but warps terribly when it gets wet. Additionally a frame of wooden battens on the underside screwed to the surface should make this work. A DIY store may have some furniture to provide you with "legs" for your tables.

 

[hairyjeff]

If you use 50mmx25mm battens round all 4 edges and from corner to corner, you can get away with 6mm ply at 1200x1800, but be sure to use the battening edge on to the ply: this will only work if they are sitting on tables; if they are free standing, you need 100x 75 or 100x100 legs, 50x50 battens, and at least 12mm ply. For the surface, how about old blankets pva glued and stretched, then sprayed? Tack them over the edges of the boards to stretch them, hey presto, non-slip, fairly soft surfaces, in any colour you want. As a hint, if you fit legs, put them inside the surrounding battens- easier to move, and you won't keep banging your legs. Plus they will be slightly more stable. I'm a boat builder- we do this sort of thing!

 

[Mad 'At]

Wow, I was starting to think this site was out of suggestions, but sometimes I love being wrong

For the moment I am leaning more and more towards painting the tables with a little sand mixed in with the paint, then flock it with static grass and seal it with spray varnish. Hopefully the warping problem won't be an issue then, but thanks for warning me.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean with the batters and such, my English ain't that good and google translate is giving me nothing. Would it be like edging on the tables and/or a framework on the backside to stabilise it?

 

[hairyjeff]

A batten is a length of straight wood used as a reinforcment to a piece of board. So yes, it is basically a frame on the back of your game board.

 

[Magpie]

I'm surprised no one mentioned "effects paints" not the hobby types but the house paint you can get that create all sorts of textured effects.They are much more coarse than the sprays, and cheaper too. I reckon you could make some excellent tables using them.

 

[Mad 'At]

A batten is a length of straight wood used as a reinforcment to a piece of board. So yes, it is basically a frame on the back of your game board.

Thanks, I'll look into that.

I'm surprised no one mentioned "effects paints" not the hobby types but the house paint you can get that create all sorts of textured effects.They are much more coarse than the sprays, and cheaper too. I reckon you could make some excellent tables using them.

I'm intrigued, thanks for mentioning it.