I have been playing around with different configurations for a custom table and wanted to note some things I’ve landed on that I really like. A main one thing is having the map mounted so that it can slide around as needed on top of a bigger playing area. My table is 65” x 95” in total with a 5.5” arm rest around the outside and the middle is a recessed neoprene surface. I have the OOB Global map mounted on 1/2” rigid foam with a 1/2” aluminum frame around it. This allows the map to slide up close to whoever’s turn it is, but then be in the middle so both players can roll dice In front of them without disturbing the map and in easy view of the other player. (Plus we like lots of room to roll the bones). This ability to adjust the surface along with a standing height, makes it comfortable for long uses because you can move around more and don’t feel as tied down.
Things I’ve learned and changed from original design - I originally used too big of a frame for the map and mounted it on too high of a foam block (you can see these pictures at the bottom) - it made it hard to see the other player’s dice and the big frame took up too much real estate. My global map is mounted on much thinner foam (the framing is bad, you can see if you look closely) but I also used much thinner aluminum angle for the frame. This gives just enough grip when needing to move the map around (I use furniture slides on the bottom, which glide very nicely on the neoprene) but doesn’t make the whole thing too bulky. Having it an inch or so off the surface keeps the dice off, but isn’t so heigh that you can’t see the other player’s dice rolls. When playing other versions (such as Zombies) the board is much smaller, but it can easily swap in and out on the same table since it can move around where ever it is needed or be pushed aside.
I originally made it normal table height, but found long reaches while sitting were harder and it just felt cramped. Standing height with a bar stool is a great way to have the best of both worlds.
The 5.5” rim around the table itself gives you a nice arm rest that doesn’t interfere with the gaming surface. I’m playing with how to best add some cushion to this part - open to suggestions. Sometimes I just lay a piece of leftover neoprene on it.
Dice bounce nice on the neoprene and stay off the floor. It also feels nice and has enough give to allow things to slide but be picked up easily. Wouldn’t definitely go with neoprene again as a surface covering.
I made the drawers open to the inside of the table so you can stay hunched over the action while accessing and stowing stuff away. 50/50 on whether I would keep this if I were to do it again. If I were doing it again, I might try to build customer drawers form scratch using actual drawer glides, but that was beyond my ability when I first did this, so I just used clear plexiglass boxes with aluminum pulls mounted on them. It’s nice having them clear, and I was happy with how the pulls came out, but without glides they can be a little fussy sliding in and out of their slots.
I originally designed the table so that I could put a cover surface back on top when not in use, but find I don’t really ever do that, so if I were to do it again, I might not mess with that part (I never even finished staining those as you can see in the pictures).
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Game table & War room pics from SS
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Hello everyone,
Young Grasshopper here on behalf of SS who wanted me to share a picture on the forum of his war room and game table (he was having trouble posting it). I will leave it up to him to explain the details… really nice setup BTW :-)
Cheers!
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Very nice SS! It looks like you have plenty of space to play a game, from what I can tell. Great job. :-)
John
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Thanks guys. Yes have plenty of room. Plan on having 2 custom tables. Got aways to go. Will post more pics soon. Hopefully have table done at least by end of weekend.
The blue dice box is what we used for now but will be building new boxes on ends with some country storage.
Thanks YG
Thanks HBG for the map.
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This is cool, but we need a bigger picture!!! :roll: haha!
2 tables is an epic set-up my friend. Will both the tables be identical? can’t have people getting jealous!
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This is cool, but we need a bigger picture!!! :roll: haha!
2 tables is an epic set-up my friend. Will both the tables be identical? can’t have people getting jealous!
I tried to resize it, but it comes out blury when enlarged.
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Yes both tables will be the same.
I’ll try to get bigger pics. My camera doesn’t work.
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@SS:
Yes both tables will be the same.
I’ll try to get bigger pics. My camera doesn’t work.
I noticed it’s Global War 39 you’re playing… why not use the 2nd table for the new Global War 2nd edition expansion?
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I will. I have 2 other 39 games too. That 2nd table will be used for play testing, any of the other 2 games, or for 36 map coming soon. I would like 3 tables. But got to decide on puttin tv’s and chairs in 3rd game space. Naw, lets build the 3rd one!!! Ha Ha :-D
Will see.
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Looks very nice indeed – looking forward to larger pics so that we can admire the setup in more detail!
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Here’s another pic of SS war room.
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@Young:
Here’s another pic of SS war room.
That is a sweet setup, SS! Thanks YG, for showing that. :-)
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@Young:
Here’s another pic of SS war room.
Thanks YG. Thanks John Brown. Thanks to HBG, all the people that posted pics of there tables to use as ideas and the guy for the website for the bambo containers.
Table 2 will be done soon. Will post better pics hopefully.
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SS this looks great.
TVs, chairs etc is the way to go. When I have people over for the game, we generally play the Battlefield documentary series in the background on a big wall mounted TV. It adds to the atmosphere for sure. I put up some halogen spot lights which provide really decent lighting. Eventually (when the kids move out…if ever :roll:) it will be the permanent war room.
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Heres a better pic.
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@SS:
Heres a better pic.
Yes, that is a great looking table. Great job SS! :-D
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Ah, excellent – this gives a much better view. Lots of compartments around the table, which is a very handy feature. I like the side-wings too, which is an element that my (much less sophisticated) gaming table likewise has. Great setup you have!
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Pic of Europe setup with Germany ready to buy.
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This is the dice box with battle boards. Could change down the road.
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These are the magnetic charts for victory citys and icp’s. Thanks Maddog for this idea!
Thanks CWO.
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Love the magnetic charts! Totally awesome! Glad it all came together. May you enjoy many hours of entertainment in your game room. Nice man, that is sweet! :-D
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