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I originally made it normal table height, but found long reaches while sitting were harder and it just felt cramped.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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My gaming table
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Pretty weak compared to some of the others on here, but it works for us. Still a lot I want to do to it. Dividers in the trays etc
edit: Apparently I can’t post links
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Would like to see, maybe you can upload a pic or two.
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I think you have to get from ‘New Conscript’ to ‘Infantry’ on here before you can do that, but I could be wrong…
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I think you have to get from ‘New Conscript’ to ‘Infantry’ on here before you can do that, but I could be wrong…
Yes. 10 posts I think?
Send someone the link and we can put it in for you.
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Send someone the link and we can put it in for you.
Mullet, feel free to send me the URL in an email via the My Messages function at the top of the screen (send it to CWO Marc) and I’ll be glad to post it for you.
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Thanks guys for the offer. I will send it when I get home. THanks
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Or you can just post in this thread 10 times.
“Garagantua is a poopy head”
“Garagantua is a poopy head”
''Garagantua is a poopy head"
''Garagantua is a poopy head"
''Garagantua is a poopy head"
''Garagantua is a poopy head"
''Garagantua is a poopy head"
''Garagantua is a poopy head"
''Garagantua is a poopy head"
''Garagantua is a poopy head" -
That sounds good. I am modifying my table this weekend and that gives me time to get a new pic up!
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Not as impressive as others but it works for us. We use it to play Europe and Pacific…Haven’t ventured into Global yet
Top view of table
View of tray. We have enough spots for all of the countries in both games without having to swap them out
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Looks great! I especially like that it’s small and specific instead of the typical Global tables we’re seeing everyone make.
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Sweet, but how do you store it when you arnt playing?
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Great idea building a table to accommodate either a Europe, or Pacific 1940 game instead of both. I myself like playing the whole Global experience, but you have definitely made a very functional table that also looks classy.
Great Job!.
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Excellent work! The inclusion of compartments around the rim of this table (and the other tables which various other people have built) is an element that I always find especially nice, and the use of stained wood is something else that give a classy and professional appearance to these tables. Those details really enhance the gaming experience.
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where are the little containers from? (the ones holding infantry, etc)
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Thanks for the comments. We have a large loft area and we haven’t taken it down but it has folding legs and the pieces compartments all have lids that snap on
I got the containers at Office Max
It has been an enjoyable experience while playing the game
I am building a global table this week
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Looks great, do you have plans to cover the map with glass or anything?
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Great looking table. I like the idea of having enough room to move around the countries based on the game you are playing. Two thumbs up!