Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

helo all, im considering setting up a small 40k gaming board manufacture company as i know a lot of gamers dont have the time to make boards/scenery. Does anyone else think this would be a good idea? opinions please. it would be uk based at first and boards would be made to various sizes and settings (urban,desert,arctic etc.) and possibly eventually customer custom boards. these boards will either be modular or solid state and can be just basic features like hills/trenches/water on a flat board or more elaborate designs on boards that are a bit thicker. any constructive comments welcomed, im realy just looking to see if people think this is a good idea or not, thanks

If you're going to be selling them anywhere other than your immediate local area, they're pretty much going to have to be modular, or shipping will be a killer.

This sounds interesting I'd love my own gaming board, but don't have the space or material knowledge to make one.

However! Cost is a major factor. You're not going to attract those under a certain age and you need to make sure you market this appropriately. Heck, even I can't afford the Citadel board :( Do you have any idea how much you would be able to sell yours for?

Also how would you put the word about that you were offering this service? In order to make the supreme effort of making these boards worth it, you need some good marketing or at least try and make a website with a very specific url (gameboardsuk!). Having said that, I'm not sure how google or other search engines work.

And as said above, modular is pretty much necessary. I do think there is a market there, but be aware it might be a rather niche thing.

If anything make them and sell on eBay and see how they go.

It sounds like a really good idea. I would defiantly suggest modular, as it allows much more flexability to set up your board, and store/transport it.
Is it just an idea at this time, or do you have some examples and/or possible price range?

Might be worth making them compatible with the Citadel board, as then you can tap into the market of those with Citadel boards looking to expand.

Definitly make them modular.

2x2 squares will be compatable with the citadel boards and can be used to make the traditional sized boards(4x4, 4x6, and so on)


If you do Hilly sections, either have the hills completely inside each square and/or have 2 squares make 1 hill.

Trenches are the same deal.


I would keep the features you do simple. gently sloped hills, simple rivers.

that way you can reproduce different features easily so you have a fairly consistant product.



Shipping will be a sticky proposition. you will probably want to pack the boards in foam peanuts(especially if you have hills and other 3d features), but that will require larger boxs.

Our local gaming boards are backed with thick heavy plywood. it keeps them intact, but they are heavy. a plywood base with thick insulation foam for the scenery sclupting will make a good sturdy product(although it will drive shipping up)


I also would simply call the product Gaming Boards. don't mention any specific product lines(you could get slapped with an IP violation)


City boards are fairly rare so that might be a good product to have. like piles of rubble, spaces for buildings, small ruined buildings, small walls, sewer openings, streets.

Sounds like a cool idea . Look forward to seeing where it takes you!

+1 for city board ideas.

Plus, with the thick foam you'll be able to sculpt depth-details (like ravines or craters flush with the ground) that regular boards can't do. Sounds cool!

As long as the price is right, and it's modular then I would be interested. It would have to be in 2' by 2' like people said but there is definitely a gap in the market for a cheaper gaming board that's still quality.

I would start by doing something like the citadel realm boards but cheaper obviously and then do more city-specific boards.

thanks very very much for all the positive feedback at this time im still in planning stages but general consensus seems to be
1) cost
2)quality
3)modular set up
4)city themed boards
and 'add on' style to the citadel one.

id really appreciate it if people could leave a short message saying what size of board youd be interested in and ill make one around the end of the month and get pix up here for a bit of feedback. Ill also work out the finer points of prices/shipping as and when i have a board made up etc ill keep the cost as cheap as possible as i dont want people to miss out on having a quality board that enhances the enjoyment of the game initially ill be making a facebook page for ease of picture uploads but ii will be making a more professional looking website when the time comes to sell as well as a paypal service.

thanks once again for all the fantastic comments people, youve all been very helpful indeed and have given me some great pointers as to what you want

keep the faith brothers

stagboards

Off the top of my head, I'd say a 4x4 board for WM/H (In whatever smaller dimensions you think would make it easiest to produce/ship), with the ability to add on more to make it a 4x6 board for WHFB/40K

I'd want a 6' by 4' board in 2' by 2' sections. Although you don't have to create as modular for now as you're just showing what you're doing, etc.

6x4 in 2x2 sections woul be the ideal product, although you might want to also sell individual sections as well.

6' x 4' is the standard for Warhammer I think, although I'd probably buy 4' x 4' to start with.

im planning on making 2'x2' boards of various styles so for example you could have board 1,2,3 and 4 or board 1,4,6,2. im going to try a sort of mix and match approach.
i will have some pictures up ASAP and get the first table on ebay at some point ealy in next month.
i think modular is the way ahead as its easier to ship out to people.
keep an eye on this thread and ill update you all as much as possible along the way.
so to recap:
1) 2' x 2' boards
2) mix and match between various boards
ill also have a rough price guide by the time its on ebay

thanks once again for all the great feedback

I like the idea of mix and matching. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

insaniak wrote:If you're going to be selling them anywhere other than your immediate local area, they're pretty much going to have to be modular, or shipping will be a killer.

I made my own board last time i was home visiting my parents' and shipping was still rather insane. I think for USPS parcel post, i paid around 70 dollars to ship my board. It's an 8x4 table, in 2x2 sections, they were packed in bubble wrap (more to protect the box than the pieces) and the hardware for fastening the table together. The box itself was big and awkward to carry (since all they had was a 2 foot cube, and the 8 pieces of table didnt take up the full space).

Best of luck to ya, and I think that i am really looking forward to pics