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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/25 21:43:35
Subject: How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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Fresh-Faced New User
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Hi dakka! For guests viewing this page in search of a tutorial for making a gaming board- relatively cheaply, and fairly easily - you are in luck! In this (hopefully not too long and boring) tutorial, I will explain in great detail how to make a gaming board that can rival that of which GW sell, for far under half the price!!! Before you start drilling though, and picking up huge chainswords to hack polystyrene to pieces, here's what you'll need:
A base board -
By this I mean any strong, fairly durable surface, that's not so thin that paper will mock it!!! Something like wood (plywood, maybe). You should go to a local DIY store for this, and the rest. Depending on the size of gaming table you'll want, you'll need different sizes. I'll use two examples here, and throught the tutorial,
4x4 board. 4 pieces of 2x2 (foot) base material. Most places cut for FREEE!!
6x4 board. 6 pieces of 2x2 base material.
Enough polystyrene to cover those boards, about the height of one-two space marines.
A knife (old one, you won't be able to use it for eating again afterwards
A very hot flame (such as on a gas cooker).
PVA glue (quite a lot)
1. Before you start, make a plan of what you're gonna do. It doesn't need to be neat, just so that you can follow it. Dont include any buildings, just the surface, the hills and the floors (and other features that aren't removable).
Once you've done that read my next post for the next step.
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/26 22:50:54
Subject: How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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Excellent Exalted Champion of Chaos
Lake Forest, California, South Orange County
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Tutorials are fairly worthless without pictures or video.
And as it stands this isn't a tutorial, it's just a list of materials.
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"Bryan always said that if the studio ever had to mix with the manufacturing and sales part of the business it would destroy the studio. And I have to say – he wasn’t wrong there! ... It’s become the promotions department of a toy company." -- Rick Priestly
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/27 00:58:18
Subject: How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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Longtime Dakkanaut
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I like where it's going, but it could use pictures.
Mods, skip this stone over to Painting/Modelling Tutorials, eh?
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Why is it that only those who have never fought in a battle are so eager to be in one? |
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/27 01:00:22
Subject: How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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Excellent Exalted Champion of Chaos
Lake Forest, California, South Orange County
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fenrir1997 wrote:I like where it's going, but it could use pictures.
Mods, skip this stone over to Painting/Modelling Tutorials, eh?
It was moved for the fact that as it stands it isn't a tutorial. If it's edited or added upon to actually explain some process then sure, move it back.
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"Bryan always said that if the studio ever had to mix with the manufacturing and sales part of the business it would destroy the studio. And I have to say – he wasn’t wrong there! ... It’s become the promotions department of a toy company." -- Rick Priestly
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/27 01:14:17
Subject: How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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[MOD]
Making Stuff
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fenrir1997 wrote:I like where it's going, but it could use pictures.
Mods, skip this stone over to Painting/Modelling Tutorials, eh?
I actually moved it out of the Tutorials section, due to the lack of any actual tutorial.
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/27 01:14:45
Subject: How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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Longtime Dakkanaut
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Got it
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Why is it that only those who have never fought in a battle are so eager to be in one? |
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/27 01:37:54
Subject: How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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Ultramarine Master with Gauntlets of Macragge
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Plywood is a terrible idea for building a board. It warps and bends. Use MDF board.
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Check out my Youtube channel!
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/27 01:48:50
Subject: How to build a DIY gaming board!!
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Excellent Exalted Champion of Chaos
Lake Forest, California, South Orange County
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Brother SRM wrote:Plywood is a terrible idea for building a board. It warps and bends. Use MDF board.
That depends greatly on the type of plywood, as there are several "grades" of it. The stuff you see at Home Depot is generally cheaper, so it isn't as rigid as other materials. However I have some really nice maple plywood that is made for shelves and cabinets that is perfectly flat and smooth, albeit much more expensive than the Home Depot stuff.
For budget sake, MDF is better. But if you are making the Bentley of gaming tables...
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"Bryan always said that if the studio ever had to mix with the manufacturing and sales part of the business it would destroy the studio. And I have to say – he wasn’t wrong there! ... It’s become the promotions department of a toy company." -- Rick Priestly
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/27 01:58:17
Subject: How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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Stern Iron Priest with Thrall Bodyguard
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Plywood is only an issue really if you are leaving the boards somewhere that they can get damp.
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/27 01:58:55
Subject: How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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Tunneling Trygon
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Plywood is great for tables, but it has to be braced with 2X4s
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Hive Fleet Aquarius 2-1-0
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/527774.page |
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/27 13:01:04
Subject: How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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Furious Raptor
Fort Worth, TX
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I'd actually suggest caulk instead of PVA glue. You can get a caulk gun pretty cheap at walmart and a single tube of acrylic or silicone caulk is $2 and will cover an entire 4'x2' board as long as you don't go crazy with applying it.
It's what I did and I'm pretty happy with the hold.
I used plywood in 4'x2' sections, braced with 1x3 boards. I used 3/4" insulation foam from home depot (they also cut this for free), though I'm of the mind that you don't need to brace the plywood as long as you keep it in a dry place. Just remember to remove all of the plastic film or your glue/caulk/adherent won't hold.
There are a couple versions of the process I went through with a few pictures on the hittingon3s.com site, with a handful of pictures, prices, and steps I went through. I'm still getting a few for writing tutorials, since I'm new to that process, but I think it's clear enough to follow without a problem, especially if you're less of a handyman like I am.
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I out with in both 40k and WHFB.
Co-host of the HittingOn3s Podcast
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/27 13:19:27
Subject: How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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Longtime Dakkanaut
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Brother SRM wrote:Plywood is a terrible idea for building a board. It warps and bends. Use MDF board.
You have it completely the wrong way round. Plywood has spring like real timber to bounce back from knocks and deformation, its also lighter than MDF and due to its strength you can use thinner sheets making it lighter again. Depending what your putting the board on it may need added support, but less than MDF.
The only way plywood is inferior is that the edge needs extra attention to stop splintering and decent plywood is more expensive than MDF.
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/27 22:27:05
Subject: How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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Tunneling Trygon
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Skippy wrote: Brother SRM wrote:Plywood is a terrible idea for building a board. It warps and bends. Use MDF board.
You have it completely the wrong way round. Plywood has spring like real timber to bounce back from knocks and deformation, its also lighter than MDF and due to its strength you can use thinner sheets making it lighter again. Depending what your putting the board on it may need added support, but less than MDF.
The only way plywood is inferior is that the edge needs extra attention to stop splintering and decent plywood is more expensive than MDF.
Plywood will warp due to moisture in the air, or just from sitting around. I prefer it over MDF, but it needs to be braced with 2X4s when used as a table-top.
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2012/08/27 22:27:27
Hive Fleet Aquarius 2-1-0
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/527774.page |
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/28 16:39:39
Subject: How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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Furious Raptor
Fort Worth, TX
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Squidmanlolz wrote: Skippy wrote: Brother SRM wrote:Plywood is a terrible idea for building a board. It warps and bends. Use MDF board.
You have it completely the wrong way round. Plywood has spring like real timber to bounce back from knocks and deformation, its also lighter than MDF and due to its strength you can use thinner sheets making it lighter again. Depending what your putting the board on it may need added support, but less than MDF.
The only way plywood is inferior is that the edge needs extra attention to stop splintering and decent plywood is more expensive than MDF.
Plywood will warp due to moisture in the air, or just from sitting around. I prefer it over MDF, but it needs to be braced with 2X4s when used as a table-top.
If you make a 6'x4' table out of it, yeah, I'd say that you definitely need bracing. Smaller sections...2'x'2' or 4'x2' will be less prone to warping, especially in less humid climates/homes.
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I out with in both 40k and WHFB.
Co-host of the HittingOn3s Podcast
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/28 17:23:25
Subject: How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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Deacon
Eugene, OR
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Squidmanlolz wrote: Skippy wrote: Brother SRM wrote:Plywood is a terrible idea for building a board. It warps and bends. Use MDF board.
You have it completely the wrong way round. Plywood has spring like real timber to bounce back from knocks and deformation, its also lighter than MDF and due to its strength you can use thinner sheets making it lighter again. Depending what your putting the board on it may need added support, but less than MDF.
The only way plywood is inferior is that the edge needs extra attention to stop splintering and decent plywood is more expensive than MDF.
Plywood will warp due to moisture in the air, or just from sitting around. I prefer it over MDF, but it needs to be braced with 2X4s when used as a table-top.
I think you're obsessed with 2x4s, on the table sizes we use for gaming, 2x4s are MASSIVE overkill, and if making the table modular, even less bracing is needed. If I braced my tables (modular, and playwood) in 2x4s I'd be able to drive on them and have no problems.
for a 6x4, i would go with 1x3 at the most. for 4x2 i'd use 1x2 or 1x1, but if you're just going to add structure to the top in the form of glued on terrain, then the bracing isn't needed period.
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2k
3300
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/28 17:32:24
Subject: How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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Longtime Dakkanaut
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Just use marine ply if your worried about warping
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/28 23:54:54
Subject: How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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Fresh-Faced New User
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There is an easy way to prevent warping on plywood. Warping in wood is caused by one side drying or getting wet more than the other (Cupping, normally from sun exposure). Some cheap plywood, like CDX or sheathing grade board, has a natural warp to it as it is only made from a couple of thick plies. You can use any kind of plywood, but if it is flat when you buy it and you want it to stay that way then you should liberally paint all sides with several coats of paint. A cheap latex semi-gloss will work fine for this. When I build mine, eventually, I'll be using some thinner press, or chip, board with foam insulation glued to it with liquid nails or cove base adhesive. I'll be dipping the board sections in gloss varnish before gluing anything to them. The foam precludes the need for any real rigidity in the baseboard and the varnish will stop any warping in its tracks.
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/29 01:46:43
Subject: Re:How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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Gargantuan Gargant
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Bah !!
Start with 8ft by 4ft plywood
Brace with 2x4's
Paint it
Done
At least that's what I did.
Been 12 years now and no warping.
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/31 02:33:54
Subject: How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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Stern Iron Priest with Thrall Bodyguard
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Mdf if you are cutting it is a nightmare. While sawdust is always a pain in the ass to clean up MDF dust is superfine, all fine dusts cause cancer.
Warping is a smaller issue when you use smaller sheets of timber. So 2'x2' sections wouldn't need 2x4, you'd probably be better off using slating laths.
Don't buy any timber planks that have a warp in them and make sure to check them carefully.
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/31 04:14:22
Subject: How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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Excellent Exalted Champion of Chaos
Lake Forest, California, South Orange County
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liturgies of blood wrote:Mdf if you are cutting it is a nightmare. While sawdust is always a pain in the ass to clean up MDF dust is superfine, all fine dusts cause cancer.
Warping is a smaller issue when you use smaller sheets of timber. So 2'x2' sections wouldn't need 2x4, you'd probably be better off using slating laths.
Don't buy any timber planks that have a warp in them and make sure to check them carefully.
1. Damn near everything these days causes cancer. Ingredients in carbonated sodas are carcinogens, and I've imbibed enough soda to give several people diabetes, yet I don't have cancer. I'm not convinced that the amount of a carcinogen taken in is the major factor in causing cancer. By that logic I should have died in college.
2. The amount of dust created by making a single table would be irritating sure, but health wise rather negligible.
As others state, the board material itself won't matter as much if it is reinforced roughly every 2 square feet in regards to warping. MDF is iirc heavier than most plywood.
1x3 or a similar small plank will suffice well for gaming boards. 2x4's and larger are only really needed for table legs depending on how you go about mounting the board. I've seen tables use 4x4" beams for legs, others use regular folding steel legs($20 a set at Home Depot).
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"Bryan always said that if the studio ever had to mix with the manufacturing and sales part of the business it would destroy the studio. And I have to say – he wasn’t wrong there! ... It’s become the promotions department of a toy company." -- Rick Priestly
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/31 04:37:55
Subject: How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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Stern Iron Priest with Thrall Bodyguard
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You do realise that carcinogens are rated on how bad they are.... hate to argue with your conventional wisdom here but unlike caffeine which is only suspected due to it's structure to be a carcinogen, fine powders have been know to cause cancer and lung problems for a long time.
Working with MDF dust will leave you with a raw throat and is a major irritant in comparison to normal sawdust. Notice how workshops always use respirators and goggles when they work with MDF.
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2012/08/31 04:38:53
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/31 04:51:46
Subject: Re:How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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Excellent Exalted Champion of Chaos
Lake Forest, California, South Orange County
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I didn't say that you shouldn't wear a mask. I said that everything causes cancer, which isn't a single actual disease. And caffeine isn't the carcinogen in soda that I was talking about. The caramel coloring and benzene are carcinogens. Diet sodas even digest down into formaldehyde. Also, lung problems =/= cancer, and I'd like to see that study that shows that every fine powder or dust on earth actually cause cancer. Methinks some exaggerating happened there. Anyone cutting anything with power tools should of course wear eye protection and in most cases at least a dust mask. So really, taking into account that everyone should be at least intelligent enough to know that, the supposed increased risk in cutting MDF as opposed to regular plywood or solid planks is moot. At any rate, this has spiraled off topic.
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2012/08/31 04:52:37
"Bryan always said that if the studio ever had to mix with the manufacturing and sales part of the business it would destroy the studio. And I have to say – he wasn’t wrong there! ... It’s become the promotions department of a toy company." -- Rick Priestly
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/31 04:58:32
Subject: How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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Death-Dealing Ultramarine Devastator
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If youre worried about saw dust in the air, wear a mask while cutting and cut outdoors.
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There is no such thing as innocence, only varying levels of guilt. |
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/31 17:13:11
Subject: Re:How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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Longtime Dakkanaut
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Lol.
My table is gonna be one heavy duty bad ass.
I've already got 2 4x4's for the legs, and enough 2x4's for the framing (all wood thus far claimed free from work. Broke apart a particularly beefy pallet for the table legs), I'll probably frame out the top of the table with 2x4's so that the 2'x2' surface plates will sit level with the top. (Need another table for Thanksgiving? Not me...). Was considering 2x6's for the sides instead, but not sure yet. Depends on the wood I can get, and how it reacts to stain.
I plan on making my table surface similar to GW's 2'x2' moveable/interchangeable surface, and my supports will either be 2x2's or 2x4's. One support every 2 feet down the length, and 1 to run down the middle. If MDF is on sale, that's what I'm getting. I'll cut it outside, wear a mask, and hookup the shop-vac to the saw. If Plywood is on sale, that's what I'll get. Particle Board? Why not. Quality yet cheap is my thing for this. Tough to find, but I'll find it. I saw some nice looking sheet plastic meant for back-splashes in commercial kitchens earlier...
All this includes stainless steel brackets. And no screws. I'll be modifying the design slightly so that I can accommodate 1/4'' nuts and round-head bolts (with body washers and lock washers/nuts). I can take it apart whenever
I also plan on making it 2ft longer than standard (bringing it to a sum total of 4'x8') so that 2 panels can be plain fabric or some such. Again, cheap  this is specifically for a space to put my dice/dead minis/ rulebook/ codex/ etc.
Terrain, you say? I've got a few drop-ceiling tiles I plan on chopping appropriately to bits, with a happy helping of Liquid Nails. Again, the shop-vac will be handy for that (Styrofoam EVERYWHERE).
Fenrir1997's Gaming table stats:
Front Armor: 14
Rear Armor: 14
Side Armor: 13
Twinlinked Heavy gaming surface - range 8feet
Str 8 Ap1 vs my feet. Good thing Steel Toe Boots are 2+invul save...
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Why is it that only those who have never fought in a battle are so eager to be in one? |
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/31 17:53:36
Subject: How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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Faithful Squig Companion
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I thought this thread was "How to build a DIY gaming board!!!", not an argument on on bracing and types of wood to be used.
Just saying...
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Pigmyork = Some mad Speed Freek mek, with half an insane grot addicted to drugs and cheez's brain merged with his...
"Get 'em boyz! Dakka dakka dakka!
WAAAGH! THE ORKS! WAAAGH!"
-Rotgob, Ork strategist
Pwease cwick the ickle dwgon/egg |
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2012/08/31 20:47:05
Subject: How to build a DIY gaming board!!!
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Longtime Dakkanaut
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Anyway, it was usefull...
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If my post show some BAD spelling issues, please forgive-me, english is not my natural language, and i never received formal education on it...
My take on Demiurgs (enjoy the reading):
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/537654.page
Please, if you think im wrong, correct me (i will try to take it constructively). |
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