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Hi guys, I'm trying to get two new wargames tables, I'm looking for ideas, so I come to you lot.

Currently I have a dilapidated pong table to play my fawtyk. It's 5' by 10'. It's old, breaking and it's too small for 2 40k games

Ideally, I'd like two solid I.e;, I could put my weight on the table (like, resting a hand on it while reaching to the middle - I'm far too heavy to stand on most tables.) measuring 5' by 6' (so, enough space for 6" off the edge of the table on each side). I'm kinda stumped where to start. Of course being a university student, I'd like them cheap if possible which basically rules out a custom made table.

Anyone know where to start? what'd you guys do to get them?

Cheers in advance and thanks for any help you can offer me!

Sawhorses and plywood?



Basically you buy the 4 (or 6 brackets if you want centre legs as well) per table and the lumber. Sometimes DIY/Hardware stores will cut them for you for free. And get a couple sheets of thick plywood, assemble and lay the sheets on top. If you don't have to take them down, sinking a few screws through the plywood into the top of the saw horse will give it the stability you want.

I used Mini Wargamings youtube videos and mine came out to about $100 but could easily have been in the 70-80 dollar range if we planned a little better.

Here is a link to the video in question.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PugcM5BE0H4

That braced approach is probably better. And you can get two 6x2.5 pieces of plywood to make the 6x5. Screwing them into the brace will keep them from moving around.

blackfalcon719 wrote:
I used Mini Wargamings youtube videos and mine came out to about $100 but could easily have been in the 70-80 dollar range if we planned a little better.

Here is a link to the video in question.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PugcM5BE0H4

I would NOT like to drive with him. He keeps looking at the camera and not actually holding the steering wheel. That gak would scare me senseless. Unfortunately for me, this doesn't meet the "put my weight on it" criteria, and I don't have access to a drill outside of my hobby drill. I was intending to buy a ready-made table rather than make one, since I'm not particularly fantastic with shopwork. I just don't know how to go about doing my research for buying a table (what do I put into google, wargaming tables? )

Resting wood on wood is hardly shop work dude, and it is the cheapest. Given you aren't keen for diy, what is your budget? Some guy on eBay is selling nice tables, and is located in qld, search for newelistic

kb_lock wrote:
Resting wood on wood is hardly shop work dude, and it is the cheapest. Given you aren't keen for diy, what is your budget? Some guy on eBay is selling nice tables, and is located in qld, search for newelistic

I was talking about the miniwargaming video that was suggested.

Cheap and put-away-able is something like this:

http://www.bunnings.com.au/marquee-183-x-76-x-73cm-steel-blow-mould-table_p3191115

or

http://www.bunnings.com.au/marquee-183-x-76-x-73-steel-bi-fold-blow-mould-table_p3191114

Add this:
http://www.bunnings.com.au/2400-x-1200mm-16mm-hmr-white-melamine_p0570003

Get Bunnings to cut it down for you (first cut is free, subsequent ones are $1/ea - if they bother to charge you)

Voila! Cheap, sturdy table.

 Scipio Africanus wrote:

kb_lock wrote:
Resting wood on wood is hardly shop work dude, and it is the cheapest. Given you aren't keen for diy, what is your budget? Some guy on eBay is selling nice tables, and is located in qld, search for newelistic

I was talking about the miniwargaming video that was suggested.

Ah, apologies - I missed that one

Whats your budget like?

I just recently put up a table that can easily have me stand on it for like less than 100 ish iirc (i used recycled bits)

It simply consists of 4x4 legs supported by 2x6s and a 4x6 table top. all from the home depot. you just need a saw a drill and some wood screws.

Well, you haven't told us what your budget looks like, so here's this table:

http://www.geekchichq.com/the-sultan-gaming-table.html

They do have other options out there of course, but I thought this most fit your bill:

Big enough for 40k
Strong enough to support body weight

 Scipio Africanus wrote:
Hi guys, I'm trying to get two new wargames tables, I'm looking for ideas, so I come to you lot.

Currently I have a dilapidated pong table to play my fawtyk. It's 5' by 10'. It's old, breaking and it's too small for 2 40k games

Ideally, I'd like two solid I.e;, I could put my weight on the table (like, resting a hand on it while reaching to the middle - I'm far too heavy to stand on most tables.) measuring 5' by 6' (so, enough space for 6" off the edge of the table on each side). I'm kinda stumped where to start. Of course being a university student, I'd like them cheap if possible which basically rules out a custom made table.

Anyone know where to start? what'd you guys do to get them?

Cheers in advance and thanks for any help you can offer me!

2 4X4 plywood boards, painted with sandy paint. Put them on the ping pong table Add in the styro sheets, and you can make pretty much make more boards to suit different battle fields at that point, and set them up over the top of the plywoods.

Second is to build something a little more substantial. Use the 2X8's and make a standard workbench, there are plans on the web for more elaborite stuff such as drawers and shelves and sliding drawers and cabnets unter on and over it, if you so choose. I went out and bought a couple of those 79 buck 800 lb test shelves and set up the wood on the top of it. easy peasy, the shelves are under it, the tops have the boards. Added in a 4 X 4 piece for adding some more size there, as well.

Shelf itself was 79.bucks, the plywood was around 20 bucks or so, along with the paint and sand. Styros around 25 or so, depending if you get it for free or not.

GL, its a fun ride to build furniture as well.

 Azazelx wrote:
http://www.bunnings.com.au/marquee-183-x-76-x-73-steel-bi-fold-blow-mould-table_p3191114

This is what I have. You could get 4 for about $200 if you find a sale somewhere (also look in Office Works, they always have sales on them). Two together makes a 6x5 table. So 4 would give you two 40k capable tables, and with the option to put them together for huge games.

 -Loki- wrote:

 Azazelx wrote:
http://www.bunnings.com.au/marquee-183-x-76-x-73-steel-bi-fold-blow-mould-table_p3191114

This is what I have. You could get 4 for about $200 if you find a sale somewhere (also look in Office Works, they always have sales on them). Two together makes a 6x5 table. So 4 would give you two 40k capable tables, and with the option to put them together for huge games.

Actually went to office works today. I'd be getting 4 of them for 150 flat I believe.

I am considering these kinds of tables. I would like something Permanent preferably (like a dining table, but if I can't I'll settle with those.

After all, that's what they use at tournaments, right?


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:
Well, you haven't told us what your budget looks like, so here's this table:

http://www.geekchichq.com/the-sultan-gaming-table.html

They do have other options out there of course, but I thought this most fit your bill:

Big enough for 40k
Strong enough to support body weight

I love this. I think you win the thread, and my heart.

My budget's iffy. Basically, I have to sell it to the person who'll be doing the buying.

I.e; I would aim for about ~600 total, but I could push 800, 900 if I could sell the idea well enough.

I'm personally aiming for about 400 if I can. I would prefer a prefab.

You can cobble yourself a very nice table for 600 if you have the woodworking skills.

Iv had the idea to use two of these kinda tables as a base, then build the table on top with an underside frame and trimmed on the side to match.

a sofa table being relatively tall iirc

My approach was to make wood section overlays for my existing game table. I had a standard kitchen table that was 3'x5' and sturdy enough, basically something you could pick up at a second hand store, or use the plastic folding table you talked about above.

Then I got a sheet of thick particle board cut into two sections of 3'x4' (so it would total 6'x4' when put together). I drilled out some dowels to connect them, and edged it with some lighter wood to prevent chipping. Then I sprayed it a nice base green color with some dabs of brown and lighter greens, a couple protective clear matte layers, and it was ready to go. Now I can overlay the two pieces to get a great 6'x4' area going, or put them away to have the table ready for other things.

Early version before painting:


One section after edging and painting. You can see the normal kitchen table underneath:


Setup with two side by side games:


Setup for a big game:

I can't find the original blog post, but I did something very similar to this a while back:

http://www.miniwargaming.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=70009

And it was fantastic. Also taught me a few things that came in handy when I built a deck a few years later ;-)

I got some bifolds and some plywood. Total cost:240 dollars + terrain.

My table is a 12mm mdf sheet (1200x2400mm cut into 4 sections of 1200x600ish). These clip together (I have a city streets layout on one side that differs on each section, but they all line up no matter how they rotate) and sit on top of a 1800x720 folding blow-mould table.

I use one of those non-slip mats to stop the boards sliding around.

The table cost me about $90 all up.
$40 for the blow mould table.
$30 for the MDF sheet.
$20 worth of paint to do both sides.

I will be moving soon, and when I do, I want to try these out. Any table size you want, plus a lower storage area.

http://www.amazon.com/2x4-Basics-Workbench-Model-90158MI/dp/B005SQ365M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1401508103&sr=8-2&keywords=2x4+basics+workbench+kit

This is a "lite" version of the same concept, completely modular and likely more portable, too:

http://www.amazon.com/Connect-Play-Modular-Activity-Table/dp/B00BGYS4R0

hurtmypony wrote:
I will be moving soon, and when I do, I want to try these out. Any table size you want, plus a lower storage area.

http://www.amazon.com/2x4-Basics-Workbench-Model-90158MI/dp/B005SQ365M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1401508103&sr=8-2&keywords=2x4+basics+workbench+kit

That's what I ended up using, build to a 4x8 size. Big enough for big games, and it has room on either side of the playing area when used for 4x6 games.



I did add some casters to it, that way it stays against the wall and I actually use it as a work-bench when I'm not playing games on it:

Nice table.

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:
Well, you haven't told us what your budget looks like, so here's this table:

http://www.geekchichq.com/the-sultan-gaming-table.html

They do have other options out there of course, but I thought this most fit your bill:

Big enough for 40k
Strong enough to support body weight

I know someone with a geekchiq table. A rather deluxe one, even. I would love to have one some day, but:

Pro: Quality is outstanding.

Con: It took 12 months to be delivered. Excuse after excuse, delay after delay.

Know what you are getting into.

Mine works. Bought 1/2" ply wood sheet. Rip to 4x6. Cut into 3 2x4 sections. Attach all 3 with opposing 4' piano hinges. So it leans against the garage wall taking up 1.5" x2' x4'. Then set that on a plastic / metal fold-out picnic table that is 6x3. Minimal storage space required. Multi-use. Cheap.

Ooh! Ooh! I know how to build a gaming table! I've built two! In fact, one of them is on the Dakka WIP forums! Unfortunately I can't link it at the moment, since I'm on my phone, bit you can google it, or I'll just link it later. It cost me about $160 and is sturdy enough to stand on. As a bonus, it has a shelf under the playing surface for minis, cases and tubs of terrain.

I get the hardwear store to cut a sheet of plywood down to 4x6 and then buy a set of folding table legs to put on it. Paint with the cheap clerence paint from a bad batch of paint and your done. I throw a gameing mat on top to make it look nice.

Gaming Table WIP (Complete) here:

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/528541.page

 d-usa wrote:

That's what I ended up using, build to a 4x8 size. Big enough for big games, and it has room on either side of the playing area when used for 4x6 games.

Very nice! Thanks for the photos.

When I was furnishing my man-cave, I bought a futon, to be put up during the day when I chill with the troops, then when folded down - BAM! 6x4 surface. Lay the Citadel Realm of Battle Board on top, and we have a perfect gaming board. It's just slightly above knee-level, that's the only complaint I have (but it allows us a really sweet bird's-eye view of the battlefield, so epic to watch the fight from above).

 PrehistoricUFO wrote:
... futon... then when folded down - BAM! 6x4 surface. Lay the Citadel Realm of Battle Board on top, and we have a perfect gaming board.

I just took out two military style camping cots I have and plunked my plywood surface on it.

Huh. It's a little low, but it was way, way faster to set up than my folding tables. Next time I host a game, I'll use it and see what I think about the lower height in actual play.