lighted raised rail table // how to // PART 2 (1 Viewer)

[meatboy]

due to the picture limitiation I have splitted the thread (i need that much pictures to describe my build )


also hartboard to the outside of the rail

2nd cut into the playing surface board to get the lid where the plexiglass is going to screwed on and the playing surface itself.
Cut is 6mm to have enough space for the 3mm plexiglass and 2mm hartboard at the outside of the playing surface (more pics for that later)

Rail attached on the base board, also the plexiglass lid

Plexiglass srewed to the lid

1st test using a rope light

upholstering the rail (foam only to the top)

hartboard to the outside of the playing board (not to impress the foam on the edges)

routing a channel for the LED power cord

now the LED Strip is glued into the rail

stickers attached to the plaxiglass

and final assembling

 

[Mr. Cheese]

Beautiful table! If I didn't already have my octagon table I built, I'd consider building one just like this!

 

[meatboy]

you never can have enough tables

But thanks a lot for your kind words!

 

[jules]

where did you buy this custom felt?

 

[tigon]

Very nice! I'm still not sure where the hartboard is/for or where exactly it goes on the inside. Is it the backing for the light strip?

 

[Max D]

I really like it, I think our next table needs LED, nice to see how you did that part.(y) :thumbsup:

 

[Aaron]

Where's part 1?

 

[Kyle]

Very cool! (y) :thumbsup:

 

[Raf]

Meatboy, I've always admired your table... Very sharp!

I've finally gotten around to building my own, with raised rail, albeit not a lighted one. I'm at the upholstering phase and at a crossroads, trying to decide whether to use rail foam on all sides (outer, top, and inner lip), as typically done on pretty much all table builds or to go the route you took in using rail foam only on the top and upholstering it that way.

Using your method would allow me to achieve two things:

1) Chipstacks would sit flush along the inner wall of the rail and the inner riser.

2) I'd get the look that I'm looking for. Starting from the outside wall we get a flat look, then rounded look for top of rail, then go flat yet again on the inner lip of the rail....I guess in essence, trying to describe it would be sort of like a loaf of bread type look... Lol.

What I wonder however is by opting for foam only on top, is comfort sacrificed? For instance, when your forearm sits on the top of the rail while your wrist sits along the unfoamed inner wall, is not having foam there bothersome? I suppose the same concern applies to the outer unfoamed wall of the rail... sitting against the rail and foam missing, is comfort sacrificed in this manner? Or it's no issue whatsoever? Is any difference discerned?

I'm probably over-thinking it all, granted...but it's my first build and have no experience in anything table building and thus wanting clear these sort of things up. Thanks!

 

[mashoo]

@meatboy how's the shuffler? Always been interested in one but have read negative things about customer support.

 

[Trihonda]

@Raf I personally like foam on all sides. I also advocate for rounding over the inner and outer edges of the top rail. It makes the upholstery easier, and if you don't, you will be able to feel the sharp edge through the foam.

I do know of some builders opting to forgo the foam on the inside rail, just seems like a shortcut, not as comfortable, and not my style. However, some could argue it might leave a cleaner edge? But I think that's more to do with skill of the person doing the upholstery.

 

[Raf]

@Trihonda, appreciate the feedback. Your table is hella nice also. I think I'll go ahead and heed your suggestion. It just makes sense that forgoing the foam on either inside or outside could jeopardize that comfort. Since its my first build, no need to chance it by going against the grain. It's best I just follow the resource of all you having shared with your builds and simply foam the rail as typically done.

Thank you, sir

 

[Raf]

@mashoo , I too have read many upon many reviews of shuffletechs giving problems and the manufacturer not standing behind their product at times. Complaints of constant jams were the main culprit in the reviews I've read

 

[Trihonda]

@Trihonda, appreciate the feedback. Your table is hella nice also. I think I'll go ahead and heed your suggestion. It just makes sense that forgoing the foam on either inside or outside could jeopardize that comfort. Since its my first build, no need to chance it by going against the grain. It's best I just follow the resource of all you having shared with your builds and simply foam the rail as typically done.

Thank you, sir

And I'd use plywood, NOT OSB or particle board. On some of my side tables, I did use scrap particle board for my rails, but play surface is always 100% ply. For a quality build, ply all around is the way to go. Plus, if you're cutting out the play surface, it leaves you with part of the rail anyway.