First Table Build - Tools Needed? (2 Viewers)

[DoubleEagle]

This works extremely well for stretching. A little pricey but your hands will thank you.

https://m.yourautotrim.com/os2capl.html

 

[allforcharity]

Beer. How else are you going to test out your cup holders?

 

[Marhault]

The first table I ever built (before I owned any tools of my own), I think I free-handed the entire thing with a circular saw. I haven't seen that table in a long time, but I don't recall any flaws showing after it is covered with foam/felt/rail.

That being said, a circle jig is ridiculously easy to make and will increase the ease and precision of your cuts. I'm about function over form, so this might burn some builders eyes, but again, SUPER EASY to make. And just drill a new hole to pivot on for different sized tables. You can see I've used this one for 3 different sizes.
View attachment 381720

I've built 6 tables that I can remember, and have used a manual stapler with 1/4" or 3/8" staples with out any major issues. Sure, there are always a few staples that need to be pulled, but not enough to drive me to buy electric/pneumatic.

For the rail edges, I just knocked them down with an angle grinder/sanding disk. The upholstery covers up any minor lack of uniformity.

If I trusted my skill to make something truly nice, I'd invest in all the toys. But for what I'm shooting for, I'm happy with the results:
View attachment 381726

What are those framed pics in the background?

 

[markleteenie]

Send me a text if you want to discuss, I've built a few tables.

All you need is a jigsaw, stapler, and a drill. Router makes things cleaner, but rails get covered in padding anyway, so you're good.
I like a socket wrench, etc, for bolts. Clamps are very necessary too.
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/markleteenie-poker-related-builds.44344/

 

[bigdonkey]

What are those framed pics in the background?

Bottom row is regular season event winners/results. Top right is Player of the Year/results. Top left is championship tournament winner/results/final hand.

 

[Marhault]

Bottom row is regular season event winners/results. Top right is Player of the Year/results. Top left is championship tournament winner/results/final hand.View attachment 381787View attachment 381787View attachment 381789

Awesome idea! I wish I could get a league going.

 

[justsomedude]

Probably gonna go 84"x42"... just to have a little extra elbow room for 9 players...

 

[markleteenie]

You're building three new tables?

 

[bigdonkey]

Probably gonna go 84"x42"... just to have a little extra elbow room for 9 players...

View attachment 381796

There's an error on your floor plan. It should be HOT DOG SANDWICH and Snack Table.

 

[justsomedude]

You're building three new tables?

One to start to see what I think of the process/quality. If I like it I'll build a second. Doubtful that I'd ever make three. But I can dream.

 

[stonker]

A hot air gun made wrapping my rail so much easier. Will never try it without one again.

 

[justsomedude]

OK... I'm really honing in on the 84x42 size. Looks like 8 will be pretty roomy, 9 will be acceptable, and 10 will be tight/snug...

 

[CraigT78]

OK... I'm really honing in on the 84x42 size. Looks like 8 will be pretty roomy, 9 will be acceptable, and 10 will be tight/snug...

View attachment 381863

My tables are 84x42 and i start with 10 every time. It doesn't suck. Not ideal, but it works.

 

[justsomedude]

My tables are 84x42 and i start with 10 every time. It doesn't suck. Not ideal, but it works.

I didn't know your tables were that size!!!! Thank you for sharing this!!!

 

[CraigT78]

I didn't know your tables were that size!!!! Thank you for sharing this!!!

tight, but not unreasonable.

 

[justsomedude]

View attachment 381868
tight, but not unreasonable.

Boom. Done deal. 84x42 it is!

 

[justsomedude]

@CraigT78 ... how deep are your rails?

 

[CraigT78]

@CraigT78 ... how deep are your rails?

5.5 I think. Wait one.

 

[skylines]

OK... I'm really honing in on the 84x42 size. Looks like 8 will be pretty roomy, 9 will be acceptable, and 10 will be tight/snug...

View attachment 381863

Tell seat 6 to stop man-spreading. Also some clear footsie going on here. BTW hair dryer works great as a hot air gun.

 

[CraigT78]

7.5 inches, foamed and wrapped.

 

[justsomedude]

7.5 inches, foamed and wrapped.
View attachment 381870

SWEET!

One more question... for your rail bolts....

Did you T-bolt into the rail so you can screw it on from below? Or did you do the bolt-through method (bolts sticking down), so you fasten the rail with nuts from below?

 

[justsomedude]

Tell seat 6 to stop man-spreading. Also some clear footsie going on here. BTW hair dryer works great as a hot air gun.

Hahhahahahaha... it was some screwy "seated male" plan drawing that I found and adjusted to scale.

 

[markleteenie]

T-nuts are great so you don't have extra bolt length hanging down.

 

[justsomedude]

T-nuts are great so you don't have extra bolt length hanging down.

That's what I was thinking.

 

[CraigT78]

SWEET!

One more question... for your rail bolts....

Did you T-bolt into the rail so you can screw it on from below? Or did you do the bolt-through method (bolts sticking down), so you fasten the rail with nuts from below?

I do neither. The rail sits on the table free. I have slide under cup holders that wont fit when table is bolted down, so it rides freestyle. Makes for easy storage also

 

[CraigT78]

We occasionally have cards go under, but usually player weight on the rail prevents that.

 

[slisk250]

We occasionally have cards go under, but usually player weight on the rail prevents that.

...probably the weight of the beer in the cup holders...

 

[DoubleEagle]

SWEET!

One more question... for your rail bolts....

Did you T-bolt into the rail so you can screw it on from below? Or did you do the bolt-through method (bolts sticking down), so you fasten the rail with nuts from below?

I prefer threaded inserts.

There was a lot of discussion back during the heyday of the Scott Keen poker table forum about T-nuts vs. threaded inserts. There were a number of builders that had problems with the T-nuts losing their grip and "spinning" in the hole which prevented the bolt from tightening. Threaded inserts solved this problem.

That said, on the tables I have built that we use regularly, although the rails are built with threaded inserts to accept hold-down bolts, I do not fasten them down with bolts. The rail sits nicely on the table without them. Bolts seem unnecessary to me and allow the tables to be moved and stored more easily. Cards sliding under the rail has not been a problem.

 

[markleteenie]

Interesting, I haven't used threaded inserts before - I'll have to look into them. I used T-nuts but then epoxied them into the wood - I feel confident mine won't spin.

 

[bsdunbar1]

I prefer the T-Nuts, just because that is what I use, but there is really no wrong answer with either.
I don't know if I could handle not having my rails bolted down, the slightest movement would tilt me.