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First Table Build - Tools Needed? (1 Viewer)

Love the discussion and input in here. So many great ideas!

I'm leaning towards epoxied T-Nuts, just because I've used them before and am familiar with them. But I'll check the inserts for sure! :tup:
 
Felt ordered!

1576767796295.png
 
Picked up the pneumatic stapler and some Forstner bits at Harbor Freight today. Aside from the foam, vinyl, and handles... I think I'm pretty much ready to go. Gonna order those now so they're here in time for my build dates (Jan 2-Jan 5). I'll grab the t-nuts, adhesive, and plywood on the day of.

1576785870253.png
 
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Interested to hear more about the felt as the build progresses. Where it's from, texture, card slide, method and ease of installation, etc...

Love a good build thread :tup:
 
Kensco said:
Interested to hear more about the felt as the build progresses. Where it's from, texture, card slide, method and ease of installation, etc...

Love a good build thread :tup:
Click to expand...

I got the tip on the felt from @ruskba. The store is The Layout Company on eBay. I was considering going with a custom felt, but the price of the felt was about as much as the materials cost for the entire table build, and I just couldn't justify it. I guess having kids puts a new perspective on your wallet. :p

The Layout Company produces felts for casinos, and their eBay store is their outlet for overstock and misprints. You can find some steals in the $60-$90 price range, shipped. The material for most of their poker layouts is what they call "Ultra-Glide." I think I've played on it before at @ruskba's game, and I enjoyed it.

I'll post pictures and updates as the build progresses!
 
I just made a small shift in dimensions to 84"x44" (was originally 84"x42").

I'm concerned 42" might be just a tad too narrow, especially considering that I'm coming from a racetrack table with a 35" wide playing surface, to a no-racetrack table with a 34" wide playing surface. All that crap that used to sit on the racetrack will now be on the felt, eating up even more real estate.

I'm trying to find a good compromise here, and I think this might be it...

1576788005581.png
 
A pencil and string works just as well to mark the Radius on the ends if your using a jigsaw and is a lot easier. Tie the string to the pencil near the point, then use a nail (or tack even) to fix the other end in the center of the circle. Draw your arc then. Takes about two minutes.
 
DoubleEagle said:
I prefer threaded inserts.

View attachment 381931

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.
Click to expand...
That Rockler link had an awesome example of one used in a shifter knob. I might have to make this for my truck. Thanks for the link!

1576796930492.png
 
I don’t know what’s best, but I use these. Work fine for me.

A8FC0263-86D3-4B88-895A-C0915CD8E1F3.jpeg
 
Got the final cost worked up... crazy that a decent felt and some nice legs are more than 50% of the entire build. :banghead:

Cripes.

1577333814617.png


If I went with Amazon folding table legs and regular suited speed cloth, the total build would have been under $350.
 
justsomedude said:
Got the final cost worked up... crazy that a decent felt and some nice legs are more than 50% of the entire build. :banghead:

Cripes.

View attachment 384565

If I went with Amazon table legs and suited speed cloth, the total build would have been under $350.
Click to expand...
And that's exactly where you should spend the money. I'll email you my felt designs. I'll pick them up to save on shipping.
 

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