Restoring Old Table (8 Viewers)

[ProdigalSUN413]

I live in the Tampa, Florida area and have an old wooden octagon poker table that belonged to my great grandfather. The table seems fairly standard, as in not exceptional quality or high end build, but I would love to have it restored. I don't feel up to doing it myself, but I'm having a difficult time identifying viable options. I've reached out to several antique furniture shops but either haven't gotten responses or stuff like "we don't work on things like this".

Just looking for some advice and direction.
I'll attach some picture, but essentially the table need to be sanded and refinished, new felt/padding, and it needs new legs.

First time doing this, so excuse my ignorance, but thanks in advance for any help!

 

[JackJack]

What? Unreal that the furniture restoration shops would turn that project away.

 

[dennis63]

Posting here is a good idea. Someone among our members might be able to take this on for you.

If not, you can certainly do this project yourself. All you need is time and some (relatively) inexpensive materials.

Sanding and refinishing are easy enough, especially if you have a mechanical sander.

You can choose how much you want to spend on felt or speed cloth, depending on how "high-end" you want the table to look when it's finished. For top-of-the-line speed cloth, check out the Casino Supply website. You can buy as much or as little as you need for the playing surface and the eight pockets. Don't forget to get some padding to put under the playing surface. Having some padding under the speed cloth will make the tabletop feel softer and more professional, and will allow you to be able to push down on it just a bit, which will make dealing, collecting cards and shuffling much easier.


For a cheaper alternative, you can get some felt or cloth in just about any color at a craft store or material retailer like JoAnn Fabrics. (You'll still want to put a little bit of padding down on the playing surface first.

Make sure to get a can of spray adhesive, usually available at the same store.

And don't forget to post pictures as this progresses. Looks like a nice project.

 

[JackJack]

Agree with the above. If you have some tools, space, time and basic skills you can make this happen yourself.

 

[Kam]

Welcome!

I shared some of my experience in thread below, +1 on casino supply and check out their volara foam. I did not have a good experience with Joann’s fabric since I’m an idiot. Get the good stuff and avoid the heartache:

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/face-side-of-suited-speed-cloth.126942/

GL!

 

[jayfiggy]

Wow. Does an “antique furniture shop” really get enough business to turn down something like this!? Silly.

 

[ProdigalSUN413]

Posting here is a good idea. Someone among our members might be able to take this on for you.

If not, you can certainly do this project yourself. All you need is time and some (relatively) inexpensive materials.

Sanding and refinishing are easy enough, especially if you have a mechanical sander.

You can choose how much you want to spend on felt or speed cloth, depending on how "high-end" you want the table to look when it's finished. For top-of-the-line speed cloth, check out the Casino Supply website. You can buy as much or as little as you need for the playing surface and the eight pockets. Don't forget to get some padding to put under the playing surface. Having some padding under the speed cloth will make the tabletop feel softer and more professional, and will allow you to be able to push down on it just a bit, which will make dealing, collecting cards and shuffling much easier.


For a cheaper alternative, you can get some felt or cloth in just about any color at a craft store or material retailer like JoAnn Fabrics. (You'll still want to put a little bit of padding down on the playing surface first.

Make sure to get a can of spray adhesive, usually available at the same store.

And don't forget to post pictures as this progresses. Looks like a nice project.

& @JackJack @Kam

I think my biggest concern in tackling this myself is the center piece of wood. I'm not experienced with projects like this, but I thought I could tear out that center piece and basically cut a new one, pad and felt it, and then stick it back into that same space. You can see from the photos where I started to tear it out, but it's layered differently than I expected, and I'm worried I'll end up trashing the whole thing when the point was to preserve as much as possible since it has sentimental value.

I'm wondering if I could simply cut that center octagon out of plywood, pad and felt that and then place it on top, but I would prefer that it is well-integrated and securely attached to the rest of the table...

I know I could easily sand and refinish the rest of the table.

 

[Kensco]

Do it yourself, it will mean more to you once finished. You have the power of YouTube and PCF behind you!

Start a thread and chronicle your effort. When you hit a point of uncertainty you can crowd source an array of potential solutions

 

[Kensco]

@ProdigalSUN413 apparently you don't have enough posts yet to engage in private messages so ...

Can you post close-ups of the underside table supports? Wondering if the top is an insert anchored to the supports with pocket screws

 

[JackJack]

@ProdigalSUN413 apparently you don't have enough posts yet to engage in private messages so ...

Can you post close-ups of the underside table supports? Wondering if the top is an insert anchored to the supports with pocket screws

View attachment 1443726

Im guessing not. Pic shows nail heads in the topper.

 

[JackJack]

OP could:

1. use a wood filler to fill in the top. Sand it down to be smooth and flush with original wood.
2. Sand table thoroughly
3. Stain all visible wood
4. Poly, sand, poly, sand, poly
5. Use pressure adhesive on top/center, apply foam (carpet glue. Or spray adhesive works too)
6. Place felt/cloth on top/center

 

[ekricket]

I'm wondering if I could simply cut that center octagon out of plywood, pad and felt that and then place it on top, but I would prefer that it is well-integrated and securely attached to the rest of the table...

Yes do this. To make it seamless put a thin piece of trim around all the edges of the octagon making sure it has a 1/2 inch lip (extends below the octagon piece) along the bottom.

Then slide that down on top, with the lip going into the cavitys that hold chips.