Restoring Old Table (2 Viewers)

[ProdigalSUN413]

A flush or slightly elevated center section is far better than a recessed center -- cards will slide on the former, but will 'catch' on the latter and create problems dealing, plus it can actually cause damage to plastic cards.

If supported properly, a lightweight removable playing surface can be easily made using 1/4" MDF (polycoated to make it waterproof) plus 1/4" YAT foam covered with gaming cloth. SSC will not match the antique look of the table, imo. Magnets or just gravity should hold it in place, or you can secure it underneath.

I would be very wary of letting a restoration shop select either the foam or the cloth -- what you end up may look nice, but not be optimum for actual play.

This is what they said initially when I asked to supply the felt and padding:

We will want to supply the padding to go under the felt on the center. If you supply something that is not appropriate, then we either compromise the job, or still have to obtain the right firmness, etc. We get our supplies through sources that homeowners don’t have access to.

The same will go with the felt. Once we have the piece and have it disassembled, we’ll know what the size we need…and what colors are available in that size. Unless you know what color you want; we’ll find what works. We need upholstery weight felt…you won’t have access to that. Also, we cannot guarantee our work if we use customer supplied materials. I hope that all makes sense.

I'm not 100% sure what is meant by "upholstery weight felt", but I think maybe I'll wait until they have the table, see what options they are providing and clarify that I need poker/speed cloth and maybe suggest a few options that they can look into and order directly themselves..

 

[Captn]

For “ grandpa sakes” -
Once top removed, flip table over onto new center piece of substrate , draw a line to trace octagon of table with reference “x” on grandpas table and top. Cut along ur lines with around1/8” smaller to accommodate your felt n table topper. —- then u can use a staple gun and razor blade to adhere felt n top. Make grandpa proud, and in process Yourself too.

 

[ekricket]

We will want to supply the padding to go under the felt on the center. If you supply something that is not appropriate, then we either compromise the job, or still have to obtain the right firmness, etc. We get our supplies through sources that homeowners don’t have access to.

The same will go with the felt. Once we have the piece and have it disassembled, we’ll know what the size we need…and what colors are available in that size. Unless you know what color you want; we’ll find what works. We need upholstery weight felt…you won’t have access to that. Also, we cannot guarantee our work if we use customer supplied materials. I hope that all makes sense.

Summary: neither you or them will be happy in the end

Red Flags everywhere!

 

[ProdigalSUN413]

Summary: neither you or them will be happy in the end

Red Flags everywhere!

Thanks, super constructive. lol

In all seriousness, I understand their impulse to protect the integrity and consistency of their work. Granted, they may not be as knowledgeable about poker tables and poker felt specifically, but hopefully I can continue talking with them about this and ensure that I am happy with the outcome.

At minimum, I have no doubts about their ability to restore and protect the rest of the table (which is the thing I was most concerned about doing myself). They are also going to make the centerpiece easily removable for the future, so if I'm really unhappy with the playing surface, I'll have options to replace myself.

@ekricket What are the red flags you are seeing? In my reading, maybe they have a small hint of "we know better than the customer, we are the experts" air, and it seems apparent that this particular individual I'm emailing (who isn't the actual craftsman of the business) isn't an expert on poker quality felt. Anything else?

@Captn my biggest concern is the removal of the centerpiece itself. "Once top removed" I feel super comfortable with the following steps, but I believe it is nailed down with 20+ nails and possibly glued to the rest of the table. As much as it hurts my pride, I would rather leave that part to a professional than further damage my great grandfather's table trying to fumble my way through a project and figuring it out along the way. If it didn't have sentimental value, I'd be happy to cut my teeth on this. Hope that makes sense.

 

[ekricket]

Anything else?

No, I don’t have any constructive stuff. You don’t need it, you have some “experts” that know better than us. I’m not even sure why you posted this here.

Looking forward to your glowing review of their work.