I have been playing around with different configurations for a custom table and wanted to note some things I’ve landed on that I really like. A main one thing is having the map mounted so that it can slide around as needed on top of a bigger playing area. My table is 65” x 95” in total with a 5.5” arm rest around the outside and the middle is a recessed neoprene surface. I have the OOB Global map mounted on 1/2” rigid foam with a 1/2” aluminum frame around it. This allows the map to slide up close to whoever’s turn it is, but then be in the middle so both players can roll dice In front of them without disturbing the map and in easy view of the other player. (Plus we like lots of room to roll the bones). This ability to adjust the surface along with a standing height, makes it comfortable for long uses because you can move around more and don’t feel as tied down.
Things I’ve learned and changed from original design - I originally used too big of a frame for the map and mounted it on too high of a foam block (you can see these pictures at the bottom) - it made it hard to see the other player’s dice and the big frame took up too much real estate. My global map is mounted on much thinner foam (the framing is bad, you can see if you look closely) but I also used much thinner aluminum angle for the frame. This gives just enough grip when needing to move the map around (I use furniture slides on the bottom, which glide very nicely on the neoprene) but doesn’t make the whole thing too bulky. Having it an inch or so off the surface keeps the dice off, but isn’t so heigh that you can’t see the other player’s dice rolls. When playing other versions (such as Zombies) the board is much smaller, but it can easily swap in and out on the same table since it can move around where ever it is needed or be pushed aside.
I originally made it normal table height, but found long reaches while sitting were harder and it just felt cramped. Standing height with a bar stool is a great way to have the best of both worlds.
The 5.5” rim around the table itself gives you a nice arm rest that doesn’t interfere with the gaming surface. I’m playing with how to best add some cushion to this part - open to suggestions. Sometimes I just lay a piece of leftover neoprene on it.
Dice bounce nice on the neoprene and stay off the floor. It also feels nice and has enough give to allow things to slide but be picked up easily. Wouldn’t definitely go with neoprene again as a surface covering.
I made the drawers open to the inside of the table so you can stay hunched over the action while accessing and stowing stuff away. 50/50 on whether I would keep this if I were to do it again. If I were doing it again, I might try to build customer drawers form scratch using actual drawer glides, but that was beyond my ability when I first did this, so I just used clear plexiglass boxes with aluminum pulls mounted on them. It’s nice having them clear, and I was happy with how the pulls came out, but without glides they can be a little fussy sliding in and out of their slots.
I originally designed the table so that I could put a cover surface back on top when not in use, but find I don’t really ever do that, so if I were to do it again, I might not mess with that part (I never even finished staining those as you can see in the pictures).
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Neoprene map
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All,
I found a company in Hong Kong that does custom neoprene maps. You just upload a hi res image file and within 2 weeks, you have an awesome map.
Check out the Anniversary map I just got. The only problem is that it has a strong smell but you just put it outside to air out.
OOB map is on top and you can see the Anniversary underneath it (for reference).
shop.x-raypad dot com
I do not have anything to do with this company, just wanted to let people know a great way to get a neoprene map!!
This is Global
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2JEDXgomPQAnd this is Anniversary
Thx
jonpfl -
Is neoprene stiff like a board, or roleable like a map?
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@Nowhere:
Is neoprene stiff like a board, or roleable like a map?
Rollable like a mouse pad. Easy to store, great looking as well
Thx
jonpfl -
Looks nice, I have a few questions. How is it holding up? Are the edges stitched? What did it cost? And did the smell go away?
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Looks nice, I have a few questions. How is it holding up? Are the edges stitched? What did it cost? And did the smell go away?
- It is holding up great, just played a 5 player 1940 Global this past Sat and it is still set up for when we continue in a few weeks.
- The edges are not stitched but it was an option. I thought about doing it but decided against it.
- I believe it was $135 which included shipping to Florida
- My anniversary neoprene map had a strong smell so I put it outside a few days and it mostly went away. My global never had smell but I suspect it was older neoprene as it is 2mm and my anniversary is 3mm.
Thx
jonpfl -
Thanks for the info! :-)
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Looks great, thanks for the vid!
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What is the dimension of your anniversary map? I recently contacted the company and they seem pretty fixed on their preset sizes.
Did you have any issue with them screwing up the aspect ratio at all?
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Hello,
When I ordered it they had a bunch of different sizes I could choose from.
I am not at home at the moment but if you drop me an email at jonpfl01 at gmail I can get you any info you need.
My table is roughly 7 feet by 3.5 feet and it just fits with a few inches to spare so I am guessing it is 6.5 feet by 3 feet.
Before they printed for me they sent me a pic to look at so I could check to make sure they didn’t mess up with scaling.
Either anniversary or Global was smaller than their size mat by a few inches so they just put a black border.
The map is AWESOME. Drop me an email and I can take pics later.
Thx
jonpfl -
Thanks for the prompt response!
My table measures about 30.5 x 46.5 and I’m trying to fit the largest map i can get of anniversary on there without screwing up the aspect ratio.
I told them this and they responded saying they could print a 24 x 36.5 which is…not big enough lol.
I got no response when I asked if they could get it bigger to the size I had quoted.
You must have got one of their preset sizes? Could you let me know exactly how big your anniversary measures?
I don’t know how to PM through this bloody forum but my email is ryanvoz@yahoo.com or you can message my skype at ryan.voznick
THANKS!
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@AcesWild5049 said in Neoprene map:
I don’t know how to PM through this bloody forum …
That is why we have the Tips and Tricks, especially about sending PM.
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@Panther ah! daylight at last! thanks!!!
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