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I originally made it normal table height, but found long reaches while sitting were harder and it just felt cramped.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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Custom Global Table
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Thanks!
I too am starting to warm up to the different colors on the table. Makes them stand out. The best part is; they come out so that I can transport the table. Bonus!
And I probably could have used your wood knowledge 10 days ago! hahah. But that’s good info for sure.
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Excellent work Aaronimpulse!
You took on a huge task and came out Aces! I’m proud of you bro, you have something that is unique and all your friends will appreciate you for it. I agree with IWNGU, the two tone brown looks perfect and your containers are great. Congrats on completing the project, I know how much work it takes, and trust me, you will get tons of entertainment out of it.
PS: You must not be married if you’re building a game table in the kitchen… LOL.
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Awesome game table!
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Last Jack - Thanks!
YG - I couldn’t have done it without your help, thanks a ton! But you are totally right, I am not married haha!!
Again, if anyone wants help building one, just let me know
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This table is excellent. I am envious.
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It is a fantastic table.
what I particularly like is the fact that the early shots are in your kitchen… leading me to believe you are either single or soon to be divorced. :-D Because I know that if I came home and dropped a 4’ x 8’ sheet of plywood in the Kitchen I’d better be building something to sleep in. Cause I’d be needing it when I was outside later that night. LOL
Great work!
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Hahah yea, I definitely live alone. And if I didn’t, I would be now!
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Sweet board. Got to participate in the breaking in phase, so much better than trying to play on a coffee table.
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Great job on the table.
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Beautiful.
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I then went online and found some containers at, imagine this thecontainerstore.com that I wanted to use for holding the units etc…
Hey Aaron, great table!!!
Can I ask what the measurements were on these containers? Or better yet, a link to the exact containers you ended up purchasing?
They look great, good size and appear stackable too for when the game/table is all packed up yeah?
Cheers
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Thanks Speed_Adict!
They are completely stackable, which I will completely admit, was an accident that ended up working out in my favor! I purchased the containers before building the actual table and used the containers as a guide for my measurements. I tried to get the boxes as geographically close to their corresponding countries as possible… but anyway… here you go!
http://www.containerstore.com/shop/bath/drawerOrganizers?productId=10023938&N=80937
enjoy!
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Cheers ;)
Yeah that’s what I also plan on doing, building a table around the map and containers…
Going to wait though and see what layout best suits out group (i.e. Where do we usually roll the dive (left? Right?), where do we place out cards etc).
Thanks again :)
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No problem,
Post the pics when you are done!
happy gaming!
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You guys are right to build around the map and containers first, things like dice trays, card decks, and money stacks can all be worked in later.
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Exactly YG.
I ended up with extra space on both sides that I just used for creating dice trays. I think planning it out in regard to where you want to put what country’s trays is probably one of the most important steps. Once you have that, you can start swinging the hammer!
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Nice work, well done.
I’ve enjoyed browsing the different threads on creating a custom table. Lots of creative thought and good ideas.
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Nice work, well done.
I’ve enjoyed browsing the different threads on creating a custom table. Lots of creative thought and good ideas.
Cheers bighammer… are you thinking about building your own custom table?
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Thanks Speed_Adict!
They are completely stackable, which I will completely admit, was an accident that ended up working out in my favor! I purchased the containers before building the actual table and used the containers as a guide for my measurements. I tried to get the boxes as geographically close to their corresponding countries as possible… but anyway… here you go!
http://www.containerstore.com/shop/bath/drawerOrganizers?productId=10023938&N=80937
enjoy!
UNBELIEVABLE!!! i tried to source out bamboo to build my own boxes and these are considerably cheaper (if you count waste) thanks for the link. Im looking into them as i type this. It will probably look more complete by the time im done too. Thanks again :)
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Thanks Bighammer,
keep us updated!
Wartorn-
It took me forever to find those. Glad I could be of service! Let us know how it turns out.
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