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I originally made it normal table height, but found long reaches while sitting were harder and it just felt cramped.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).
CF362D52-269F-4480-8CBB-08139099138F.jpeg A9E12EA1-66EB-4671-86AC-68C62FD30AD5.jpeg 858DE1F2-030A-4D5A-93E4-70A7D1180ADB.jpeg 8F513EE0-DA37-4BA9-880E-4D5EF7BF431F.jpeg F0188165-757B-4CC1-BF67-5045832283C9.jpeg 2E3CD627-0D31-4121-ACF8-682F9F58A40B.jpeg
Painted playing pieces
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Agreed. All very good. Who would not want something that pretty?
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Thanks for all the nice comments, and thanks Imperious Leader for posting the link! I really should be more involved on the forums so I can post pics myself. I’ve recently started to take the unit painting more seriously. I began with specialty units such as SS, Marines, Commandos, etc. a few years ago. Then I stared adding a few specialy pieces like painting Subs for Japanese I-400’s, then moved on to painting units for Air Transports. Now, I’m starting to work on making a complete global set. This could take a while. :-)
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Well, best of luck to you on that, and I look forward to seeing any progress you have time to make and post.
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Lol. Thanks DWoodchuck. I’ll get more posted as they are completed. I’m currently working on units from HBG’s Axis Minor set, and Russian set. I do have some other pics posted on HBG’s Facebook page, under Chris Noble. There is also some of my work on Task Force Boxes available as a free download on HBG’s web page.
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I recently started painting my entire 1940 Europe/Pacific set because I’ve seen how awesome the pieces can look. I’m hoping to share my picture of what I have done so far, can anyone help me out with that? Thanks.
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I recently started painting my entire 1940 Europe/Pacific set because I’ve seen how awesome the pieces can look. I’m hoping to share my picture of what I have done so far, can anyone help me out with that? Thanks.
You can do that two ways.
1. hyperlink directly to them, if they are on an internet image server or website by using the picture icon next to the earth icon above the yellow smiley faces. or
2. At the lower left of the typing window there is a drop-down for “additional options” where you can attach photos from your hard drive directly to the post. Normally I take this route. However, I and others have been unable to attach and upload items in posts because it comes up with an error that the upload folder is full. This is an issue outside of our control and I am not sure how or when it will be resolved.
Hope that helps. Look forward to seeing yours sometime.
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Awesome thank you! Well here’s what I have done so far:
h t t p ://s1336.beta.photobucket.com/user/makingaccountsaregay/library/Axis%20and%20Allies%20paintings
(You have to delete the spaces between http - It’s the only way I could post the link)I went for more of a distinct look instead of historical just for playing purposes. I’ve never really been into painting/art but seeing how well everyone’s pieces came out I got inspired and decided to give it a go. I’m pretty happy with how they’ve turned out so far.
As you can probably tell I used a lot of other peoples ideas as far as how some pieces look and way to distinguish them. I’ve been using Army Painter Quickshade on most of my pieces and I like the results, it gives the pieces more of “warish” look. The only problem with it is it leaves the pieces with a glossy look so I’ve been using an anti-shine matte varnish to counter act that. I’m probably going to buy some decals to put on the planes/ships for greater distinctiveness because my hands aren’t steady enough to free hand them (I’ve tried and it came out poor).
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Awesome thank you! Well here’s what I have done so far:
h t t p ://s1336.beta.photobucket.com/user/makingaccountsaregay/library/Axis%20and%20Allies%20paintings
(You have to delete the spaces between http - It’s the only way I could post the link)I went for more of a distinct look instead of historical just for playing purposes. I’ve never really been into painting/art but seeing how well everyone’s pieces came out I got inspired and decided to give it a go. I’m pretty happy with how they’ve turned out so far.
As you can probably tell I used a lot of other peoples ideas as far as how some pieces look and way to distinguish them. I’ve been using Army Painter Quickshade on most of my pieces and I like the results, it gives the pieces more of “warish” look. The only problem with it is it leaves the pieces with a glossy look so I’ve been using an anti-shine matte varnish to counter act that. I’m probably going to buy some decals to put on the planes/ships for greater distinctiveness because my hands aren’t steady enough to free hand them (I’ve tried and it came out poor).
http://s1336.beta.photobucket.com/user/makingaccountsaregay/library/Axis%20and%20Allies%20paintings
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Some of these are quite good. I especially like your infantry pieces. Simple, but very well done. I like that they are very easily identifiable by color. I feel like if A&A had them painted OOB then this is what they would look like. Nice job.
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looking good. I like your Panther Camo. I agree, your Infantry look great.
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Thanks for the positive feedback. I’ll continue to add more and update them regularly.
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Looking Good There! Well Done. Keep up the good work. I look forward to seeing more.
“Tall Paul”
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Thanks! I just updated the link. I added decals to the German Air Force and Navy. I also started and finished the Russian ground force. I like the results but mannn it is tedious, took me hours to get them done.
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Wow! :-o Fantastic stuff! I keep glancing - can’t stop! eh eh ehe - any new units as of late?
Heya, what company makes the minis you use? And is that city piece from Dust? or …?
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Most of them are caesar minis. Go to plastic soldier review. com you ll see all of them.
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Ahhh… should have just checked those out myself (face palm). That’s what happens when I get all excited about some minis - type before thinking eh eh eh
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This thread needs a bump… been doing some painting lately myself.
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Toblerone77,
––I’d be quite happy to see your latest paint jobs. All of us inspire each other, not to mention we get to enjoy someone else’s cool paint jobs. As a matter of fact, LHoffman should be posting pics of the German aircraft ‘prototypes’ today or tomorrow on his thread. I’ll be looking forward to seeing your newest units.
“Tall Paul”
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@Tall:
Toblerone77,
––I’d be quite happy to see your latest paint jobs. All of us inspire each other, not to mention we get to enjoy someone else’s cool paint jobs. As a matter of fact, LHoffman should be posting pics of the German aircraft ‘prototypes’ today or tomorrow on his thread. I’ll be looking forward to seeing your newest units.
“Tall Paul”
I’m out of town right now but will post pics when I get back. I’m doing my old set from Milton Bradley right now. I had old Fortress America pieces mixed in. I posted those old pics but decided to repaint the ones I already have done. I have all th FA pieces done except some planes. Painting eight different color schemes on units that all look the same isn’t easy LOL!
I bought some ANZAC, Italian, and French infantry from HBG I’ll be throwing in the mix too. I’m not sure people want to see the FA units so much on a WWII site but ehh I guess it’s related closely enough when contextualized.
I have a technique I use that’s pretty unique and may post a tutorial eventually but who knows.
Anyway I really have enjoyed painting miniatures and love seeing what everyone’s doing with these paintjobs.
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@Tall:
Toblerone77,
––I’d be quite happy to see your latest paint jobs. All of us inspire each other, not to mention we get to enjoy someone else’s cool paint jobs. As a matter of fact, LHoffman should be posting pics of the German aircraft ‘prototypes’ today or tomorrow on his thread. I’ll be looking forward to seeing your newest units.
“Tall Paul”
LHoffman does some nice stuff I can’t wait to see that!
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