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I originally made it normal table height, but found long reaches while sitting were harder and it just felt cramped.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
Additions to my Global game table & room
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I’ve always wanted some type of large magnetic IPC chart. Last weekend I finally found the time. My son and I went to Staple Office Supply and picked up magnetic white board, some 1/2" letters & numbers, 1/8" black artist tape and managed to find 12 round magnets. Turns out they’re the exact diameter as the team markers so I was able to glue the markers to a magnet for each country. After crafting the the board together, I mounted in between two dice towers then fastened the towers to the table.
http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n534/maddog771/IMG_0143_zpseec0021f.jpg
http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n534/maddog771/IMG_0144_zps6cfb8c22.jpg
http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n534/maddog771/IMG_0148_zpsbeec5094.jpgAfter we finished that, I thought some of the stuff from one of the original Axis & Allies games of mine would make for some decent wall art. Note game board on the wall and the team set-up charts on the ceiling drop down above the bar.
http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n534/maddog771/IMG_0147_zps1a2ce80a.jpg
http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n534/maddog771/IMG_0145_zps30499986.jpgNow I just need someone to come over and play a game or two! Â :-)
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Thats an awesome set up man. Congrats
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Very impressive, you really know how to spoil your guests with such a great setup. I like the glass top and the organized bin shelf for units, keeps the playing area clean. I like the dice towers, the “step” where the dice come out will keep them from rolling back under the ramp. I really like the decor of the game room, shows that your passion for the game is at a higher level than most. I like the idea of the magnetic income tracker, however, you could have used the space from 100+ to make bigger value areas that may need to be shared by 3 or 4 nation roundels. A good idea that is definitely worth the effort, but I find that some things need to be rebuilt using lessons learned from building the prototype. Finally, although you have what seems to be a bright, warm, and comfortable atmosphere…. accessibility from chair to washroom looks to be tight for one side of the table, but I understand that we must be creative with the minimal space our wives allow us to have. Not sure you want a rifle around competitive war gamers though… lol.
Over all, 9/10… one of the best table setups I’ve seen.
P.S: Sorry about those fighting Irish on the weekend, I was hoping for a closer game considering the hype.
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Fantastic setup. Wish I was close enough to come over and join your games. :mrgreen:
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Very impressive setup. An especially nice touch is the beveled frame that encloses the glass top of the map.
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Oops. We’re playing a game tonight. My son noticed there’s no number 50. :-o
LOL -I know what I’m fixing when this game is done. Guess I just didn’t want my age on the score chart. :roll: