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I originally made it normal table height, but found long reaches while sitting were harder and it just felt cramped.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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Grasshopper's G40 Table Revisited
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Hello everyone,
I’ve been updating my YouTube channel and I made a second video tour of my custom game table that I would like to share with you all.
Cheers.
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This is really cool man! This table and map has eliminated so many Hassels when playing a global game! Good job I like how you have two US corners
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Really impressive! The full size map is one thing but the table and all the little touches…. Wow.
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Thanks for the great reviews guys.
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just outstanding! great idea for the kamikaze tokens. I use an American fighter from the original AA as my flying tigers unit China starts the game with. So when can we expect those national objective cards to be uploaded?...nudge…nudge
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just outstanding! great idea for the kamikaze tokens. I use an American fighter from the original AA as my flying tigers unit China starts the game with. So when can we expect those national objective cards to be uploaded?...nudge…nudge
I’m actually working on a deck of cards that will be available to members, but not for a while as I just started the project. They will however look a whole lot better graphically than those in the video.
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I love the idea for your kamikaze tokens too. Great Idea!
I had these custom kamikaze poker chips made for tokens. I like your idea of using planes better :)
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Still, those are pretty nice looking chips. I’ve always envisioned the Kamikaze rules to mean air units and not tokens, and it’s a nice way to pay homage to Classic A&A by using those pieces. it was a game I played hundreds of times.
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Nice setup and video! I can tell you put a lot of time, planning and resources into that. Good idea duplicating the USA units.
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@Der:
Nice setup and video! I can tell you put a lot of time, planning and resources into that. Good idea duplicating the USA units.
Thanks DK, that means a lot knowing how much effort you put into your own customizations and house rules.
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Great looking table. Really enjoying your videos, as well. :-)
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Great job, YG. I wish I lived closer to Toronto so I could enjoy it too! :)
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YG’s table is great I’ve played on it a couple of times, and he has inspired me to build one. Just have to find the time, to finish the design and build it.
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Thanks everyone for the great reviews, I’m currently working on a table I can transport to the convention next fall.
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Nice table! Really like the NO cards! We have a problem that people tend to forget what NO´s they have so we need some kind of reminder, maybe this is solution! Is there any chance you could share the file for the cards so that i save some time typing them? :)
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Nice table! Really like the NO cards! We have a problem that people tend to forget what NO�s they have so we need some kind of reminder, maybe this is solution! Is there any chance you could share the file for the cards so that i save some time typing them? :)
I no longer have the file for the cards in the video, but I am currently working on one and it should be ready in a week or two. I’ll be sure to notify you when they’re done.
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@Young:
Nice table! Really like the NO cards! We have a problem that people tend to forget what NO�s they have so we need some kind of reminder, maybe this is solution! Is there any chance you could share the file for the cards so that i save some time typing them? :)
I no longer have the file for the cards in the video, but I am currently working on one and it should be ready in a week or two. I’ll be sure to notify you when they’re done.
Woho! That would be awsome! I still havn´t decided if the best way is to display all NO´s on a board and use markers to show if they are achieved or not, or use separate cards! The cards make it easy when you count IPC but harder to quickly get information on what NO´s are left to take and how! It´s as important to know how to ruin your enemies NO´s as to know how to get yours! :)
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Nice table! Really like the NO cards! We have a problem that people tend to forget what NOs they have so we need some kind of reminder, maybe this is solution! Is there any chance you could share the file for the cards so that i save some time typing them? :)
My NO card deck will be available soon, I will let you know by PM how you can get one when they’re ready.
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