Building a table, need help with felt

[HitHard69]

Building my first table and trying to figure out what type of felt to use. I had heard suede was nice, but at the fabric store today they had velvet that felt smooth and looked real nice. Those of you who have built your own tables mind telling me what you used?

[bookie socks]

This place has the cloth and foam you need.

YAT (http://store.yahoo.com/yourautotrim-store/capraucl.html)

A couple of web sites to find info on building a table:
Scott Keen (http://www.scottkeen.com/forum/)

PC Potato poker (http://www.pcpotato.com/poker/)

[smoore]

I've built three tables and played on many homebuilt tables and I've only got one major point:

DON'T GO FOR FEEL!

Who cares what it feels like? You're not sleeping on it. Most anything you buy from JoAnn's is going to wear like crap. Crap, I say. Go for:

1) Durability - not just from greasy, nasty poker hands but from beer, food and especially cig. burns

2) Looks - this is far more important than "hand" (a carpet term describing the feel)... you look at this thing the entire time you play and the table is the first impression people get of your game, even before they handle your clay chips or squeeze your plastic cards.

I recommend the suited speed cloth from YAT for looks over durability and the regular "speed cloth" you can get from casinosupply.com for durability over looks. Don't really bother buying from a "poker table" supplier if you want the regular speed cloth, it's just 400 or 550 Cordura nylon, available at any large fabric supply shop.

I have cordura on my current table and I'll probably just spring for the suited speed cloth for my future tables. There is at least a pint of whiskey and a gallon of beer that's been spilled over the past 2.5 yrs. I have watched a drunk let his smoke fall out of the ashtray and have it sit there for more than 30 seconds and NOTHING happened to the table (yes, I was telling him the whole time). Take that for what you will, I love the cordura. Ugly? Yes. Tough as nails? Yes.

[Gumbo]

[ QUOTE ]
Building my first table and trying to figure out what type of felt to use. I had heard suede was nice, but at the fabric store today they had velvet that felt smooth and looked real nice. Those of you who have built your own tables mind telling me what you used?

[/ QUOTE ]

I used velveteen on my table. The Copags slide across nice and smooth....good stuff.

Gumbo

[Khabbi]

I used velveteen as my table top material with a layer of 1/4" closed cell foam underneath. I just picked the velveteen up from a local cloth store.

It has held up now for three months and the only problem is that I need to to brush it every now and then (so no real problems). I love the look and feel of the material. I got the dark rich green.

[ddollevoet]

I bought velvet from JoAnn Fabrics and put 1/4" headliner underneath it. I also based my purchase on feel and have been very pleased. It is a dark blue color. It was a remnant and I paid $9.99 a yard. Lucky for me someone around here does some kind of craft that leaves 3.8 yards of velvet left over.

I've had it for a year now and it still looks and plays like new. The cards glide real nice over the top of it. I do use a lint brush to pick up any little "fuzzies" before each game.

[kodonnell]

I have the Fedelio velvet available at JoAnns.

I initially had concerns regarding durability, however, I have had it for several months, and 6-10 people play on it for 5-6 hours twice a week. Durability is not a concern for me much anymore.

The feel is great. Very soft and the cards glide over it. Also, it is much easier on the knuckles when shuffling. Feel does make a difference.

The only drawback is when players get pissed off and slam the edge of a chip into the felt, it will leave a crush spot which is permanent. I put those players in the same spot each week, so they can deal with it. Also, spills need to me blotted up as wiping velvet too hard will crush it as well.

I have had pool table felt, headliner material, and this velvet on my table and I like the velvet the best.

Hope this helps.

[Slacker]

My friend used pool table felt from a gaming supplies place (meullers, I think it was called).

It's very nice.

[dandy_don]

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Those of you who have built your own tables mind telling me what you used?

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Leather (vinyl actually) over a 1/4" thick headliner material for the padding, each from Hancock's fabrics. It's great; no spills soak in and the cards slide extremely smooth (no fuzz balls like you get with many of the fabrics).
http://micro.baseball.sportsline.com/images/news/dscf0039.jpg

[chaas4747]

[ QUOTE ]
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Those of you who have built your own tables mind telling me what you used?

[/ QUOTE ]


Leather (vinyl actually) over a 1/4" thick headliner material for the padding, each from Hancock's fabrics. It's great; no spills soak in and the cards slide extremely smooth (no fuzz balls like you get with many of the fabrics).
http://micro.baseball.sportsline.com/images/news/dscf0039.jpg

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Is that Scott Fischman by your table?

[dandy_don]

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Is that Scott Fischman by your table?

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That's my little helper...she had to help stain the table top, help tighten the bolts, help staple the fabric, help....well you get the picture. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Golden_Rhino]

[ QUOTE ]
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Is that Scott Fischman by your table?

[/ QUOTE ]

That's my little helper...she had to help stain the table top, help tighten the bolts, help staple the fabric, help....well you get the picture. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

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I can't wait until I have my own free labour :P