Table Construction Technique

[L0QTiS]

Hi all, I have some miscellaneous questions about table construction as I'll be assembling everything this weekend since all the parts have now arrived. For reference, the final size of the table is 72" x 42" oval.

Folding leg position - Center of each leg should be 20" from each end - Correct?

Leg attachment - Going into 3/4" plywood, I first though about countersinking a hex carriage bolt into the table top, but I think I've found a better solution. I found a tapered head bolt which, when tightened up, will push flush with the table-top. Comments?

Foam padding - how long should this dry before applying the covering cloth?

Speed cloth - I have not had the chance to really closely look at the cloth (it only recently arrived), but there appears to be a shiny side, and a non-shiny side. I assume it should be applied shiny side down? Also, can I assume this type of cloth is water proof/resistant?

Speed cloth application - Tips?

FYI - for anyone's amusement, here's my part sources:
4"x8" plywood cut to 72"x42" (Home Depot)
3/8" foam padding (casinosupply.com)
19' Perfect railing (casinosupply.com)
Speed Cloth (casinosupply.com)
37" folding table legs (ebcoproducts.com)
Other misc tools/hardware (OSH & Home Depot)

[slamdunkpro]

One point - make sure that you put the rail on right side up. It should look like there is a gap between the table top and the rail.

[CrazyEyez]

I've heard of people using pipe insulation wrapped in vinyl for the rail. Has anyone tried this? How does it look?

[Hedge Henderson]

We used pipe insulation (without the vinyl) on our table. We like the contrast of the dark-gray insulation and the black playing surface against the maple-color of the plywood. The bare pipe insulation may not be for everyone though. We're a pretty low-rent group of players. Our main consideration was price. We could pad the table edge for about 1/10 the cost of the thicker stuff and attach it with my regular staple gun rather than renting a pneumatic one.

I don't have a good picture of the whole table but, if you're interested, here's one that shows the rail:
http://www.barkingfrog.com/poker/images/DSC00020.jpg

[CrazyEyez]

Excellent, thanks.

[Hedge Henderson]

I'm glad I could be of some help. I just wish I could find a better picture.

As I mentioned, it ain't fancy, but it's held up for four months so far and has kept us from getting creases in our forearms during that time. It's certainly a lot better than the sheet over the kitchen table we played on for so long.

[Raven70]

I discovered a great way to construct the rail using pipe insulation. There are actually two types of pipe insulation ("hard" and pliable "soft" types) available at stores like Lowe's Hardware and/or Home Depot. When used together - in layers - they make a great rail.

The "hard" foam type of pipe insulation serves as the interior core layer; they can be cut lengthwise and fit perfectly onto the side of the table top (specifically, the large hard foam sections of pipe insulation easily accomodate 3/4" plywood bases and 1/4" foam underlayment.) I have had success using contact cement on the interior surface of the hard core foam insulation to affix it firmly to your table top.

The "soft" foam type of pipe insulation is generally in a larger diameter than the "hard" foam type. Additionally, it has a much greater "padded" feel to it.

Once you have attached the hard foam insulation to the table with contact cement, you can then "layer" the soft padded foam insulation around the hard foam core. The soft foam insulation attaches perfectly to the hard foam insulation core with contact cement.

After I built the rail, I was able to cover it with vinyl using staples - the staples do not show if you staple it correctly. The finished product looks awesome and the rail is firm yet padded. Perfect.

[L0QTiS]

[ QUOTE ]
I discovered a great way to construct the rail using pipe insulation....

[/ QUOTE ]

How about posting some pictures?

[lostinthought]

Could you estimate how much the rail construction supplies cost you?

[Raven70]

I'll post some pics tomorrow - Saturday, 2/28/04.

As for an estimate:

Hard core foam pipe insulation - $12 - $15.
Soft outer core foam pipe insulation - $12 - $15.
Contact cement - approx. $6.
Used paint brush - to apply contact cement to the "insides" of each type of insulation - no cost (used).
vinyl from fabric store - approx. $38.

Really, the rail is perfect - the hard core center fits the table perfectly and the soft outer core really does offer just the right amount of cushion.

The only downside to my construction of the rail is that I can't easily replace the felt.

Check back tomorrow for pics!

[lostinthought]

where are they?

thanks!

[wacki]

Hey the padding you put under the speed cloth is it open cell or closed cell? I ordered padding from Kardwell and it looks like it is 3/8" furniture foam. Rather lightweght foam if you ask me, but I'm sure it will get the job done.