anyone build a poker table?

macedaddy · #1 04-21-2003, 03:03 PM

i was wondering what type of felt to use. any place online that sells it? also, any blueprints or ideas that you could give me would be great. thanks.

Rockfish · #2 04-21-2003, 04:04 PM

I used velvet. Beautiful feel, cards slide really nicely. The velvet is dark teal and is stretched over 1/2" medium density foam and stapled on the underside to hold it in place.

I made an octagon which was not too easy. After I got done with my trigonometry and couldn't figure out the angles I went outside and measured a stop-sign. I doubled all the measurements and made the table to those specs. (Did you know that a stop sign is a 2 foot octagon? Neither did I.)

The rail is 1 X 4 lumber joined with metal plates. It is wrapped in foam and then brown naugahyde (yep, that's how you spell it).

For the base of the table, I went to an unfinished furniture store and bought a pre-made pedistal and stained it. It's easy to figure how to attatch the table top once you see how the pedistal attatches to table tops they sell.

Good Luck with yours

Rockfish

Phat Mack · #3 04-21-2003, 10:01 PM

I've always used bed sheets from Wal-Mart. The cards slide well on them and they are cheap. You can design the table so they can be taken off and washed, if you wish.

Rockfish's suggestion about the pre-made pedestal is excellent. Use two for a long table. Avoid folding legs if at all possible; they simply don't last.

I've made a couple of tables from thick 4x8 plywood. I cut out the oval with a saber saw, then cut out the rail 6" inside the perimeter. (I like narrower rails.) I padded the playing area with an old blanket and stapled the sheet underneath the center. Then I padded the rail like Rockfish and attached it with mending irons. (On the second table, I padded the playing area with a foam mattress cover, and liked it better -- but the chips bounce a little more. [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] )

Phat Mack · #4 04-21-2003, 10:04 PM

PS If you need a table that stores, use folding saw horses for legs and cleat them to the bottom. But, as I mentioned, those folding legs from Home Depot will cause a disaster when you get ten guys leaning on the table.

macedaddy · #5 04-22-2003, 08:52 AM

thanks for all the help guys. i actually found this website that sells the rails and stuff online... so i think i will use your advice, and than buy this nice padded rail:

http://www.casinosupply.com/Merchant...egory_Code=OCH

Plaxus · #6 04-24-2003, 09:48 AM

I'm making a table and have the same ideas that you used. (Velvet top, Octogon...) I'm stuck on the rail. I had originally thought of using a 2x5 and fitting them together with triangular wedges, but am finding it difficult to be precise enough to do it properly...

Do you have any pictures of what you did? I'm done except for the rail and need a little help salvaging this project.

Rockfish · #7 04-24-2003, 10:16 AM

Sorry I have no pictures and at the time I was not much of a carpenter and didn't even have a miter saw. It was a bit of a struggle.

I built the rail using the iterative method. That is, each joint was fitted to the table top and cut and fitted in turn. After the first one fit, I added another and so on all the way around the table. I think a 2" rail will be too high. Go with 1" and it will be fine.

Good Luck

Mangatang · #8 04-24-2003, 01:30 PM

I've been wanting to make a table using "mouse pad material" for the table surface (1/4" thick, high density stuff). It seems to me to be the perfect surface. It's smooth for the cards to slide good, it always lays flat, and it has just the right amount of cussion.

The only place I've found bulk mouse pad material sells it in 4.5 ft x 24 yard rolls, and is pretty expensive. But if I could find a place where I could buy just the amount I need, I would do it.

Just my thoughts.

jaydoggie · #9 04-28-2003, 06:42 AM

theres a material called "plush nylon" its what you're looking for.

its 11.50/yd on www.gamblersgeneralstore.com/poker1.html

search around maybe you can find it cheaper.

OffSuit72 · #10 04-29-2003, 08:45 PM

[img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Ok...I have built a few tables for friends and myself. The table works great and is professional. I use good quality 3/4" thick plywood. Take a 4'x8' piece and round off the corners. I also put built in drink holders for an extra $8.00 and about 20 mintes extra time. Anyway, back to the table....after I round the corners off, for the padding I buy an inexpensive roll of 1/4" foam padding from a local distributor. I cut it to fit the table. Instead of using staples or nails, I use a can of industrial spray glue..( make sure to use in a well ventilated area) [img]/forums/images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]......After the foam has attached itself to the plywood..(approx. 10 minutes).....I then lay the playing surface. I use a soft vinyl material that can be purchased cheap at any upholstery shop. Cut the vinlyl to cover the whole table and foam with about a 3" overhang around the bottom. Use a good quality staple gun to staple the vinyl under the table, being sure to use a lot to keep it intact. The rails are the most simple I have found. Go to Home Depot and buy (very cheap) foam or rubber pipe insulation.It will have a slit in the middle which fit perfectly around the tables edge. Use small 5/8" cut tacks and nail them in the middle of the rail so to attach to "side" of table. For the cover, take left over vinyl, cut it fit the rail. Ok, now form the TOP of the rail on the inside, tack the vinyl down all across the top, then pull down the vinyl under the rail and staple to bottom of table. If you read this several times, it's a very simple and inexpensive way to have a professional table. As for the legs, the Home Depot legs that fold out work great. Please e mail me with any questions. (P.S....I have sold a few of these on E Bay and the people love them.). The total cost of materials should be under $100.00 US dollars, a great price for a top of the line table.... [img]/forums/images/icons/cool.gif[/img]