Blackjack Table Rehab Project (1 Viewer)

dew4au

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So I found this table nearby for 50 on Facebook marketplace. The rail is in great shape, the felt is OK, but the dealer chip tray is missing. I'd like to put a new casino felt on it and replace the chip tray. I just measured the opening and it looks like it is 16 x 6.25. The standard trademark 10 row dealer tray is a bit too wide.

Does anyone know of a good place to look for dealer trays and felts? I've looked at spinetti's and they have a few, but I'd like to see more.

20181203_155104.jpg
 
I wish I could find a table like that... I don't have the skills to cut the slot for the drop box & the rail on mine turned out to be a covered pool noodle. I think $70 was too much to pay for that table, especially after replacing the felt.

@dew4au Most of these home sized tables are cut for a 9 barrel dealer tray; if you're good with a saw & you're planning on replacing the felt anyway, you may want to expand the hole a bit to fit in a real 12 barrel tray.
 
We print custom blackjack felts too.

A custom felt would be nice. I have to come up with a plan to make the base worthy of a custom though. I'll post pictures later. It's not terrible, but it needs some TLC.

@dew4au Most of these home sized tables are cut for a 9 barrel dealer tray; if you're good with a saw & you're planning on replacing the felt anyway, you may want to expand the hole a bit to fit in a real 12 barrel tray.

After taking a look at tray offerings today, it looks like it's the only way to go. I should be able to add an inch or two.
 
Researching how to install felt and I stumbled on something unexpected. I had no idea @T_Chan had a youtube channel! Great stuff.


That took him less than ten minutes. It's going to take me hours.:LOL: :laugh:
 
Ok, so I picked up a uncut Fitz layout for $35 shipped. 10 barrel tray is on the way too. I'll use this one until I go the custom route.

s-l500.jpg
 
I'd recommend installing that one with thumbtacks, not staples. You aren't going to want to remove 200+ staples a second time when you remove that 5 seater layout.
 
I'd recommend installing that one with thumbtacks, not staples. You aren't going to want to remove 200+ staples a second time when you remove that 5 seater layout.

That's a good idea. Tack like these?
61TXgPhHfCL._SX425_.jpg


I would think those would be needed to install the layout directly under the rail like it is now (Figure A). Would you install it with low profile tacks like figure B or would you use bigger tacks and install it like figure C?

tack_install.png
 
I don’t see why you’d need that many staples for the felt? Probably only a couple dozen at most. The table I built has probably 15 staples for the felt and is just fine.
 
I don’t see why you’d need that many staples for the felt? Probably only a couple dozen at most. The table I built has probably 15 staples for the felt and is just fine.

Right. I just went back and watched Tony's video. He used 50 fasteners. I think i had it in my mind that I needed more because this table has staples in a near constant line around it. I'm definitely picking up staple remover.

I see high marks for the CS Osborne 120 1/2 and the CS Osbourne 1066.
https://www.amazon.com/Osborne-No-120-Staple-Lifter/dp/B0761XCM9W
https://www.amazon.com/C-S-Osborne-Staple-Lifter-by_1alberoni/dp/B01MYPRFU8

Anyone have a better remover?
 
That's a good idea. Tack like these?
61TXgPhHfCL._SX425_.jpg


I would think those would be needed to install the layout directly under the rail like it is now (Figure A). Would you install it with low profile tacks like figure B or would you use bigger tacks and install it like figure C?

View attachment 224366

Yes, that's the idea. Temporary installation. Mine is set up with low profile tacks like figure B.

I don’t see why you’d need that many staples for the felt? Probably only a couple dozen at most. The table I built has probably 15 staples for the felt and is just fine.

I dunno, the table I bought last month had about 200 staples for the felt and another 200 for the rail. Removing that was a pain in the ass & I'm seriously considering making a new rail altogether rather than pulling all the 20+ year old rusty staples out and getting tetanus again.
 
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Alright, so here's the wood work.
20181204_205927.jpg

20181204_210020.jpg

20181204_210002.jpg


I think the game plan here is to:
  • wipe everything down,
  • fill in the missing plywood pieces with wood filler
  • sand it down
  • apply a slightly darker tinted polyurethane
I not sure how the wood filler will do being in contact with the ground. Should I use something stronger?

I did order a staple remover, but while I was out there I decided to grab the needle nose and see how hard it was. My table has 160 staples. I was just going to do a few, but I ended up removing about 80. I lucked out and my staples are soft copper. No tetanus here! Might return the tool if I knock the rest out before it gets here.

The foam looks good. Smooth and no pitting anywhere I can see. I found a few gnats under there so I'm defintiely glad I'm replacing it!

20181204_214400.jpg
 
You got lucky with the foam being even that decent, mine looks like it's absorbed about 25 years worth of cigarette smoke and drunk urine. I just threw a $10 eBay felt on top of it for now, but it's definitely coming out when I get the time and money to rebuild properly.
 
We have felt and dealer tray! I need to cut a lot off once mounted. Should I make a rough cut before mount and then do a final trim? Or, should I staple it down and then cut it?

20181208_130432.jpg


In other news I just got under contract on a house with a huge basement, so it looks like this guy will have a permanent home!
 
Alrighty, after lots a measuring, some cutting, and a few staples, we are finished with the top. Now I just need some slide under drink holders. I went with my Bahamia set for the first games with the wife. It looks like the base improvements will be delayed until after I close on my house and do all of the improvements needed there. It'll probably be a summer project.

20181208_205211.jpg
 

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