First Poker Table Build, Tips Welcome! (2 Viewers)

[elisbam]

After a lot of research and going back and forth on whether to build or buy, I finally decided to build. I am the type of person who likes to do things the right way if I am going to take the time to do them, so I spent a while gathering what I think are good quality materials. Here is what I have picked up so far:

Your Auto Trim Store
Premium 47 lb HD rail foam
VTP Volara 1/4 inch closed cell foam
Whisper Neo Plus black vinyl

Casino Supply
Stainless steel slide under drink holders
Heavy duty folding poker table legs, 31 inch wide

Lowes
Wood
All the miscellaneous supplies

TBD
Speed cloth, still finalizing the custom design

The table will be 88 inches by 42 inches with 5 inch rails.

I got started today and managed to fit in as much as I could, but of course forgot to take many pictures. I will probably be working on it about once a week since work tends to get in the way. So far I am pretty impressed with myself. I nailed all the measurements and cuts to this point. Fingers crossed I can keep that going through the rest of the build.

This is my first time building a table, so if anyone has any advice or tips, I would love to hear them. Always appreciate learning from people who have done this before. Appreciate any advice from the veterans here. This has been a fun project so far and I will post more updates as the build comes together. Hoping it turns out great.

 

[buzzmonkey]

Having a second person when putting the vinyl on the rail can be a big help.

 

[elisbam]

Having a second person when putting the vinyl on the rail can be a big help.

Thank you!!!
I am surprising my group with the table so the next best option is my wife. I will owe her big time after that. Also I only own a manual stapler. Was planning on muscling through it, is that a mistake?

 

[buzzmonkey]

Thank you!!!
I am surprising my group with the table so the next best option is my wife. I will owe her big time after that. Also I only own a manual stapler. Was planning on muscling through it, is that a mistake?

Power stapler would be much easier. You're probably looking at a minimum of 1200 staples.

 

[sup_squidy]

Air compressor stapler will help a lot with fatigue also if you can wear gloves while stretching material like a speed cloth mine took the skin off my knuckles some how while stretching it so hard. Sometimes you're gonna put staples in while stretching and need to remove them to straighten things so there's no ugly wrinkles. Put a couple staples in and make sure its looking good before putting more. Cutting the wood is fun and a science the upholstering is a pain and more of an art take your time and don't cut away slack material until you're happy with the end result.

 

[elisbam]

All great info!!!

My mouth just dropped at 1,200 staples. I think it might be worth the investment.

Any thoughts on electric stapler? Does it not have enough power for the job?

 

[TheYeti]

I used an electric stapler but if I did it again (I won't!) I'd splurge and at least rent a pneumatic.