First table build, and I learned a bunch. (1 Viewer)

[BDub]

Edit 1.23.23: Update posts for table two below.

After taking deeper into others builds I could have avoided much of my disappointments with a few changes.

#1 Use one piece rail foam. I used the strips. I like the feel and quality, but I should have gone with a single sheet.
Used this: Rail padding strips
#2 The play surface foam is too firm for my liking. I might come to enjoy it but it seems extremely firm compared to any other table I've played on.
Used this: Poker table padding
#3 I used the casino supply pro polyester short nap and I love the feel, but cards stop hard. I ordered unsuited speed suited felt for the next one.
Used this: Polyester felt
#4 Get good legs if going with folding. The cheap legs work, but they wabble when shoved. Gorillas on the way for table 2.

Overall it was pretty easy to do. I'm not horribly unhappy with the result. I was terrified it would end up in the fugly thread.

I love the whisper vinyl.

I've already ordered the materials for table number two including a shuffletech.

Thoughts or advise?

 

[BDub]

And I won the first test tournament! Can't complain.

 

[BDub]

Any pointers from @bsdunbar1 are welcome!

 

[BottomPair7]

You should be very happy with the results. Beautiful table good sir!

 

[Machine]

Well done!

 

[bsdunbar1]

Any pointers from @bsdunbar1 are welcome!

I don't know if I have seen a better looking rail using strips of foam.
No pointers needed from me, that table looks great!

 

[dpeks13]

Very nice looking table! Did you use any specific plans or did you come up with it yourself?

 

[BGinGA]

After taking deeper into others builds I could have avoided much of my disappointments with a few changes.

#1 Use one piece rail foam. I used the strips. I like the feel and quality, but I should have gone with a single sheet.
Used this: Rail padding strips
#2 The play surface foam is too firm for my liking. I might come to enjoy it but it seems extremely firm compared to any other table I've played on.
Used this: Poker table padding
#3 I used the casino supply pro polyester short nap and I love the feel, but cards stop hard. I ordered unsuited speed suited felt for the next one.
Used this: Polyester felt
#4 Get good legs if going with folding. The cheap legs work, but they wabble when shoved. Gorillas on the way for table 2.

Overall it was pretty easy to do. I'm not horribly unhappy with the result. I was terrified it would end up in the fugly thread.

I love the whisper vinyl.

I've already ordered the materials for table number two including a shuffletech.

Thoughts or advise?

View attachment 1057700View attachment 1057701View attachment 1057702View attachment 1057703View attachment 1057704View attachment 1057705View attachment 1057706

Nice result, imo.

Your proposed changes are on-target. One-piece rail foam, non-volara for surface foam, speedcloth, and beefy legs will all be positive changes.

You might consider gaming cloth; it plays very well and is much less abrasive than speedcloth.

YAT has much of what you need re: foam and felt. Use code scottkeen for 15% off.

 

[BDub]

Very nice looking table! Did you use any specific plans or did you come up with it yourself?

I watched a few videos, and looked at a few plans. I just winged it from there; poker tables and this type of upholstery seem very forgiving.

 

[BDub]

Nice result, imo.

Your proposed changes are on-target. One-piece rail foam, non-volara for surface foam, speedcloth, and beefy legs will all be positive changes.

You might consider gaming cloth; it plays very well and is much less abrasive than speedcloth.

YAT has much of what you need re: foam and felt. Use code scottkeen for 15% off.

Thank you!

I picked up almost all my supplies from YAT this time. Including a bunch of sample rings of cloth/speed cloth. Is the "pro gaming suede" from Casino Supply different than gaming cloth?

I used the Scottkeen code and it's good for 10% now, but every little bit helps!

 

[BGinGA]

Thank you!

I picked up almost all my supplies from YAT this time. Including a bunch of sample rings of cloth/speed cloth. Is the "pro gaming suede" from Casino Supply different than gaming cloth?

I used the Scottkeen code and it's good for 10% now, but every little bit helps!

I haven't seen -- or used, to my knowledge -- the pro gaming suede from Casino Supply.

But the felt sold by Tony @T_Chan is top notch stuff. I stopped using SSC (and everything else) after my first purchase.

 

[bsdunbar1]

I haven't seen -- or used, to my knowledge -- the pro gaming suede from Casino Supply.

But the felt sold by Tony @T_Chan is top notch stuff. I stopped using SSC (and everything else) after my first purchase.

^ 100%

 

[BDub]

I haven't seen -- or used, to my knowledge -- the pro gaming suede from Casino Supply.

But the felt sold by Tony @T_Chan is top notch stuff. I stopped using SSC (and everything else) after my first purchase.

Tony's stuff does look amazing! I will be going there when I have a custom design flushed out.

 

[BDub]

I'm starting on my second table later tonight!

As I mentioned I went with Gorilla legs, and all material (except the speed cloth) from YAT. Already I can tell the legs are AMAZING.

The cloth is unsuited speed felt from Casino Supply. I unrolled it and cards glide across it with no effort. It has a very nice hand feel to it with a strong shine.

One piece rail foam this time. It's the 47lb premium rail foam, and at first feel it's suspiciously softer than I think I want but I'll give it a try.

I ordered the white (not black) 2-A Volara thinking it was someone else and softer than what I used on my first table, but it feels about the same as the black Volara. I thought that was to firm at first, but it's growing on me.

My Shuffle Tech showed up. LOVE IT. I'll be mounting that in this second table I'm currently building. I'll give a full review on it once this table is done.

I want to do another 3/4" panel under the table for rigidity and cleanliness. But I'm not sure how to trim it in a way that will look good. I could see doing edge banding if I could use upholstery tacks that were poker suits, but I can't seem to find those. I also have no idea what I'm doing. Experts, please advise. PM or otherwise.

I'm obviously not a wood worker or upholstery professional, but I'm generally pretty handy (recovering R&D engineer).

I'm very excited about this second table. Any advise on things I may have overlooked?

 

[wickedwonka121]

I'm starting on my second table later tonight!

As I mentioned I went with Gorilla legs, and all material (except the speed cloth) from YAT. Already I can tell the legs are AMAZING.

The cloth is unsuited speed felt from Casino Supply. I unrolled it and cards glide across it with no effort. It has a very nice hand feel to it with a strong shine.

One piece rail foam this time. It's the 47lb premium rail foam, and at first feel it's suspiciously softer than I think I want but I'll give it a try.

I ordered the white (not black) 2-A Volara thinking it would be softer than what I used on my first table, but it feels about the same as the black Volara. I thought that was to firm at first, but it's growing on me.

My Shuffle Tech showed up. LOVE IT. I'll be mounting that in this second table I'm currently building. I'll give a full review on it once this table is done.

I want to do another 3/4" panel under the table for rigidity and cleanliness. But I'm not sure how to trim it in a way that will look good. I could see doing edge banding if I could use upholstery tacks that were poker suits, but I can't seem to find those. I also have no idea what I'm doing. Experts, please advise. PM or otherwise.

I'm obviously not a wood worker or upholstery professional, but I'm generally pretty handy (recovering R&D engineer).

I'm very excited about this second table. Any advise on things I may have overlooked?

had me fooled. I would have bet that you have made plenty of furniture in the past. Looks good. thanks for the inspiration.

 

[BDub]

had me fooled. I would have bet that you have made plenty of furniture in the past. Looks good. thanks for the inspiration.

Thank you!

I found it to be fairly easy. The only thing I'm truly disappointed about is the seams in the rail padding. They're barely noticeable but it still bothers me.

Overall I focused on not rushing anything, and took my time to do small finish work. Like cutting the radius very slowly/methodically, sanding the edges to match, and carefully tensioning the rail vinyl which took me more than one time around the table.

I did my first table with a hand stapler. I'm NEVER doing that again. I have a pneumatic stapler now which should make this second table project much easier.

 

[waddadonk]

Love the clean look of this. No racetrack, no cupholders, no raised rail. I hope to build the same some day. Did you follow any particular guides?

What kind of plywood did you use, and about how much does the table weigh in at?

 

[BDub]

Love the clean look of this. No racetrack, no cupholders, no raised rail. I hope to build the same some day. Did you follow any particular guides?

What kind of plywood did you use, and about how much does the table weigh in at?

I'm of the same mindset. Clean lines.

I used a combination of a bunch of videos and some build tutorials. I found these plans to be helpful: https://buildyourownpokertables.com/how-to-build-a-poker-table/

For the first build I used sanded maple plywood at about $100/sheet. The first table is relatively light. I will get your an exact number.

 

[BDub]

Second table in the books.

Takeaway:

This time I used all different materials. Different plywood. Play surface foam, rail foam, and vinyl from YAT. Speed cloth from Casino Supply.

The rail vinyl was listed a Whisper vinyl. I was incredibly happy with the whisper vinyl I received from Casino Supply. So, I ordered what I thought was the same from YAT. It's nearly identical but has a larger print and seems to tear slightly easier while not being as forgiving during install. The first material installed much cleaner.

The rail foam was significantly softer, but after install I like it just a little better.

The play surface foam is way too stiff and it has really bad wrinkles in it. I'm giving them until tomorrow to heal or I'm likely going to scrap it and get something different.

The unsuited speed cloth is fast, but has no stretch and the hand feel isn't nearly as nice as the pro cloth.

The Gorilla legs are awesome. Only using those from now on.

The shuffler is boss as well.

I'll also no woodworker and I have no idea how to finish the edge of the plywood base. I thought about edge banding, but being hand cut is not perfect and I'm not sure how well that will work.
The way my brain works this just tells me that I need to buy a CNC router table. How are the pros doing it? Any advice here?

Final thoughts:
I'll get started on a third table. I'm still not happy with the finished product, but these will work for my upcoming tournament!

 

[MrRossKeys]

Fascinating!!! Great work!

I'm scared to take apart my table to change the custom felt I ordered, and you've built 2 tables in the amount of time I've had to procrastinate!

#inspired #slowandsteady

p.s. Where did you purchase your auto shuffler?

 

[BDub]

Fascinating!!! Great work!

I'm scared to take apart my table to change the custom felt I ordered, and you've built 2 tables in the amount of time I've had to procrastinate!

#inspired #slowandsteady

p.s. Where did you purchase your auto shuffler?

Thanks!

I bought the shuffler on backorder direct from ShuffleTech, but I believe @T_Chan has them in stock!

 

[BDub]

1. The rail foam was significantly softer, but after install I like it just a little better.

2. The play surface foam is way too stiff and it has really bad wrinkles in it. I'm giving them until tomorrow to heal or I'm likely going to scrap it and get something different.

3. The unsuited speed cloth is fast, but has no stretch and the hand feel isn't nearly as nice as the pro cloth.

1. After sleeping on it and feeling the rail foam again this morning, I think it would be better if it was a little firmer. It's 47lb, and the other was 70lb. Something in-between would be great; I'll keep looking. suggestions welcome.

2. The play surface foam is just too stiff. I didn't mean to order basically the same Volara again. Not a fan. I really don't like it, but the real issue is it has terrible wrinkles in it! It is not "self-healing". It's bad enough that I'm going to post a review on YAT and take the table apart. I'm not sure if there's any PCF affiliation with YAT, but if they have a presence here, I wouldn't mind hearing from them.

3. Because I have to take the table top apart, I might do new cloth as well. This cloth feels durable, and it's faster than the casino suede that I have on my other table, but it doesn't have the same hand feel nor does it lay down as nice during install. My pocketbook says reuse, but we'll see how I feel once I have it apart.

 

[BDub]

Since the table will be apart again I did a little research on how to finish the exposed plywood edge. I don't care for the exposed plywood edge look, even after paint.

While I haven't found what I would consider an elegant solution, I've decided to fill the edge with wood putty, sand to a cleaner finish, and repaint. I'll see about posting before and after photos.

 

[TX_Golf_N_Poker]

Really appreciate your reports as I hope to build one later this year.

Maybe @alecnetwoodworks can offer some technical expertise regarding your cutting or woodworking issues. He hasn't built a table (yet) but he knows how to work with wood. Have you considered gluing veneer around the exposed plywood edges? I know that is done with furniture made with plywood.

 

[Irish]

Since the table will be apart again I did a little research on how to finish the exposed plywood edge. I don't care for the exposed plywood edge look, even after paint.

While I haven't found what I would consider an elegant solution, I've decided to fill the edge with wood putty, sand to a cleaner finish, and repaint. I'll see about posting before and after photos.

Edge banding is what you're looking for, though you'd need to sand off the paint first.

 

[BDub]

Really appreciate your reports as I hope to build one later this year.

Maybe @alecnetwoodworks can offer some technical expertise regarding your cutting or woodworking issues. He hasn't built a table (yet) but he knows how to work with wood. Have you considered gluing veneer around the exposed plywood edges? I know that is done with furniture made with plywood.

I'm glad it's helpful!

I actually have my third table build in the works. I'll post a new thread soon.

I modeled my next table in SOLIDWORKS and I might create a set of drawings to go with it.

I received very gracious advice from some of the forum professionals. It helped to fill in some gaps and confirm my process.

If I get my act together I should be able to start that thread tonight.

 

[BDub]

Edge banding is what you're looking for, though you'd need to sand off the paint first.

This is what I ended up doing. I didn't have a ton of confidence in it though because my edges weren't perfectly straight on the first two tables. Edit: I'm using a router on this third build, and everything should lend itself to nice edges/banding.

 

[TX_Golf_N_Poker]

I'm glad it's helpful!

I actually have my third table build in the works. I'll post a new thread soon.

I modeled my next table in SOLIDWORKS and I might create a set of drawings to go with it.

I received very gracious advice from some of the forum professionals. It helped to fill in some gaps and confirm my process.

If I get my act together I should be able to start that thread tonight.

If you ever want to come to Houston, I'll find you some poker games and you can help me build a table. Otherwise I have to drive my truck to CO to get my son to help me, then bring it back and probably ruin it on the way home...

 

[narv]

If you were to order again from casino supply for the playing surface, which would you buy?
I built from the same instructions and cannot decide on the playing surface. We won’t have a dealer spot so the speed seems practical but also curious what looks better and feels better. Big decisions!

 

[BDub]

If you were to order again from casino supply for the playing surface, which would you buy?
I built from the same instructions and cannot decide on the playing surface. We won’t have a dealer spot so the speed seems practical but also curious what looks better and feels better. Big decisions!

The unsuited speed cloth is great for the money.

One thing I noticed is the cards matter as much as the playing surface. To that end I like the Bicycle Prestige, but they do start to show wear after about a year of once a month tournaments in a shuffler. I've been replacing then about every 6 months.