Getting ready to build another table...Pics are up! (1 Viewer)

[K ALL IN 9]

I built 2 pretty basic tables in the past and i'm getting ready to build a new one because i'm moving into a new house next month with a 2 car garage that will be part poker room. The last 2 tables i built i used headliner foam under the playing surface.

I would like to use volara (or another alternative) this time but i have no idea what it feels like in terms of density. i did some googling but couldnt find anything. Is it like neoprene? Is it similar to what casinos use? Any input given is appreciated. i just dont want to buy it and not be happy with it.

 

[CraigT78]

PM me your address and I'll send you a sample piece I have left over from a previous build.

 

[Irish]

FYI I did a write-up a while back on the different kinds of playing surface foams here:

http://perfectmancave.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34314&highlight=foam+review

IMHO it greatly boils down to personal preference.

 

[Trihonda]

Is it like neoprene?

The underlayment foam serves a couple purposes. It protects against damage to the chips, and lessons the noise of chips hitting the table, etc... It also allows one to more easily pick up cards and chips from the play surface (just try picking up cards from a perfectly smooth urethane coated wood table).

I've used the headliner foam, a foam similar to neoprene, and all sorts of volara. I would rate them in that order of stiffness. Headliner foam will deteriorate more rapidly, and is much less firm. Neoprene might be nice and squishy too, but would be much more expensive than Volara. Volara is by nature a closed cell foam, and not prone to deterioration. It's firm, but protects chips, allows you to pick up cards, chips, etc.. easily.

If you have three tables, one with each foam on the play surface, AND you stack a high stack of chips... here's my analogy.

The headliner foam will compress and the chips will be flat against the wood.
The neoprene will compress somewhat, and the chips will be unsteady
The Volara will not compress as much, and the chips will remain steady.

IMHO it greatly boils down to personal preference.

I agree!

 

[K ALL IN 9]

FYI I did a write-up a while back on the different kinds of playing surface foams here:

http://perfectmancave.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34314&highlight=foam+review

IMHO it greatly boils down to personal preference.

PM me your address and I'll send you a sample piece I have left over from a previous build.

I appreciate the offer but once i read the comparison by @Irish i made a decision.

I went with the HD foam from YAT. We probably won't be building chip castles or stacking more than 25-30 chips high so chip stackability isn't an issue and I prefer a softer surface. I will also be using mini suited speed cloth so the open cell composition won't be an issue as Irish stated in the comparison

 

[K ALL IN 9]

Moving out next week but the work never stops. I have all the upholstery materials already so I just need the wood.

Does anyone have recommendations regarding rail width? Initially I wanted to do a 6" rail but think I might go with 5"

 

[Skeeter]

Moving out next week but the work never stops. I have all the upholstery materials already so I just need the wood.

Does anyone have recommendations regarding rail width? Initially I wanted to do a 6" rail but think I might go with 5"

I'd go with 5", personally, but if you're conflicted then just go 5.5".

 

[T_Chan]

90% of my tables are done with a 6" rail.

 

[One Eyed Dollar]

I'd go with 5", personally, but if you're conflicted then just go 5.5".

That's exactly what I just did on the table I'm building. I kept going back and forth and finally decided to just split the difference!

 

[Skeeter]

That's exactly what I just did on the table I'm building. I kept going back and forth and finally decided to just split the difference!

Great minds think alike!

 

[K ALL IN 9]

Today I finished the table. The rail is padded suede and I used mini SSC for the playing surface. My only regret is that I wish I would have went with a 5" rail instead of 6".

Overall dimensions are 44" x 84"

 

[Skeeter]

Today I finished the table. The rail is padded suede and I used mini SSC for the playing surface. My only regret is that I wish I would have went with a 5" rail instead of 6".

Overall dimensions are 44" x 84"


View attachment 86577 View attachment 86578 View attachment 86579

I told you! Either way, that's a nice looking table. Well done...now come to Charlotte and build me one. Please.

 

[K ALL IN 9]

I told you! Either way, that's a nice looking table. Well done...now come to Charlotte and build me one. Please.

Thanks. I'm still pretty happy with it regardless.

This morning I had to remove some staples from the rail and put more glue between the wood and the foam because in some sections there wasn't enough glue so you could feel the space between when you pressed on it. My players probably wouldn't have noticed or cared but it was bothering the heck outta me

And thanks to @Irish for that writeup. The HD foam is exactly what I was looking for. Not too stiff and not too soft

 

[Trihonda]

Thanks. I'm still pretty happy with it regardless.

This morning I had to remove some staples from the rail and put more glue between the wood and the foam because in some sections there wasn't enough glue so you could feel the space between when you pressed on it. My players probably wouldn't have noticed or cared but it was bothering the heck outta me

And thanks to @Irish for that writeup. The HD foam is exactly what I was looking for. Not too stiff and not too soft

I'm confused at this. Can you explain? Re glue the foam cuz you could feel the gap? Huh?

 

[K ALL IN 9]

I'm confused at this. Can you explain? Re glue the foam cuz you could feel the gap? Huh?

When you pressed down on the rail you can feel the foam kinda stick to the wood but then it would pop back up

 

[Trihonda]

When you pressed down on the rail you can feel the foam kinda stick to the wood but then it would pop back up

How is this possible when it's upholstered? Weird.

 

[Justin Olson]

nice table, good job

 

[Raf]

Great table, mate.

 

[K ALL IN 9]

thanks for the comments. unfortunately most of the players are out of town so the first game wont be until next weekend. in the meantime i did order some chairs from foldingchairs4less. shipping wasnt as bad as i thought ($30 for 6 chairs) since they have a warehouse in reno which is about 4 hours away.

picked up 6 of these:

 

[Steve5k]

Looks great! I use the padded suede for the rail too, and love it. Comfy stuff!

 

[MucksAlot888]

Sweet ruckus !!!

 

[K ALL IN 9]

Sweet ruckus !!!

haha thanks. i needed another vehicle to go back and forth to work about 2 miles each way. i work and live on an air force base where the speed limit is 30mph. rather than buy a beater for $3000 + ins + gas i figured the ruckus would be cheaper in the long run. Insurance is $18 a month and gas is like $5 every 2 months