Insights Needed - First time table builder (1 Viewer)

[idkWhenToFold]

Hi all! I'm new to the forum so I apologize if this is a repeated post, I'm Carson thanks for all the warm welcomes on my introduction thread.

I'm going to be building a poker table with my Dad in a couple of weeks, we definitely have all the tools needed to make one so I'm not worried about that aspect.

My only problem is, I'm not sure what I'm looking for, for reference I'm a college student and host some sort of home game either bi-weekly or weekly depending on the headcount and who can make it but it usually ranges 7-10 people. We currently use an old bed sheet I use for painting over a folding table currently.

Only requirements I would like this table to have,
- Speed cloth (smooth card sliding)
- Betting Line of some sort
- Cup Holders (Don't care where)
- Folding legs for storage (I live in a generally small apartment)

Other than that I don't really know what I want out of this thing. We have around a month to build it so time shouldn't be an issue. If anyone has any examples, or insights that they would like to share before I begin building mine I would love to know! Thank you!

 

[jamesjkim]

You could just buy a Barrington table and get a topper, unless you’re adamant about building one. I think Walmart still has them available for around $200. Costco did but may be mostly sold out or at a higher price now.

 

[TheYeti]

Browse around this subforum, or specifically search for "table build" and you will get more ideas than you know what to do with.

My 2 cents:

• Speed cloth is overrated, get a topper from @rjdev7 and your cards will slide like they're on an air hockey table!
• I can't stand cup holders built into the table or rail and much prefer the "slide-under" style.
• I used the cheap Harbor Freight style legs for many years, wobbly as heck! Get Gorilla Legs and you could have a dance party on your table (not that you'd want to, just sayin).
• After building my table some 20 years ago, I never....NEVER...want to upholster a rail again, gives me nightmares.

 

[idkWhenToFold]

You could just buy a Barrington table and get a topper, unless you’re adamant about building one. I think Walmart still has them available for around $200. Costco did but may be mostly sold out or at a higher price now.

I would do this if I was just looking for a table but I want it to be a project to spend time with my father, I don't see him around much anymore cause I'm at college all the time. Do you think building a folding table and buying a topper would still be viable?

 

[jamesjkim]

I would do this if I was just looking for a table but I want it to be a project to spend time with my father, I don't see him around much anymore cause I'm at college all the time. Do you think building a folding table and buying a topper would still be viable?

Definitely viable! Slide in cup holders might give you flexibility while minimizing complexity on the build. Like @TheYeti said, reach out to @rjdev7 for a topper.

 

[VerdeChipper]

For cloth - you can use these guys: https://www.casinosupply.com/produc...0UrwN0EAQYASABEgKalvD_BwE&variant=19630880902

Betting line - yes.

I prefer the microsuede over speed cloth. They printed my table - highly recommended. They also sell drink holders. I also prefer the slip in kind.
I second the GORILLA legs. Sturdy.

 

[T_Chan]

Keep it simple if it's going to be a table that you'll be putting away most of the time.

2 sheets of 3/4" plywood. One for the rail, one for the base. Put the cup holders in the rail. If they're in the playing surface, they become a well for chips and cards.

You'll also need 1/4" foam for the playing surface, 1" foam for the rail
Vinyl, don't cheap out on this, get at least 2 way stretch.
Folding legs. Try to avoid the table folding in half, the seam down the middle can really interfere with game play.
Cloth. You can't get regular suited speed cloth with a betting line, you'll need to get a topper or a custom printed felt.
Some staples and screws and you're all set.

Good luck on your journey

 

[idkWhenToFold]

Keep it simple if it's going to be a table that you'll be putting away most of the time.

2 sheets of 3/4" plywood. One for the rail, one for the base. Put the cup holders in the rail. If they're in the playing surface, they become a well for chips and cards.

You'll also need 1/4" foam for the playing surface, 1" foam for the rail
Vinyl, don't cheap out on this, get at least 2 way stretch.
Folding legs. Try to avoid the table folding in half, the seam down the middle can really interfere with game play.
Cloth. You can't get regular suited speed cloth with a betting line, you'll need to get a topper or a custom printed felt.
Some staples and screws and you're all set.

Good luck on your journey

Thanks for the insights, any idea where I can get printed felt from?

 

[T_Chan]

I might know a guy
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/custom-cloths.3661/

 

[JZPdub]

I'll just second that @T_Chan is a fantastic resource. Definitely check out some of his posts and YouTube videos.
I'll add that I have two custom printed felts from @T_Chan and highly recommend.

Also look at posts from @bsdunbar1 and @Irish. Both have great stuff and really good posts on building tables.

 

[Irish]

I would do this if I was just looking for a table but I want it to be a project to spend time with my father, I don't see him around much anymore cause I'm at college all the time. Do you think building a folding table and buying a topper would still be viable?

What an awesome post, your parents raised you right my friend. Building a table with your dad, assuming you've got all the tools, is a perfect father/son type of build. If you're even remotely into building things, you will have a blast doing this. And the result will be sooooo much better than a Barrington table (trust me), and there's nothing quite like the pride of saying you built the table when your players ask.

This post gets buried from time to time, but there are lots of good threads and resources here:

Thread 'Poker Table Building Guides, Tips & Tricks' https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/poker-table-building-guides-tips-tricks.64206/

Speed cloth is fine but if you want a betting line, get your felt from @T_Chan , he's got the best custom felts around, and x2 everything he said above

 

[allforcharity]

Thanks for the insights, any idea where I can get printed felt from?

You're talking to the man himself

 

[idkWhenToFold]

What an awesome post, your parents raised you right my friend. Building a table with your dad, assuming you've got all the tools, is a perfect father/son type of build. If you're even remotely into building things, you will have a blast doing this. And the result will be sooooo much better than a Barrington table (trust me), and there's nothing quite like the pride of saying you built the table when your players ask.

This post gets buried from time to time, but there are lots of good threads and resources here:

Thread 'Poker Table Building Guides, Tips & Tricks' https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/poker-table-building-guides-tips-tricks.64206/

Speed cloth is fine but if you want a betting line, get your felt from @T_Chan , he's got the best custom felts around, and x2 everything he said above

Wow thank you first off, me and my dad have plenty of tools and (unfinished) projects we've worked on, not sure why we've never thought of making a poker table till now, maybe he was worried I'd turn into a fish just like him. Although we both love the social aspect of poker more than anything else.

Back on topic, Thanks for the thread, I've been looking around and found these mountable cup holders you can pull out from under the table on amazon.
Thought they might be a cool idea.

As for anything else, you guys basically covered it, I'll probably start a thread for updates once i get started.

 

[Kam]

I haven’t done a full build, however learned some lessons refelting tables a couple of times (volara closed cell foam and speedcloth):

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/face-side-of-suited-speed-cloth.126942/

Also, +1 for listening to @T_Chan he is the master craftsman of table builds, plus he can make custom felt print/designs for you.

GL!

 

[idoru99]

Good luck and have fun! Tons of great info above and in the links provided. Covering the rail can be challenging, but following the instructions in the link you will get through it with flying colors. But I understand @TheYeti 's sentiment. The first time I built a table with my wife, covering the rail with no instructions almost resulted in our divorce!

 

[inca911]

No racetrack and you are off to a good start! Enjoy the build. Advice from the artist @T_Chan is gold baby, gold!