Looking for some advice on ways to improve this topper build.
I've got a dining table that is 108”W x 42”D x 30.5”H, leaf is set in there so the width cannot be decreased. Note also that the edge of the table top is 2" thick.
Playing Surface
For the playing surface I've picked up 4 yards of SSC, 3 yards of volara, a few feet of seatbelt webbing, grommets, sewing material, and bungee cords. The plan is to cut out small squares of seatbelt webbing and hand sew them in spots around the edge of the SSC. These spots will serve as reinforcement for the grommets, where bungee cords will hold the topper taut. I will be cutting the volara to the exact table top size and just let the SSC be pulled over the edges. This whole plan so far seems like it will work fine, as just laying the volara and SSC on the table makes a nice playing surface itself already.
Rail (approach 1)
I'd like to have a rail for comfort and as a barrier, but I can't land on a good approach. My first idea, which I made purchases for already, was to use pool noodles, headliner foam, marine vinyl, and super 77 glue. The plan was simple, cut the noodles in half lengthwise, then glue on the headliner foam, and glue onto that the vinyl. The goal was to end up with a rectangle shape that matches the table, 2 long pieces and 2 short pieces. My fears are that it won't stick together, it will come apart while when moving into/out of storage, it will turn out too small, or it will just look too funny. Diameter of the pool noodles is less than 3 inches.
Rail (approach 2)
An alternative is to go with wood, staples, thicker foam. I don't have many tools - a few standard tool kits, and just purchased my first power drill. So, I don't do much in terms of handy work and have limited knowledge. I've done some research and found dimensions/material that are suggested. I don't want to risk damaging the dining table, so this would again be 2 short straight pieces and 2 long straight pieces sitting over the volara/SSC, not overhanging the edges.
I've read that 3/4" plywood would be the way to go with a 4-5" rail width. Does Home Depot/Lowes sell ((108"and 32") or (98" and 42") )x(4 or 5)"x3/4" plywood, or do I need to buy a large standard piece and cut it down myself? Tools required for that? Is there a way to make sure the whole thing doesn't slide off the table? I'm thinking that I should make the rail smaller than the table top size, and have the corners somehow lock in together like puzzle pieces so that someone can't easily knock a piece onto people's laps/toes. Given that approach, this would probably mean that the corners of the wood would be unpadded and exposed. What kind of staple gun/staples are used in this process? What would the bottom of the rail look like - is there a way to protect the SSC from the staples?
Super rough mockup of this approach 2:
Green section is the padded area of the rail. The corners are probably exposed wood that are shaped to fit together, and its slightly smaller than the table as a safeguard against someone knocking it off the table...
I've got a dining table that is 108”W x 42”D x 30.5”H, leaf is set in there so the width cannot be decreased. Note also that the edge of the table top is 2" thick.
Playing Surface
For the playing surface I've picked up 4 yards of SSC, 3 yards of volara, a few feet of seatbelt webbing, grommets, sewing material, and bungee cords. The plan is to cut out small squares of seatbelt webbing and hand sew them in spots around the edge of the SSC. These spots will serve as reinforcement for the grommets, where bungee cords will hold the topper taut. I will be cutting the volara to the exact table top size and just let the SSC be pulled over the edges. This whole plan so far seems like it will work fine, as just laying the volara and SSC on the table makes a nice playing surface itself already.
Rail (approach 1)
I'd like to have a rail for comfort and as a barrier, but I can't land on a good approach. My first idea, which I made purchases for already, was to use pool noodles, headliner foam, marine vinyl, and super 77 glue. The plan was simple, cut the noodles in half lengthwise, then glue on the headliner foam, and glue onto that the vinyl. The goal was to end up with a rectangle shape that matches the table, 2 long pieces and 2 short pieces. My fears are that it won't stick together, it will come apart while when moving into/out of storage, it will turn out too small, or it will just look too funny. Diameter of the pool noodles is less than 3 inches.
Rail (approach 2)
An alternative is to go with wood, staples, thicker foam. I don't have many tools - a few standard tool kits, and just purchased my first power drill. So, I don't do much in terms of handy work and have limited knowledge. I've done some research and found dimensions/material that are suggested. I don't want to risk damaging the dining table, so this would again be 2 short straight pieces and 2 long straight pieces sitting over the volara/SSC, not overhanging the edges.
I've read that 3/4" plywood would be the way to go with a 4-5" rail width. Does Home Depot/Lowes sell ((108"and 32") or (98" and 42") )x(4 or 5)"x3/4" plywood, or do I need to buy a large standard piece and cut it down myself? Tools required for that? Is there a way to make sure the whole thing doesn't slide off the table? I'm thinking that I should make the rail smaller than the table top size, and have the corners somehow lock in together like puzzle pieces so that someone can't easily knock a piece onto people's laps/toes. Given that approach, this would probably mean that the corners of the wood would be unpadded and exposed. What kind of staple gun/staples are used in this process? What would the bottom of the rail look like - is there a way to protect the SSC from the staples?
Super rough mockup of this approach 2:
Green section is the padded area of the rail. The corners are probably exposed wood that are shaped to fit together, and its slightly smaller than the table as a safeguard against someone knocking it off the table...
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