Poker Table....should I do it myself.... (1 Viewer)

Exactly how far inset is the raised rail on most tables? I've seen a few where it's deeper under the rail and some where it's almost nearly flush with just the vinyl sticking past it. Is there a standard that people go by or any kind of consensus?

Also how wide is the typical rail if I'm wanting jumbo cup holders?

Thanks!
 
5.5" is the minimum if you're using jumbo cup holders. Any narrower than that and the vinyl won't conform properly in the cup holder spots.

I used to use ensolite but found it was too firm. I've since switched to high density open cell foam since I couldn't find a softer closed cell.
 
Marhault said:
Exactly how far inset is the raised rail on most tables? I've seen a few where it's deeper under the rail and some where it's almost nearly flush with just the vinyl sticking past it. Is there a standard that people go by or any kind of consensus?
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I prefer some overhang, but not much. Don't like having lean forward to dig underneath the rail (where I can't see) to retreive chips 'n stuff.

If you back off 1/2" or so, you won't compromise the wood edge integrity, and the foam/vinyl will extend roughly 1/2" beyond the wood rail edge (creating about a 1" or less total setback).

Some set it back further to allow ample room for stapling the vinyl underneath. A lot depends on your specific design.

If this is your first build, I'd make a couple of short (4"-6") sample rail test pieces to see what you like and what is easiest. Time well spent, imo.
 
4SUMERZ said:
That's fair. If you go with a plain diffuser, 3/4" will work and the cob lighting will becthe cats meow. I originally had the regular led strips and one could see the light separation through the diffuser. Once I stumbled across the COB led strip, I had to have it. My 3/4" diffuser was fine when I had no design, but once I went with the card suit design, then I wished it was 1" tall.
Good luck in whatever you decide.
I just changed out my custom cloth to another design a few weeks ago. I can't seem to stop tweaking with that table. I also have sliders under the rail to hold snack trays.
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4SUMERZ said:
That's fair. If you go with a plain diffuser, 3/4" will work and the cob lighting will becthe cats meow. I originally had the regular led strips and one could see the light separation through the diffuser. Once I stumbled across the COB led strip, I had to have it. My 3/4" diffuser was fine when I had no design, but once I went with the card suit design, then I wished it was 1" tall.
Good luck in whatever you decide.
I just changed out my custom cloth to another design a few weeks ago. I can't seem to stop tweaking with that table. I also have sliders under the rail to hold snack trays.
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Where’d you get that new cloth design it’s absolutely sick man!!
 
jakeiswin said:
Where’d you get that new cloth design it’s absolutely sick man!!
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The NHL cloth or the Mirage cloth? I designed each one on Adobe Illustrator, then had it sublimated. Since the table has a racetrack, the size of the cloth for my table is 72x34. This of course can be expanded to whatever width and length required.
I have a local source that can print the design on casino grade cloth in about 2 week turn around. Depending on the size, will dictate the price. You can pm me for more details.
 
I was debating on building my tables but ended up buying from Chanman and am very glad I did.
 
Years ago I built a couple of tables. It was a fun process and I was able to save a bit of money by sourcing some of the materials at a local surplus store. The best part was I got to build it exactly how I wanted.

I helped a friend build his table and he decided to go with 1/2” plywood to save some money, his table ended up sagging in the middle and he regretted this decision. A lot of info has already been covered but i will say if you have an old school staple gun you’re going to want to upgrade to a power stapler either electric or pneumatic. Good luck!!!
 
merkong said:
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I have about $800 into this table. They’re not impossible to build. All hardware (cup holders, pad, vinyl and cloth) from casino supply. Backed into the drawer on this forum. Lighted rail, one color, several settings from Amazon. Each seat has a USB port for charging. Maybe 20 hours of build time. Note the seating arrangement. 3 on the straightaways and two on each end. We’ve played 12 on this table (only once as a couple of drunks rolled in). Plenty of room. Folding legs but I have a dining room table pedestal I’m going to put it on. It’ll look like a table worth several thousand.

We’re planning a second.

Good luck.
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This is a great looking table Ken. Did you do a build thread for this? I'm in this same boat, wanting something really nice and considering building myself to save money. And what guy doesn't like a good excuse to buy a new tool or two?
 
Thank you.

I did not do a build thread. This table is full width with an extra wide rail. There’s a really good chance I’m goin to build another one at the end of the summer but as narrow as I can get away with without really making it weird lol.

My card room is longer than it is wide and several inches on both sides of the table would be great. I’d install shelves slightly over the width of a can/drink, complete with a “safety rail” for drinks and would probably lose the drink holders.
 
So I'm way late getting started but after some delay it's starting slowly! @Irish has been a HUGE help. I know I've gotten on his nerves with the constant questions (I'm sure I'll still have more) but he's a huge vault of knowledge and I can't thank him enough. @Al Azouri is also helping me out a ton. I had some plans for some wild legs and have backed off of that. As a novice it's probably not a good idea to tackle something like that so I'm going to use some plans that Al had up a while back and he's walking me through by my hand lol. I'm super excited to get my felt and diffuser from @T_Chan I know I'm probably a couple weeks away but I want to have everything ready to go when it comes in!
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I'm super late in posting this and I keep meaning to get better pictures but I wanted to at least get some janky pics out because I owe a ton of thanks to several people and they've waited too long to get a bow of thanks from me.

@Al Azouri is the one who came up with the leg design that I slightly modified to be taller because of a player in my game that is paralyzed from the waist down that has to have a higher table to play. His design was rock solid sturdy and I really thank him for his help and advice.

@timinater for designing the felt. I highly recommend him to anyone wanting any kind of chip design or any design really. He's my go to anytime I need anything artistic and he does great work.

@T_Chan for not only printing the felt but also designing the diffuser. Tony also helped me with several design elements under the rail and helped walk a complete newb through what he's probably spent years perfecting. I definitely didn't do it as good as Tony can do it but I'm very happy with the results.

And last but certainly not least @Irish . Irish walked me through and held my hand almost the entire way through build and design. He not only walked me like a toddler through his own work that he's shared with everyone on this forum he also helped me troubleshoot some things that I had trouble with, that was specific to my own table. His help was invaluable and I could not have finished any of it without him.

On to some janky pics.

Here's the legs.
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Marhault said:
I know this has been asked a lot lately but my wait on the list for a chanman table has me thinking once again of trying to do my own table. The hard part is I'm not very handy at all when it comes to woodworking. That and my tool collection is probably pretty lacking as well. So I wondered if anyone had some insight on costs to not only buy materials (more recent costs hopefully) but possibly all/most of the tools needed to build it.

Budget isn't an issue... however if I could save some money that might allow me to add on to my custom set which is definitely tempting. So it would be interesting to know how much I could realistically save over having a custom table built.

Here's what I'm needing/wanting.

•Lighted Raised Rail (haven't had one personally but played on a lot and I love it, nothing huge just a slight raise)
•Custom Cloth (Will definitely get this from Tony)
•Must be big enough for 10 players, oval shape and must have cup holders.
•Would love to have USB charging ports (USB-C maybe?)
•Stationary legs (I have plenty of portable tables, but something more permanent would be great)
•Chip drawer (this isn't a requirement but I would love to have one)

Over all I want this to be the centerpiece of my poker room. I want it to look great, with nice materials, solid design, and great stability, I don't want any wobble or bend to the table.
Click to expand...

Do any of your bluffs get through at your game? ;) Because that’s a fantastic build, well done.
 
RagingAZN said:
Do any of your bluffs get through at your game? ;) Because that’s a fantastic build, well done.
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Lol. It took me almost 2 months to finish it and I had A LOT of help from forum members. They held my hand through all of it. All I basically did was operate the tools.
 
Chairs match perfect :tup: Now you have to get some shots with the namesake CPCs in play!
 
Marhault said:
Lol. It took me almost 2 months to finish it and I had A LOT of help from forum members. They held my hand through all of it. All I basically did was operate the tools.
Click to expand...
Spectacular! If I ever decide to build one myself, I'll be referring back to these photos to steal some ideas. I love the raised rail with the cutouts. What type of metal is that and how did you do it? Also really like the legs you built!
 
TX_Golf_N_Poker said:
Spectacular! If I ever decide to build one myself, I'll be referring back to these photos to steal some ideas. I love the raised rail with the cutouts. What type of metal is that and how did you do it? Also really like the legs you built!
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It's from @T_Chan he cuts them to order. I think he has stock designs and can do custom designs as well. Very reasonable pricing.
 

Love to pick your brain on the lighted custom rail. I've wanted to do something like this! I don't know what really needs to be done there, any suggestions or plans?
 

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