How To Build A Poker Table On Your Own

You may think it's a gigantic task and that you can never really accomplish it on your own but really, building a poker table is a fairly easy undertaking. Of course, you should not expect that it would be as perfectly done or as flawless as those expensive ones sold in furniture stores and gaming shops, yet if you just follow the steps carefully and execute the plan with utmost precision, you can actually make a fine poker table that you can be proud of.

Building a poker table doesn't require much craftsmanship or skills in carpentry. With only the most basic knowledge of handling tools, it would be enough to start constructing your own poker table from scratch.

Step-By-Step Guide

1. Planning

Before you do the actual work, you have to formulate a plan; this will guide you throughout the entire process. In the planning section, decide on the dimension you want your poker table to be. Try to look at the common dimensions of poker tables and estimate how many people or players you would like the table to cater to. For instance, you can have a "96 inches by 42 inches" table which is ideal for home games and could seat about 11 to 12 people. You can also choose from among the different types of poker tables. Do you want it to be six-sided, eight-sided or perhaps resemble a Texas Hold'em type? The choice is yours, you just have to be sure of your every decision and one way of doing this is to have an idea of ​​what to build. Gather first some information regarding the types of poker tables and which one would be the best for your home and lifestyle.

2. Preparing the materials and tools

After you have ascertained the measurement and physical aspects of your table, next is you should prepare all necessary materials, tools and hardware. The materials depend on your preferences but it is suggested to consider the quality and grade of materials such as the wood, foam and padding before buying. Try to ascertain what materials are available in your local hardware stores and select the finest and most reasonably priced.

The primary materials you should prepare prior to construction are: plywood or hardwood, folding table, foam padding, poker cloth and railing padding. You should also have the following tools and hardware available: staples and staple gun, wood screws, screwdriver, pencil, string, scissors, tape measure, sandpaper, adhesive, jigsaw / circle saw, and countersunk finish and flat washers.

3. Cutting the Wood

With the aid of the circular saw, cut the plywood into the appropriate length and width. To create the perfect oval shape, locate the exact division of the width and length. In the exact center, mark the radius of the arcs for each end. Using a string and a screw, create a sort of a compass and mark with a pencil to draw semicircles on each end of the plywood. Using a jigsaw, cut along the arcs to make a rounded rectangle like the one in the picture above.

4. Attaching the plywood to the folding table

With five screws or more, attach the newly cut plywood onto the folding table by drilling holes at symmetrical intervals and affixing the screws. You may use another wood here in between to give more allowance for the screw depending on the folding table you have. Just make sure that the legs fold up properly after the two pieces are attached. Also, put the folding table at the very middle in such a way that it supports the center and doesn't make the whole structure wobbly and unbalanced.

5. Upholstering the surface

Before you lay and cover the plywood with foam, you should first sand the edges to make them rounder as well as the top surface where you pierced the wood with the screws. Then, you can spray the top of the table with adhesive and lay the foam padding onto it. Spray adhesives generally have some special application procedures, so be sure to read the spray's instructions before starting. Completely cover the table with foam and trim along the edges so that only a small amount of foam is left hanging.

Place the felt or poker cloth on the floor and flip the table over on top of it. Pull the cloth as tight as possible and staple it to the bottom edge of the plywood. It is important to pull the cloth as tight as possible so you won't have a baggy and coarse finish. Lastly, attach the rail by wrapping around the table and using screws to attach it together with the finish and flat washers. That basically wraps it up.

Surely, you never thought for a minute you could ever do something like that, did you? It's really easy once you get the hang of it. By building your own poker table, you not only save a great deal of money but you also practice and develop your creativity and resourcefulness. What's more, you can certainly appreciate this piece of furniture more as it was made and created by your own hands. Your friends and poker buddies, without a doubt, would look at you in a different light if you tell them that the table you use was forged from your own sweat and efforts.

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Source by Brian Garvin