first table questions

[theryansicle]

i'm building my first poker table i just bought the plywood, adhesive, nails today. i'm using this guide to help me build it.

http://pcpotato.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=22

i had a few questions regarding the build. i'm not the handiest person around when it comes to building things that require precision.

1. i will probably order the playing surface from YAT and possibly the vinyl and foam if joann's isn't cheaper. question is what do you all think is better for a playing surface speed cloth or the nylon velvet speed cloth? from what i can differ the nylon velvet is more durable but maybe less liquid repelling? what feels better in general? i was thinking speed cloth since i don't want the surface to be to fuzzy.

2. second question is about building the bottom lip of the rail. in this guide he says to cut 4 individual rail pieces which i plan on doing so i can get the full 8 feet out of the plywood. i'm GUESSING the bottom lip connects the 4 pieces together but i'm not sure how.and that it's the part that fits the rail 'snugly' on to the base table. i'm not even sure how snug that can be i guess i'll have to see when i build it?

trying to keep the cost under or around 150 dollars. sped 67 today....  $18x2 for two pieces of plywood $10x2 for 3M-77 spray, and 5 bucks for a box of nails. i figure i still have to order the playing surface foam, the rail foam, the playing surface, and the vinyl. heh maybe it will be a bit more than 150.

[theryansicle]

oh another question i had was while cutting the wood, does it matter what you cut on? i'm borrowing the tools from a friend so is there a special table that will hold the wood in place while i cut or do i have to buy clamps for that too?the only thing that i have that i can maybe cut on is an old banquet table...then to hold it onto that i'd probably need clamps right?

[dugthefish]

um, i haven't built a poker table (yet), but i can answer a few of your carpentry-related questions.  

first, no nails.  screws.  nails don't suck plywood together, and they tend to pop out.  go get yourself some 6-lobe (torx) construction screws and save yourself a lot of time and frustration.

second, the special table used to cut wood is called saw-horses.  you can buy a couple of 2x4's and a bracket kit at the home depot and make them for about $20.  then you don't have to worry about cutting through your banquet table.

third, the table i have was built by a friend of mine.  it is 48x96 and is F'ing HUGE.  when i build a table, it will be around 40x88.  10 players will still fit comfortably, but won't quite be a mile apart.  also, all the table plans i've seen have the rail cut out in one piece.  you might want to look around at a few different plans and take the best parts of each one.

i'm not sure if i've seen nylon velvet cloth, our table just has the regular suited speed cloth, and that works great.

good luck staying under $150.  better to leave it half done than cut corners at the end IME.

[Jambine]

I'll take a swing at some of your questions:

1. You can't go wrong with YAT for supplies, and I think they are doing a 20% off sale right now.  The discount code is newsite09

2. pcpotato.com is a great template (but I don't think you will find anything there that requires nails)

3. Speed-cloth is just the best you can do for a poker table.  I've never found a more durable surface (certainly not nylon velvet).  

4. You might consider using "Sport Stretch" vinyl from YAT.  It's a bit more expensive, but a lot easier to work with and get the wrinkles out.

5. The bottom piece of the rail is one solid piece, so it does connect everything together.

6. Realistically, I would revise the budget, and shoot for about $200 - $225.

Scotts Poker Table forum is a great resource.  There is a link under Poker Tables on the left menu bar.

Good luck !!

[theryansicle]

thanks for the responses and sorry for the confusion i got the dry wall screws not nails. i think i'm gonna go with a burgundy or wine colored speed cloth of i can and likely a ivory or khaki color rail. or maybe black i'm not sure yet.

i think the hardest part for me will be the rail though, that's the only part i can't seem the wrap my head around. on pcpotato he cuts 4 parts for the rail i get that. but is the bottom lip one cut? 2 cuts? or 4 again? from the pics it looks like two but i'm not sure. and i'm assuming all the measurements if i do it precisely will just make the rail fit on top of the table snugly right? does that mean if it's not precise the rail is gonna be loose/wobbly?