It's Table Time!!

A few weeks ago during Friday Night Fights, there was some discussion about my gaming table and a few of the guys thought it would be good to turn my modular table into a 'how-to' type post for the blog. I took some video and some pictures, so everything you are about to see is easy to do and best of all, CHEAP!! I think I ended up spending maybe $40 for all the wood and the legs for this project. Feel free to leave any questions you may have and I hope a few of you build your own table to use with your mates on your next gaming night!

Materials and Tools Required

• Wood Glue
• Wood Saw (Power Saw or Table Saw)
• #2 Phillips Screwdriver
• Measuring Tape
• C-Clamps x3 (I used 3" Spring Loaded Clamps)
• Wood Screws (At Least 1.5" or 2" Long)
• (2x) 1"x3"x6' Table Rails
• (2x) 1"x4"x6' Main Table Support
• (4x) 1"x2"x4' Crossmember
• (3x) 1/4"x2'x4' MDF Boards
• (4x) Removable Legs

The Build
Lay everything out on the floor so you have all the edges lined up and the table ends are FLUSH. I left the center MDF board out so you can see how it should look before you start putting everything together.

LAYING IT ALL OUT FIRST ENSURES YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO BEGIN YOUR BUILD

A THIN STRIP OF GLUE ALL THE WAY DOWN THE EDGE

Once you have that, take one of the 1"x3"x6' pieces and put glue all the way down the one side as shown in the picture above. Line up the edges of the 1"x4"x6' piece and ensure they are flush before you clamp them in place. Once you have them glued and clamped in place, let them dry for a few hours or as directed by the wood glue you used. I did mine late the night before I built the rest of the table. Go play some World of Tanks or muck about on EasyArmy to kill time!

YOU SHOULD HAVE TWO 'L' SHAPED PIECES THAT MAKE UP THE TABLE SUPPORT AND RAILS

THE WIDER (4") PIECE IS THE MAIN TABLE SURFACE SUPPORT

Once you have the two 'L' shaped pieces laid down on the floor, once again line up the four MDF support pieces, glue them in place and add wood screws for extra strength. Ensure you measure them to make sure that your MDF boards will be evenly supported by the rails in the center of the table while remaining flush on the end of the table. The measurement from rail to rail is 48". The MDF boards will fit inside the rails and are NOT nailed or glued down. You also have the option of buying one 6'x4' piece of MDF or other playing surface. If you do use something a little heavier or thicker, ensure your support rails are a little bigger.

MY FIRST BUILD, USE 1"X3"X6' FOR THE RAILS INSTEAD OF 2" FOR MORE RAIL HEIGHT

GAMING TABLE FRAME DONE! JUST ADD PLAYING SURFACE AND THE LEGS!