[Romulus]

I've read a lot about scenery and painting, but not much has been said about the MOST important item of all. The "Game Table" in which all this carnage must take place on!

Over the years I've made custom tables, slid tables together, placed plywood over a table and played in the floor. The tables were multipurpose and used in many of my hobbies. Each option we tried had some form of obstacle that had to be overcome in order to make the table "Player and Real-life friendly."

Many of these choices come with inherent problems:
1. Custom tables: hard to store, hard to move and not easy to build.
2. Sliding tables together: requires 2 tables, 2 tables cost $45 each, hard to impossible to get two tables of the correct size 4X6.
3. Plywood: it warps in the corners, a splinter magnet, VERY heavy and hard to move, not the right size.
4. Floor: It was good, when I was younger......oww! My Back! My Back!

My inspiration:
I found my new game table inspiration, when my 2 folding tables you get at Lowes were stolen off my back porch a few months ago! Yes, someone stole my two $45 white tables that were on the same porch as the $500 grill and $400 patio furniture! lol This little theft left me without anywhere to play Warhammer. Of note: the two tables where stacked beside a large piece of plywood and an unassembled game table. The next few gaming sessions we heaved the plywood inside and set it on top of the dinning room table (blanket protecting the table). This is where the weight became an issue along with the splinters with the plywood. I debated putting the custom table together, but my new house just didn't have a great spot to leave it set up. The floor was a no brainer with my now approaching 38 year old back.

The question becomes: How do you make a multi-functional table that is the correct size, easy to setup and move, doesn't cost a lot, has no splinters and doesn't kill your back?

Solution:
Two cheap wooden doors and some packing, gorrilla or duct tape from Lowes.

How to make a game table for under $40's that is light, easy to store, almost the exact size (4x6) and splinter free.
1. Go to Lowes or any home improvement store.
2. Purchase one roll of Duct Tape or clear packing tape ($4).
3. Purchase two 24" X 80" Lauan Flush Interior Door Slabs ($16 each).
4. Carefully lay the VERY light and smooth doors on the floor aligning them evenly side by side.
5. Tape the doors together using strips of duct tape about 8 inches in length.
6. Use about 8 strips of tape evenly spaced along the length of the doors.
7. The act of taping the doors together forms a natural hinge allowing you to fold the doors on themselves for easy carrying and storage.
8. Cover you dining or kitchen table with a cloth.
9. Lay the doors on the table and unfold them. CAUTION: Be aware of the weight placed on the parts of the doors that hang over the table.
10. Place a sheet over the doors.
11. Walla, you have a portable game table.

In summary:
The doors are 24" X 80" inches and have no holes in them. Putting the two doors together makes them 48" X 80" inches. That is ALMOST 4' X 6' (48" X 72") and much closer in size than my two tables sliding together, the plywood option and way better than the floor. Obviously, my custom built game table is the perfect size and the best option when life permits. I store the doors in my half bath downstairs as they easily fit right behind the bathroom door. They are quite light making them very easy to lift and carry. The doors come finished (sanded and smooth), so you needn't worry about splinters or scratching things in the home. This option may not be perfect, but it works quite well for my home.


Again, be careful with putting too much weight on the sides and corners.

** EDIT **I've been using this table idea for about 5 game sessions. The Duct tape is holding OK, but still comes loose somewhat easy. I tried the clear packing tape yesterday and it seems to take a better hold on the wooden doors. If possible I would try both to see what works best on the doors you get. Again, I've just used the clear tape since yesterday, but it seems to hold better.
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