Build a Gaming Table For Under $100

Рет қаралды 54,618

Жыл бұрын

This is my quick, easy, and super simple gaming table build. Anyone can build this thing, and it's super cheap. It's also super big which is great if you have a nice big space!
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Пікірлер: 109

@HowtobeaGreatGM Жыл бұрын

*Thanks for watching!* How have you built your gaming tables? Let us know in the comments below!

@matthouse4989 Жыл бұрын

A bunch of empty chairs and sadness

@gamingborger Жыл бұрын

a simple folding table

@Cirkux Жыл бұрын

We did build one. Some basic shelves plus some board plus a roll of felt. For the money it works very well.

@gegegebebebe5087 Жыл бұрын

It is amazing to see somebody who can make explanations about GMing and roleplaying in a very high quality describe the needed equipment with terms like "a screw like half your finger". 😂 Well done sir, you got me laughing and enjoying.

@Pelencheification Жыл бұрын

Nice I’m sure this will help a lot of people. A good takeaway is that whatever table you do have, you can always modify and customize it!

@Glitch_Online Жыл бұрын

I love these much simpler videos, not every one has the know how or the tools for fancy projects.

@ryanbeverley1546 Жыл бұрын

We actually just bought a really big used dining table from our local reseller store. Someone didn't want it, the store kinda cleaned it up, and we bought it for 60 bucks. Brand new it probably cost a few hundred. It's way too big to be a dining table for us, but in our basement it is the perfect table for board games, D&D, Magic, and everything else.

@theactorsdungeon3898 Жыл бұрын

! Congrats 👏. Sounds like a mighty fine find.

@ryanbeverley1546 Жыл бұрын

@@theactorsdungeon3898 All credit goes to the wife!

@arphod Жыл бұрын

I use a 6' circular card table with folding legs, covered with a tablecloth and large wet-erase mat. When not in use it rolls up leaning against a wall.

@theactorsdungeon3898 Жыл бұрын

Kind of a dumb question, but do you prefer the round to the rectangle? I've only used rectangle, but after seeing this video I want to work on my game space.

@arphod Жыл бұрын

@@theactorsdungeon3898 No, valid question. I only prefer the circle because it's easy to put away.

@RIVERSRPGChannel Жыл бұрын

We started with an 8’ folding table. We now use a dining room table with a 55” smart tv in a box for gaming on the table and use roll 20 maps on it

@arphod Жыл бұрын

Hot.

@colmbright9822 Жыл бұрын

I would run a piece of 3 inch XPS foam about 11 inches wide ( size of a book) around the whole thing. Cover it with a different colored piece of cloth and now you have a sunken and separated play area .

@mejeg Жыл бұрын

Yes to the intro, the amount of video that are like 'OK here is how you make a gaming table for cheap. You're going to need 1) time 2) effort 3) access to timber [4) a $10,000 workshop in your garage.]'

@Marcus-ki1en Жыл бұрын

I was a bit nervous when you showed a Hammer, and then Screws. I thought, surely he won't... But then the power drill came out - We can't live without power tools can we? One upgrade: a tack strip along the edges so the fabric can be easily removed. If you players are anything like mine, they are pigs and will get Crisp dust and spilled drinks on it eventually. Be nice to be able to launder it. Otherwise, nicely done.

@skamensch4306 4 ай бұрын

this is the easiest DIY table I've seen on YT. LOVE IT!

@mikesrpgs835 Жыл бұрын

Hey, Guy. Great job. A friend made the table that we currently use. It's similar to what you have, but instead of screwing the board to an existing table, he took the legs off an old folding table and screwed those legs to the board. Thus, the whole thing folds up and can be stowed away if you need to use the room for something else. Again, nice job. Hope you feel better.

@RyuuKageDesu Жыл бұрын

Nice. My group plays on the dinner table, so a friend of mine made a riser frame, from cardboard, that lifts the game space up, and provides a nice gap to set things under the battle map. easy to plop down, easy to pack away.

@danmurray7608 Жыл бұрын

I really appreciate this video - in an atmosphere that is more and more normalizing "boutique" play, it's nice to be reminded that simple and clean is plenty.

@TheScarvig Жыл бұрын

i would suggest a couple of minor technical upgrades to the table: 1. i would screw in the extended table top from the bottom. this requires you to select the length of screws a bit more carefully so that they dont poke out the top, but it also means that you can remove the table top without destroying the fabric surface in case you want to move it out of the room. 2. i would staple the fabric on first before i add the decorative nails (they should not be what holds the cloth to the table as there are way too few) and do it by starting from the center of each side. this is the proper way to attach fabric to flat objects like when you are making canvas. 3. fold the excess of the fabric once over before stapling it down so that you get a clean edge of doubled up fabric all around the edge of the table. this doubles the strength of the fabric where the staples are to prevent them from ripping out and hides the frayed edge of the cloth.

@CmderSwords Жыл бұрын

I use my dinner table but i have started to notice an issue with space for my papers. So i am in the process of building a folding table top that will go on top of my table so the players have space for their papers while i have a space for the battle map and minis.

@shawnkuhns2187 Жыл бұрын

Guy, hope you get better quickly. Miss your videos

@JhonnyB694 Жыл бұрын

Finally a DYI project that I can actually afford and make with my skills. Now I just need a dedicated game room... PS.: That painting on the wall is GLORIUS

@notevensexy26 Жыл бұрын

Awesome build idea. Think I might cut some pool noodles in half, lengthwise, and affix them to the sides of the table. Just to keep people from knocking against the hard edges (and as a bonus, it’ll probably keep dice from rolling off the table.

@andrewtomlinson5237 Жыл бұрын

Pre-cut lengths of foam pipe insulation will probably be easier. It's effectively a tube so the hole through the centre would accomodate the edge of the table, and it has pre-cut slit along the length so you'd just need to open it up and slide it over the edge. Plus isn't as... cumbersome. Admittedly it won't offer as much "protection" but unless your players are prone to banging their foreheads on the edge of the table it will do fine in preventing any of the annoying splintery edges that will inevitably find their way through the material in this video.

@krinkrin5982 Жыл бұрын

I use two of these boards, 60cm x 2m each, to make a an oversized wargaming table. The advantage is that I can take it apart and store it if I need the space.

@rpeterson9182 Жыл бұрын

Glad you’re healing!!!!! Take it easy and get well soon!!🤕

@DragonsAndFlagons Жыл бұрын

This is great! I love it! And while I drool over a nice Wyrmwood or a custom made table with projectors, flatscreens, and LED lighting, oh and cup holders, I just don't have the time money or resources to do it. This table is practice and in the end will allow me to play games with my friends

@russelljacob7955 Жыл бұрын

I have an old house I have been restoring. I LOVE those lights!!!!!!

@fightingcorsair7297 Жыл бұрын

That is a great table. My group plays on four smaller tables butted together. We'd love to have a large table but our space is limited and can't be dedicated to gaming.

@sicsempertsundere993 13 күн бұрын

Loved the part about the edging.

@dojikeiichiro Жыл бұрын

References "other" builds requiring tools, knowledge, lucky finds. Proceeds to get most expensive component of his table with a "lucky find". I did something similar using a small dining table that opened up to add a leaf into it, except I used that to anchor in a 6x4 topper that I built from twin pine panels that I then sanded, stained, and sealed. Still under $100.

@Agito928 Жыл бұрын

Underrated video Guy. 100% So awesome, simple and affordable. More people need to see this.

@bruno-sp9cq Жыл бұрын

This was fun to watch! Thank you Guy

@cubancavalier3051 Жыл бұрын

If you want easier disassembling, you can drill a hole through and use a bolt and wingnut to secure the table top to the legs. Super easy to later unscrew the wingnuts and breakdown for easier storage and moving!

@thor-cj9dh Жыл бұрын

The only thing I would have done differently would have been to "paint" 2 or 3 coats of resin on the surface to fill in the flaws and make it perfectly smooth.

@1_BhS 8 ай бұрын

Thank you for this video! You saved me so much time and money lol. I needed to fit this in my bedroom so I made a rolling trundle that can be pulled out from the bottom to save space.

@Wicca_P Жыл бұрын

I would recommend stapling or adhering the excess fabric to the bottom first before using the tacks, it will cut down on chances of creases and the like

@erniemiller1953 Жыл бұрын

For my own table, I would put a one inch padding arond the table to save arms.

@gamingborger Жыл бұрын

a grass mat and scatter terrain is all you really need

@JohnGunter_Johnprime 7 ай бұрын

I built my own gaming table, cost me about $350 due to increased cost of wood, then another $300 for the smart TV I put in the center of the table. It has a power plug in the center of each of the sides, 2 drink holders on 3 sides, with 1 drink holder on the gm side. Also 2 dice trays on 3 sides and 1 on the gm side. Since the surface with the TV is below the height of the sides, I have 3 inserts that I can put into the table to cover up where the TV is. But I like what you did for your table. It's a perfectly good table for what you want to do and is very frugal.

@deecap71 Жыл бұрын

Cheap, simple, effective. Nice job! The only advice I might give is to use a rubber mallet instead of a hammer if your going to use decorative pins to secure the fabric.

@HowtobeaGreatGM Жыл бұрын

That would save a lot of pins and fingers!

@Outland9000 Жыл бұрын

Got an old refectory table. Absolute unit of a table and massive. You can get 8 people round it no problem with space for all the accoutrements that people like to bring. Sure, not quite as cost effective as this solution but multiple times cheaper than some purpose built tables one might care to mention.

@karoussosaristomenes593 Жыл бұрын

Nice, thank you for sharing, happy gaming 🙂

@alexandershendi7428 Жыл бұрын

Not finished watching the vid, but would like to wish you a speedy recovery. Cracked ribs suck. Get well soon!

@meatballwanger 11 ай бұрын

This is the best thing I ever saw.

@JM-dl1wp Жыл бұрын

Love it! No dedicated gaming table yet, but I did make a Lego table with a lot of the same mentality, i.e., use something old, a little bit of new, and voila. I have been trying to figure out a top for it for gaming. Your video gives some wonderful ideas.

@russelljacob7955 Жыл бұрын

My gaming table? A couple of collapseable saw horses and a top that sets and clamps underneath to it quick. Easy to move.

@rollingchaosgames Жыл бұрын

You Should have screwed the top in from the bottom if the table, not the top. This would allow you to easily remove the base from the top if you ever had to move it. Otherwise nice cheap build.

@user-xu7rb7pf3v 11 ай бұрын

Glad to see you again. You were missed.

@TheSirGoreaxe Жыл бұрын

I've found a ping pong table is excellent for a gaming table. Plenty of room for everyone to spread out and still have access to the battle map.

@pb-bx1ll 10 ай бұрын

Great video thank you

@DaSauceDatsBoss Жыл бұрын

I do construction, and yet here I am watching this video. I will say I greatly appreciate it. This sort of thing is perfect for me and my group. Since I don’t want to be the only one paying for it, this is more what I’m looking to do haha

@Pasta__Lover Жыл бұрын

For the most part I use folding table(s) with a purple bed sheet and no gm screen.

@mikej2239 Жыл бұрын

That is a fantastic table! I hope it brings many great adventures and future stories into your life.

@harraldschmitt9113 Жыл бұрын

As a classic British liberal i strongly believe in decentralization. Which is why my gaming „table“ consists of three seats that each have a clampable bedside table attached to them which serves as the gaming space and arm rest for each individual player, thusly creating a decentralized gaming „table“. The fact that i don’t have the space for a table also might have had something to do with that

@paulsavas2394 Жыл бұрын

Nice work sir!

@Ozarkwonderer Жыл бұрын

Ive used kitchen tables, card tables, pool tables, dry erase boards, coffe tables....whatever is available

@jeffreykershner440 Жыл бұрын

Love it.

@joedulin3812 Жыл бұрын

Yardsales for the base table - or pick one up off the roadside where it's been set for garbage pickup. I like the fabric idea - also yardsales - though I'd use clear adhesive backed peel and stick vinyl for a really spiffy look.

@andrewtomlinson5237 Жыл бұрын

With a board like the one in the video, if you can master the skills of rubbing a bit of sand paper along the edges in order to reduce the risk of splinters, and then using said sand paper to remove any blemishes on the surface - a cheap wood stain works a treat. Then get some fake "leatherette" + some impact adhesive, Cut 12" wide strips of the faux leather, fold them over by 1/3 (so an 8" wide strip, with 4" double thickness" with the leather side facing OUT!!!) use the impact adhesive (or other glue you can get your hands on that will work) and lay them down along the edge of the table so the folded edge of the leatherette sits about 3 or 4 inches from the edge of the table, fold the rest undermeath and bang in some of the fancy pins for effect. I've made that sound a LOT more complex that it is... You can have a "mahongany" and "leather effect" table with "brass" fittings for not much more outlay than the stuff used in the video and no addditional skill levels required.

@burnsbits5829 Жыл бұрын

Great to see you receiving so well. It sounded like a rather nasty fall when you took it! 👍

@rickhenderson631 Жыл бұрын

Bought a Wyrmwood, because I wanted a larger dining room table and it was a neat idea to double as a gaming table. On hindsite, your idea probably makes more sense. :)

@lycanthrose Жыл бұрын

I use a table from work. It's an oval shaped table that sits 4 to 6 people comfortably that triples as a dinner table and book shelf. I like the idea of cloth attached to your table for aesthetics as well as a noise reducer for over zealous die rollers. Also, I like how you position your self along a long side, I will have to do that in any future games due to my books, folder/Storyteller screen and Chromebook all utilized for leading my coterie of ner do wells. Also, is that a Milwaukee brand driver? You, sir, are a gentleman.

@TheStoryWhoNeverWas Жыл бұрын

i live in perpetual scheduling fails so i only have online games. as a result i pour hours and hours of work into preparing visually details and mysterious maps that provoke lots of questions to project into a virtual table top platform where we gather cerebrally

@Baruch05 7 ай бұрын

Love the video. I'm currently on the hunt for my next table build myself, so this is fantastic to source. Can I ask you where you got your leather back chairs in this video too? those look fantastic!

@Jrakula10 10 ай бұрын

i think im going to do this exact thing.

@fenoglio8 5 ай бұрын

You’re a delight to watch but man that was a long walk to get to “nail a sheet to a board”

@theactorsdungeon3898 Жыл бұрын

I've dreamed of what my future gaming space might be... But alas, I am just a renter.

@heikesiegl2640 Жыл бұрын

I am using our dinner table, it is extendable, but am also lacking space for my notes etc. Thats why left and right from me i have boxes xD where i put the rest of my stuff. I am really walled in. Not the best solution but for now it works

@jamesrickel3814 3 ай бұрын

Cheap pool tables ftw. Mine was free

@jps62 Жыл бұрын

If you screw two Ikea Linnmon together, you get a 5ftx5ft gaming table. Cheap, easy and light of weight...

@JohnWheaton2PF Жыл бұрын

OMG, was that a Little Wooden Boy cameo???

@jleewatts4318 Жыл бұрын

Yea! Fading Suns.

@RDGoodner Жыл бұрын

I'm interested in knowing how well this has worked. Your original table seems kind of small for the purpose. Have you had problems with people on either end tipping the table when they lean on it?

@keeperodinson3306 Жыл бұрын

Does anybody else feel like he sounds like John Cleese's vocal stunt double?

@Doughy_in_the_Middle 9 ай бұрын

Lovely...except I have 8+1 at my table. That little rectangle is just quaint.

@Eisenwulf666 Жыл бұрын

Instructions unclear, hand screwed to table, what now?

@Marcus-ki1en Жыл бұрын

1) Scream, 2) Turn Drill to reverse, 3) Reverse Screw out of table and hand, 4) Pour a Pint and contemplate where you went wrong.

@Piqipeg Жыл бұрын

Something most of these "build your own" videos forget to mention, you slso need space, not just for the finished thing but also building space.

@commiedeer Жыл бұрын

Guy: "Here's a hammer and here's some screws. You'll need these." Me: *having passed basic wood shop in high school* "I have... CONCERNS." Jokes aside, this did come out really nice for what looks like an hour or two of arts and crafts and some lucky dumpster diving.

@mikeadkins8215 Жыл бұрын

better than the table I don't have

@lifigrugru6396 Жыл бұрын

my "gaming" tabel is any tabel hase to fit some book, dice, pencil, eraser, Charactersheet, some point-paper on it. Lot of fantasy place and need :) it's real mobile you can put anywhere where you can put your book's and sheet's :) If i dont have painted figure for any posible npc, enviroment we build it out of words, maybe some picture to support it :D Now you can trow your stone at me :D But feel free to use your time, money to support the game developer using complex premade parts!

@teh_ludwig 6 ай бұрын

Roughly what weee the dimensions of the original table? Thanks!

@blackmage471 Жыл бұрын

Still not quite big enough for Twilight Imperium, lol 😆 I have to put two tables together for 6 people to play that game.

@HowtobeaGreatGM Жыл бұрын

Is any table ever really big enough TI?

@flareblade24 Жыл бұрын

I absolutely love this idea. Thanks for the video, and when I get a bigger place, I'll definitely be doing this myself at some point.

@heikesiegl2640 Жыл бұрын

I would use velcro so you can just change out the fabric an wash it

@HowtobeaGreatGM Жыл бұрын

That's brilliant!

@heikesiegl2640 Жыл бұрын

@@HowtobeaGreatGM thanks xD i Just used this "technique" on a used Cat Tower. I recycled it for my rats and well they pee a lot xD and when i started smelling it i started to ripp the fabric off and used velcro bands.

@alexandershendi7428 Жыл бұрын

@HowToBeAGreatGM Could you please tell me the dimensions of the top of the finished table? Thanks in advance.

@Noops_AU Жыл бұрын

Any reason you didn't use a staple gun?

@SoloBluePrints Жыл бұрын

U invented a table cloth. But yeah that’s basically what I did

@username3766 Жыл бұрын

👏👏👏

@Genesis8934 Жыл бұрын

2:00 "Not a lot of fabric" measurements ---> "about a yard" - Fabric is, if I recall 36" wide always, wrapped on a bolt that's like 10+ (at least) yards long. Though I'm not sure if the standard is still in yards outside the US. Local fabric stores should also be able to help if you want to get a specific kind of fabric. You probably don't want anything cotton/polyester. you'll want something more like felt or velvet, or in this case... corduroy. (~) 9:14 (or so), Fabric glue works so you have a nice smooth surface if you wanted to put the square of fabric on it. --- My group plays 100% online across many timezones so while I so want to build a table... I really have no need for it lol.

@Marcus-ki1en Жыл бұрын

Some fabric on bolts is doubled over so is up to 5' wide. Perfect for a 4' wide table. I would suggest gluing or sewing the edge down and laundering first.

@HowtobeaGreatGM Жыл бұрын

@@Marcus-ki1en Both are good pieces of advice. I was surprised by this bolt of cloth - it was super wide, well over 3'6".

@theoavg 11 ай бұрын

I understand so I just take a large piece of wood and I fix it on my table

@seandevine3695 Жыл бұрын

How to build a table: 1. Get a table

@nickynets Жыл бұрын

you have a lich behind you

@orbitalair2103 Жыл бұрын

$50 ??? thats more than I spent on 4 Basic Fantasy books(rules, chaotic caves, morgans fort, and the field guide monster book) !! AND the $5 for Maze Rats was the best $5 I ever spent I think. BUT bravo sir, for making a low cost table and sharing your ideas !!

@jerryharris876 Жыл бұрын

1:39. Screws, but no screwdriver?!!?

@bigsarge2085 Жыл бұрын

✌

@paganmadnessYT Жыл бұрын

This is not the _best_ table in the world - and it really doesn't have to be. And that's the point: Just do it! Just try it. Maybe it's working fantastic for your situation. Maybe not. And you know what? The next one you build will be a lot of better! Dare to make mistakes and learn :) Start cheap and be positive to just replace and improve things.