AA50 3-D Terrain Gaming Table (COMPLETED July 20, 2010)

This is how I should have done this post from the beginning … but better late than never, right?

Here is a comprehensive breakdown of my AA50 3D Terrain Gaming Table from start to nearly finished;

In the beginning I rolled out tracing paper onto the AA50 Gameboard and traced the entire thing.  I then began with the cardboard (the thickness of cardboard used on the backs of notepads would be the best example).

I would meticulously cut out each individual elevation from the tracing paper, trace them onto the cardboard, cut out the cardboard and contact cement them to the lower elevations until I had the entire continent completed.

First, I did Africa.

Then followed with Australia, Great Britain, South America and Europe/Asia, with North America for last.

From this point I placed all of the continents onto a 1/4" sheet of MDF cut to the size of the AA50 Game board using, once again, contact cement and began placing all of the individual little islands (yes … every island, no matter how small was placed on the board).

Once the cardboard was all glued to the MDF, I primed the entire thing with spray primer.

By the time I had completed this portion, I had spent the better part of a month, possibly 2 and then set it all aside for a long long time.  Once the warm weather hit and my workshop finally got set up and cleaned out (after having been here for 3 years and it being nothing more than storage/junkpile) I got to work on the rest of the table.

The first iteration of the table I ended up scraping as it was never, ever going to be straight or level.  Instead I ended up using a sheet of OSB to replace the pine that I origonally used, keeping the 2x3 edges.

Once this portion of the table was done I built all of the boxes for my FMG Combat Chest trays to fit into.  At this point I had started to airbrush the game board as well.

I then measured (a few times) and marked off the veneer top to cut the slots for the trays to sit under and glued it all together.  While I waited for the glue to set and some foul weather to pass I taped off all of the water areas on the board so I could begin airbrushing the landmasses.

For the game board, I had wanted to match as closely as possible this satellite composite of the earth (taking into account the odd shape/sizing of the AA50 board);

Once that had all dried, I could begin drawing on the borders and seazones with a fine tipped white paint pen and a ruler;

I later decided (on a suggestion from my brother) to put dice rolling trays in two of the corners, which I thought was a brilliant idea (plus it removed the couple of horrible joints I had)!

So, here is where we’re at now …

I still have to;

• Label countries and seazones

• Final coat of laquer

• Trim off all the openings to make them look nicer/smoother

• Glass top needs to be cut to size

• Folding Legs

(is it just me or does this list get longer as I go along?)

From this point on there’s not much else I can show until it’s done.

I’ve spent just over $120 (canadian) at this point on this table and game board but taking into account the few items I already had from other projects, and the few items I still need to get to finish the job, I am going to guess a grand total of approximately $200 … and many many hours!

@eaglex72:

WOW.

I would pay for a replication of that map.

That 3D map is INCREDIBLE.

I can’t wait to see pictures of it labeled with the cities, sea zones, and countries.

Unreal.

You should consider making them and selling them.
I would love one of those broken into three sections (like the original AA50 map) with plastic on top of each section.

Fantastic.

The table itself only takes a few hours to build, maybe a day.
The MAP on the other hand, I don’t think anyone would ever be willing to pay a reasonable amount considering the number of hours it has taken to make that.  Even if I only charged $10 an hour for doing it, I’d probably be looking at 30+ hours, so $300+ just for one and that doesn’t even take into account materials!  :-o

@TwistedAries:

@FieldMarshalGames:

Can’t wait to play on this table!

I second that one!  Rorschach, you set a date yet?  :-D

Patience boy, patience!  Let me get it finished first.  lol

@cminke:

any progres?

Just waiting on the glass top and I’m done, at which point I’ll post the rest of the pictures.  I’m having some issues with the glass I planned on using.

*JULY 3rd UPDATED PHOTOS *

All I need to do now is put on original control markers and the glass/plexi-glass table top and the table/board is completed.  I apologize for the poor quality of the photos but it’s the best I was able to get from the dozens I took sadly.  Also, the pictures don’t do it justice if you ask me;

Looking at these pictures tonight I’ve noticed a number of things i need to fix.  Dang.

@calvinhobbesliker:

@Rorschach:

Looking at these pictures tonight I’ve noticed a number of things i need to fix.  Dang.

Like what?

Mostly paint/line mistakes.  Border in SZ63 that I messed up on.  A couple of bodies of water in Eurasia missing.  Border between SZ2 and SZ8 missing (from Ireland to GBR mainland).  Border at the bottom of SZ7 sticks out.

And of course, I’m still waiting on getting my original control stickers printed out to complete the map… and glass for the top (hard to find in any affordable pricing!)

@calvinhobbesliker:

I think you called Z61 “63.” That’s the zone that borders Hong Kong

:-o You’re right.  Another fix.  lol