I have been playing around with different configurations for a custom table and wanted to note some things I’ve landed on that I really like. A main one thing is having the map mounted so that it can slide around as needed on top of a bigger playing area. My table is 65” x 95” in total with a 5.5” arm rest around the outside and the middle is a recessed neoprene surface. I have the OOB Global map mounted on 1/2” rigid foam with a 1/2” aluminum frame around it. This allows the map to slide up close to whoever’s turn it is, but then be in the middle so both players can roll dice In front of them without disturbing the map and in easy view of the other player. (Plus we like lots of room to roll the bones). This ability to adjust the surface along with a standing height, makes it comfortable for long uses because you can move around more and don’t feel as tied down.
Things I’ve learned and changed from original design - I originally used too big of a frame for the map and mounted it on too high of a foam block (you can see these pictures at the bottom) - it made it hard to see the other player’s dice and the big frame took up too much real estate. My global map is mounted on much thinner foam (the framing is bad, you can see if you look closely) but I also used much thinner aluminum angle for the frame. This gives just enough grip when needing to move the map around (I use furniture slides on the bottom, which glide very nicely on the neoprene) but doesn’t make the whole thing too bulky. Having it an inch or so off the surface keeps the dice off, but isn’t so heigh that you can’t see the other player’s dice rolls. When playing other versions (such as Zombies) the board is much smaller, but it can easily swap in and out on the same table since it can move around where ever it is needed or be pushed aside.
I originally made it normal table height, but found long reaches while sitting were harder and it just felt cramped. Standing height with a bar stool is a great way to have the best of both worlds.
The 5.5” rim around the table itself gives you a nice arm rest that doesn’t interfere with the gaming surface. I’m playing with how to best add some cushion to this part - open to suggestions. Sometimes I just lay a piece of leftover neoprene on it.
Dice bounce nice on the neoprene and stay off the floor. It also feels nice and has enough give to allow things to slide but be picked up easily. Wouldn’t definitely go with neoprene again as a surface covering.
I made the drawers open to the inside of the table so you can stay hunched over the action while accessing and stowing stuff away. 50/50 on whether I would keep this if I were to do it again. If I were doing it again, I might try to build customer drawers form scratch using actual drawer glides, but that was beyond my ability when I first did this, so I just used clear plexiglass boxes with aluminum pulls mounted on them. It’s nice having them clear, and I was happy with how the pulls came out, but without glides they can be a little fussy sliding in and out of their slots.
I originally designed the table so that I could put a cover surface back on top when not in use, but find I don’t really ever do that, so if I were to do it again, I might not mess with that part (I never even finished staining those as you can see in the pictures).
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Painted playing pieces
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They all look great. really good. i am about to paint some marines and paras but they are 20mm metal as the plastics from fmg is too much to ship uk. 20mm scale is 1/76 which is spot on for the board game figs.
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Viracocha,
Thanks for all of your kind comments.
However, I believe you may have misunderstood me concerning FUTURE NEW GAMES. What I was referring to were completely new games, such as we have with the Invasion of Italy, Invasion of Iwo Jima, and the Solomons Campaign games. Some of these might have new rules, and/or types of units with different A/D/C/M factors.
Of course anyone is capable of their own “house rules” if they wanted to have “new units”, such as Air Transport, S/P Artillery, etc. in a “standard” A&A game such as 1940-Global.
Of course, the UK-Europe(London) and UK-Pacific(Calcutta) were designed as having different paint schemes were meant for Global-1940 games. They will both be normal Infantry types just distinctly different in appearance due to the financial seperation of the two UK commands.
I have soo many ideas that will just take a little time to implement.
“Tall Paul”
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Dangermouse,
The pic of that camoflaged Carrier is great! Very nice work! I seem to recall a pic of a Japanese Carrier that looked just like that. And one that had fake gun turrets painted on it’s deck. Keep up the good work.
“Tall Paul”
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@Tall:
Viracocha,
Thanks for all of your kind comments.
However, I believe you may have misunderstood me concerning FUTURE NEW GAMES. What I was referring to were completely new games, such as we have with the Invasion of Italy, Invasion of Iwo Jima, and the Solomons Campaign games. Some of these might have new rules, and/or types of units with different A/D/C/M factors.
Of course anyone is capable of their own “house rules” if they wanted to have “new units”, such as Air Transport, S/P Artillery, etc. in a “standard” A&A game such as 1940-Global.
Of course, the UK-Europe(London) and UK-Pacific(Calcutta) were designed as having different paint schemes were meant for Global-1940 games. They will both be normal Infantry types just distinctly different in appearance due to the financial seperation of the two UK commands.
I have soo many ideas that will just take a little time to implement.
“Tall Paul” �
Ahhhh! Checked out some of your other threads in this regard - now I get it (face palm). Coolio van hulio…
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Viracocha,
Please, I invite you to express your opinions, pro or con, on all of the forthcoming games, rules, and units. I feel it’s very important to what we end up with. Even if all we might be discussing is paint jobs, please don’t hold back. Your opinion is valued.
I think I only have the THREE threads: The MARINES, The PARATROOPERS, and The SOLOMONS CAMPAIGN GAME.
Just consider your opinion as being “drafted” for the duration, haha.
“Tall Paul”
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That must put a smile on your face every time you set up to play. It puts a smile on my face just looking at them!!!
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Surprise Attack,
Thanks for your nice comments. Well, I just know it WILL BE fun whenever I get some Paratroopers for ALL of the players. I haven’t even told my Dad or Brother about them yet. And I don’t think they would much care for me “jumping” some Screaming Eagles into their midst and wreaking havoc when they don’t yet have the same capability. I would never hear the end of it!,…haha.
But you know what,…it might be a wonderful gag to play on them. Just think about it. They don’t know about the A&A.ORG forum, HBG, FMG, or any of the new units coming out. Now I’ve got some evil thoughts brewing around in my head.
I think I’ll wait until I’ve got some C-46 Commandos from HBG’s U.S. Supplement Set painted and then make a paratroop drop on them giving them a real SURPRISE ATTACK!
I can’t wait to see their faces! Hahahahahahahahaha. It will be FANTASTIC!This is truly a GREAT GAME, especially when you’re a sneaky devil (and have Paratroopers)!
“Tall Paul”
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Yeah get the camera out so you can keep the image longer than the initial surprise attack
Hope you can make it to Canada this springThen print the pictures on some T-shirts
Take care
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Surprise Attack and Others,
I’ve just spoken with “Allworkandnoclay” and my Italian Infantry should be here in a week(or less). Next will be the Major & Minor I.C.'s, A/A guns, and the
Italian Air Force. I’ll let you know when they come in.“Tall Paul”
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Surprise Attack and Others,
I received a pic of the FMG Italian Infantry that “Allworkandnoclay” has painted for me so I’m sharing it with ya’ll like I said.
After hearing the “Coach” from HBG discuss his future Italian Supplement Set choices I’m beginning to look forward to having them to add to the fine units already out from FMG.
It’s truly a great time to be an Axis & Allies player!
“Tall Paul”
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Hey Guys,
I need another “fix” for my A&A painted units addiction,…haha.
How about it Chagadiel, Chrillenilsson, Trackmagic, Viracocha, Dangermouse65 and/or any others. All of you do such Great Work on your paint jobs and must have literally dozens of pics that I haven’t seen yet. It inspires me to no end to see your talented paint jobs. And I’ll even say Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease.
“Tall Paul”
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old but now i know how to add pics again
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winter war
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Wow! Really Great pics, there. Nice Job. I especially liked the collar tabs on the German infantry. Nice. I’m guessing that those German tanks must be GHQ or something. Thanks for sharing.
“Tall Paul”.
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Thanks no the tanks are CinC a bit cheaper but are almost as nice. you asked for pics so here are some more stuff some finished some in need of some work still.
1/76 us marines from Shq miniatures
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more marines and scale comparison 1/76
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airbourne (requires a dark wash still) SHQ again
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1/600 aircraft tumbling dice corsair and wilcat and mustangs by Oddzial Osmy
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in game
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in game