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I originally made it normal table height, but found long reaches while sitting were harder and it just felt cramped.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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Tips for 1940 table
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I was wondering if anyone on the forum had any idea on how to put together a table dedicated for 1940 global. I am unsure how to get the board itself on the table, either by printing the board out on a large poster board, taping it to a table, etc, etc,
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There are several threads in this section of the forum in which you’ll find pictures and descriptions of Global 1940 table set-ups, in some cases with detailed information on how their owners put them together. One place you could start is this paticular thread:
http://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=20658.0
Axis and Allies.org Boards > General > Axis & Allies Customizations > Global Gaming Table Threads and PicturesI think that Young Grasshopper also has a YouTube page where he describes on video how he assembled his fantastic table. If he’s reading this post, he can perhaps provide the link for it.
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I find placing the board under Plexiglas is a nice solution if you don’t have overhead lighting shining down on it.
It protects the board (from dirt, greasy fingers and possible spills) and allows you to lift it up and swap out for something else if needed as well as providing an even surface to play on.
The drawback is the potential glare from overhead lighting, although you can get non-glare plexi as well (but it costs more).The table itself can be done any number of ways. The only limits are imagination and budget really.
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I built a table to use in my finished attic. I thought it would be great to use during the winter months when we’d have the incentive and time to relax over a game.
The only problem was it had to go in a corner, which limited access two sides of the board. I didn’t think it would be an issue until we actually tried it and it was too uncomfortable to use. I didn’t realize how much room you needed larger than the board itself, even with just two players. I thought keeping pieces and rolling battles on a smaller table nearby would be fine, but in the end it sucked too.
My advice is incorporate plenty of space to roam, store pieces and roll da dice.
All of our Global games are now on the dining room table with the leaf installed, usually when my wife is out of town.
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Hey… I have a customized table for playing our AnAG40. Here is a vid on you tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5_ZAL_ensw Enjoy!
Bravehart -
Hey… I have a customized table for playing our AnAG40. Here is a vid on you tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5_ZAL_ensw Enjoy!
BravehartAwesome video. Thanks for sharing. I would like to do something like this, hopefully, some day. :-)
Cheers!
John
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No probs! I have the update version with shelves added to the table if you didn’t see that video too. BH
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No probs! I have the update version with shelves added to the table if you didn’t see that video too. BH
No I didn’t see it. Do you have the link or can you point it to me?
Thanks!
John
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I’ve got a few table videos, however… I’m still working out my perfect solution for the map.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i9Icyi0MgU
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@Young:
I’ve got a few table videos, however… I’m still working out my perfect solution for the map.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i9Icyi0MgU
Thanks YG for the links.
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