Table Material, What do you Use?

[fanfavorite]

Building some boards and I need to ask what is the number one material you LAFers use for your boards? I'm avoiding mats, it will be involved- but while I'm not made of money (I don't need a solid gold table board) I am not afraid to invest in high quality, workable material. Wood? and how thick? Foam? what kind and also what thickness? Anything I'm not thinking of? Availability is also a proponent here, something I an pick up in a University town- hardware or craft shops. I think even window glass shops have plastic sheets.  Once again just a material x' by x' that I can lay down a textured base to place the rest of the scenics on.

A preemptive thanks, mhm.

[Cory]

I use ground cloths over whatever and 1" foam boards.

I also have a folding 4'x4' board made of 1/2" foam on a board I made this summer.

It all depends on the need of the game, any traveling requirements, and storage.

[fanfavorite]

What style of foam? I'm assuming its not  styrofoam, I need something that is solid.

[Cory]

This sort of stuff, pink or blue insulation board.

http://www.homedepot.com/Building-Materials-Insulation/h_d1/N-5yc1vZasbs/R-100320356/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

The half or one inch is rather flimsy on its own and prone to snapping so it needs to be layed on a supporting surface or backed with 1/8" masonite.

[magokiron]

For my gaming table at home, I got a sheet of 3mm (1/8") plywood, cut it in half (for easy storage) and made a GOOD frame for each half with 12mm (1/2") plywood.

With the same 12mm plywood I made 6 frames (to raise the boards to a table height), and joined two sets of 3 with hinges, to make "Z" shapes. Due to the hinges, these can be folded flat, and in fact, they can be placed inside of the boards frames, so everything can be stored flat against a wall when not in use.

For gaming, I just take the supports, open them to Z form and put the framed board on top.

If playing skirmish games, 1 board usually is enough, but for massed battles, 2 boards side by side make an "official" 122x244cm (4x6') table.

I painted all green, although I usually cover the boards with a green cloth, but also can use whatever color is required for the game we're playing (sand, blue, black, etc.).

Some people can say that 3mm is TOO THIN, And recomend you 6mm, or more.

Actually, I have used those boards for more than 2 years, mounting and taking appart once a week for my gaming group get together, and they are just fine, so I don't believe a greater thickness is neccessary, and only rises cost and weight.

Hope that helps.