Best type of material for a 6x4 board? TABLE BUILT!

[Dewbakuk]

I suggest hollow core, flush style interior doors. They don't bend or warp, can hold a lot of weight, and are still light enough to pick up and move. They're cheap too.

Are they 4' wide? If so then that's a great suggestion.

It shall be leaned up using its 6' edge for sure. Thanks for the advice, chaps. How intensely will it require strengthening? A full on frame, or just three or four strips of wood going across at various intervals?

Depends on the gap between your tables but assuming you were doing a full batten frame then all four sides and two more spaced on the 4' span. With a big gap between the tables I'd do all 4 sides and then an extra 6' length down the centre.

[Mitch K]

Are they 4' wide? If so then that's a great suggestion.


Depends on the gap between your tables but assuming you were doing a full batten frame then all four sides and two more spaced on the 4' span. With a big gap between the tables I'd do all 4 sides and then an extra 6' length down the centre.

Most doors are about 6'6" long and usually about 2'and change wide. You could do it with two doors aranged lengthways...

[Elk101]

I used 12mm ply cut into two 3'x4' boards with a piano hinge between them. I tried mdf and found it wasn't robust enough to take the regular moving to/from the garage. It's not light but it hasn't warped or sagged. I'm going to do two 4'x4' tables hinged in the middle to make it 4'x2' for storage. That'll let me set up an 8'x6' table too.

[Mitch K]

I used 12mm ply cut into two 3'x4' boards with a piano hinge between them. I tried mdf and found it wasn't robust enough to take the regular moving to/from the garage. It's not light but it hasn't warped or sagged. I'm going to do two 4'x4' tables hinged in the middle to make it 4'x2' for storage. That'll let me set up an 8'x6' table too.

That's interesting re robustness. I hadn't thought of that. All the MDF I have is in fixed locations where this isn't a consideration! Maybe I've been unlucky over the years, but I've found that ply is even less stable than MDF as far as warping/sagging goes

[Gibby]

I went with 12mm Plywood in the end. Seems to have worked a treat. Thanks for the help everybody!

[Mitch K]

After the fact, I know, but here's how I did mine:

http://mitchwargaming.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/building-gaming-table.html

[Gibby]

Table is done! 12mm Plywood in two sections of 3x4 foot. Piano hinged together. Thanks very much everyone for the advise. I haven't butted it, but it'll be resting on its long face hinged up in this room so it shouldn't bow too much. If it inevitably does I will reenforce it or build a new one by then.



Quick test setup. I will likely position it further towards the wall on the left giving easier and more roomier access to the other three sides. There is a fair bit more room around it than the pictures make out, so it's a nice comfortable success.

[Elk101]

Nicely done mate! You're shaming me into getting on with my 4'x4' tables 

[Gibby]

Thanks mate

The helmets are for when things get heated.