Tabletop Table???

[Operator5]

I'm always looking for ways to improve the gaming experience for players. Some things work, some things are just little things that I think help (but it could just be my ego  ).

Anyway, I built this today out of some scrap wood and some felt-padded table risers. This table, designed to sit on a convention table, brings your game to eye level, making you feel more a part of the action instead of the bird's-eye, omnipotent view that everyone is used to. I think this perspective works a little better for the Adventure style game that .45 Adventure and its offshoots attempt to portray.

Plus, your game aids can sit right below the action instead of always falling on the table or being pushed off to the side.

I've also made the legs detachable so transport and storage will be easy. They are 9" (23cm) high.

I'll be using this at Historicon this year.

[Westfalia Chris]

Great idea! One thing, though - we´ve experimented with eye level height some years ago and had quite some problems not to knock over the scenery. I assume this one reaches about chest level? Anything higher might call for problems.

[Operator5]

When sitting on a table, this one is about 40" high or about 101cm.

Sitting down it's below eye level for me. If I stand, I don't need to bend over quite as much to reach the table. So, it's about gut level on me.

You could probably put the legs down to about 6" (15cm) if you wanted lower and still get the benefits.

[Skrapwelder]

Great idea.

[Sendak]

Daddy likes!

Off to the shop to pay you a greater compliment to make one of my own.

Thank U!

[JollyBob]

What a brilliant idea! Hat's off sir!

[Argonor]

I particularly like the possibility of rolling dice and spilling beverages on the lower surface instead of on the actual gaming table.... nice!

[Operator5]

Argonor: I had the same thoughts when making it. Now all beverages will sit below the table and people can roll dice in front of them instead of on the table. I'm actually going to work on another addition for this project which occurred to me when I saw the finished table. I'll share that when it's done.

[Westfalia Chris]

When sitting on a table, this one is about 40" high or about 101cm.

Sitting down it's below eye level for me. If I stand, I don't need to bend over quite as much to reach the table. So, it's about gut level on me.

You could probably put the legs down to about 6" (15cm) if you wanted lower and still get the benefits.

Ahh... yes of course. Eye level when sitting down. Sorry, it was rather sweltry over here yesterday, so I didn´t really think clearly.

Yes, that´s perfectly reasonable.

[Argonor]

Interesting - I'll just hold off the beginning of my own version 'til I see what you've come up with  

I just wonder, why I did not come up with this idea, as I always lack space for my gaming... (gaming/hobby room/office crammed with boxes containing various projects in various stages, not to speak of the lead/plastic mountain)

I hope to get a long planned game of Gutshot on its way Sunday (I'm still waiting for .45 Long Colt Adventures  ), and I actually could use an elevated table then already - but I'll just have to tidy up the table in the afore mentioned room   )

[Argonor]

I think I'm going to affix the legs with hinges - that way I won't have to do anything else than fold/unfold them when moving/setting up the device....

[postal]

very awsome idea.

[Operator5]

I think I'm going to affix the legs with hinges - that way I won't have to do anything else than fold/unfold them when moving/setting up the device....

That's one of the things I thought about when doing it. On the day I wen to pick up hardware, though, no one had hinges that would fit on the table legs. It is an excellent idea. No assembly, just fold them out.

[Argonor]

And to make sure the thing is stable, I think I'll affix bolts to bolt the unfolded legs... may have to be placed on little wooden blocks as to 'lift' them from the underside of the 'table' to avoid the boltholes in the legs to be too close to the top of the legs...

[Operator5]

Make sure your hinges each go in a different direction. That will help increase stability as well.