Stuck inside? Check out how to build a gaming table on the cheap so you can start to game at home with your family or on stream!
If you’re stuck at home and want to roll some dice, why not start building your gaming table from scratch and teach your family how to play! Here’s our preview two-part series on how to build a table from scratch at your house.
Stuck Inside? Make A Gaming Table AT HOME! Pt. 1
First, you will need to have the following items on hand:
- Drill with drill and screwdriver bits
- Tape Measure
- Pencil
Items you will need from the hardware store:
Note: There are a ton of options for different kinds of wood and other materials. Picking them out really depends on your budget. Don’t get overwhelmed by the many different kinds of wood. Stick to cheap, sanded, and the right size if you can. Also, the tags are going to show Common and Actual size, use the Common size when you buy these.
- (A) ONE 4×8 foot piece of sanded plywood (1/2 inch thickness) – $19
- (B) ONE 4×4 foot piece of sanded plywood (1/2 inch thickness) – $7
- (C) TWO 1×4 inch 6-foot boards –$6
- (D) FOUR 1×4 inch 4-foot boards –$8
- (E) ONE box 1 and ¼ inch drywall screws – $4
- (F) ONE box 1 and ½ inch drywall screws – $4
- (G) Staining product, I used the pre-soaked wipes – $7
The nice people at your local lumber yard are usually more than willing to cut the lumber for you so you need to do the following to each piece of wood:
- The 4×8 piece (A) needs to be cut so that you have a 4 foot by 6-foot piece, leaving you with a 4×2 foot piece. You will then cut that piece into 4 pieces so they are 6-inch by 2-foot. We’ll call them (A.2)
- The 4x 4-foot piece (B) will be cut into 4 pieces so you have 4 pieces at 6-inch by 4-foot. Then take 2 (very important only 2!) and cut them so that they are 6-inch by 2-foot and 1-inch pieces. Let’s call those (B.2)
- The 1-inch by 4-inch by 6-foot boards (C). Leave these alone they are perfect the way they are.
- The 1-inch by 4-inch 4 foot boards (D), all of these need to be cut that they are 46.5 inches long (3 feet and 10.5 inches)
- They are drywall screws at 1 and ¼ inch (E).
- You’ll need more screws like above except they are 1 and ½ inch (F)
- Staining wipes (G), which are a little bit more expensive but if you don’t want to mess with a brush, these are a sweet alternative.
Building The Table
Now that you’ve got those supplies, you’re ready to get started. But first choose the nicest size of your 4×6 plywood (A), to be the tabletop. Underneath that, on your least favorite side, you will put the TWO 6 foot 1 x 4 boards (C) length-wise. You are going to start on one side and drill a starter hole using a 1/8 inch drill bit.
Then, proceed to screw in the 1 and ½ inch drywall screws (F) into these starter holes through the top of the plywood. Note on the starter holes, keep the drill bit going as you pull it out, otherwise you could end up with a broken drill bit.
They are to be spaced 6 inches apart. Then screw in the 2 screws, and then go back and do 2 starter holes, do 2 more screws, etc., this helped me keep the 1 x 4 boards (C) tight with the plywood (A). Repeat this process on the other side of the board so that you have both 6 foot 1 inch x 4 inch (C) boards on running length-wise.
Make Starter Holes & Drill Around Edges of the Table
Now it is time to put the width-wise boards (D) in and finish the frame to prevent warping. You’ll need to brace the table for when your friends inevitably lean on it. Again, notice these boards were cut just shy of 4 feet to account for the two 6 foot boards you have already installed. You are going to put one every two feet so there are 4 spaced out equally under the table. This is where I noticed they did not butt up against the length boards equally but they were pretty close.
Then again using the starter holes, through the top of the board you drill a 1 and ½ inch drywall screw (F) every 6 inches attaching the plywood to the brace.
At this point, you’ll want to attach the boards together underneath. So again, make a starter hole but this time the 1 inch by ¼ inch drywall screws (E). Drill 2 screws through the 6 foot 1 x 4 boards (C) into the 46.5 inch boards (D). This closed the gap along the frame and should help make things a bit more sturdy.
The underside of your table should look something like this when you’re done. Make sure the top where the models will sit is flat and the sides are sturdy.
We’ll be going over how to throw sides on your table, put a finish on the wood, and even cover your playing surface in the next post so stay tuned.
Since you’ve been stuck inside from the virus, have you made a playing space for the family? Was this article helpful to you at all?
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