How to build a gaming table (easy)
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- Опубликовано: 15 янв 2025
- Those with a keen eye will notice that this video was filmed about 2 years ago. Between the lost and corrupted videos and the fact that my old editing program couldn't handle a video this size, I am only now able to put this video together. This table has been at my buddies house for around two years now and they don't seem to have any issues with it yet. The only thing I would change in this project would be instead of using thin EVA foam I would have bought the thicker interlocking exercise mat you can get from any home center.
You can build this project to! I put a list of items I used In this project below.
5 8' 2x4s
20 8' 1x8s
4 1x2 Furring Strips
1 4x8 Plywood Sheet
2 8' 4x4s
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I am about 2 years late but this has been the best video I have seen so far for building a good looking tabletop table. This is exactly the detail I was looking for. I just bought a house and we want a dedicated gaming room. I plan on using this design and your video to build my own. Thanks for the great video!
Thanks!
Learned more about warped wood and how to try and avoid it in 4 mins then I ever have thanks for the tips.
haha right? I learned more about warped wood and drying wood in 5 minutes...but then still waiting for the game table talk to start.
I guess im asking randomly but does anyone know a method to get back into an instagram account..?
I was stupid forgot the account password. I love any help you can offer me!
@Korbin Elliot instablaster =)
@Vivaan Howard i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and im in the hacking process atm.
I see it takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.
@Vivaan Howard it did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy:D
Thanks so much, you saved my account :D
There are tons of game table build videos on RUclips but this is hands down the most informative. I will be building this when my game room is done. Thanks :)
Awesome! I used this video to make my game table. Very informative and confidence boosting. I hope your game room/table is just what you wanted also.
the level of adorable where your daughter doesn't plug her ears, rather she holds her eyes open as not to blink/flinch from the sound of the nail gun. That right there is a kid with some guts. Bravo sir, and good for her!
Holy heck that opening discussion about grain patterning and warping and drying, was just glorious! I've been a hobby woodworker for 8 years and I *still* learned a couple things from that! Thanks a ton!
I'm 6.5 mins into the video and have learned more about wood warping and drying than I have over the thousands of videos I have watched. Thank you for the detailed info!
I've been watching tons of woodworking RUclips videos over the last few months as I start this hobby with the goal of being able to build one of these gaming tables. There were so many different little things you mentioned and brought up to explain the "why" of some technique or decision that I hadn't seen before. Like the oil stain going over wood glue. Learned that first hand, and didn't understand why. So thank you for this! I'll be sure to reference this video again and again as I begin that table project in a few months.
Great! Glad I could help
I really appreciate the detail you go into regarding the wood and not just how to cut/fit things. I've been trying to get into woodworking and not many sources explain how to handle the wood to make sure you have good materials to use. Thanks!
Exactly what I was looking for. Already have the plans laid out. This is going to be such an awesome project. The one thing I'm changing is the "DM" side will have its own drop in section to leave in place for extended space for a DM screen.
does youtube just have a bot that goes around giving people's videos dislikes? I cannot understand why this video would get any dislikes. it is fun, educational and heartwarming.
Just want to say thanks! I watched and re-watched this video countless times and the simple break down of steps and techniques was fantastic. My brothers and I successfully built a table over the past month following pretty closely to your plan. Thanks for taking the time to make this, was instrumental in giving us the confidence to try to do it ourselves and we are super proud of our result!
Awesome! Do you have pictures of it?
Wow - just Wow! My daughter wants me to build her a gaming coffee table (lower to the ground and smaller all around) to keep some collectable games she enjoys. I will use a modified version of this. The step by step to build the top is exactly what I have been looking for! Thanks for the mentoring!!
Might be worth noting that the best way to dry your wood in the shop is to install stickers (~1/4" thick sticks) between the boards and then clamping on the stickers. This leaves small gaps between each board to allow for proper airflow between the boards which results in more even drying.
You are the kind of guy I can learn from, man. You speak without non-sense, like you are talking to a beginner, without being demeaning or using too much jargon. Super helpful. I really enjoy this. Sub earned.
This is probably the best table/video for DIY gaming table tops. I should know I just watched about 20 of them
That is the cleanest table I have ever seen. This is my goal now.
Hello from Melbourne, Australia!
I love this video - I'm a non-woodworker, who has the tools but not the experience (all the gear, no idea!) and wants to have a go at building a gaming table.
You have given me the confidence to take a shot. Thanks man!
This is exactly the kind of gaming table that I wanted to put in my basement for my familiy and friends.
Thank you so much for showing how to build it!
Greetings from Germany and keep up the good work!
Nice explanation about how to avoid materials that are cut a certain way. Cheers!
this is perfect. i learned so much about how im going to build mine based on how you built yours. thanks so much for taking the time to document that process and its results.
I really like all the technical details you gave with a view to longevity, like the opening spiel on wood warping. Super interesting!
I've learned more in the first 3 minutes than I ever did working years on a construction site. Thank you
Love this, well done. Going to do something very similar here shortly. I am going with neoprene mat for the vault surface, and will use a pin hole to push up the table top edges to remove them, and will have a 3/4 piece of plywood cut into 3 or 4 pieces with dowels on one piece to assemble together. Also going with a trestle base. Debating cup holders on the outer rail with router or cut out player areas like you did, or have those all on a rail around the outside. I also plan to stain to a darker color, but all of that is just finishing stuff.
Thank you for using nice wood on this. I’ve watched several game table builds, & they almost always just use plywood & 4x4 legs & stain it dark, hoping no one will notice they used the cheapest contractor-grade lumber.
like the talk you hade in the beginning, the more knowledge the commonfolk have of wood the better as it puts preacher on the suppliers to have better stuff. So jelly of countries that still have lumber yards and not only hardware stores
For the EVA foam, give it a once-over with a heat gun to close up the pores. Once that's done, contact cement won't absorb as much, but still has enough porosity to give solid adhesion.
It's an old cosplay trick.
Good tip! I'll have to try that
Simple and solid table :) I am about to make my own gaming table. But you are the only one actually discourage using oil-based stains.
This is a nice, wholesome video. Thanks for the upload dude!
Great video, and you have a super cute assistant.
Excellent job in training the next generation of carpenter, she is just the cutest damn thing.
This is beautiful, man. The table looks great, and I REALLY appreciated the info about choosing boards. I've been watching a bunch of videos on making things like this and you're the first one to talk about such things.
Also, dad in the shop... awesome! My boy is almost 2 and is always wanting to get in there and help me out. Parenting done right.
Even if not building a table, this video is full of useful info. Well done.
Threw up a like just for explaining how I should choose my wood. Thank you!
Thanks!
The video and the table are amazing. That looks like a lot of work compared to installing a water heater.
This is just the best lesson in wood working and cabinet making I’ve ever seen. Thank you
Love seeing Arkansan craftsman. Great job.
Likely the very best video on this subject that I’ve seen! Thanks for all the info!
I build all my tables with extruded Aluminum from Tnutz now. They are just so modular and customizable and have tons of attachments. They are supposed to be for work benches but damn they make a nice gaming table.
You serve deserve dad of the year for teaching your daughters so much about shop work and tools. It is absolutely adorable how you work with them around. Girl dad totally
center of the rings on a tree is called the pith. nice demo, helpful info
Wow, that's a bold move spending the first five minutes of a video about building a D&D table just explaining how to look after your wood, but it was very helpful
I'm really liking your channel... you go above and beyond in explaining some of the details that I have been missing! Thank you for going the extra mile!
Loooved the lumber lesson ❤️
I think a couple of game boards under those panels for the top would be awesome. Like a chess/checkers board under one and a backgammon under the other. Great job dude!
I'd say this'd make it look flashier only to people who don't want a gaming table. None of the people I know (or know of) who own or would own a gaming table usually plays chess, checkers or backgammon (even less so frequently enough to have a perma feature for it in their table). I'd stay away from it if I were making it for myself or to sell.
thanks for the video, by far best gaming table build I've seen on RUclips! and thanks for the tips on wood selection, never realized what's why 4x4 always split like that. 👍
You did a pretty good job with box store pine, but you’d be better off finding a lumberyard nearby and sourcing your wood from there.
I liked how you weren’t afraid to show your mistakes and explained how to deal with them. Some really good tips for beginners in this video that are glossed over in some of the more “professional” youtube woodworker channels.
That's really good info on wood selection! Thanks man!
Great video. One thing I've wondered about this game table design (as I've seen this built the same way on several channels) is why there is so much effort made on the dice trays and cup holders and why those areas are so narrow. I built my own table without plans and used 1x12 for those areas to accommodate books and papers. I didn't build trays or cup holders. We spend so much time writing notes etc., that I thought that was more important than the other stuff. If I were to build mine again, I'd build it the same way, but have a drop down area in front of each player to be able to "store" books, papers, etc when not in use.
Keep up the great work.
Thats a really good idea. Personally I'm not much of a gamer so I just built it the way my friends wanted it. They wanted cup holders and pencil holders. I think making a spot for books is a great idea. Thanks!
Coming in late, I am starting my game table build next week. I would say it depends on the kind of gaming you are doing. We don't do any pen and paper, but board games. So we don't have any books or notes taking happening. Trays for us would be more important for meeples, coins, cards, cardboard bits, minis, etc. and manipulating the actual pieces on the board every turn makes a narrower edge more practical so you don't have so much to reach up and over constantly.
Coming in real late, but the reason most players go with 4 to 6 inches for that outer rail is because the larger this is, the farther you are from the actual game surface and the more players need to stand and lean in to adjust playing pieces or whatever. We have a few games where there are a lot more components to organize at a player station, which is why I think I will end up going with an outer rail along the edges to put in accessories like player boards where they can place these types of things.
This is a serious comprehensive overview, I've been researching recently on what I'd need to do for my own gaming table and this tackles all the questions I would've had. Thanks for the video!
Really enjoyed the video, was wondering if you could provide the measurements for the cuts?
@@johnsherman1544 sorry I made this so long ago I don't remember anymore. All the info that I have is in this video and in the description
No problem, I figured it was a long shot since it was so long ago
Excellent video well explained. What would you do differently if you wanted to put a TV in the table or add secret draws for players to store stuff like dice in it.
Gorgeous!!
I think I learned more about wood grain from this video than I did from 4 years of shop class.
Can you provide a little more detail about how you secured the plywood to the 2x4 support frame? Screw type, angle, are you piloting the holes? Thank you! Great video!
Yeah I probably predrilled it and put in 2" screws. Sorry I don't really remember anymore. I built this more than 2 years ago. lol
Dude. This is incredibly detailed, and exactly what i'm looking for. Thank you so much for uploading this!
This is a great video! I've wanted to build one of these for a long time and should be pulling the trigger soon after watching this! I was thinking the same thing as the previous comment but may split the difference and go with 1x10's.
Great video! Where is your hearing protection!? My father never used any and at age 70 he's almost def just fyi. Thank you for all the info!
How on earth does this has so little likes , this bro just gave some very useful information
My guess is, based on the (easy) in the title, people clicked to see something anyone can make. But, unless you happen to have a woodworking shop, and tools just sitting around. This table is not (easy). I still enjoyed the video a lot though.
Where can I get a copy of these plans? Looking to build one of these with my boys and their grandfather.
The plans already exist online. The first one I saw do this was the gaming geek. He has a google doc for the plans but his take was 5ft by 5ft if in not mistaking. He's a link to his video. ruclips.net/video/spdescYFqIE/видео.html
Links in the description for the plans and also a compete thread of how other people built and customized the plans.
Great Build... Missed The Easy Bit...
It's a pretty straightforward build. Which part is difficult?
Really cool content, real well run through, learned a lot and really only clicked out of curiosity! Ended up loving the content, subbing and watching some more in my downtime!!
Nice work, man! I learned a lot watching this vid!
You know, for the tabletop insert, you could also glue on and/or screw on a canvas backing like a roll top desk. This will keep the boards together and in order, and allow you to fold up the top to make it smaller and less unwieldly.
Oh I like that. Maybe it could even roll up.
@@WyldeWoodworks And put it on the shelf under the table so it's out of the way.
Nice work 👍🏻 on the table and the video😎
Excellent craftmanshp! Like some of the other posts said, I learned a few things about wood and woodworking! But, you shouldn't label your video as (easy). LOL Nice job and thanks for sharing.
Beginner here! Love this table and have started buying the materials to build this! Quick question. What kind of nails do you use for your nail gun?
Awesome! 18 Gauge
Oh man, Loved this whole video, except when you had the nail gun pointed directly at your stomach (I know there were some other layers, but still.... NO)
I probably wouldn't have gone with EVA foam (or installed it quite so late in the process either). You can get rolls of Headliner Foam that is wide enough to cover a sheet of ply without the risk of seams in the center. Cover that with some speed cloth (or not depending on your preferences) and you're golden.
I really liked the first few minutes of the video as the tips you gave are really useful to folks of any skill level. Thanks for sharing this process with us.
How long did this build ultimately take you?
Good point! I've never heard of headliner foam before. The Eva was the best I could think of and it really didn't turn out as well as I wanted it to. I'll have to try that next time. I think the whole build took me less than a month but I don't really remember since I built this about 2 years ago. Thanks for the input.
Learned so much in this video.
Dude this was an absolute treat. I wanted to always get into woodworking but didn't know where to start. You went above and beyond.
Awesome and informative Video!
Great video and love how you explained the details. I've been looking for a model to build a table after. Any chance you have design plans for this build?
Nice work! I don't even want to know what it weighs!!
Came for the table.. stayed for the master class on wood grains
A truly amazing video. No chance you have a summary of the tables dimensions? I will be looking back though this video as reference for a project I’m working on and I’m loving how yours turned out.
Hey, just found your channel and enjoying your content so far! Just out of curiosity, what size is your main shop area that you are working in? Just trying to get some ideas for my own shop that is in severe disarray and in need of some organization. You seem to have a good flow going in there.
Thanks! I think it's about 22' by 22'. It took me about 10 years to figure out how I wanted my shop laid out.
Wow this was awesome! Thanks! I may soften the edges of my table a bit and make the cup holders a little farther apart but this is going to be providing a huge starting point. Would be pretty cool to lay in some finished pieces over top your trays too so those can also have flat surfaces when you want to cover it. I’m curious to see if you think the Eva foam ended up having any visible seams or if you would’ve done anything different for the liner.
good build love your daughters Razorback jacket Woo Pig!
Just want to leave a comment here to help your channel. I loved this video and will use it when I decide to build my own table! One question: My table will be going into an external building off my house where the humidity is a little more difficult to control. Once built, is there anything that can be done to help stave off the effects of warping due to natural changes in humidity over time?
Good question! Use at least 3 coats of your top coat (shellac/polyurethane) then add paraffin wax to the surface. Pay special attention to the end grain. Epoxy also works very well but its a bit more pricy. People make sinks with epoxy and wood all the time.
@@WyldeWoodworks thank you! Your advice is invaluable and you've gained one more subscriber!
Awesome!
Can you explain why the bottom piece? I feel like it takes away from being able to sit comfortably at the table. Is it solely for added stability for the legs? Thank you for the video!
Sure. Yes the main reason for the bottom support is to keep the legs more rigid. If you don't have some sort of support for the legs the table will end up wobbling a lot. If you don't want to stabilize the legs that low you can add more framing to the legs up top. I would suggest getting some one by sixes to frame out around the legs Just below the table. Then you can glue and screw Them directly to the legs. I think that would work
Good question
Simply wow! Amazing work!
Good stuff, well done A+
On the boards that warped, can you throw them in a pool (or something) then re-clamp them and wait for them to dry again?
It depends on the situation but I have heard of people steaming wood to bring it back into shape. If the wood has been dry for too long won't accept steam as well. Once the connective tissue between the wood fibers is dry there isn't much you can do to salvage it.
A tip I saw on another video was using an epoxy with a relatively long working time instead of contact cement. Still holds strong, but it gives you some time to get it just right. They were applying veneer, but I'm sure it would work for EVA foam too.
Love the video, very well
Done. I have one question the rack system you have how are the supports holding up all the wood? Not seeing much of a brace. Thank you again
I'm not sure what you mean. Which supports?
Congrats on the great table build!!! I hope you a and your family/friends get as much enjoyment out of yours as we did from ours! :)
Our family uses this table every time we play d&d and board games. He did just an amazing job for us and we couldn't be happier!
I love this. You actually made me feel like I could do it. I'll need a few more tools first...
Hi. I saw that circle cutter but wasn't sure it would work on hardwood. Have you ever tried it on maple or walnut? How long does it take to cut through one inch? Thanks for your video!
It works well enough.😅 Probably 5 min to cut through 1" hardwood
i want to build a similar table but i don't want to have the box shelf on the lower part of the legs. If i copy your legs exactly, what challenges might i face without a lower box to brace the bottom? Can i use an "I" style frame at the bottom instead?
If you remove the bottom box entirely, it will make the legs fairly wobbly. An I style frame would help that a lot depending on how sturdy you built it.
@@WyldeWoodworks thanks for the info! I plan on making a full 4x8 table with six legs instead of 4. So the bottom brace would be more of a double sided E. Do you have any suggestions?
this guy is hardcore about his wood
Is there anyway I could get the plans for that gaming table you built???
Should use the black mechanics gloves when using stain.
Great video, as a fellow dad tho teach your daughter shop safety.
Great project. Thanks man!
Where I worked before, we had a more modest version of this, but what was really cool is that they used two short shelving units as opposite table supports which kept all the board games in the shelving for quick choice gaming.
Nice table, but did you really trade it for only a water heater install?
Go hogs! Amazing video. I am jealous of your skills.
Sorry if it was mentioned somewhere but what thickness did you use for the plywood??? Im trying to figure if 1/2' will be good enough or if I need to use 3/4".
Both will work. I don't remember what I used in the video but I would probably go with the 3/4. 1/2 will be good enoug but won't be able to support as much weight without flexing.
About how much did the piece weigh when it was all said and done?
I'm not sure. I was able to carry the pieces by myself when it was done but I wouldn't call it light
@@WyldeWoodworks it looked really great, you did a great job on it.
This was a cool video! Lots of good info
I really like it - do you happen to have a set of plans for download?
Hey! I know this was posted a while ago and may be a long shot but do you have instructions for this build or do we just need to watch the video over and over to follow them?
Sorry no instructions. Everyone wants a different size table so you can build it to your specs
@@WyldeWoodworks that’s okay I just thought I would ask! Thank you so much!