Curufin's gaming table and rolling mini carts
Jan 3, 2015 23:21:09 GMT
DMScotty, tauster, and 26 more like this
Post by curufin on Jan 3, 2015 23:21:09 GMT
This is something I have been meaning to post for some time. I recently got a few inquiries, so it is the perfect time.
In 1999, I was playing in a D&D campaign with several friends. Our setup at this time was an old plywood work table and a 6' plastic folding table butted up to it forming a rectangular playing area. We had to stack wooden blocks under the folding table's legs to raise it to the work table's height.
As you can probably guess this created all sorts of problems:
1. At this time we were using a large piece of graph paper that the DM would draw on with pencils, pens, and markers as we explored dungeons. When the DM's pen crossed the seam where the two tables met, the paper would become ripped as he punctured it.
2. The DM would often have to stand to move minis or to draw on the map as it would grow out of his reach.
3. When the DM stood, if he bumped the folding table it would fall off the blocks knocking over ever mini or piece of dungeon furnishing with it (not to mention beverages too).
4. The players sitting at the ends of the tables would also have to stand to reach anything.
5. As the map grew, the players sitting on the long side of the table would have to keep their books on their laps or put them on the floor.
We played this way for nearly two years. When we had had just about enough we (as a team) set out to design a new gaming table that would address all of these problems. We came up with several designs, but the one we ended up with was this:
The horse shoe shape brings everyone a little closer to the action but the overall size of the table gives a rim for players to keep their character sheets and beverages. The table measures about 6' by 7'. It seats six players comfortably, but has room for eight in a pinch. The cutout for the DM allows them to reach any part of the table without standing up.
Every player got a drawer to store books/notes/minis/dice/pencils/etc... and every player got to customize their own drawer. I also built everyone a small dry-erase tablet to make notes or record hit points.
The DM get two drawers to store all manner of gaming resources.
The mini carts came next. They fit under the table but can be pulled out to give the DM two exta surfaces to place books and notes on.
The carts are nothing move than MDF boxes with dados cut on both sides for the drawers to sit on.
The drawer has plywood sides and a masonite (hardboard) bottom. The dividers are strips of leftover hardboard that I cut half laps in.
A couple of the drawer are taller to accomodate larger minis.
In 1999, I was playing in a D&D campaign with several friends. Our setup at this time was an old plywood work table and a 6' plastic folding table butted up to it forming a rectangular playing area. We had to stack wooden blocks under the folding table's legs to raise it to the work table's height.
As you can probably guess this created all sorts of problems:
1. At this time we were using a large piece of graph paper that the DM would draw on with pencils, pens, and markers as we explored dungeons. When the DM's pen crossed the seam where the two tables met, the paper would become ripped as he punctured it.
2. The DM would often have to stand to move minis or to draw on the map as it would grow out of his reach.
3. When the DM stood, if he bumped the folding table it would fall off the blocks knocking over ever mini or piece of dungeon furnishing with it (not to mention beverages too).
4. The players sitting at the ends of the tables would also have to stand to reach anything.
5. As the map grew, the players sitting on the long side of the table would have to keep their books on their laps or put them on the floor.
We played this way for nearly two years. When we had had just about enough we (as a team) set out to design a new gaming table that would address all of these problems. We came up with several designs, but the one we ended up with was this:
The horse shoe shape brings everyone a little closer to the action but the overall size of the table gives a rim for players to keep their character sheets and beverages. The table measures about 6' by 7'. It seats six players comfortably, but has room for eight in a pinch. The cutout for the DM allows them to reach any part of the table without standing up.
Every player got a drawer to store books/notes/minis/dice/pencils/etc... and every player got to customize their own drawer. I also built everyone a small dry-erase tablet to make notes or record hit points.
The DM get two drawers to store all manner of gaming resources.
The mini carts came next. They fit under the table but can be pulled out to give the DM two exta surfaces to place books and notes on.
The carts are nothing move than MDF boxes with dados cut on both sides for the drawers to sit on.
The drawer has plywood sides and a masonite (hardboard) bottom. The dividers are strips of leftover hardboard that I cut half laps in.
A couple of the drawer are taller to accomodate larger minis.