After a long winter quartering we have been able to get back to work on our Civil War activities. Our first priority was a new gaming table. Our original one was made of very flimsy plywood sections that formed a 6ft x 4ft table. Held together by particle board slats fitted underneath it to keep all sections together. This board has served us well over the years and we got by with putting different colored felt down over it to act as our "battle surface". However, our intentions with the Civil War gaming was to create something a little bit more proffessional, sturdy, and hopefully better looking! Due to the holidays it was tough to get together and this was essentially a two man job. So, here are the images on our new Gaming Table!
This is a piece of Oak 3/4' thick on top of a simple picnic table. It was originally 8ft x 4ft, however for our room and purpose, we needed to shorten in to 6ft 6' x 4ft. We used the left over pieces to form the slats that we screwed down to the under belly of the the board so that it will snugly rest on the picnic table and wont shift if it is bumped!
Next, we put painters tape down across the ends so that we will have 3' flex on either side. Giving us enough room for our models and regiments to rest on so we do not have to worry about "casualties" on the actual battlefield, nor do we have to move them to some other location. Now we are all set for painting!
Sorry for the Glare! As you can see, the wood grain is still visible through our first coat, so it would take a second. However while we waited for it to dry we had to bring it indoors due to leaves and grass flying around and was inadvertently getting stuck on the board.
Once the Second Coat was on, and before it was dried, we took simple grass blend flock and laid it over the table to give it texture as well as "shading" over our base paint! Once that was done we waited for the paint to dry completely. We then took Woodlands Scenic Cement and sprayed the table with it to lock it all into place.
The final completed table, ready for countless battles!
More pictures of the table will come once its in its new habitat! All in all, the project was rather easy to complete and only took the use of a circular saw. Board and paint were purchased at Lowes and the cement and flock at FLGS.
