Need help on building a large playing table for a game

Ranger257 · Post by **Ranger257** » Mon Aug 22, 2016 8:09 am

So me and my friends decided to plan a what if campaign based on ww2 not ending and the USA being invaded. After a long discussion we decided it should take place in New York City more to the point a fight for central park.

Since I have the room for it we are going to try for central park in scale. Now if our math is correct that means a play area 9 feet wide by 45 feet long. The easy way but least desirable to me is to just print out a picture of the park on a tarp and lay it on the ground.

Now for me I love a table with great scenery and would like to build one. The problem I am having is how to build it so you can still play on it. Best I can think of is build the whole thing in sections 4 and 1/2 by 4 feet so we can pull out pieces to reach the middle.

Am hoping maybe some one here has done something this large and can give me some advice on what I might be missing or haven't considered that I might need to do.

7.62 · Post by **7.62** » Mon Aug 22, 2016 9:53 am

Dear Ranger,
At 9 x 45 that is going to be one heck of a lot of terrain let alone table.
Then again kudos to you for going full size, I can understand that, I dream on a daily basis.
Maybe easy to do a dry run on a couple of 4'x8' sheets of OSB to see how things will pan out first before you commit yourself.

My basement can't cover a 45 footer, I only wish. Or are you going outdoors.
Or.
Is your real name Kim and the NE location is Korea?
If so, total respect and love the new hair do. Power to the people, peace, yer baby, Austin slowly backs away,
Mick.

6mmwargaming · Post by **6mmwargaming** » Mon Aug 22, 2016 1:40 pm

Yeah you will need to be able to split the table in half, as there is no way you will be able (or want to) reach the middle.

You will need a lot of flock I think so check Scenic Express. They sell it in large quantities for model railroaders.

Extra Crispy · Post by **Extra Crispy** » Mon Aug 22, 2016 6:25 pm

Yes, you'll have to do it in 2 or more pieces. I would go with a 6x45 foot table with an 18" extender on either side. 90% of your game will be in the middle anyway. And since your turns will have to be very, very short, games will likely be over very quickly. After all at that scale every weapon will easily reach across the table, and down quite a lot of the length. Not too critical as there is no LOS across most of it anyway. A very nasty place to take a tank, almost as bad as having to drive one down a street!

Ranger257 · Post by **Ranger257** » Tue Aug 23, 2016 4:57 am

I really like the idea of 18 inch extenders on the side that will make it easier to move. Am also thinking since everyone I know uses magnetic bases to lay down some sheet metal so everything will stay put.

This is going inside a building. I am lucky enough to own a lot of property and it came with plenty of out buildings. As a matter of fact the building its going in used to hold my slot car tracks. Not really into doing that anymore so sold most of them to make room for the new hobby.

And no woodland scenic for me I make my own flock is the easiest thing in the world to do and super cheap as well.

Extra Crispy · Post by **Extra Crispy** » Wed Aug 24, 2016 7:51 pm

Another option that can be a lot of fun.

Do THREE tables! Main table is, say, 5' wide. On either side with a gap is another table each, say, 3' deep. Just ignore the "gap" for gamers. So if you are on the easternmost table you can shoot across the gap - measure distance as normal just subtract the gap.

I have played games like this and you would be AMAZED at how gamers lose track of enemy (and friendly) units across the gaps. Target myopia indeed.