How to Make a 6 Sided Poker Table

Poker is a fun game that many people like to play regularly. It is easy to learn and can be a fun way to get money out of your friends. However, playing at a kitchen or coffee table can be cumbersome. The proportions never seem right. Many regular players purchase a professional poker table for their games. These can often be expensive, though, so for someone who doesnt quite have that level of cash, one alternative is to build your own table. These instructions are for building a six-sided table that seats at least six people comfortably.

Instructions

1

Cut 12 slats of wood about 2 inches thick with the table saw. Sand each piece. Lay them in a row and tape them together. Flip them over and place wood glue between the slats. Turn the whole thing on end and pull the ends together in a circle. Glue the remaining ends together. Wrap the whole thing together with band clamps. Let dry. Remove the clamps and tape and get rid of any excess glue with a chisel.

2

Cut three leg patterns from balsa wood. They should have two flat ends to rest against the table base and floor. Curve the middle to achieve this end. Make the pattern about one-quarter-inch larger all around than you want the legs to be (The legs should end up being about 24 inches). Once the pattern is made, then you will need to trace the leg pattern onto 2-inch wood stock. Cut with a band saw. Sand the rough edges of the legs. Use a dwelling jig to drill two hanger pilot holes in each leg to attach them to the table base. Mount the hanger bolts using locking pliers. Mark where you want to place the legs on the table base and then proceed to drill holes through the base. Bolt the legs to the base using bolts, nuts and washers.

3

Place the 8-foot square of plywood on the cutting surface. Mark the six sides of the table using a measuring tape and pencil. Make sure the sides are equal. Use a jigsaw to cut off the end pieces. If you want the table to be bigger, start with a bigger piece of wood.

4

Cut six strips of plywood of equal length to match the sides of the wood. Make sure they are long enough to reach each other around the table. Cut the edges at an angle so they fit together. Cut each of these pieces into quarters. Number the pieces so you know what piece goes where. Add veneer to the top and bottom of all the pieces of wood. Glue with veneer glue. Put wax paper against the veneer and use a clamp to hold it together for at least two hours. Repeat for all pieces of wood. Glue and screw all pieces to the main table segment.

5

Measure around the remaining exposed part of the main table. Cut a piece of plywood and foam to match this measurement. Place the velvet over this piece of wood and pull tight. Staple the cloth to the table and glue the covered piece inside the middle of the table so that it matches the veneer height. Cut more foam to match the sides of the table. Glue the foam to the table. Cover the edge foam with the vinyl cloth and staple to the back of the wood.

6

Bolt and glue the table base to the top of the table. Use wood stain and varnish to polish the table base and legs so it really shines. Once this dries, you are finished.