The Gaming Table

Our dining room table is where we eat breakfast almost every morning and dinner almost every evening.

It is just the right size for four people to join in a board or card game and sometimes those games can push the limits of the surface. In 2012 we used some parts from IKEA to make a gaming surface to help increase the capabilities of that table. If you're wondering why we don't just put the expansion leaf in the table I want to point out this is a second-hand table and we have no recollection if it came with a leaf, and if it did, we have no idea where that leaf might be now. The top measures approximately 42" wide by 47" long. We decided it was time to really expand the surface to allow for more people to join us at that table.

After taking a couple measurements, and drawing a couple rectangles on a piece of graph paper, we stopped by the home improvement warehouse to pick up the hardware I figured we would need and found everything we needed on the shelves. The original plan included a tabletop from IKEA, so the plan changed during the shopping. Not that this is a problem. This project requires a couple power tools including a drill and a saw of some type. We also used measuring tape, pen for marking, screwdriver, saw horses, extension cord, safety glasses, dust mask, an electric sander, and some shop rags.

We decided to go big with this project. I'll go over the details of how w put together a top that fits over the top of our existing table. We used four brackets to hold the panels together. These are on the underside outside the perimeter of the frame that goes around the top of the table. We don't have a carpenter's square, so I grabbed one of my quilting rulers to make sure the brackets were lined up on the join.

As you can see. I made a small error when I measured for the inner brackets. Other than a dozen holes on the underside I didn't need, it wasn't an issue. We built a frame on the underside of the top to keep the top centered on the table.

The rest of the frame was added to fully surround the table top to prevent the new tabletop from sliding around. Screws were placed every 6" so it is a little overkill. Then we moved the brackets outside the perimeter of that frame. This will prevent the brackets or screws from damaging the top of the table.

We turned it over to make sure it fit over the table top. It was a close thing, but with the weight of the top I don't think it will be an issue. The weight of the top and the general prevalence of adult behavior in my house means it is safe. I don't think I would recommend this method to families with toddlers or other young people that climb on the furniture in an attempt to visit the emergency room several times before their 12th birthday.

We put the gaming top in the center and it is so much better for all sorts of games. Although, now we need about six more chairs. We tested it out with our two board game friends. We had plenty of room for Time Stories and dinner on the new table.

3 stain-grade wood panels 16" by 96" by 3/4"- $30.97 each
8 1-3/8" by 6" metal straps - $1.88 each
3 six-foot lengths of 1" by 2" lumber - $1.07 each
#6 x 5/8" screws - for attaching the metal straps- $4.58
#10 x 1-1/4" screws - for attaching the frame on the underside - $5.58
Howard's Feed-n-Wax - $7.98

We bought some wood glue, but didn't end up using it on this project.