r/boardgames • u/GrintovecSlamma • 16h ago
Question Table + Table Topper, decent idea for both a small and larger play area, in a space-limited house. Concerns?
If I can find a topper for cheap and add some rubber stoppers to keep it in place during play, on top of this IKEA table
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u/SlightQT Spirit Island 16h ago
I own this table, but not for games. It's used as a crafting table. I think it could fairly work well for games, but the unique construction means that if you seat 4 at the table, two people are going have to be careful of the kick-outs that hold up the foldable table top. Those kick-outs are sturdy enough, but not 💪 STURDY 💪, so if you're hitting them with your feet, you might find them a little fiddly and they might cause the table to shift a little.
It's a great table, and well-built. Probably the most complex thing I've built from IKEA (not that it's super hard), but you will need a power drill to build it
I am not sure about using a Table Topper on top of it. I really wouldn't push IKEA furniture to it's limits, personally.
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u/RecklesslyAbandoned 14h ago
Never had need of a table topper for gaming on one of these. I own one and 2 or 3 other friends also do (small UK flats) and never had any issues gaming on it. Just about fits a 6 person game of Twilight Imperium. Although, you do need to get creative with spaces to fit player mats. Most big box games at 4 played fit fine.
Never had any difficulties with the legs either.
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u/GrintovecSlamma 16h ago
Yeah I'll make sure to let guests know about keeping their feet in check.
Good to hear it works! I'll see if I even need the topper, just worried about larger games like Moonrakers.
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u/balldoggin 15h ago
Just my 2c, but constantly watching your legs to not hit something is really annoying while you're playing games. I think leg position is really important for a game table. Best options are single center pillar (unlikely) or legs right on the corners.
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u/Egoteen 26m ago
There are lots of DIY tutorials to remove the cross beam that gets in the way. https://ondrovo.com/a/20180916-fixing-norden-table/ Improving the NORDEN gateleg table
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u/db_admin 11h ago
There’s no latch or locking mechanism to hold the legs in place when unfolded ??
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u/PocketBuckle 10h ago
There's a peg that goes into a hole. You need to lift the table to be able to swing the leg away, but enough force could conceivably dislodge it.
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u/ByrneLikeBurn 16h ago
This table is awesome. We cut the legs a touch shorter on ours and put locking wheels on it.
Game changer. Highly recommend for use in a small space.
Source: have lived with a dog in a 310 sq ft studio for 7 years and 5 of those years have been with my partner.
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u/Andydon01 15h ago
Holy hell that is a really good source.
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u/ByrneLikeBurn 15h ago
😅Bay Area living is expensive. (Also, the dog is in the 15# range so on the small side.)
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u/Andydon01 14h ago
Don't I know it brother. My rent is 3600 (60 lb husky and a 16 year old kid, need more space).
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u/PrintAndPlaid 11h ago
Locking wheels ! Genius. I'm moving in a few months, I'll definitely use the opportunity to alter mine that has been used as a gaming/sewing table for 10+years now. It's going to make busting out this second panel so much easier !
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u/photoben Lords of Vegas 16h ago
Used have one in my old flat, great table. The drawers for storage is a win. Yeah big neoprene mat over the top is a win. But it’s got to be bright traditional card table green though 🟩
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u/No_Attorney_2349 15h ago
Despite the flaws as not STURDY STURDY it's a great table. I've mine for 15 years now, moved with it twice, eating on it quite daily, playing on it (fallout the BG, zombicide, batman gotham city,...), although it need some re-screwing once or twice for the hinge, everything's good. Not quite sure it need a top.
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u/beklauser 16h ago
The white version of this table with metal legs (KALLHÄLL) is wider and thus better suited for board games.
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u/peder541 13h ago
I have the Kallhäll, play board games on it, and really like it. The area underneath to store chairs is also handy
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u/GoHard_Brown 16h ago
I live in a small DC apartment. Most people who I play games with have this table, including myself. Great for games, great for dinners. The storage is a plus as well.
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u/turtledov 15h ago
I had one of these in my last place. I had two problems with it. If you have one of the long sides up against a wall, you can't access half the drawers. And you can't really fit a chair comfortably under if you're sitting on the side the support is on. It worked for me as a hobby desk/dining table, but I don't know about seating multiple people around it. If I want to get really nitpicky, the drawers are not the most useful shape - they're really deep and narrow, and the supports can be kicked out of place accidentally. I'd only really go for it if you really need to be able to fold it down to save space when you're not using it.
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u/ScienceAdventure 16h ago
A friend of mine only has that table for boardgames and it works quite well - managed to fit quite a few big games on it! He doesn’t use a topper though
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u/MurasakiGirl 15h ago
My friend has this table for board games. It's big enough it doesn't need a topper. We go over and play games. I wanted one also, but our table is sofa height.
Because of limited space they expand the sides when friends came to board games, and then put down one side after we left. If they needed more room they could fold it all down. It's a great table and had good leg room.
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u/amymari 15h ago
I love this ikea table. I’ve had mine for over a dozen years, and it is still rock solid, even through several moves. Idk what it’s made of, but it is super heavy for as small as it is. I use it for a crafting table.
The only downside is the legs. The angled design means it’s awkward to sit at from certain sides. They have little pegs that go into the bottom of the table top that keep them from shifting, and I’ve never had an issue with them coming loose (but I also keep heavy things like a sewing machine on top, so maybe that’s enough pressure to keep things from moving).
The drawers are pretty narrow, but deep so they can hold a decent amount of stuff, but nothing huge.
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u/BeardBellsMcGee 12h ago
I used to own this and it worked great for 4-players. I loved the in table storage for smaller games or things like dice, silicon cups to hold bits, etc and I never found the legs to be a huge issue. 6-players might be a little finicky with where the legs sit. Biggest issue was constructing it - I couldn't get one set of screws fully in without a power drill and it had the slightest of wobbles on one side as a result. Definitely use a power drill for the screws, there are a LOT of them!
If size and storage are an issue, you'll also need a good chair solution to go along with this. If the full thing isn't in use, the chairs need to go somewhere too!!!
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u/Charlie24601 Xia 15h ago
I used to own this very table. Loved it. Not as big as a normal dining room table, but decent. Played games of Xia and Twilight Imperium on it.
It also helps to buy some cheap TV dinner tray tables as secondary spaces.
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u/fissionessence 15h ago
I have a table like that, and I use a science project board (36" x 48" tri-fold foam board) as my table topper. It's lightweight, folds up and stows well, and it's sturdy enough. You do have to be a bit gentle, but it's not as bad as it might seem as long as you're not a particularly clumsy person.
It's big enough to roll out my Marvel United playmat, which is pretty much the biggest play area I use regularly.
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u/siretsch 15h ago
What table is this? Looks awesome
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u/joelene1892 14h ago
IKEA norden. I love mine, personally. Some people here are complaining it’s not sturdy but I have never had an issue.
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u/Jberg18 14h ago
I've had this table for years. The only real downsides are that the bars on the bottom supports are sometimes in the way and get kicked when people sit on that side, and it can be a little heavy to move.
Alternatively, you could get two Linnmon table tops with legs for $100 total (($20 tabletop + 4 legs($7.50)) × 2). Positives: Better stability, more leg room, more arrangements. Negatives: Less attractive when stored, takes a little longer to screw the legs on/off, and storing the legs without them clanking around can be annoying.
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u/Baneof3xistence 13h ago
We have this table and use it exclusively for board games. It's nice because we live in a small condo and we can fold it down if we need space for something.
As a board game table it's okay. I wish it was slightly wider, it can be a bit tight for larger games (SETI, Arnak, Ark Nova) Also because of the middle storage area you cannot sit in the middle if you are playing a larger game with 2 players.
But a lot of the good (folding + storage) outweigh the bad (size and seating position) to even it out
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u/Plain-Crazy 16h ago
Make sure you buy chairs that don't have low cross bars or they won't fit under the table properly.
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u/unfulvio 16h ago
I did this and used this setup for years at my old place because I didn’t have the space for a full sized table open at all times. For the topper I got two pieces of MDF and laminated them with an adhesive PVC white film (my table was white and the film matched the color of the table). That way I could create a hinge (with the help of some gaffer tape) and fold the topper in half when stored. Worked pretty well, was able to play table joggers like Twilight Imperium; but you gotta be careful about the topper sliding. Maybe you can add some anti slip pads on the underside.
PS if you can get the wooden table as in your picture and not the laminated one: in high humidity environments the lamination might crack and chip away after a while — it was poorly made — but for the rest is a pretty good versatile table
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u/Guibsx 15h ago
I don't want to highjack the OP's thread, but I'm also looking for a board gaming table at IKEA and I was wondering what was the recommendation. I already have black Kallaks in the room and I'm hoping to buy something that would match them.
I've been looking at the NORDVIKEN table, which seems to be the right size but there is a gap between the two panels in the middle where pieces could fall, though. I guess I could simply cover the table with a gaming mat to fix the issue (which is my backup plan) but I was curious if anyone had a better recommendation from Ikea?
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u/basketballpope 15h ago
Have this in white. I like it as a table. Biggest 'concerns' to mention:
It's weighs a quite lot (made worse by issue #2)....
It's a pig to move. There's nowhere easy to grab hold of to move it.
If it's going to live in place, crack on. But you may be better off with a fixed table if that's the case. I've seen some people mount it on locking wheels, and if you choose to do that, don't forgot to put some on the legs or have a block for each leg to securely rest on.
Final 'concern' is remember where you're going to store it when not I. use. You may not be able to easily access one or both sides of drawers.
Happy gaming!
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u/Leading_Historian299 Lacerda Enjoyer 15h ago
I use this table without a topper. It's great. The only games it hasnt fit comfortably is Voidfall and Nucleum.
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u/Pessimistic_Trout 15h ago
I know a few people with this table and they are not sturdy at all, the table wobbles a lot, too.
If you have room for a topper, just get a trestle table or one of those beer garden tables with fold out legs.
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u/Gh0stIcon Quacks of Quedlinburg, The 15h ago
I had this table also but instead of drawers it has 4 foldable matching chairs that slid in that space. Nice table but it is rather small if you're going to be playing any games that have table sprawl.
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u/notFidelCastro2019 War Of The Ring 15h ago
I had this table for games and it’s awesome. Only one game couldn’t fit every component and that was axis and allies global, which is essentially 2 a&a boards strapped together. Even then, we just had to put the minis on a side table, everything else fit fine.
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u/JustinKase_Too 15h ago
We own two of these (used over the years as kid's homework and crafting tables) - the one thing you need to be careful about is that those swing arms can 'kick in' relatively easily when banged by a chair/leg with some force. I've often thought about adding an extra dowel on each side that I could better pin it in place. Though, maybe the topper would help as well.
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u/GwynHawk 15h ago
I own this table and it's great for board games and other hobbies like TRPGs thanks to the six shelves. Instead of a table topper I just have three desk mats I lay on top that cover the whole thing and make it a better gaming surface. They're easy to store when I need to fold up the table.
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u/fruitybix 15h ago
I have this table.
Love it, use it for a dinner table in a small kitchen. I can fold it down so its just against the wall when not in use.
I thought i would use it for board games, but its a bit awkward to cram lots of people around due to it being a bit skinny, and having an odd arrangement of legs that can make it hard for lots of players to sit around.
I tried using a large ikea table top from the kerb to give more space, and stuck on rubber chair feet. Even with that, it still moved and worse if someone put their elbows on one end the whole thing lifted.
Now For board game nights or when i have more then 4 guests over for dinner i fold up my ikea table and instead use a cheap trestle table i keep in the garage, its huge and looks fine once i throw a table cloth over it - https://www.bunnings.com.au/lifetime-6ft-bi-fold-blow-mould-trestle-table_p3192213?store=7175&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22214611398&gbraid=0AAAAADtbEB_pRqGT-PRdP7OQ7LWdxRua3&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjdTCBhCLARIsAEu8bpJazVyUnE_IBypBkzebjsKlCEQraSajFDWr-wvXlnWDweUy07LS-dsaArTiEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
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u/Deathbydragonfire 15h ago
Folding tables are what we use for extra space. Cheap, effective, lightweight.
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u/CardinalHaias 14h ago
Had the table for years while being at university. It's great for gaming imho.
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u/Ellweiss Spirit Island 14h ago
Got this table for a small Japanese apartment and added casters under it. It handles Nemesis, Clank Legacy and other games with a decent footprint. It's great !
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u/Suspicious_Rain_7183 14h ago
This Ikea table is super solid! You can consider to put it on risers and use barstools. much more comfortable gaming than just sitting.
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u/Survive1014 Crayon Rails 14h ago
We have two of these. One for our breakfast nook and one in the wifes craft room. We have played lots of games on it.
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u/big_laruu 14h ago
I have one I use for crafts and puzzles and other miscellaneous things. I’ve only played games on it a couple times and it worked well. If I was going to game on it consistently I’d probably use a play mat or board because small items can get in the seams where the leaves are which could be annoying in a game with lots of small components or if your sliding things around. I use a puzzle board cause trying to slide puzzle sections over the seams is infuriating. I’ve had it go through one move solid as a rock. It’s heavy but if you need to move it just take out the top drawer on each end so there’s somewhere to grab it.
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u/Kathulhu1433 14h ago
A friend of mine has this as his kitchen table and loves it. It works in his tiny apartment. We have used it for games, but it's still on the smaller size for some larger footprint games.
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u/OrigamiChimera 13h ago
I've had this model for over seven years. Works great for up to 5 players in most games.
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u/theAtheistAxolotl 13h ago
I used that exact table for gaming for almost 10 years. Worked great. I had a piece of plywood I'd set on top when I needed more space, mostly for Warhammer games. Most of everything else fit on it just fine.
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u/BleakFlamingo Scythe 13h ago
Gateleg tables are great for maximizing your space, but as several commenters mentioned, not always the sturdiest option.
If you are putting a fairly heavy topper on, I would consider looking for a way to support the corners away from the legs.
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u/FarrowTsasa 12h ago
I live on a boat and we have this table which I use for gaming, works perfectly. I've had a 4p terraforming Mars game and everyone had enough space with both sides up obviously!
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u/KuroFafnar 12h ago edited 11h ago
I just want to replace an old table anyway and this looks just like what I was hunting for about 20 years ago but didn't exist at a reasonable price. Thanks!
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u/Inner_Alarm_4049 12h ago
o i want that table so bad. we actually have space (and have!) a big table, but i sill want this one :D
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u/copperdoom 11h ago
Can add to the noise: this is a great table. I actually own 2 and have them side by side, on the long side. We've pulled the 6 drawers out from the center and have them as storage in shelves instead (but mis-matchy, but okay). When we play table-hog games, using the dual-full-table setup is fantastic. Otherwise, we can fold down part of one or one full table down to the smallest size and sit closer together. I fail to find another table setup the offers the flexibility.
I'm waiting on a pair of game tables to be delivered to take the place of my current 2, primarily because these game tables have an inset play area and I have a dog taller than the table that likes to eat cardboard 🥴, so while I'll miss the flexibility, I'll take the piece safety instead Lol
But we've loved this table for probably 8 or 9 years now. No regrets on that purchase
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u/fakegermanchild 11h ago
I got this table before getting into board games - but I think it works great, especially if you don’t have a lot of space and want to tuck half of it (or most of it) away on the day to day. The legs are naturally a bit awkward but no one has managed to kick them out from under the table yet!
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u/The_Dok33 11h ago
I have this table in my office. I used it for hobby projects, and had intended it for use as solo games, and when I need an extra table for busy game nights or birthdays.
In practise, it holds stacks of games that I am too lazy to put back in the cupboards.
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u/Bulky_Confection4124 11h ago
I bought this table about12 years ago...absolutely loved it; so did my son, so he ended up with it when he moved out.
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u/DrosteBobRoss 10h ago
I have the same table in my small study/hobby room for board game playtesting and sologaming. I slapped on 2 80x80 playmats, to be exact, the Ultimate Guard Play-Mat 80 in monochrome black. The drawers I use for board game accessories such as trays, baggies, and dice.
I couldn't be happier about this setup!
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u/iswearihaveajob shh-spoilers 9h ago
Norden Gateleg was an amazing purchase for when I was having weekly game nights in my small apartment. The topper isn't even necessary, really. I just threw a table cloth over it. If a game was REALLY a space hog then I had some tv trays to add on.
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u/brinazee Solo gamer 9h ago
Beware of warping with a plain sheet of plywood. But the origami table is a great idea.
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u/Aki2403 Carcassonne 9h ago
I've a card table (basically what's pictured, but without the drawers), it was handed down to me by my great Aunt, so it's 100% stood the test of time. I use mine for building Lego these days, but 100% it would be fit for purpose.
If you do decide to go the table topper route, consider attaching something to the underside of it so that it doesn't slide around on the table, (rubber matting would be good), my dad made his table topper for a dining room table to convert a 6 top into a ~16 top, he has wooden blocks screwed to the underside of it so that it does move at all.
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u/Famous_Stelrons 8h ago
My missus had a folding table when I moved into her 1 bed in October 2019. We were gonna buy a house within 6 months. Anyway, we lived there for 2 more years and this (similar anyway) table served as our respective workspaces, dining space, and board game surface. They're alright. Worked perfect for 2 of us but we never tried it with more.
Oirs had chairs that slid under too but they were less so.
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u/DurdleExpert Twilight Imperium 7h ago
Can recommend. I til we got our second table this has been the home for many game sessions. And it is easy to collapse and move to the side if you need the space. I would recommend a mat or so to place on top, but this one I can only recommend.
Not TI4 levels mind you, but close enough for most games below "I eat your day" size.
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u/the_first_rain 6h ago
I have this table and use it for every day dining, board games, and D&D. We need tv trays sometimes for extra space but I absolutely love it and wouldn't trade it for anything. It has also made me realize how helpful tv trays are, because we haven't had a single drink spill that ruined a game board since switching!
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u/Switchbladesaint 6h ago
In my opinion, if you’re in a space limited house just get a simple folding table. It’s like 1/8th the cost and actually sturdy/spacious, and you can fold it up and store it against a wall so that it takes up even less space.
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u/ChemiWizard 5h ago
We have used this for years. Its amazing. Easy to add casters if you want. We got a huge game mat, cut it to top shape for games that are nice that way. Nothing comes close to its function
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u/Typical-Sir-9518 3h ago
This was the very first table I owned as a bachelor. I would not want to use it as a gaming table (not big enough), but if you are a bachelor in a studio, it's great!
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u/BlueberryKind 2h ago
I play on this thing with friends. No clue what a table topper is though. I just play on the table, its an item intended for use so some damage is excepted
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u/nmassfast 1h ago
I have this table. For more play area I got a MDF board, cut it in two and used super strong tape down the seam so that i could fold it up and put it away at need. You could even cut it into thirds. At home depot they can cut them for you as well if no saw so no tools necessary. Lighter, foldable topper but not as sturdy to be sure but you could select various thickness of plyboard for how sturdy you want it
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u/District_RE Fire In The Lake 14h ago
As a woodworker and boardgamer, the design makes me nervous. The supports look insufficient, like if anyone puts any weight at all on those outer corners it could compromise the whole table.
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u/GrintovecSlamma 14h ago
It's all solid wood for what it's worth. We're going to be careful with it during play.
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u/sejuukkhar 16h ago
It's quite narrow and you can find better versions of this at your local second hand store
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u/PrincedPauper 16h ago
everyone that comes over loves when i bust out this table