Hi everyone, as I am probably going to invest into Infinity pretty soon, one problem remains : I don't have a readilly available 4x4 gaming table. Our diner table would be large enough, but it's almost never empty and I would never be able to leave the "play area" for long (I have 2 young daughters...). Hence, ideally I am looking for something portable : either a kind of folding table or a kind of big and solid "mat" that I could move around and store away easily when I am not playing. One solution that I am considering is buying somehting like that (sorry for the french reference but it looks like standard MDF) : https://www.leroymerlin.fr/v3/p/pro...f-naturel-ep-10-mm-x-l-250-x-l-122-cm-e154565 that can be cut to the exact dimensions I want. The thing is, I am not sure how easy it would be to "move" it around with a mat, scenery, minis on top of it... I have also looked at this : https://www.gamemat.eu/en/folding-gaming-table/6-x4-g-board-folding-gaming-table.html which would probably be ideal but 4x4 would be better. Any suggestions/remarks/links will be appreciated !
One thing I'll say about the 6x4 table is that it can be really handy to have that extra foot if space either side of the play area, or gives you space for army cases, tablets, books, templates, tokens, dice, drinks, etc without getting in the way of the game.
You'll find the same table a bit cheaper here https://www.urbanmatz.com/p/237/6-x4-folding-table (didn't checked shipping). I found it on a french wargaming forum (believe it or not, you're not the first one looking for a solution). My quick thoughts about this are pretty much what's already in the linked topic (search for cheaper similar camping table, get 2 small ones, ...) I'll add to that what most of my gaming friends do: - get to Leroy-Merlin, Castorama or similar shop to by some mdf. Two options here, either a sigle piece (on existing table or on 2 fold-able supports aka trétaux) or 2 or 3 pieces that you put side by side on an existing table (they usually cut it at the size you want for free). - instead of investing in a dedicated gaming table, you could invest in an extensible table to replace everyday's table. It may be a bit more expensive that the dedicated table but it won't need extra room to use and can get a higher WAF as you won't "spend money for your little toy figurine once again" One thing you have to consider with the MDF option: depending on the table under if it's too narrow, you'll experience someone holding on the MDF a bit too heavily and it will start to tilt making your heart speed rising quite a bit. BTW, as a french player I forgot to mention to you the AEGIS Bureau.
Thanks ! Indeed, it is cheaper but shipping costs seem to be higher. But at least they have it in stock. Yeah, I am considering the Leroy merlin option with the MDF, but the folding table has 2 advantages : (i) it folds in 3 so that storage is easier for me; (ii) it can be used as a table so that I don't necessarily need to put it "above" our diner table. Actually, our diner table already has some foldable extensions at each end so that it is a bit bigger than 4x4...but it is always so crowded :-) And, we have additional "extensions" but they are heavy and we store them in the basement...so, too cumbersome. So, in the hand, I will probably get the folding table. I just have to think about where to put it when I play... Yep, I am also aksing question in the French forum, it's just that sometimes I also like to get the perspective of international players :-)
I was thinking of getting a couple 2'X4' tables to use together since they'd be much easier to transport than a single unit. Only thing there would be the seam where they meet, so probably still need a game-mat for it, or maybe just a couple bridge pieces...
This is what I use at home, two 2x4 tables with a mat on top. Works wonderfully, stores small. The big part of storage and transport is the terrain in my experience.
MDF is heavy. Check "PVC expansé" (or plywood if you want something wood based). LM has ePVC in 3, 5 and 10 mm. You can use the 3mm one for buildings and scenery bases. But extra tables and mat is probably more direct and specially more versatile.
I have 2 2x4 inches (60x120cm) flat wooden pieces (you can find those at Leroy Merlin too) with 4 easels (for maximum stability) and can be picket apart with ease. The only thing you need is a gaming mat to place on top (and a simple plastic cover like those used for dining tables, cut to size, is enough). As for scenery, any but the one included in Wildfire can be easily folded, but even the Wildfire one can be stored in a reasonably small volume (a plastic box is suggested), or you can craft some modular scenery (magnets and walls can do wonders to populate a table).
Well, my wife and I decided against the folding table. The easiest way will probably be to get a 10mm 4x4 MDF piece (not too thick so that it remains portable even with stuff on it) and store it under our bed when I don't need it. To play I will put it either on our diner table when it is available or on the floor (it will remind me of my younger days when we used to play cards on the floor :-)).
One quick question : if I get 2 2x4 pieces, is there a way to "link" them so that they can be lifted and stay together with the mat and scenery/miniatures on top ? thanks !
You could add a hinge on the underside, but that kinda gets back to a folding table approach. Also, it would likely not sit completely flat on a solid surface. With the break between halves, all the stress is going to be on anything used to link them, do it'll be tricky
Those are huge inches. *wink* Watch your fingers, ~9 Kg (LM data). Scenery will move if you have to drop into the ground and raise it without "tools" (mini legs, handles...). IMHO better something way thinner and lighter, and building a frame under it, with some kind of holes for fingers, or handles. Arround here some art shops offer custom service of wood panels (panneaux montés sur châssis bois) fo OKish money. Charnière piano, it will require some extra shims, or tools to cut part of the panels and embed it.
For a travel board I picked up 2 24"x48" plastic folding tables for a base. The standard grey plastic metal leg ones, I got them for $35 or so at Walmart. For a board I plan on using a 3/4" plywood base cut in two pieces and joined with a recessed piano hinge. Biggest issue is with the board sliding around a little, I have ideas but for the moment just used a couple of handy clamps.
I came back right now back from leroy merlin, i bought 2 2x4ft mdf panel of 3mm thickness with a couple of this I made if foldable https://www.leroymerlin.it/catalogo/cerniera-l-20-x-h-20-mm-32361924-p but I made it not to move it with scenery on it. also from leroy merlin i asked to cut 16 panels 1x1ft 3mm thick. I'm going to paint the terrain on that so it can be modular and portable.
