Hiding a Gaming Table in Plain Sight (with build plans!)

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Hiding a Gaming Table in Plain Sight (with build plans!)

I Like To Make Stuff

[ddevito]

My classmates and I did something really similar to this for DnD, except we put the projector underneath the table with an acrylic sheet on the top. the acrylic sheet allowed us to put a camera underneath the table that would be used to pick up qr codes we placed on the bottom of figurines. the qr codes were used to trigger animations on the board, show stats, show aura, etc

[newmancl]

2 improvements I'd want for ttrpg
1. Make the LEDs recessed and down firing so they don't beam people in the eyes and it's harder to see the led density.
2. 1ft border on the table. You don't have enough room for your GM screen, or the players for character sheets

[geem]

I just finished my exams, watching this is my favourite way to relax

[DobraEspacial]

Just watched Simone's video about her mechanical puzzle table and now I watched this one! Both solutions are absolutely fantastic. I'm definitely trying one of them in the future!

[jerseybabe]

My husband and I were literally just talking about how we wanted a game table for our new house. Like two days ago, lol. I absolutely love the timing of this and I can’t wait to make this!!!!

[starkid]

I built this table for my house. I had to make a few modifications because of the material I chose. The legs are solid wood with flat L bracing. The table sections are made of white melamine particle board. Gluing is not possible on the melamine so I screwed the walls down from the underside and bolted the top table down using 8M 1.25 x 100mm through the 8 dividing walls from underneath to not have any bolts sticking out the topside. For the top panels. I am currently custom making 2 handles that drop flush to the panel surface when not in use. I added feet on the bottom side to add height to the table. And finally, retractable wheels so it can be rolled out of the way when needed.

[austinpendley]

I’m trying to finish up a variation of the arcade cabinet build and now I know what I can build next! Great job guys!

[hoguemr]

This is extremely cool. I've been wanting to build a gaming table/dining room table but have been wanting to figure out a good way to make it so if liquid is spilled on the top surface it doesn't spill down onto a game underneath (my 6 yr old spills everything. I was thinking about interlocking channels between the on the top sections that led to a side channel that would just drain to the floor but it sounds too complicated

[GuitarSamurai]

Absolutely love the creativeness of this! Only thing that could make it better is maybe a cup holder

[AaronAlso]

I like the projector because it still allows the use of physical terrain models. With basic 3d projection mapping you can make simple primed terrain appear with any pattern or color.

[FishersShop]

Pretty darn amazing! Awesome work, guys! C-c-c-c-cool beans!

[JustinWatson]

I built a similar gaming table last year. The design kind of evolved as I went, but LED lighting, removable top and for me cup holders all make it an awesome table. Held together by dowel joints and tenons its incredibly strong and without the help of you tune channels like yours I doubt I'd have ever built it. So glad I did!
I also did the dowel trick between the removable panel in advance mostly as my top sits over the top of the entire table to hide the cup holders also. the dowels plus some other pieces of timber and felt ensure the top goes on the same spot every time.

[TonyDemetriou]

I've got a suggestion if the border isn't large enough for character sheets...

Trial some clipboards. You can keep the character sheet on top, inventory, spells or specific rules under it, and notes below that.

Easier to write on a thinner ledge like this table has, and keeps everything together when flicking through. But still easy if you want to pull out papers and spread them around.

Also doubles as a dice surface in a pinch.

It seems silly, but I noticed players were a lot more comfortable during the game. It's easy not to notice how often you're leaning over or bending your neck when reading notes. Players are more likely to lift the clipboard instead of leaning over the table.
Also makes it easier to play from the couch.

[review_u]

Been around for about 5yrs watching your videos, these by far are the absolute best type of build. Your truly gifted sir!

[Jetwow]

Love the idea! My issue with these setups is the light coming from bellow gives me a headache because it’s really difficult to look in a direction without the light hitting you. If only there were bigger colour e-ink displays then I would love to build something like this!

[ryanamey]

This is really cool and inspiring. Around a year ago I had a similar idea to build a hexagonal table with inserts that match the outer shape. I primarily intend to build it for settlers of Catan but the inserts will be large enough to place some other popular square games as well as a felt poker style insert. I was also planning to use the base as storage for the pieces. What I’m going to do differently though is design the base and inserts so that the inserts are stored upright allowing me to leave a game mid play under the table but still play other games. Great job!!

[OwlDragonAdventures]

About to start my build for a custom design I have - my biggest design challenge was inlaying a TV....I'll let you know how that goes in a few weeks, haha.

Thanks for that Arduino code - I absolutely love the idea of player selection! As a lighting designer, the simplicity and effectiveness really shines in my books!

[VinnieALS]

I love it, one thing that could improve it and make it more convenient would be adding fiducial marks around the table disguised as cup holders and some sensor near the projector. That way you could adjust the image to correct for movements on the table position when moving it around for cleaning or playing.

[fuzzyshovel]

I love how y’all had a clip of y’all watching Hot Rod on the table. Great movie on a really freaking cool table

[QKGLH]

I used those same tracks and diffusers in a project, ran them around the perimeter of a room. Love those