WT Forums

Hey all...

I'm building a custom poker table and getting some chips to go with it. I have a few ideas, however, I was wondering if anyone out there had any ideas for the custom artwork to be placed in the center of the table and the artwork to be placed on the chips (different on each side and something on the edge banding). I'm looking at possibly using the \"Go Ugly Early\" with A-10 (head on) on the front and \"Peace Through Superior Firepower\" with crossed 30mm rounds on the back and denomination on both sides and on the rolling edge, but nothing's set in stone yet and there really is no limit to what can be printed on the chips. On the table, I figured a large head-on print of the A-10 (fully loaded) spanning the center (pot) section of the table and possibly different weapons inlays in the track at each seat position. I'm doing all the table work, so ideas are pretty much unlimited there, but I'll have the cloth custom sub-dyed.

I know there's a lot of ideas and talent out there. Let me know if you have any ideas about this one...

Thanks!

Hey Tiny,
Do I take it right that you are building this table yourself? Are you a woodworker too? I've been at it for a few years, since retireing from the ANG, and have done some inlays. The poker table sounds like a hoot. Be sure to post pics once you have it done. Your design ideas sound great to me. What kinds of wood are you looking at for the inlays and the table it'self?

_________________
Slow is Fast, Fast is Slow
Violence may not be the best option, but it IS an option

Ice,

I am building the table myself. Looking at using oak for the base and other visible parts (racetrack). Still lots of options to look at as its still in the design phase. The construction will likely be delayed somewhat since I'm expecting we're going to be moving in the next couple of months. I'll keep the community updated with progress pics when (if?) this project finally starts getting some momentum. All ideas for chip/table art are welcome.

Wow that is a great idea, you will have to be sure to post pictures as you go. I will let you know if i come up with any ideas.

_________________
\"I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives\"

Sounds like a great project and I can't wait to see it come to life. How about this for a slogan: \"If you can't go fast, go ugly!\"

BTW: if you have any questions about the woodworking aspects of the project, please feel free to join us here: http://www.woodworking.org/

Its a great woodworking site with lots of friendly and talented folks just itching to help and welcome you. I hang out there quite a bit.

Another suggestion for artwork. If you are looking at inlays, you can take a digital photo, change it from color to B&W and push the contrast to make it something you could pull a scroll saw pattern from. Then cut it from a darker wood, like Walnut or Jatoba, Purple Heart, something like that. Or if you're really feeling like a challenge, keep it in color and us different colored woods to create the picture, like intarsia. Blue Stain Beetle Kill Pine has a blueish gray color to it that you could use for the A-10. Goobs of it out here in CO. Let me know if you need some.

Looking forward to seeing more of this,

_________________
Slow is Fast, Fast is Slow
Violence may not be the best option, but it IS an option

Have you seen the graphic of the pilot riding on a gau-8 shooting a tank, the gun has feathered wings? It is a round design and would look great on both/either the poker table and the chips.

If you haven't seen it, I could post it when I find it... my hard drive puked but I have it on disc backed up somewhere...

OR-- it is my avatar (without the avenger's barrel holes faded into the background-- I added that) But it is kind of small here and hard to make out.

_________________
\"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a GAU-8/A at your side, kid.\"--Hawg Solo

The work hasn't begun, so there's plenty of room for ideas. I was thinking of using patches as the inlays instead of actual wood inlays. Creating patche inlays from wood was another idea, but that would be an insane amount of work. Was also thinking of inlays for different weapons from the aircraft or a patch from each squadron inlayed and poly'd into the racetrack.

As I get ideas together and maybe some graphics drawn up, I'll try to get 'em posted up here for a good thrashing from the community. I guess I'll have to figure out how to use Paint Shop Pro 8 first, though.

My first task is the design for the main table cloth...

For inlaying things like patches, challenge coins, or other things that are not flat and can't be sanded smooth, you might want to inlay them a little deeper than is needed, then after they are fixed in place with glue or whaterver you plan to use, you can then fill them in with this stuff:
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx ... ,190,42942

BTW, you're not the only one thinking along these lines:
http://www.woodworking.org/InfoExchange ... hp?t=22098

You might also look at using decals, stickers or just printed pictures. That way, you could just finish over them like Decopage instead of having to inlay them like with a patch.

_________________
Slow is Fast, Fast is Slow
Violence may not be the best option, but it IS an option

Ice,

Thanks for the info. I plan on using inlays for several reason, not the least of which is that I want the practice of creating them, plus I like the looks of patches better than stickers (personal choice). I'll definitely keep the websites bookmarked, though.

Everyone,

Looking for your opinions on a few design ideas/options:

1. Table Design - I narrowed the overall table design to two options. First is a standard oval table, just under 4'x8'. This is the kind of table you normally see at casinos, etc. Second is a decagon design. This would be about 64-68\" in diameter and possibly a better choice for home games. There would be no dealer position on the decagon table, though you usually don't have a dedicated dealer at home games anyway.

2. Racetrack - Most racetracks (the area between the armrest pad and the playing surface) are made of wood. If I use wood (sts), I'll most likely inlay several designs in to the wood, and likely use a light or red oak. Another possibility is the use of 1/4\" thick custom cut granite. Thoughts?

3. Playing Surface - I'm planning on using a black cloth for the playing surface for now. If I go with the oval table, I want to use a general on graphic of the A-10, fully loaded. With the decagon table, because of the \"rounder\" shape, I'd probably go with a plan (overhead) view. Any ideas on other items/cloth colors to put on the surface? I want to keep the surface design relatively simple. The final design will be dye-subbed into the cloth, so it won't wear away.

4. Armrest - I would expect to use a black leather for the armrest, though I'm not averse to using Light Ghost Grey. Any other materials/colors?

5. Chips - Not part of the table design, but after some searching and research, I was thinking of using Zero's cartoon depictions of \"Horatio Hog\" of the likes thereof on the chips, a different cartoon for each denomination, with a different weapon/logo/saying/etc. on the back of each chip, different for each denomination. Any ideas?

I know there are plenty of poker table building/design websites out there, and I subscribe to many of them. However, I wanted to get the perspective of those that love the Hog, since that's the theme. Feel free to throw out anything that's not on the list above. I'll probably start drawing out the final plans in a week or two. If anyone's good at basic graphic design (i.e. has a basic working knowledge of PSP8 or the like) that's willing to help out, let me know via PM. Thanks!

Here's some chips that i got from Nellis while working PE test. They would probably be able to steer you to a good source for your custom chips if you have a contact there!

Nice chips. Thanks!