The routing out of the chip rail base.

High Arc

Looks like a great start to your craps table.  Doc just wishes he had some of your skill in putting something like this together.  🙂

Nice beginning!

@dr-crapology. Thanks. I’m going to take a lot of pictures so if somebody else wants to give a table build a shot my build might help them.

High Arc

@dominator. Thanks Dom

Looks like it will be a great table . I built mine several years ago and then had several casino nights once a year when my daughter would come home from the EU . 

One thought is to make sure that when you put algater up you make sure no seams are in center of table . I centered it then cut one in half for each side . I did make a bad mistake with the drink rail . I did not make it big enough for the normal glasses that I use everyday .But I use to work in a bar so still have bar glasses that fit just fine . Lucked out there .

You will have lots of fun when it gets done .

Good Rolling. 

O I had the plywood cut by HD since I did not have a table saw and they have a big machine that is great . 

How long will your table be ? Mine is 12 feet so not to have to cut so much . I used 1/2 Oak plywood for table top . Just with felt and no under layment . Kind of wished I would have done it half and half with half bouncy . It looks like you have better tools to do the job with .

Good Rolling.

@finisher.  I purchase my lumber from a local lumber supply. There plywood is a better grade then HD. I cut all plywood on my table saw. The table is going to be 12’ although early on I was considering a ten footer. I had mentioned to Dom I was going to build a 10 foot table. We then discussed why it should be 12’ & I took his advice. There will be 2 layers of 3/4 birch plywood. The layout will be microfiber with a medium bounce underlayment. My main walls will be a little wider. The inner & outer walls will be 3/4 birch plywood with an 1-1/2” inner frame. I wii not be using the sandwich method with the walls as that seems to be the standard norm. 

High Arc

Well it sounds like your table will turn out Great . Love to see when you finish it . 

About the 12 foot part I agree with Dom as long as you have the room for it . I have mine out on the patio were I built it . 

We are thinking of down sizeing so that may be a problem when we move . If all goes well when I take it apart for move I will get new felt . 

Are you making your own rails ? I got in a hurry and only made a place for single chips . I wish that I would have taken more time with that part . Also with the shelf for drinks I did not make it wide enough . 

I think I did the sandwich thing for the sides . loved your Pics so far .

Good Rolling . 

Looks like a great table.  Hope this will work for others who want to build their own table.  Rose and Doc had ours built about 7 years ago and we really love it.  We are able to practice on it everyday for at least a short time.  

Since we are pretty much locked down with this covid 19 stuff it does give us something to do.  The interesting thing is that from time to time we have both discovered some flaws in both our grip and throw and have been able to make the necessary adjustments–after all isn’t that what practice is all about.

As Mr. Finesse always said perfect practice makes for perfect results in the casino.

Rose and Doc

@High Arc 

Have you thought about the rail height and width?  I have observed that the height and width of the rail varies from casino to casino. 

I bring this up because the variation does seem to affect my throw.  The rail height and width is easily changed on my practice rig and I have changed it from time to time to match a particular casino’s tables.  This has helped me adapt to a particular casino.

_________________________________________________________________

The more I practice, the luckier I get.

I have found that the height of the table may be different along with were the pass line is on the felts . Some have it were there is not much room to the end of table .

I no longer play at one casino because I no longer can reach the come bets .They put in a tall table years ago . I keep going back to see if they change it but no luck .

The only Reg. is dice that I can tell .I put my table at 29 in . It seems that most that I have played on are about that .

Good Rolling.

High Arc H ave you got your felt yet ? They make all kinds so you need to think about what type of table at your casino that you play at . I went with a hard type play since most that I play on are that way .

Hope to see more Pics . Also remember that you may need more chips when people come over to play . I bought 1,000 chips on line for a good price . It has been awhile since we have had a casino night .

It is a great way to have a party tho .

Good Rolling . 

My craps table video shows my progress thus far. I completed my framing of the two ends. I recently started to work on the dealer & box mans side. In the video I did a test fit of the pieces.

Picture #1

Picture #2

Picture #3

@high-arc

Looking great!!!!  Keep it up, that’s going to turn out amazing.

Nice job!

@hardnine Thanks High Arc

@dominator  thanks

Looking great . One thing is get the felt tight .I took a long time building my table so don’t feel bad . It will give you years of fun .

Good Rolling.

@finisher Thanks, the felt is set loose. I was just test fitting my framing to make sure I was staying within the table requirements.

High Arc

This picture is the dealer/box man framing side of the table. I used kerf cuts to curve my 3/4 birch plywood. I did this on both sides. This will be hidden when I put the final oak plywood on, which will also have this curve. I did this to give my final outer wood something support it as well as being able to glue it down.  

High Arc

Looks like you are doing a much better job then I did with my table . I hated doing the kerfs . It just takes time .

Good Rolling. 

Very NICE!

@dominator Thanks Dom

@finisher I did 2 practice tries at it in order to get the right spacing. It does take time & with the covid quarantine I had a lot of it. 

High Arc

The birch should make for a great look when finished . 

Good Rolling.

@finisher Most of the table will be made of 3/4 birch, but the outside I decided is going to be oak. This is due to the birch not taking stain that well vs the oak which is a better choice for that reason. As you know things are always open for change.

High Arc 

You are doubling up the table top to 1.5 inches? correct?

@dominatorYes

This week I have been working on the design for the curved raisers. I am trying to match the actual casino design. Picture #1 Is from a local casino that I’m basing my design off of. Picture #2 is my design. I made it out of pine, but the final product will be oak. Picture #3 is the couture going from narrow to wide which covers the chip rail end. 

Picture #2 my copy subject to some possible change

Picture #3 is showing the top view shape. Once I get into fabricating the final design, I my make it a little thicker.

High Arc

Really fine work!

How did you cut that out of pine?

@HighArc  amazing wood working.  Smart to practice on pine first.  That is probably one of the most intimidating piece to me ! ..  Can’t wait to see more ..Your rolling NOW ! .

JackD.

@dominator I wood glued 3 pieces 1″ pine together. Length 12″ x width 6″ x depth 3″. I then drew my card board patterns on the side & top. I preceded to cut the pattern on my band saw. I used pine because its cheap vs oak & if I make a mistake or don’t like how it came out its less cost to make a new one. I only lose time, but hay with covid I seem to have time. To that pattern pictured I may make the top a little thicker. Sanding made it a little smaller than my drawn pattern. When I look at my casino pictures some seem to be just a little higher.

High Arc

@jackd Thanks. I spent some time researching that part of the craps table in casinos, pictures & various table sites. I feel that this wood working shows the craftsmanship that went into the table build & makes the tables look really good. I look at it as a good piece of furniture. Some people look at it as its just a craps table, what does it matter just throw the dice. Guess I look at it differently since I’m building one. I see a lot of table builders not taking the time to design & cut the rail like I am doing, they just use a straight piece of wood & set it on an angle. Sorry for rambling, Thanks for the feedback

High Arc

You have terrific  wood working skills. Your table will be a fine piece when completed. 

@cotton-lob  Thanks for the feedback.

High Arc

The progress on my table is moving along slow but steady. In the  following pictures I made the box mans chip racks. These are my templates for when I start my final rails for the table

Photo #2

Photo #3

Photo #4 shows both ends 

Photo #5 shows the view from the stick side.

great looking!

@dominator Thanks Dom

That’s an awesome looking table build. 

@tug Thanks

AMazing work.  Rose and Doc are impressed.  Can’t wait to see the final product.  

@dr-crapology Thanks 

I started building a craps table. Working with my hands was a balance with my sedentary day job. Plus, it gave me an excuse to buy new power tools. What’s not to like? Right when I started with the kerfing, surgery brought a halt to it all. In retrospect, I would skip the kerfing and go with “bender board”. As the name implies, it curves easily around corners, and comes in a variety of wood. Here’s a Redwood bender board at home depot.

Earlier this year, I watched a group of men that decided they would build a 12′ craps table on a Saturday, streaming live. Of course, I had to watch.

A week prior, they had glued and screwed(?) three 3/4″ pieces of birch together for the base. That was going to be a particularly heavy table. Saturday came, and the guys threw themselves into the build. Their background was flipping houses, successfully. I was very curious to see how they were going to make the beautifully curved corners – the hallmark of the modern craps table.

The fellow tasked with the kerfing job put a very nice looking birch board on the work table and began to kerf. No measuring, no marking, but hey, I’ve seen amazing work done before by experienced contractors that did perfectly just eyeballing. The gentleman performing the kerfing that Saturday, sadly, was not a member of the Amazing Eyeballer’s Society. After kerfing a while, he sprayed the cuts with water, turned the board on its narrow edge, attached it to the base (if I remember correctly), then curved the board around the corner. That nice piece of wood almost split in half, but had a nasty looking bend on the corner. I know the fellow in charge (doesn’t do things half way), and wanted to see what he’d have to say. That part was not live-streamed. Matter of fact, he’s the one who later told me about bender board.

Ifond out about bender board after I built mine . My table has only 2 sheets and it is heavy .

@preacher   Much success with your project Preacher. 

Now that the nice weather is behind us I started to work on my table. Here are some pictures of my progress. The framing is done. My next phase is to put the oak sides on. Picture #1 is the stickside frame completion.

Picture #2 Is a full table framing view.

Picture #3 Is the dealer side.

I think you are doing a GREAT job . It will be great when you get done . I wish I would have taken more Pics of my built . Also after seeing yours I would have done a few things different .

Good Rolling.

@finisher Thanks 

Just great!

@finisher Great work Hi Arc.Your wood working skills are very good.Im retired but would consider offering a job Raging Baiitone,

My table progress has been moving along slow but steady. My framing is complete. I am now working on the plywood skins. One of the processes is to curve the walls. To do this I must kerf cut the walls so they will curve throughout the table. Before I cut into the birch/oak plywood I need to practice on scrap birch/oak plywood. The following pictures are the results. The last picture is the curve on the boxman/dealer side. 

Picture #1 This is 3/4 birch.

Picture #2 is 3/4 birch.

Picture #3 Shows the curve on the box/dealer side.

It looks like it is coming along . It will be a great table to have and play on . Would love to see the finish . I know that you will enjoy it for many years .

Good Rolling. 

What a great job!

Dom

@dominator Thanks Dom It’s slowly getting there.

@finisher Thanks. I will post pictures as the build progresses.

@high-arc  Wish you where my Neighbor!  ha ha .. Great Skills.. Appreciate you sharing the process.   I have stopped by that Shop here in Apache JCT west side of Phoenix that also builds tables.   I’m a ROUGH carpenter at best.  Admire your determination.

@bigcasino Thanks. More pictures to come. Quick question. Is Apache a nice shop, a big operation? I plan before I build & sometimes I do have to go back to the drawing board if it doesn’t come out right. Most of the wood I’m using is birch or oak. When a manufacturer fabricates a product at times they might use particle board in the areas that you can’t see in order to save costs.

High Arc

Since I’m making my craps table sides into four sections I used bed joining hooks to accomplish this. The video shows the setup.

The next picture shows a side view of how the connect.

The next picture is lining up to hook together 

This next picture is both sections hooked together 

great idea!

@dominator Thanks Dom. The locking together this way makes for a tight fit plus I will also be bolting down the top to the table.

High Arc

@high-arc   Nice looking craftsmanship. 

@cotton-lob Thanks!

Progress Update. I have been working a my handrail. I cut it out of 3/4 birch then I curved the bottom edge with 3/4 poplar. The bottom of the edge will be rounded over slightly to accommodate the foam & leather. 

Picture #2 is the start of the handrail curve

Coming right along!

Dom

@dominator Thanks Dom. Most table builders don’t install  the arm rest drop piece. At the bottom I will use a quarter round to transition the foam & vinyl.

Thanks High Arc

The picture is SL1 of my arm rest frame completion.

Just beautiful and well done!

Dom

@dominator Thanks Dom! Hopefully I can get it do this year. I work on it here & there when I have time. The hold up is the 4’ x 10’ birch plywood that I have on order. It will get here sooner or later I hope.

Thanks, High Arc

P.S. I’m getting ready for the seminar.

I have been having the same problem getting 4X8 sheets of birch building our practice tables

Dom

@dominator The cost last year for a 4×8 sheet by me was $52.00. Now it’s $75.00.  For that price you have to measure twice & cut once. No mistakes allowed otherwise it can be a costly mistake. 

Hi High Arc I used 3 1/2 x4 x8 oak plywood to build my table . I was going to build a half table with plans that I had but decided why not just make it a 12 footer . Which took 3 boards to do . So my question is how long will your table be ? 

I have not bought any wood in a long time but know that it has gone up a lot .

You are doing a great job and will enjoy the table for years .

Good Rolling.

I am paying $86!

@dominator wow that’s crazy. If I purchase the plywood from a box store the quality is not there. You have to go threw a couple of boards to find a decent one. If it’s going to be covered it doesn’t matter, but if it’s seen then you need a better grade of wood. That’s why I go to a lumber yard even though it might cost more. 

High Arc

@finisher My table is going to be 12’ 

High Arc I used 3  4/8 sheets to build my table so why are you going  with a 10  foot one or is  this for the sides ? I had the store cut most of my wood since they have better equipment to do it .Plus the cost is nothing and a lot faster if you can find a person .

It took me a long time to build since I did it when I had the funds . I did not do as much work or as good of  a job as you are doing . 

Good Rolling.

@high-arc Yea you are right – it is crazy! and the like you said the quality is not there in the sense the the holes you find in the core. After I cut sides for the stations I have to putty up the wholes so I can paint them adding so much additional time to the work

Dom

We used to buy Marine plywood which did not have the holes in the inner cores. Probably much more expensive now but you don’t have to endure the holes.  All plys were solid.

How does marine ply take paint and how much sanding on the front and back?

Dom

It is basically the same as other plywood with the exception of solid cores.  It would sand and hold paint with no problem.

Thank you!

@jimmyneutron What are the chemicals in the marine plywood since it’s made to withstand the elements

@dominator Dom they sell a wood looking laminate roll that could be used on the sides to hide those imperfections instead of stain. The roll comes 12” high. I’m not sure of the length. 

High Arc, Marine grade plywood is laminated under high heat and pressure with the use of a waterproof glue.  It does not use a treatment like pressure treated plywood does so  there is an absence of hazardous chemicals. 

@jimmyneutron Thanks for the info. I’ll have to check it out.

Thanks

My table build progress. I have completed both ends of my arm rest. Both ends are ready for foam & upholstery. The picture attached shows both ends. 

Picture #2 shows a full picture of the table.

The table is really taking on a shape. Nice room. Will that be the home for the table?

That will be one hell of a table . There seems to be a lot of wood cutting that you have done . Hope you can get it done soon looks like your almost there . I started with the craps table then 2 BJ tables along with a poker one . I borrow a slot from my sister for parties .

Good Rolling.

What a great table.  Thank you for keeping us posted as you were building it.  You will enjoy it for many years.  I know that that Rose and Doc had a table built and have enjoyed it for over 10 years. 

@cotton-lob Thanks. Once done I will be putting it in my finished basement. The room that it is in now I will be remodeling. It is 25 x 14. When that’s done I will put the table there .

@finisher yes a lot of cutting, but made strong in order to handle moving it since I built it in pieces. As far as time I’m not in a hurry because if you rush it could cost you more time & money. Wood isn’t cheep now.

@dr-crapology Thanks I’m being very meticulous with the build. I want it to also last me a long time.

Yes mine is getting old and needs some TLC . I did not make it in parts . Wish I had since I will be moving soon . It as been on my Patio since I built it . I think the only place will be in the garage for its next life . Which should be better then on my patio since it does get hot here . Along with a little fading from Sun .

Good Rolling.