Build your own Geek Chic gaming table for a fraction of the cost

How to make your own Geek Chic gaming table for a fraction of the cost

So you found yourself walking around your local Gaming Convention and you come across the huge Geek Chic booth.  Your eyes begin to widen as you notice all the beautiful gaming tables and accessories scattered around the booth.  In particular, you zero in on one of their magnificent hardwood masterpieces; the SULTAN!   You realize you HAVE TO have one and slowly… reverently walk over to the beautiful saleswomen and inquire about the price of the enormous Sultan gaming table.  The woman looks you straight in the eyes and tells you it sells for a base price of $14,500 but can go as high as $20K+ depending of what you want added, such as chairs, or gaming accessories, etc…

Ok, now cut back to scene 10 minutes later after you’ve gone to the bathroom and changed your shorts, you proceed to ask the saleswomen a few more questions just to make sure she’s not insane and come to find out she is dead serious!  So you ask about some of the smaller gaming tables and she again informs you that they start at around $3000 and go up in price.

Well, with the knowledge you’ve just gained and the understanding that your significant other would never in a million years allow you to spend $15K on a gaming table, let alone $3000... you walk away from the Geek Chic booth complete dejected with the realization you are never going to get your cool, awesome gaming table!

This is where I come in to tell you your dream can be a reality at a fraction of the cost but not without certain requirements.  Don’t get me wrong, I would love to have a Geek Chic gaming table but they are so far out of my price range I would have to win the lottery just to make it a reality!  Since winning the lottery isn’t an option let's go with the next best thing; why not just build one?  I know, you’re thinking is that possible?  Can I actually create a piece of art similar to a Geek Chic gaming table?  Well I’m here to tell you YES YOU CAN and at a fraction of the cost of what you would spend on an actual Geek Chic table. 

Now please understand I’m not saying don’t go out and buy a Geek Chic gaming table and in fact I highly recommend you do buy one if you are independently wealthy or money is not an option.  They make the best and I mean THE BEST gaming tables period and for that boast you are going to have to pay a high price for the best! 

What I’m saying is if you have some woodworking skills, access to a garage or shop with a minimum amount of woodworking tools, plus some money to spend… you too can have your very own beautiful heirloom quality hardwood gaming table and it won’t cost you multiples of thousands!  In actuality, it will cost you a little less than $600!  Below is the breakdown for all the material costs needed to build your very own Hardwood gaming table.


Overall Maple Hardwood cost $425.47
[4] 14" metal drawer slides $50.00
table leg anchor bolts $3.77
[4] drawer knobs $11.25
[4] 3" Rubber stem caster $30.00
[4] 3" metal plate for casters $3.57
Super 77 spray adhesive $10.97
2 yards of 1/4" batting $10.78
2 yards of RED microfiber $12.99
Minwax 63010 Fast Drying Polyurethane Clear Satin Finish $22

total material cost $580.80 after taxes!!So for around $580 you can have a Gaming table that is probably equal to the $8,000 Geek Chic model since this table is made of ALL beautiful Hardwood Maple, [3] solid hardwood table leafs, has [4] drawers, [4] removable armrests,[4] 3+" solid maple table legs, a RED micro suede covered gaming board, and rolls around on locking casters! 

Now I need to post this disclaimer so I don’t get attacked for over selling this project:

“YOU MUST HAVE SOME WOODWORKING SKILLS AND HAVE ACCESS TO A WOODWORKING SHOP/GARAGE WITH CERTAIN WOODWORKING TOOLS OR THIS PROJECT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE!” 

Just like fixing a car, you can’t expect to open the hood and replace an engine without have some skill and a moderate amount of automotive tools!  It’s just not possible! 

Please note that the more complete set of woodworking tools you have access to and the higher the quality of the tools, plus you're skill set is always going to produce a higher quality product. 

So, with that out of the way let’s begin by talking about what type of table we should create for our first awesome gaming table project!  First, this project will focus on creating a table similar to the MINIMALIST table seen on the Geek Chic website.  This type of table will measure approximately 50.5”W x 41.5”D x 40”H give or take.    Since I don’t have direct drawing from Geek Chic, we’ll be created a design from scratch.   I will be presenting drawings and diagrams for a table with these size requirements but with some enhancements and changes of my own accord.  The reason behind not creating a Sultan size table is it’s just too big of a project to tackle on your first go around and you would probably end up frustrated and overwhelmed to the point where you throw your hands up and drop the project right in the middle!  With this smaller sized gaming table it should fit everyone’s gaming needs and requirements, plus allow you to set a realistic goal that “with my help” will allow you to complete  the project to its glorious end.   Also, it will be cheaper in the long run yet will be a beautiful center piece/gaming table you can be proud of showing off to your friends!

Here is an example of the type and style of table we shall be building:

My mission in this project is to help others, who can’t afford a Geek Chic table, be able to create their own beautiful heirloom quality gaming table and not break the bank!  I will be presenting this project in sections covering where to get the wood and hardware, how to perform the cutting and measuring of all the pieces, putting together a quality velvet gaming surface, building a study table base with drawers for storage, and finishing it off to those high standards heirloom quality requirements!

For this project to be successful you must build the table using HARDWOODS and avoid using softwood materials as much as possible.  This is very important if you want to be able to maintain a high quality heirloom furniture look and feel!  Hardwood is more expensive then softwood but is unmatched in the overall quality produced in the end. 

Below are some FOOTNOTES you will see throughout this Blog to help keep you and your project on track and safe!


NOTE: - "This is a special note giving you key information regarding this particular point in the project construction."

WARNING: - "This is a reference to make sure you STOP and THINK about what you are about to do and the risk involved. If you are not familiar with the steps or lack the skill to continue, have someone else proceed, otherwise you continue are your own risk and I take no responsibility for injury or tool damage!"

CRITICAL: - "This is referencing a critical point in the project that asking you to double check your measurements or your tool settings to make sure you are doing exactly what the instructions are asking of you!"

TOOLS FOR THE JOB:

I will be using the following tools in my shop:

To be able to build this project you will need the following tools at a minimum:

Mandatory at a bare minimum:
Table Saw
Router with it's own table
Square Router bit
Regular clamps
Long Pipe clamps - to help with gluing the main table frame
Hand Drill

The tools above will get the job done but it will be a little more challenging.

Different tools that will make life easier but aren't required:
Compound Miter saw
Planner
Joiner
Biscuit joiner
Radial Arm saw
Skill Saw

So, I hope you will follow along with me on this new adventure "in blog format" and in the process I hope to educate you how to create, build, and own your very own heirloom quality gaming table.

Let the adventure begin...