[Wylecoyo]

OK, as you may know I have been mulling over the idea of buying or building a table for about a year now and I am finally taking the plunge - the problem is I am impatient.

I have worked out what I think is a good design concept for a table topper to go on our newly acquired kitchen table. It will end up being a 70 x 48 inch oval toper which will be made to fit the exact shape and dimensions of our table. I purchased five yards of marine vinyl and five yards of automobile headliner at JOANN's with the idea I will the vinyl for the rail but also to cover the entire bottom of the topper to protect the kitchen table. I got five yards of headliner foam to cushion both the playing surface and the bottom as I intend to put a layer under the vinyl bottom. I know headliner foam is not the most popular choice of padding, but this is my first table so I intend this to be a learning process which I will probably roll into a future table project with top of the line materials across the board.

I know there are many sources of materials online, but I am putting myself under the gun as I want to unveil my new table topper this coming Thursday evening when I host my first back from deployment home game. This deadline is forcing me to go with materials I can obtain in person from local retailers.

I already know I am going to buy rail foam at JOANN's tomorrow. I will have to use two different pieces to form the rail, but intend to cut the intersections at 45 degrees and wrap with either batting or dryer sheets to conceal the seam.

Now we get to my two questions:

1. Should I go with 1 inch or 2 inch foam? I want a nice rail which will hold up as well as possible and I know most people use 1 inch foam, but I am wondering how much cushion the 1 inch green foam from JOANN's will offer. I am thinking the 2 inch foam may be harder to work with but will probably be better once it is installed.

2. My second question deals with the playing surface - what is the best type of material available at JOANN's? I looked at some velveteen material last night, but it seemed to have somewhat of a grippy texture and I am concerned about how it would handle cards. I also looked a few felts, but am pretty sure they would be a pain in the rear end to deal with as a playing surface. I didn't see any moleskin, but I plan to look again tomorrow (I was there late last night and was rushed as they only had about 20 minutes before they closed).

I intend to recover the playing surface with suited speed cloth after I see how the table does for a few games - this way I can either polish up and finalize the topper if I am happy with it or I can start again with an updated design concept.

Anyway, I am open to advice in regard to foam and playing surface recommendations, but please remember my goal is to find materials available in my local area as opposed to online as I have to buy everything tomorrow and get cracking on the construction if I am going to make my Thursday deadline.

Thanks in advance and sorry if I rambled.