table top advice

[mtrcyclu]

Hi all
This goes out to any of you who have built a table top to put a slot car track on. I have a 4x8 pool table and I had thought originally that I would get a ping pong table conversion top to put on top of the pool table. It would measure 9x5. I know that is a bit small for the carrera track I would like to put on it, so I thought I might build my own 10x6 table top. I was considering the following for construction. I would use 2- 1x4x10 for the length and 6- 1x4x6 cut t0 58" , so that plus the 2" of the side pieces would equal a total of 60". I was then going to use 4- 4x8 sheets of luan under layment , cut to the appropriate sizes to put on both the top and the bottom of the 1x4's. I found a place where I can buy 1/4" neoprene foam that I would put on the bottom of the table to it would sit on the pool table and protect the wood rails. so my question for those whose carpentry skills may be better than mine: will the 1x4's set up the way I have described be sturdy enough to support the the luan underlayment board? My goal is to have 10x6 surface area but it must be movable, so I want to keep it as light as possible because it will take 2 people to put it in place on the pool table. I could even build it with 1x3's but again I don't know if it will be sturdy enough to support its own weight. I hope that what I am asking makes sense and I look forward to any comments and suggestions you all may have. Thanks Tom

[Pappy]

I think it will work but you'll need to cut the 6 short pieces to 58 1/2" long. Remember, a 1x4 is only 3/4" thick and 3 1/2" wide.

[HomeRacingWorld]

[waaytoomuchintothis]

Just remember to keep it mobile. One of our tracks was built on top of a pool table, and by the time it had been there a while, there was so much to it, it took all afternoon and 6 big guys to slip the pool table out and a couple more to slide big sawhorses under the track. All the while, four guys were holding the track in the air.

[Nor Cal Mike]

[Nor Cal Mike]

[mtrcyclu]

Thanks guys I knew I would get some great advice on this forum. Harry I do have a question for you. It looks like you put a 1x4 cross support centered at every foot along the 8 foot length. Do you think for a 10 foot span that I need to use the 1x4's every foot or can I go every 2 feet? Just trying to keep this table light as well as sturdy enough so it does not fall apart under use. thanks Tom

[HomeRacingWorld]

I must advise every foot or the standard 18 inches spacing. The added weight of a few 1x4's won't be a back breaker, but pays dividends in durability.

[mtrcyclu]

hi Harry
just want to pick your brain a bit more. Was wondering what type of screws you used and what size? Also I like the grass idea, is that available at some place like Home Depot or Lowes? I was also thinking that on each end I will put a set of handles to make moving it on and off the pool table a bit easier.

[HomeRacingWorld]

I used the smallest 1 1/2 deck screws I could find. I want to echo again that I PRE-DRILLED every hole. This is needed as pine is weak and splits easily. Combine that with the narrow nature of this size and you understand.

Home Depot, Lowes' or just about any home store carries the artificial grass. It's over by the carpet.

Handles are a fine idea. Good thinking.

[Pappy]

[Junior]

Tom,
My first table was built by a friend pretty much like you described. The table was for my crawl, so it was built in three pieces, none being wider than 3' to fit in the doorway. He ripped 1/2" plywood into 2" strips and built a frame and covered it with luan top and bottom. The result was lightweight but super strong table. Now the guy who built it had a lot more ability than me and had a 1000 sqft workshop which didn't hurt.
The framework being built



Two sections primed


The finished table