PROJECT: Tabletop Shuffleboard Game

[Keith Starosta]

Yeah, the pucks may be another issue. I'm reeeeeeeally hoping that after I get the surface buffed out and then waxed, they slide a little easier. Right now, they are sorta bouncing after they hit the rubber bands. I think it also had something to do with the width and tension on the rubber bands themselves. I'll get all of that worked out this weekend.

- Keith

[Gary Herrmann]

Cool, Keith. I saw that in a catalog somewhere and have been thinking about it. Still have to finish this year's Christmas presents tho.

[michael gallagher]

Straight-up 90 degrees. I put together a scaled-down mock-up using this angle, and the pucks bounced clean and true. Sure wish I woulda done that in the first place. Oh well, live and learn.....

- Keith

I've been following this thread with interest, and have added it as a 2008 project.....please post pictures of your 2nd round, as well as critique the game play / "slideabillity" of the pucks.

Merry Christmas-

Michael

[Rick Gifford]

I've been following this thread with interest, and have added it as a 2008 project.....please post pictures of your 2nd round, as well as critique the game play / "slideabillity" of the pucks.

Merry Christmas-

Michael

I am watching it too. I think its great Keith is doing all the legwork for us.

Go Keith!!!!!

[Bill Wyko]

That's great! Not only can you play it with your son but you can pass it on to him some day and him to his kids. The butterfly effect Nice going.

[Keith Starosta]

Thanks guys, for all the kind words!!!

I'm having to force myself to stay away from the board, and just let it harden and rest after applying the Rock Hard. I've got all of my high-grit paper just sitting on the bench ready to go.

There are two things that I'm hoping to accomplish after the finishing process. The first is to put together a detailed SketchUp drawing for all to use. The second is to make a short video of the "playability" and post it to YouTube for all to see. Hopefully it works......

-Keith

[Charlie Schultz]

Keith-
Awesome. In fact I had already started (barely) a SU drawing of it, but I'll save a lot of guesswork and wait for yours!

[Rob Bodenschatz]

Just wanted to pop in to say that this is an awesome project. I NEED to make one of these. Can't wait to see the finished product.

[Keith Starosta]

UPDATE: December 21, 2007

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Howdy, Folks!! I took some time last night to put together a rough SketchUp drawing of the Tabletop Shuffleboard. Here are some snaps from that drawing...


Here are the overall dimensions of the board. I forgot to place the dimension of the center rail. It is 36 3/4"L x 1"H x 3/4"W. It is centered in the board, placed in a groove that was routed 3/8" deep. It is butted up to the trim at the foot of the board.



Spacing out the placing of the inlays took a little trial and error. I finally got it set the way I liked it...based on nothing more than what I thought looked appropriate.



The gutter was hogged out using a 1/2" straight bit in my hand-held router. I will ulimately use 3M spray adhesive to apply a piece of green felt.



The notches cut into the walnut trim were nibbled away one pass at a time, using my shaky miter guage on the table saw. The dowels are centered in the notch.



If anybody has has any questions about anything, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm really looking forward to starting the rubbing-out process this weekend. Wish me luck...

- Keith

[Charlie Schultz]

Excellent! A couple questions- can you share the SU file and what size rubber bands are you using?

[Keith Starosta]

Charlie,
I have not yet picked up the rubber bands that I am going to use. From the initial rough testing I've done, I've determined that they are going to have to be wiiiide and short. The more tension, the better.

As far as the .skp file, I've uploaded it, but keep in mind, I cobbled this together pretty quickly just to get dimensions down on paper. Some of the construction techniques I actually used are not entirely shown in SketchUp. It should be easy enough to "fix", if you need to.

Enjoy!

- Keith

[Keith Starosta]

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Update: December 23, 2007
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Well, I've got this thing about as done as I can get it.....without screwing it up, anyway.

Here are some pictures of the final product. My photography skills are...well, they're not good. Suffice it to say that the board looks a bit better in person.

After letting it sit for about 10 days after applying the Rock Hard, I rubbed it out using successive grits of 400, 600, 800, and 1200. Having never used paper with grits that high, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. Halfway through 800, I was getting pretty concerned that I had done something wrong, because I wasn't seeing any discernable difference in the surface. But after I finished with the 1200, and then rubbed it out with a gray Scotch Brite pad, I was happy to see and feel that I had a very smooth, satiny surface. I applied three coats of Johnson's Paste Wax, which brought it too a satin finish...which is what I was hoping for. I have to admit, there is a bit of orange peel throughout the board, which sorta sucks. But my wife gave me the slap to the back of the head, and said that it looked awesome...which was good enough for me!!

Anyway, Here are some pictures...



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And, as promised, I made a short YouTube video of the "playability" of the game itself. I think it came out pretty well...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxY2z_xDsO8


Please let me know what you think. I've got a couple more of these to make now, so If I can make improvements, all the better!

Merry Christmas to everyone!!

- Keith

[Jim Becker]

OUTSTANDING job, Keith!!!!

[Mike McCann]

Keith
great job, your son is going to have a blast playing with the game.

[Keith Starosta]

Thanks, guys!! My wife and I have already broken it in with a few games. I'm better than her.

- Keith