|
|
      |
|
|
|
Step #2: Building
the Rail |
|
|
|
Constructing the padded rail is easier than most people
think, but doing it properly is extremely important to the final
appearance of your table. Some of the keys to doing this right
are: #1. Tour time! #2. Pull the vinyl really tight.
#3. Use once piece of foam, rather than sections of foam cut to fit
together . |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
The first step in constructing the padded rail is to attach the
1-1/2" outer rim cut from the sheet of oak to the 4" rail cut from the
sheet of pine. These sections can be glued together with wood
glue, and/or screed together with sheetrock screws. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Close up of the two attached sections. While these cuts come
from two different sheets of plywood align them up as best as possible. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Place the attached sections on top of the sheet of 1"
high density foam as pictured, and mark where it should be cut to fit
the rail. Scissors will usually do the job cutting the foam, but
many builders recommend using an electric carving knife. Cut the
foam to wrap around three sides of the rail, but not onto the side acing
up in the photograph. The inside of the lip, and the facing
portion of the rail will need to fit back together with the racetrack,
so you don't want any foam and the minimal amount of vinyl to cover than
area. Use spray adhesive to help secure the foam to the rail
and give it few minutes to dry. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Lay the attached foam and rail piece on top of the sheet
of vinyl. Outline and cut just as was done in preparing the sheet
of foam. Begin wrapping the rail by stapling the outer portion to
the top of the lip of the rail. Pull the vinyl as tight as
possible. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
A close up on the outer section being wrapped. While pulling
tight, be sure to observe how consistent each section is. This is
critical in creating a smooth looking rail. Take your time, and
work through all the wrinkles and ripples and it will pay off later! |
|
|
 |
|
Carefully slice the inside sections as pictured to help wrap the corner
sections without creating wrinkles. |
|
|
 |
|
Begin wrapping the inside section of the padded rail. Pull tight,
and be liberal in the use of staples. It is important that the
vinyl is well secured. |
|
|
 |
|
Trim all the excess vinyl you possibly can. As mentioned earlier any
vinyl that overlaps the inside of the rail will make it more difficult
to fit the rail onto the racetrack later during the final assembly of
the table. |
|
|
 |
|
Spend as much time as possible creating the rail as possible. It is
one of the most visible part of the table and a smooth rail is part of
what separates a great looking table from a more amateurish looking
table. If you have to pull staples where you see gaps, wrinkles,
or uneven section, do so - you'll be happy you did. |
|
|
Click here to
continue to Step #3: Covering the Playing Surace |
|
|
 |
|
