A guy wanted to make a gaming table/leaf for his DnD group. We start with the finished project so here it is!

"Here is the TV and the starting skeleton of the table. I used the table to verify measurements and strike lines for attachment", the guy could also take apart the TV, but if you're not sure if you can manage that you can use the whole TV.

The top rail is attached using pocket screws.

"Due to the weird bottom design of the TV I had to notch around the corners a bit to ensure everything fit snugly."

"The bottom of the TV came down in a v shape and I had to cut around it with a jigsaw."

"Before I glued and screwed anything together I did another test fit to make sure everything was still good.", it's important to check if you're not wasting time because you measured it wrong.

"The ends and the rails are now glued and screwed together. I wanted to check on where the screen would fall in the table, double check the heights and to determine where I was going the start the curves for the ends."

"With the new guide lines off the table I went ahead and laid out what would be the wings on the ends for the players. I wanted something on the ends mainly to make up for any table area lost due to the TV being in there. Give the players a place to set their books, sheets and to roll dice."

"Everything on this table was cut with a jigsaw and a circular saw and yes even the end curves. I went very, very slowly to make sure this was as perfect as possible. I would have given anything for a router at this stage. I think it actually turned out pretty good for being free handed.", remember you CAN use a router; this guy just forgot about it.

"The leafs for the table have little pegs and holes so that everything lines up. Because I wanted this to be an inset AND a free standing table I decided to only do the holes so that there wouldn't be any pegs sticking out of the finished table."

"Pegs found, marked and drilled. I also checked the table height at this time."

"At this point I was getting extremely excited. It's one thing to design and day dream of something but to see it coming together is amazing."

"I wanted to do a frame around the screen for two reasons. 1) When moving the table will be on edge and the last thing I want is for the TV to tip and fall out so this frame will keep it from doing that. 2) Dice. Even though I will be putting a sheet of Plexiglas over the screen the last thing I want is for dice or minis to scratch up the screen itself."

"I decided to go with carriage bolts for a design reason more than anything. I think it gives it a very nice look and when the table is stained it will be a gorgeous contrast. Much better than hex bolts."

"I had a slight heart attack when I realized that the nuts for the bolts were exactly where the tables rails were located. Thankfully I managed to get bolts that were just the right size that when tightened with a washer and lock-washer the height was perfect to bring the top of the gaming table flush with the actual table.", you can see what his cat thinks about all of this.

Another shot of the table from another angle.

"As I mentioned before I wanted the table to be used as a leaf for the preexisting dining room table and to be a stand alone table. Here is the placement for little legs which gives the back of the TV clearance no matter where we play."

Legs installed and upright.

Installing the TV

TV fits like a glove!

"Inserted into the table and I screamed for joy. Its perfect."

"The TV fit in JUST above the supports for the table itself. You can also see where I am using plumber's strap to hold the TV into place. I swapped out two bolts on the top and bottom sides for longer ones. Its tightened so that the TV is basically strapped into the back of the table. If anything happens to the table I can just pop it out and take it into get fixed.", as you can see if you want something and work for it you can achieve it. What do you think? Do you feel the desire to play?