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 - Table Base
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Playing Field Instructions

Playing Field Instructions - Use the following instructions to properly build the playing arena.

Table Diagram

Materials:

4' x 8' 1/4" Lauan Interior Panels
4' x 8' 7/16" Oriented Strand Board (or plywood or particle board, thickness is irrelevant)
1 - 2" x 6" x 8' board (or 4')
2 - 2" x 8" x 8' boards
1 - 2" x 4" x 8' board
1 - 1" x 4" x 8' board
1 - box brads
1 - box 6 x 1 1/4" drywall screws
1 - box 8 x 3" drywall screws
1 - quart "One and Only" Interior Flat Black Paint
1 - roll black duck tape

Tools:
  • Drill
  • Circular saw (large and small blade)
  • Level
  • Screwdriver
  • Hammer
  • Carpenters square
  • Tape measure
  • Ear Muffs
  • Safety glasses
NOTE: FOR YOUR SAFETY; ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES AND EAR PROTECTION WHILE USING POWER TOOLS.

Instructions:

NOTE: All measurements are made from the end of the board along longest side unless otherwise noted.
  1. Take the two 2" x 8" x 8' and lay them 4' apart parallel with each other and perpendicular to the ground.
  2. Lay the 7/16" Oriented Strand Board, which will be referred to as the plywood, on top of the two 2" x 8" x 8', so that the long sides of the 2" x 8" x 8' run parallel with the long sides of the plywood. Make sure that the ends of the 2 - 2" x 8" x 8' boards are flush with the ends of the plywood.
  3. Measure approximately 1/2" in from the 8' side and 4" down from the 4' side from each corner of the plywood. Mark each spot. Place 1-1 1/4" screw in each corner where the pen mark was made.
  4. Measure 1/2" in from the 8' side and to the center of each of the 8' sides, and make a pen mark. Do this for both of the 8' sides. Place 1 - 1 1/4" screws in each of the two spots that a mark was made.
  5. Measure 1/2" in from the 8' side and 2' down from the 4' side on each corner. Make marks at each corresponding spot. Place 1 - 1 1/4" screw where each of the marks were made.
  6. More screws may be added as necessary along the 8' edges to ensure security.
  7. Flip the structure that has just been created over so that the 2 - 2" x 8" x 8' are rising upwards.
  8. Take the 2" x 4" x 8' and measure 45" (3' 9") from one end of the board and cut using the circular saw. Make sure that the cut is even by using a carpenter's square.
  9. Take the remainder of the 2" x 4" x 8' and measure another 45" (3' 9") from one end and cut using the circular saw. Again, make sure that you are cutting straight lines by using the carpenter's square.
  10. Take one of the 2" x 4" x 45" that you have just created and place it 6" in from one of the 4' ends of the plywood so that it is in between and perpendicular with the two 2" x 8" x 8' boards. Press this board down until it is firmly against the plywood. Also, make sure that the board is level by using a leveler.
  11. Take the other 2" x 4" x 45" board and repeat step 10 to the opposite end of the plywood. Again, make sure that the 2" x 4" x 45" is fit snuggly against the plywood and that it is level.
  12. Next, take the 2" x 6" x 8' board and measure 45" (3' 9") from one end and cut using the circular saw. Place it 47 1/4" in from one of the 4' ends of the plywood so that it is in between and perpendicular with the two 2" x 8" x 8' boards and it is centered perfectly in the middle of the plywood. Make sure that the 2" x 6" x 45" is fit snuggly against the plywood and that it is level.
  13. Now, flip this structure up on its side so that 3" screws can be inserted from behind the two 2" x 4" x 45" and the 2" x 6" x 45" to secure the boards into place.
  14. To secure the first 2" x 4" x 45", measure from one of the 4' ends of the plywood 7" in and approximately 2' down from the 8' side of the plywood. Make a mark. Place one 3" screw at the mark just made.
  15. Measure 1' below and 1' above the screw that has just been inserted so that the screws are parallel with the 4' side and insert two more screws.
  16. To secure the second 2" x 4" x 45", measure from the opposite 4' end of the plywood 7" in and approximately 2' down from the 8' side of the plywood. Make a mark. Place one 3" screw at the mark just made.
  17. Measure 1' below and 1' above the screw that has just been inserted so that the screws are parallel with the 4' side and insert two more screws. Add more screws if needed.
  18. To secure the 2" x 6" x 45", measure from one of the 4' ends of the plywood 48" in and approximately 2' down from the 8' side of the plywood. Make a mark. Place one 3" screw at the mark just made.
  19. Measure 1' below and 1' above the screw that has just been inserted so that the screws are parallel with the 4' side and insert two more screws. Add more screws if needed.
  20. Now, put the structure on some type of platform (workbench, table, saw horses, etc) so that the 2" x 8" x 8' are facing upwards.
  21. Secure screws into each end of the two 2" x 4" x 45" boards and the 2" x 6" x 45" board so that the three boards are secure.
  22. Take a straight edge (yard stick, leveler, etc) and draw a line from the outward edge of the 2" x 6" board down to the inward edge of the 2" x 4" on each of the four sides.
  23. Take the scrap from the remaining 2" x 6" x 8' and use it to make four blocks approximately 2" x 6" x 1".
  24. Take the four small blocks of wood and line them up with each of the lines that have just been drawn so that the tops of the blocks are flush with the line drawn in step 22. Insert a 3" screw in the center of the blocks. These blocks will be used as supports for the paneling to lie across.
  25. Now, take the 1/4" Lauan Interior panel and measure 3" from the 8' side. Draw a straight line down the 8' side. Use the circular saw to trim the 3" measured off. Measure the width of the paneling again to ensure that it is 3' 9".
  26. Now, measure 42" from the 3' 9" side of the paneling. Make a straight line parallel to the 3' 9" side of the paneling. Use the circular saw to cut the paneling in half on the marking.
  27. Take one of the 3' 9" x 42" squares of paneling and lay it from the outside edge of one of the 2" x 4" x 45" to the center of the 2" x 6" x 45".
  28. Take the remaining 3' 9" x 42" section and repeat step 22 to the opposite 2" x 4" x 45".
  29. Once the boards have been adjusted to be flush with the outside edge of the 2" x 4" x 45" boards, the brads can now be used to secure the paneling into place on the 2" x 4" x 45" boards and the 2" x 6" x 45" board.
  30. Now, to add the back walls, take the 1" x 4" x 8' board and measure 45" from one end. Draw a line perpendicular to the end of the board at 45". Use the circular saw to cut the board straight across. Make sure the cut is straight.
  31. Now, repeat step 25 with the remainder of the board. There should be a scrap of 6" left over.
  32. Take one of the 1" x 4" x 45" pieces that has just been cut and place it snuggly against plywood on the outer edge of one end of the table. Go from under the table to insert 3 - 3" screws proportionally along the underside of the 1" x 4" x 45".
  33. Take the other 1" x 4" x 45" board and repeat step 27 on the opposite end of the table.
  34. Use sandpaper to sand off the edges as needed.
  35. Cover open seam in the center of the table using duct tape.
  36. Paint entire playing area with the flat black paint. Repeat after the table is allowed to dry. A total of 2 coats should be applied.
  37. Place entire unit on top of the base built using the Base Building Instructions.