Materials & supplies
What you’ll need beyond the lumber yard—grouped by job. Some product links are affiliate links; if you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Also see the tools list and the step-by-step guide for when each item shows up.
Playing surface & rail wrap
Cloth, foam, and vinyl that make the table feel finished.
Brybelly Suited Speed Cloth (10 ft, Black)
Suited speed cloth for a smooth deal. Stretch over foam on the center field.
1/4" Closed-Cell Neoprene Foam
Thin foam under the speed cloth for better card pickup. Prefer 1/4" over thicker foam.
High-Density Upholstery Foam (1")
Dense foam for the padded rail—about 1½" outside / 1" inside before the vinyl wrap.
Black Marine / Auto Vinyl
Stretchy vinyl for wrapping the padded rail. Whisper Vinyl or similar marine/auto grade works well.
Hardware & base
Cups, removable-rail fasteners, and folding legs.
Amarine Stainless Cup Holders (9-pack)
Marine-grade stainless drop-ins with drain holes. Sized for common 2-7/8" raceway openings.
Ebco 29" Folding Table Legs
Heavy tubular steel folding legs for a poker-table base. Confirm height for your chairs.
1/4"-20 T-Nuts (Pack)
T-nuts let the padded rail and center field bolt on and off. Countersink flush on the foam side.
1/4"-20 Bolts & Washers
Matching bolts and washers for the T-nuts. Snug is enough—don’t strip plywood.
Wood Screws Assortment
Extra screws for the rail stack and base. Also handy as temporary compass pivots (in scrap areas).
Glue, finish & fasteners
Adhesives, clear coat, and staples for assembly and upholstery.
3M Super 77 Spray Adhesive
Bonds foam to plywood for the playing field and rail. Use outdoors or with strong ventilation.
Titebond II Wood Glue
Wood glue for the rail stack and raceway-to-base glue-up. Clamp while it cures.
Oil-Based Polyurethane (Clear, Semi-Gloss)
Build thin coats on the hardwood raceway. Pair with a brush rated for oil finishes.
Foam Brush Set
Disposable foam brushes for varnish coats when you want easy cleanup between layers.
Sandpaper Assortment (80–320 grit)
Start around 220 on the raceway, finish near 320 before clear coat. Don’t sand through birch veneer.
Arrow T50 Staples (3/8")
Staples for stretching cloth and vinyl under the rail and field edges.
From the lumber yard
Pick these up locally—usually cheaper than shipping full sheets.
- • 2 sheets 3/4" birch plywood (4×8) — raceway and table base
- • 2 sheets 1/2" plywood (4×8) — padded rail boards
- • Wood glue — or order Titebond II above
- • 1 qt clear polyurethane — oil-based semi-gloss for the raceway
- • 1/4"-20 T-nuts & bolts — enough for your rail layout (often 12–16)
- • Clamps — borrow as many as you can for glue-up day