I am lucky that one of my class assignments was to create something with a process in it. I thought what better way to show a process than build a poker table. I decided to go for the cheap route. So I was determined to build the whole thing from start to finish for less than $30 bucks. I succeeded of course. I spent $22 total. The key is finding the bargains. Here's how you build a useful and cheap table top.

Step 1: Materials

I went to Lowe's and I bought one sheet of 7/16" thick, 8' by 4' sheathing plywood for $5.95. That was beautiful. I think that it is sturdy enough plus it is a table top so I figured you don't really need much strength for something that is going to resting on a table.

I then went to a garage sale and bought 3 yards upholstery fabric for a $1 a yard. It was awesome. But you can do the same thing at Wal Mart. They have most of the cool cheap stuff for $2 a yard.

Next I went to a local grocery store and I bought 6 pool noodles for $1.99 each. These are the rails of the table. The place where you rest your arms.

 The tools I used were a measuring tape, chalk line, sharpie, piece of wood (for arcs), nail, hammer, jig saw, circular saw, upholstery stapler, staples, electric knife, duct tape, 3 hinges and screws.

 O.K so you have the materials now on the the building process.

Step 2: Measuring and Cutting the Wood.

I decided to go with a smaller table to make it easier on me to store in the basement. I also decided to cut it in half and put hinges on it so it wouldn't take up as much room. I will show that later.

First I marked a line at 6" off of the edge of a 8' long side like this.

 Next I marked a mark 12" from the end of the board on the 4' ends like this

I cut the excess board off and then marked a mark at 21" in from the side and from the end and met the two.

I took a piece of old trim. (Simply a board will work fine) and drilled two holes 21" a part and used that board for the arcs of the table.

 This method works wonders compared to the string and pencil. I think you can make less errors with the board method of making the arcs. I nailed a nail at the point i marked 21" from the sides and the end and then I used a sharpie and made the arcs.

I then started to use my jig saw and cut off the arcs.

I finish cutting off the arcs and we see the bare poker table shape. It is 7' by 40". It is a good length, not too long and not to short. Its Very Nice!

I did however cut the table top in half because I thought it would save room. It was a good idea.

 Step 3: Upholstering the Table Top

I laid down the table top on the side I was going to hide (rough side) and cut some upholstery fabric. I started to staple it in the middle of a side and went in a big circle until i went all the way around the table. I pulled the fabric very tight. So tight that there were no wrinkles. Which is a good thing. You do get very sweaty at this point, at least I did.

I cut off the excess fabric with a razor, so the table top would fit snug against the actual table.

So there you have it the basic table top. But wait there's more!

Now for the most inexpensive rails ever to be built. POOL NOODLES!

Step 4: The Rail

First, I measured how pool noodles I would need to go around the table. I did some minor calculations and discovered I would need 4. I bought six just in case i messed up on one. I bought the kind of pool noodle that has the hole in the center, so it would fit around the edge of the table top. I made as straight as a line as I could on a pool noodle all the way down. I then used my electric knife to slice the pool noodles like a hot dog bun. It works perfect.

I messed up on one because I cut all the way through. Be careful on this part. It is easy to go fast but I recommend you go slow cutting through the foam. This shot is a perfect cut and the edge of table top should fit perfect in the foam.

The foam fits pretty snug around the table and works just like any other rail should.

I fit the foam all the way around the table and duct taped the ends of the foam together.

I took off the foam and attached hinges so the table could be put together and fold when I wasn't using the table.

Works like a charm!

O.K here's where I made a mistake. I thought that the green rails were not appealing so I deceided to spray paint them. BAD IDEA!!! I spray painted them and the paint just flaked off everywhere. I had to sweep it up all the time. Finally I just took a hose and sprayed off all the paint. It looked good for a while but it was just a mess but here's the picture any way. You can kind of see the green under the black on the rail and that is where it was peeling. The problem made me deceid that I liked green rails better anyway.

Thank you for reading these instructions on how to build a cheap and easy to use poker table. I hope that this help you out in some way.

-Carson