pLAYING MATS

[gavain2]

Hello everyone. After learning about the scarcity of the Nexus mats(of which I have one) I am considering buying some baize or similar cloth in light green colour. I also wonder about the feasability of painting on this, various trenches,buildings, an airfield etc. Nothing very elaborate but enough to break up the playing surface.

Any comments are very much looked forward to, from all you chaps when your in the mess knocking back the gin.

Don aka gavain2


Weather today in manchester cold and damp!

[spin_doctor]

I made myself a gaming tabletop a while back to fit over my dining table and covered it with 60" felt (about 3mm thick so good for picking up cards etc.).

It was only about £2.50 per metre so very inexpensive but decent quality. I can find a website link when I get home if you like...

Cheers,

Doug

[gavain2]

Hello Doug, yes please, that would be a good help. The more realistic we can make it, the better it becomes.

Thanks for the wave as you fly past!!

[Zakopious]

Some of the Aerodrome members have made their own mats.
See:
http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/showthread.php?10230-My-new-hommade-mat&highlight=mats

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/showthread.php?10253-DIY-game-mat&highlight=mats

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/showthread.php?5114-Hand-painted-mat-map&highlight=mats

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/showthread.php?9595-WoW-WW1-Map-selbst-gemacht&highlight=mats

[Wombat]

A "How to" of my map. All you need is some kind of mat, a marker and some acrylic paint. :)

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/content.php?77-How-to-make-a-hand-painted-gaming-mat

/Jörgen

[spin_doctor]

Hello Doug, yes please, that would be a good help. The more realistic we can make it, the better it becomes.

Thanks for the wave as you fly past!!

Here you go: http://www.fabricland.co.uk/

Sorry, I got it wrong. It's £2.99/m for the 60" wide felt. It's also not the most sophisticated website. You have to pay over the phone, but if you email them they will usually give you a little sliver of the material as a sample so you can see/feel what you're buying... But as I say, compared to the likes of Hobbycraft (£10/m), they're pretty cheap!

[BarryH]

Hi Don,
Not tried using felt for making mats, but at our club we use the ones from Terrain Mat (http://terrainmat.com/) delivery is a little show but the mat is fantastic - could have done with a little tidying up and cut neater along the edge but altogether a great buy. We've got a 4' x 6' one that we used at Exeter Legionary. Popped up a couple of example pics below for you...

4910949110

[spin_doctor]

Wow, those mats look great! Would probably be cheaper to make your own, but it'd be really difficult to get a DIY project to the same standard without spending a similar amount...

[BarryH]

They are fantastic, the 6' x 4' one cost us around £74, which is quite expensive but there is a tremendous amount of work gone into it. 4' x 4' ones are quite a bit cheaper. They're all made to order, so every mat is unique.

[spin_doctor]

It would be really nice if the artwork was such that it matched up when sitting one mat beside another. Then you could have different sized playing areas depending on your scenario...

[Ludobrabo]

I use this mats :

http://www.hotzmats.com/mat_gallery_en_euro.html

They are nice ... are 72 by 45 inches and also available without printed hexes..

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Hi Don,
Not tried using felt for making mats, but at our club we use the ones from Terrain Mat (http://terrainmat.com/) delivery is a little show but the mat is fantastic

This is the same mat that I use for most of my games. They made me a custom job to fit my 3ft by 5ft table.
Rob.

[gavain2]

Barry H what can I say except.... WOW!!!! ...Thanks for that up, I have just looked at the site, Mine would be 5'x3' if they would do that size. Well, I've asked for a quote so we shall see. Thanks again Barry from sunny manchester.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Not only will they do that size but will orientate no man's land to cross either the short or long axis as you dictate.
Just be prepared for a protracted wait for the mat. However, by comparision to the time lag on model release over the last couple of years, it is a very short wait.
Rob.

[BarryH]

No problem Don :o)

I can echo what Rob said, expect a lengthy wait... ours took around 7 weeks to complete, and be aware that they do take payment straight away. But it really does do the job!

Because it gets a lot of use at our club and shows we tend to cover the terrain mat with 2mm acrylic sheets which we bought locally from Penryn Plastics (http://www.penrynplastics.co.uk/), although it'll depend on how many players you have and how careful they are as to whether its worth it or not. They'll definitely stand up to normal use, but if you're thinking of using it at a show then I'd recommend protecting it, as everyone tends to get a bit excited and with a lot of people leaning on the matt all day!

[gavain2]

This is a reply to my enquiry to them: Yes

1 x 5x3ft WF mat £51.00 + shipping (UK £7.80p long tube)

It may be better have trench works between long sides giving 3 ft of trench but more depth of fields.

Thanks Richard

They seem to be very obliging, and that doesn't seem a hefty price for the pleasure given when in use.
It won't ever be in a show, I have 2 friends who tegether with myself have gamed for 30 years.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

It is good to know that 2mm perspex is so cheaply obtainable in your neck of the woods Barry. I looked in my local B&Q. After a sharp intake of breath I made for the exit. I have added the address to my favourites.
Rob.

[BarryH]

They're pretty cheap Rob, cost under £50 for two 3' x 4' sheets - worked a treat at the show, they can be drawn on with a variety of dry markers etc. so useful for a few other games as well.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

They're pretty cheap Rob, cost under £50 for two 3' x 4' sheets - worked a treat at the show, they can be drawn on with a variety of dry markers etc. so useful for a few other games as well.

Yes! Thanks Barry. I'm seriously thinking of getting a 5' x 3' for my table.
Rob.

[Boney10]

I got a 4by4 Terrain map playing area, like it although it is still in the shedding phase, until it stops we use the official mats, especially for our Avon campaign