Tuesday 4 December 2012

Out of chaos......

I have not posted or played much lately. My mother died at the end of October, and family business, and family generally, have been my main priority.

My house has also been in absolute chaos for over two months. Builders have been knocking down big supporting walls for a new kitchen diner. But, out of that chaos came two big  kitchen base units (one was a cupboard and one held up the old kitchen sink) to add an extension to my wargames table.


This has , for a short time, created more chaos in the hallowed halls of my games room. It's amazing how much junk you can store in a secret passage!


This shot shows the new kitchen units added to the two banks of existing units that hold up my table (and the 'secret passage' between). With the top off, it clearly shows how my table is constructed.
This shot shows one of the unit banks, and the drop leaf extension which has been moved to one side, out of the way. The fact they don't match makes little difference to me as I rarely see more than the top.


             
This shot shows the new section of 18mm table-top being screwed into place. This section measures 6' x 4' feet. It makes the table a rigid 12' x 6'. This is the same size as the table was before with the drop leaf and a 'floating extension' piece.
This shot shows the drop leaf section 2'8" x 6' in place. It is connected to the main table with a battened 6' long brass piano hinge. The leaf has been strengthened and made rigid with 2 x 1 inch batons, glued and screwed to the under side, along the three outer sides.
The 2" x 1" batons also form the top anchor point for the legs. These legs are 2" x 2" in section. They are held in place by a long bolt, 50mm washers and a wing nut that pass through leg and baton.

Additional strength is provided to each leg by two long metal braces (pinched from an old wall paper pasting table) at 90 degrees to each other. These are simply secured in holes in the leg and batons.
This drop leaf creates a table 14' 8" x 6'. The gap at the end is not that great, but it is passable. It will only be used for very big games, or games involving a 'long flank' for off table march ons.
This shot shows the drop leaf down, and the long hinge. It also shows the chaos retreating.
Another shot of the drop leaf in its 'redundant' position, this time from the side. Drop leaf extensions are usually worth having because, when not in use, they take up so little space. You can see why it is 2' 8" long - the table height is 2' 9"!   The legs, bolts, braces, etc. are tucked away just under, and behind, the drop leaf.

9 comments:

WarRaptor said...

Those are some great pictures. I love seeing pics of your gaming room. One of the best I have seen, imo!

So sorry to hear about the loss of your mom...

ljr70 said...

Very happy you get to expand an already fantastic room. My prayers gor out to you and your family in your time of grief.

Prufrock said...

I'm very sorry to hear you've had more sadness to deal with.

Take care, and best wishes to you and yours,

Aaron

BigRedBat said...

Cor, an even bigger table! Very impressive.

Very sorry to hear about your sad loss.

Simon

fireymonkeyboy said...

Sorry to hear about your mom.

Broeders said...

Sorry about you mum and glad things are coming together

JAMES ROACH said...

Thank you for your kind words.

Epictetus said...

Very sorry to hear that, James and my thoughts are with you.

Is the reason that you can now have a gap that is not that wide is that, following the great old school schism, some of the more portly members of the Ilkley Lads are no longer such regular attendees in your games room?

And is there a final photo of the moustache?

Gunny Highway said...

James,

My thoughts and prayers are with you James. May the memories of your mother keep you warm like a favorite sweater.
Respectfully,
Gunny