Are the only hardbacks available insanely expensive? I've done tabled magic for a couple months now, and I'm starting to need one.
Card Table/Hardbacks
- Thread starter FestiveGibus
- Start date
I would make my own. I would suggest buying a regular performance/practice card mat, then either buying or making (if you are somewhat experienced with basic wood working) slab of wood that has been sanded and flattened down well and has the edges rounded over (I suggest either Walnut, as it will look great with any color of performance mat, and it will hold up longer too). If you really want, you can coat the whole thing in Resin, but I'm sure a regular finish will do just fine.
Then just use some Loctite (or other super glue that wont come out all lumpy, maybe even wood glue) to glue the card mat onto the wood. Wipe away the excess glue, clamp the whole thing down and let it fully dry and your done.
A lot of Hardbacks are way over priced. It costs the price of making a card mat + 5 bucks to make. Obviously the price needs to be higher than that because of labor and shipping, etc. but they are still way overpriced at $100 - $200 and stuff. You can make one in about an hour. for about that same price.
Then just use some Loctite (or other super glue that wont come out all lumpy, maybe even wood glue) to glue the card mat onto the wood. Wipe away the excess glue, clamp the whole thing down and let it fully dry and your done.
A lot of Hardbacks are way over priced. It costs the price of making a card mat + 5 bucks to make. Obviously the price needs to be higher than that because of labor and shipping, etc. but they are still way overpriced at $100 - $200 and stuff. You can make one in about an hour. for about that same price.
That will certainly get you a close up pad on a hard back.
Personally, if I'm going to the effort of carrying around a nice hard backed close up pad, I would want something that looks much nicer than that. No exposed foam, for example, and something sturdier than the felt that's usually on the average close up pad for the top surface.
One suggestion with what Maaz said - don't clamp right onto the pad itself, unless you want dents. You'll want to put another board on top to distribute the force of the clamps around the whole surface evenly, and even then you may end up compressing the foam a bit. Running a brush (like a boars hair brush - obviously make sure it's clean first) will restore some of that felty texture.
If I were to make one myself I would use suede for the top surface, or maybe certain types of microfiber. One layer of hard wood, with the leather/suede/cloth wrapped around that from the bottom up, then take a thin stiff board, put foam on top of that, and wrap all that with suede/leather/cloth from the top down. Apply an even coat of adhesive, clamp it all between two boards, allow 24-48 hours to cure, depending on the adhesive used.
Like I said in my previous post - cheap, or good - pick one. You're either paying with your own time and energy to get it right and looking good, or you're paying money to someone else who will do it for you.
Personally, if I'm going to the effort of carrying around a nice hard backed close up pad, I would want something that looks much nicer than that. No exposed foam, for example, and something sturdier than the felt that's usually on the average close up pad for the top surface.
One suggestion with what Maaz said - don't clamp right onto the pad itself, unless you want dents. You'll want to put another board on top to distribute the force of the clamps around the whole surface evenly, and even then you may end up compressing the foam a bit. Running a brush (like a boars hair brush - obviously make sure it's clean first) will restore some of that felty texture.
If I were to make one myself I would use suede for the top surface, or maybe certain types of microfiber. One layer of hard wood, with the leather/suede/cloth wrapped around that from the bottom up, then take a thin stiff board, put foam on top of that, and wrap all that with suede/leather/cloth from the top down. Apply an even coat of adhesive, clamp it all between two boards, allow 24-48 hours to cure, depending on the adhesive used.
Like I said in my previous post - cheap, or good - pick one. You're either paying with your own time and energy to get it right and looking good, or you're paying money to someone else who will do it for you.