Reachmahjong.com

So I want a table - but was pretty stunned by the prices. So with my one power-tool (a drill), a saw, a screwdriver and some odd screws plus some scrap wood I have started on a custom table. It's sized for my Riichi set and will fit nicely over a standard folding card table. Not sure what colors I'll stain it, but probably a darker color for the table and something contrasting for the center, um... thingy (where you put your reach sticks). The center thingy is sized to hold 6 tiles across to build the discard pile. I'm going to add a custom wind indicator on top that will rotate (by hand, of course) as the seat winds change.



And then later in the day after my wife and I stained it:

One quick question: Where would you put the point sticks?

Kyuu wrote:One quick question: Where would you put the point sticks?

The first incarnation of this won't have little drawers underneath - so the point sticks will go beside the table (there is enough room when this is placed on a standard card table - so everybody's sticks will be in front of them pushed up against the outside lip of the custom mahjong table). The Reach Stick and dice will go in the center as they should.

This is looking good so far. Have you considered adding a fabric playing surface to prevent damage to the tiles/table?

In case you've not seen it, you can compare notes with this project: http://www.reachmahjong.com/en/forum/vi ... =5&t=52551

Barticle wrote:This is looking good so far. Have you considered adding a fabric playing surface to prevent damage to the tiles/table?
In case you've not seen it, you can compare notes with this project: http://www.reachmahjong.com/en/forum/vi ... =5&t=52551

Sadly, the images in that thread don't show for me. Might be they are no longer hosted anywhere. Too bad - I'd have loved to see the table!

I will not be adding fabric to my table. The wood is finely grained, stained and now sealed. It will get the first of three polyurethane coats tonight with sufficient drying and sanding between. In the end, the table will have an almost plastic feel to it but be solid wood. The tiles will not harm the table - nor should the table harm the tiles. If they do, I will buy more tiles But I want a classy solid wood look on this table - not felt or similar.

I could see (some of) the photos a couple of hours ago but can't view any now. Maybe if you check back later it'll be working again?!

A protective coating and real wood finish sound good too. I look forward to the development of your centre thingy.

wavemotion wrote:

Kyuu wrote:One quick question: Where would you put the point sticks?

The first incarnation of this won't have little drawers underneath - so the point sticks will go beside the table (there is enough room when this is placed on a standard card table - so everybody's sticks will be in front of them pushed up against the outside lip of the custom mahjong table). The Reach Stick and dice will go in the center as they should.

As they "should"?

When playing tezumi ("by hand" as opposed to "in an autodealer") the expected procedure (even in some pro organizations like Kyoukai) is that the dice should be right next to the current hand's dealer.

Also, perhaps you could carve riichi-stick-sized holes? Not HOLES, per se, just a little indent.

Cool table.

xKime wrote:As they "should"?

When playing tezumi ("by hand" as opposed to "in an autodealer") the expected procedure (even in some pro organizations like Kyoukai) is that the dice should be right next to the current hand's dealer.

I didn't know that! Anyway, on my table, they will go in the center. Along with the Fritos, m&ms or Sweedish Fish

Also, perhaps you could carve riichi-stick-sized holes? Not HOLES, per se, just a little indent.

I'm thinking about it... however chiselling isn't my strong suit.

wavemotion wrote:

xKime wrote:As they "should"?

When playing tezumi ("by hand" as opposed to "in an autodealer") the expected procedure (even in some pro organizations like Kyoukai) is that the dice should be right next to the current hand's dealer.

I didn't know that! Anyway, on my table, they will go in the center. Along with the Fritos, m&ms or Sweedish Fish

"CUZ THATS HOW WE PLAY AT MAH HOUSE!"
Fair enough. As long as you are buying the snacks.

Also, perhaps you could carve riichi-stick-sized holes? Not HOLES, per se, just a little indent.

I'm thinking about it... however chiselling isn't my strong suit.

Ah, yeah. Back in the day I could have done it with sand paper and mad skills. But it is an exhausting job, and it would be too bad to screw it up at this point, now that you have done those stylish borders and all.

Some shallow recessed grooves with rounded ends for the riichi sticks would be schweeet. Hard to do well without access to some hardcore woodmachining gear though.

PS Try my link again - quickly! It's working.

Barticle wrote:PS Try my link again - quickly! It's working.

Got it! Very cool board indeed. I'm not a fan of the monotone tiles and I need to sit on a chair at my age but it is cool. Better woodworking than my skills for sure. At first I thought he made some nice wooden holders for the point sticks but on second look I think those are just the thin vinyl holders the tiles sometimes come in.

Ah, also, abut placing snacks in the center, I must say I have already tried that and they happen to obstruct the view of others' discards. orz

Also, wouldn't it have been a better idea to add the cloth before nailing the edges?

xKime wrote:Also, wouldn't it have been a better idea to add the cloth before nailing the edges?

This particular Mahjong table is made of hardwoods. Stained an English Chestnut color and sealed with three clear coats of protective finish. It will be replacing our chess table in the library. There will be no cloth used on this project.

wavemotion wrote:

xKime wrote:Also, wouldn't it have been a better idea to add the cloth before nailing the edges?

This particular Mahjong table is made of hardwoods. Stained an English Chestnut color and sealed with three clear coats of protective finish. It will be replacing our chess table in the library. There will be no cloth used on this project.

I don't think it will chip, but it sounds noisy. Especially if you like to slam tiles.

There is a reason why 99% of mahjong tables have cloth.

You should probably play with bamboo tiles, or light-weight ones.

Slamming tiles... like in this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7aayMoemGs