prevent foam from bunching

[dberg]

ok so here is what i would like to accomplish, any help appreciated.

I am going to buy some of that suited cloth for an elastic table top around my kitchen table (cant be permanent). the problem is i need some padding. How can i get some padding underneath the temporary elastic table top without it bunching the foam underneath. Anybody know if there is a way around this ?

thanks
dberg

[redd38]

what kind of foam were you thinking of using?

[Deakon]

Use closed-cell foam underneath and it shouldn't bunch.

[dberg]

really? even something that is only like 1/4" or so thick? My fear was that when i pulled the cloth around the table tight with the drawstring, the foam would "bow" and not be flat.. you sure this will work?

thanks for the help
dberg

[R Deckard]

If the table is round, cut the foam to the EXACT size of the table top, or maybe even very slightly smaller (like 1/16" smaller). With only fabric around the sides and bottom of the table, you will not have any extra foam there to bunch up.

If the table is square or rectangular, you can do the same thing, or if you have more time on your hands, you can cut the foam large enough to fit around the sides of the table as well. Then cut out squares from the corners so the sides form flaps that neatly fold around the edges without bunching. You could even glue/duct tape the corners so as to form a shallow, upside-down foam "box" shape that precisely fits around the table.

I've been using automotive headliner material, which is a thin knit fabric bonded to a layer of open-cell foam only about 1/8 to 3/16" thick. I've found that this is quite adequate padding, if you use a quality topping material (faux suede works great). It is probably thin enough to drape/stretch and not bunch too much if you were to use it with an elastic or drawstring border.

I make a pad that is exactly the size of the tabletop, and the foam is grippy enough to prevent the pad from sliding around, so no edge wrapping or drawstring is needed.

[JohnnyCache]

I've been using automotive headliner material, which is a thin knit fabric bonded to a layer of open-cell foam only about 1/8 to 3/16" thick. I've found that this is quite adequate padding, if you use a quality topping material (faux suede works great). It is probably thin enough to drape/stretch and not bunch too much if you were to use it with an elastic or drawstring border.

I make a pad that is exactly the size of the tabletop, and the foam is grippy enough to prevent the pad from sliding around, so no edge wrapping or drawstring is needed.

Dude. I've got that lying around. You rock.

Also, he say you brade runna.

[dberg]

do you think this foam will do ?

http://store.yahoo.com/yourautotrim-sto ... olara.html

thanks
adam

[R Deckard]

That looks like really nice stuff, and at a good price. It should make an excellent table pad. Many folks who build their own poker tables say they use 1/4" Volara and get excellent results.

I've been too lazy to try to find good stuff like that, so I just go to my local Jo Ann Fabrics store and buy their automobile headliner for $10.99/yd. Not as good or thick as the Volara you've found, and even more expensive, too--I always knew I was paying too much!

Let us know how it turns out, and post some pictures and construction tips!

[BeerWench13]

I've found that a pad that is supposed to go under a rug on a hardwood floor works well. It's meant to grip so that's what it does.
Excellent idea on the headliner material. I'll have to try that.

[Deakon]

do you think this foam will do ?

http://store.yahoo.com/yourautotrim-sto ... olara.html

thanks
adam

That is the exact stuff I used for my table and it is awesome.