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There is no single standard game table woodworking plan: the available designs range from a reversible chess-and-backgammon insert to a multi-insert table with a pass-through drawer or a compact board-game table with storage. Choose based on how you will use the top, the space available, and the kind of storage you need—not on the label “game table” alone.
Compare the three plans by how you will use the table
| Plan | Top and intended use | Storage | Published size or difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| WOOD Magazine reversible-top fun center | Reversible top; the accessible listing does not state the board configuration or dimensions. | Not stated in the accessible listing. | Full dimensions and difficulty are not stated in the accessible listing. |
| Kreg Game Table | Removable, reversible insert: chess/checkers on one side and backgammon on the other. | Customizable storage beneath the insert and a lower shelf for game boxes. | Moderate difficulty, as labeled by Kreg; dimensions are not stated in the cited plan details. |
| WOOD Store-It-All Game Table | Five inserts with game boards on their faces plus a sixth smooth, matching-laminate insert for dominoes, cards, or ordinary table use. | Drawer accessible from either side, with compartments for pieces and accessories. | 36 × 36 × 30 inches, according to WOOD Store. |
| WoodworkersWorkshop Game Board Table | Designed for a checkerboard, a backgammon board, or both. | Drawer for checkers, chess pieces, and other supplies. | 18 inches high × 21 inches wide × 42 inches long, according to the listing. |
The dimensions and features are not directly comparable measures of build quality or capacity; each plan serves a different purpose. The WOOD Magazine page is a short listing for a reversible-top “fun center,” not a complete set of published build details. Its feature is identified as WOOD Issue 167, December/January 2005/2006, and the page was published online March 31, 2020.
Choose a top and storage layout that fit your games
For two-sided board play
Kreg’s design puts chess/checkers on one face of a removable insert and backgammon on the other. A finger notch in one top board lets you lift the insert to flip it or reach the storage below. The lower shelf is intended for game boxes. This layout is a straightforward match for households that regularly play those games and want their pieces stored with the table.
For varied games and everyday use
The Store-It-All plan is the most explicitly multipurpose of these options: its six inserts provide five game-board faces and one smooth laminate face. The plan also includes laminate instructions and a dual-purpose router edge guide plan. Its 36-inch-square top and 30-inch height are stated by WOOD Store; compare those measurements with your room and intended seating before choosing it.
#1 Best Overall
- MATERIALS NOT INCLUDED; PLAN ONLY
- Build it yourself!
- Get hands on this Christmas! Woodcraft is proud to be America’s leading supplier of high-quality woodworking hand tools, power tools, domestic and exotic wood, shop supplies, project plans and kits, plus so much more! Our family of brands include Highpoint professional-grade fasteners and hardware, and precision-engineered Pinnacle tools. Our products make the perfect holiday gift for anyone that loves woodworking.
For a narrower board-game table
The WoodworkersWorkshop listing describes a 42-inch-long, 21-inch-wide table with a drawer. Its listed height is 18 inches, so it is substantially lower than the Store-It-All table. Check that height against how you intend to sit and play: the listing gives project dimensions but does not specify a seating arrangement.
Check the plan’s tools, materials, and format
Kreg plan: moderate difficulty and pocket-hole construction
Kreg labels its plan moderate difficulty. Its listed materials include 3/4-inch plywood, boards, square dowels, a Kreg pocket-hole screw set, wood glue, painter’s tape, spray lacquer, wire nails, and game pieces. Named tools include a circular saw and jigsaw; the directions also describe a Kreg jig and pocket-hole screws. Those requirements apply to this plan, not to every game table. Review the plan’s own materials and tool list before starting, and confirm whether you have or need the pocket-hole equipment.
WoodworkersWorkshop plan: full-size illustrations and diagrams
The listing says the plan includes full-size illustrations, exploded-view diagrams, and instructions. Meisel Wood Hobby closed on October 31, 2022, but WoodworkersWorkshop says it continues to sell the plans. Hardware kits and related supplies referenced in the plans are no longer available, so plan to source any required hardware separately and confirm current seller availability and price before purchasing.
WOOD Magazine and WOOD Store plans
The WOOD Magazine page identifies the reversible-top project but does not provide a full cut list, complete materials list, or dimensions in its accessible listing. Do not treat that page alone as a complete build specification. WOOD Store’s Store-It-All page provides the project dimensions and describes its inserts, drawer, laminate instructions, and router edge guide plan. Check each seller’s current plan format and included files before buying; availability can change.
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Rank #3
- You build it plans for 5 ft. tall lighthouse with a natural wood appearance. Made from treated lumber.
- Woodworking plans for this lighthouse include illustrations and photos at every step.
- Plans explain how to build the project from beginning to end. With some intermediate woodworking skills and common shop tools, you can build this lighthouse for your yard Makes a great gift for that nautical enthusiast!
- Hollow inside - place over unsightly lawn pipes or stumps.
- Plans are send to you as a printed booklet on 8 1/2 x 11 paper. Detailed plans include full-color photos and easy to understand instructions. 43 pages total.
Template route for builders without CNC
Woodworker’s Journal’s October 30, 2019 article describes a game table project using Shaper Origin CNC and offers downloadable templates for readers building without a Shaper or other CNC machine. The templates provide an alternative to CNC for that project; they do not establish that no other specialized tools are needed.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Build this table and benches yourself
- Save money by building this table and benches yourself
- Get hands on this Christmas! Woodcraft is proud to be America’s leading supplier of high-quality woodworking hand tools, power tools, domestic and exotic wood, shop supplies, project plans and kits, plus so much more! Our family of brands include Highpoint professional-grade fasteners and hardware, and precision-engineered Pinnacle tools. Our products make the perfect holiday gift for anyone that loves woodworking.
Make the choice before buying or cutting
- List the games and other uses. Decide whether you need a reversible board, several interchangeable game surfaces, or a smooth top for cards, dominoes, and ordinary table use.
- Measure the intended location. Compare available floor space and seating with published project dimensions. For plans without stated dimensions, obtain the full plan and check its drawings before laying out the room or buying lumber.
- Choose storage by what you own. A lower shelf suits boxed games; a compartment beneath an insert keeps pieces near the playing surface; a drawer with compartments offers enclosed storage. Confirm the plan’s actual storage arrangement rather than assuming every table includes one.
- Read the complete plan’s requirements. Verify difficulty, materials, joinery, tools, plan format, and any hardware that must be sourced separately. Do not transfer Kreg’s pocket-hole requirements to another design.
- Confirm availability and details with the seller. Prices, download or paper formats, and plan availability can change. For the WOOD Magazine reversible-top listing, obtain the complete instructions before relying on dimensions or a cut list.
Sources
- WOOD Magazine: Game Table
- Kreg Tool: Game Table
- WOOD Store: Store-It-All Game Table
- WoodworkersWorkshop: Game Board Table
- Woodworker’s Journal: Build a Game Table With Shaper Origin
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
