Map on your dining table?

[jesseannie]

I have always thought that a big map of the USA would make a great dining table top. It would be there all the time for planning your next trip.
Any ideas on how to laminate it to a table?
I thought about Plexiglas but it scratches so easily. Maybe a decoupage type treatment?
jesseannie

[riven1950]

Had a glass covered coffee table once, worked nicely. Just remember some glass splinters and is very dangerous if it does break....don't ask how I know that 🙂

[Water-Bug]

mich800 wrote:
How do you prevent the glass from sliding during your travels?

Thin transparent soft plastic spacers at all four corners and/or edges. Purchased at any hardware store.

[Dog_Folks]

mich800 wrote:
How do you prevent the glass from sliding during your travels?

I'm not sure whom you are asking, but with our train set, the glass sits 3/4 inch down into a "box," that contains the train stuff.

The box sits on the regular table on anti-slip matting. The whole thing is held down when traveling by good old bungee cords as an additional safeguard.

[mich800]

How do you prevent the glass from sliding during your travels?

[toedtoes]

Our SixPac truck camper had one (back in the 70's). It came like that from the manufacturer. Loved it.

I wanted some color on my table in the clipper, so I got some shelf paper and installed it on the top of the table, then I cut a clear shower curtain to size and placed that over the table and around the sides, stapling it to the underside of the table. Works well, is easy to remove, and no worry about a piece of glass potentially moving around while on the road.

[Campfire_Time]

This sounds cool. Glass would be both expensive and heavy. You might consider a resin coating. I'm thinking about this for a replacement table top I just had someone make for me.

http://www.amazon.com/AeroMarine-Clear-Epoxy-Resin-Counter/dp/B0047R0J44

[beemerphile1]

Dog Folks wrote:
Put it on the table and cover with a piece of glass. That would allow you to write and erase with a grease pencil....

Agreed, you can also use dry erase markers and the map can be updated yearly.

[Gonzo42]

I kind of like the idea since I really like maps. I use a piece of thin cardboard on our table because all the grandkids like to draw on it. I have to replace it each trip. I get free cardboard pieces every time we go to Costco. The separators between the TP, Paper Towels, etc. are ideal.

[Water-Bug]

Take your table top to any decent glass shop and they can cut an exact shape and bevel the edges. If you can't remove the table top, just make an exact pattern with newspaper or craft paper. Most places do it at a really resonable price. We do it for all our nightstands and coffee tables.

[Golden_HVAC]

I had a camper with a dining table map. I think it came from a factory that way. Don't know where to buy one. It was laminated into the top, so plastic covering the 1974 Map of the United States. The camper was a 67 or so, probably not from the camper manufacture.

Funny how many interstates that are now here where just proposed lines, or state routes connecting between larger cities! back in 74.

Fred.

[gbopp]

I think it's a good idea but, it's not for everyone. 🙂

Decoupage Map Table

End Table with Decoupage Map

Decoupage Ideas

[Dog_Folks]

Put it on the table and cover with a piece of glass. That would allow you to write and erase with a grease pencil.

Our dining room table has N scale model train layout under the glass. (work in progress)