Ascending Empires: Repo Edition

I got to play on repoman's homemade board once and really liked it. Was thinking about making one of my own, but don't know how. The game itself isn't cheap so before buying it I'd want to know what materials I'd need to buy in addition. Also, how to do it. I'm sure if he doesn't read this some others must know.

I don't remember his board, can you thread necro or repost pics?

He used Masonite.

To me, it wouldn't be tough. Use masonite, 23/32 MDF, whatever. Just flat and stiff. Measure/template and cut out the holes with a hole saw. Get the board printed on vinyl, 3M #77 it down. Spray with Krylon sealer (FROM FAR AWAY, THE PROPELLANT MELTS INK!) and then pour some self-leveling laquer over it or brush it on if you prefer.

I totally thought this was going to be something about a new edition from Repos Productions.

My wife made the thing. The base is plywood spray painted black. Then, using her sign making equipment she printed a decal of the board with the sticky side being the side with the image. She applied this to a piece of plexi glass, may have been a special/thicker type, not really sure.

The decal of the board had white circles where the planets go. Using a hole saw attachment for a drill, she cut out the circles. Have to be careful here as to much speed will melt the plexi and too much force might crack it.

Then she glued the board to the plexi.

She has mentioned that if she were to make another one she'd use some form of foam board for the base to make it lighter and incorporate some kind of handle.

I think she still has the graphics files she used to make the decal.

For my board, I used 1/4" plywood for the surface, and put some rails underneath along the outside and well as a couple across the center. I used a forstner bit to drill the holes halfway through the plywood, paint it black, add some stars, paint the orbits, seal it, then wax it up.

I don't have the tools or know-how to do any of this. How much would one want to create one for someone else?

It would not be that expensive to make, but shipping will kill it.

Legomancer wrote: I don't have the tools or know-how to do any of this. How much would one want to create one for someone else?

The tools are pretty cheap. A cheap electric drill and the bit can be had for $20 maybe? The drill can be borrowed, you'll need a handsaw for about an hour, paint brush or two. And the amount of work is pretty small. This isn't that hard a project if you're interested in the game, one you can completely botch and not be out too many bucks or hours.

You may not have enough interest in the game, but it's a cheap project and a great way to build skills if you're interested.

Remember -- for tools, pawn shops are your best friend. Offer half the sticker price, they'll likely jump at it.

Sagrilarus wrote: Remember -- for tools, pawn shops are your best friend. Offer half the sticker price, they'll likely jump at it.

Pawnshops, Garage Sales, Estate Sales - that is where 90% of my non stationary tools came from. Stationary tools can be cheap at estate sales, like my two free tablesaws.

Now that Sag brought it up. I would say go to Homedepot/Lowes and in the precut area a sheet of 3/4inch plywood or MDF and see if they can cut it down on their panel saw. Typically they will do one or two cuts for it for free (or for a nominal fee) and you might get lucky and they have a 3x3 or 4x4 sheet in stock. Then like Sag said, a cheap electric power driver (which is handy to have anyway) and a spade bit can do the bulk of the work in a short time. You will need to brace it like Disgustipater eventually, and that is a bit more complicated.

I have no interest in doing it myself. I want someone else to do it.

As someone who has made an arcade cabinet, drilling holes through plexiglass is not fun. Wear long sleeves; hot bits of plastic will be coming your way.

Talk about a necrothread!

Did you end up getting or making one, Dave and Mike?

My bad, saw it near the top of the list of the forum.

Legomancer & Maddog, where are yall located? I will go through my shop and see what spare wood I have and if I the right bits. I have been meaning to make an Ascending Empires board anyway.

I'm in Springfield MA, right up the road.