Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Measure your train table from outside edge to outside edge in both directions. Cut a sheet of 1/4-inch thick plywood to those dimensions on your table saw.
Smooth the plywood on both sides and all edges using coarse through fine sanding belts, in that order. Sand the edges at an angle to round them.
Sketch a town scene, complete with roads, ponds and streams, on one side of the plywood sheet. Paint the roads black, make green grassy areas and use medium blue to create the ponds and streams. Paint a few areas light brown to make dirt roads and sandlots. Allow paint to dry overnight.
Find and mark the center points of each edge of the other side of the plywood sheet. Snap a chalk line between each opposite pair of points to create four sections on one side of the table.
Apply three coats of chalkboard paint to one of the four sections, allowing it to dry overnight between coats.
Apply five coats of magnetic paint to the second section, drying overnight between coats. The heavier application will ensure a stronger attraction between the play surface and the magnetic shapes, letters and toys.
Use a 2-inch trim brush dipped in tacky craft glue to coat the third section. Cut a piece of felt to the correct dimensions. Position the felt on the glue, smoothing it from the center to each side to prevent bubbles. Allow to dry overnight.
Apply 5-minute epoxy to the non-bumpy side of each half-thickness building block and position them on the fourth section until it is covered. Do not cover the outermost edge of the table top so the blocks do not make the table uneven when it is flipped.