Have any of you made your own close up pad? I haven't seen any I love. That is to say: I want to build one about 2 inches thick, and have a drawer, so to speak, to place cards in it. Then have the pad on top. All incased in wood. Does anyone know the materials used? I guess it's the same material as a poker table. Felt, underlay. Curious if anyone's taken a stab at making one themselves.

I built mine ten years ago and used some thin foam padding and some velvet material from a fabric store. Call a few and see if they have that type of material. If it doesn't have to be bouncy then I would think that some pool table felt would work too. You might even be able to get some scraps for free or super cheap if you call someone who installs pool tables. I put foam under mine so that it would deaden the sound when doing cups and balls. You can use adhesive spray to stick the felt on the base.

It used to be common to make your own Close-Up mat before we had the good choices available today.

Some were like a flat, foam filled velvet bag or a carpet square or a piece of felt of various qualities.

-Mary Mowder

Search Magic Café for: close up table w/ drawer.
google:
Tabman table
and
subdividedstudios.com

Go to your auto body shop that installs head liners. The head liner material is great for a pad and they come in many colors. Most shops have little pieces left over that they will give you.

Take a look at the book Tabby Crabb wrote "Tabman magic". Lot of good info on what he used for materials. His had tops made from the same materials as used on casino tables.

This was all great information. Thanks guys!

Now that you have 50 posts you can check on the for sale section here on the Café. I know you want to make one, but there was a sub divided table for sale. It may be cheaper than making one by the time you are all finished. Sebastien makes a great product. Just a thought

Oh, I didn't know that - sections open up when you hit a certain amount of posts. I would for sure buy a pad if I saw a nice one at a decent price. Thank you!

Neoprene works a treat.
http://www.idealprice.co.uk/compare.html......Material

Yes you should be able to open trick for sale and a few others now you have 50 posts. Scroll down and look. Goosd luck and welcome.
You can check out mats at www.pattricksmagic.com and we can make it any size ( within reason) you wish. But for a table wirth drawer check it out.

Dave and Dan has the pad I want... but I won't spend $350 for something I know I can build with some wood, padding and surface material. Just gotta hunt around I guess.

Wise move, Film! You can make it EXACTLY the way you want it.

Most close up pads with drawers are way too big and bulky, not pracitcal for a working Magician in the close up arena. What I have used for over 25 years is a hinged thin case with locking snaps in the front from a proof coin collection. I added padding and velvet ontop for intricate coin work...give it a shot, it works great and streamlined enough to carry under your arm from table to table and toss in a briefcase.

Sometimes it is better to buy as opposed to make. I tried several DIY close up pads, and most did not really beat even a cheap store bought one. But, this is probably more for saving time instead of money