Looking to get a mat for X-wing. Considering the official ones but they're quite pricey. I also play Epic and there's no way I could afford two.
Anyone in the UK who knows their mats able to give any input on this?
Mats
I got enough black felt off eBay to make two mats (100x180 cm). I'm planning on sewing a white ribbon or something down the middle so its two playing areas on one side or an epic one on the other. Non slip and less than than £7.
Not as flashy as a proper starmat but very effective and cheap (which means more money for SPACESHIPS!).
Something like this will work fine: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Craft-Felt-Fabric-72-180-cm-Wide-10-colours-2-mm-Thick-4-30-Metre-/181269156049?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=480297718521&hash=item2a347bd0d1
Edited by HedgehogmechIdeally looking for some thickness to it so I can turn unplayable surfaces into playable ones. Plus pretties are always nice.
Extra Large Yoga Mat.
About £15 from these guys if you can supply the graphics - and correctly sized 300dpi images aren't difficult to find on the web
http://bannerprintingandroid.co.uk/print-android-print-pvc-play-mats-for-game-enthusiasts/
PVC though. Not a great material for longevity.
PVC though. Not a great material for longevity.
The GF9 ones are similar material and seem to scratch quite easily - but they're twice the price, not quite legal size, and you don't get to choose your own design.
Seems pretty good for a budget option overall
I got some textured vinyl from joann fabrics for about $8 (wife had a 60% off coupon). Not as grippy as felt but closer to a "proper" star mat.
I've seen someone on BGG use cabinet bumpers (things used to stop your kitchen cabinet doors from slamming) on the bottom of his bases to make them non-skid. If they work, then you could just get those bannersonthecheap.com with the free Hubble Telescope images for a cheap price.
I have not easily found the proper cabinet bumpers that he recommends: 2.5mm size.
I got enough black felt off eBay to make two mats (100x180 cm). I'm planning on sewing a white ribbon or something down the middle so its two playing areas on one side or an epic one on the other. Non slip and less than than £7.
Not as flashy as a proper starmat but very effective and cheap (which means more money for SPACESHIPS!).
Something like this will work fine: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Craft-Felt-Fabric-72-180-cm-Wide-10-colours-2-mm-Thick-4-30-Metre-/181269156049?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=480297718521&hash=item2a347bd0d1
not bad - bear in mind that although the description says 72 inches, they aren't 72 inches - they are 180cm which is just over an inch too small.
Absolutely fine for casual play but worth considering if it's going to be used in a competitive environment
Extra Large Yoga Mat.
Those seem basically impossible to find in the UK, though.
Extra Large Yoga Mat.
See I read that and my eyes see "Yoda Mat".
Sounds like the next Kickstarter.
Extra Large Yoga Mat.
I think this is your best bet for making rough surfaces playable. I personally use an HCD mat, but I actually wish the top was a bit "grippier", and a yoga mat will definitely be grippy and work well on rough surfaces.
Should be able to find some on amazon or ebay.
I have a carpet tile that's 2' x 2' which is great for beginner games. However, it is the most excellent board I've ever played on. It's black with little white spots, doesn't slide and pieces stay put. I would like to find a 3' x 3' piece but I'd probably have to cut from a scrap piece.
Extra Large Yoga Mat.
I think this is your best bet for making rough surfaces playable. I personally use an HCD mat, but I actually wish the top was a bit "grippier", and a yoga mat will definitely be grippy and work well on rough surfaces.
Should be able to find some on amazon or ebay.
I use the HCD mat as well, but added some rubber bumpers under each stand:
The bumpers are self-adhesive and are easy to put in place. They make the stands a LOT grippier.
Edited by TheJoatThanks for the link! I've been looking for something similar in the US based on what some Europeans posted.
How tall are they? Do they make the base pop up a bit when on the table?
I like this option as it means I can play on any table and not slide as much. I've gotten a (good natured) reputation for being crappy with my friends and nudging ships. They like to laugh and say I'm cheating whenever I bump something...which is all the time. I understand that they just need to find a reason for why I beat them all the time. 
I tried some 2.2 mm high ones and they did not work out at all.
These (at 3.8 mm) do make the base stand up a bit, but not so you movement templates can fit under it.
You may still nudge ships...but you'll have to get a little better at it. 
Extra Large Yoga Mat.
I think this is your best bet for making rough surfaces playable. I personally use an HCD mat, but I actually wish the top was a bit "grippier", and a yoga mat will definitely be grippy and work well on rough surfaces.
Should be able to find some on amazon or ebay.
I use the HCD mat as well, but added some rubber bumpers under each stand:
The bumpers are self-adhesive and are easy to put in place. They make the stands a LOT grippier.
Where'd you get those from? I could definitely do with those.
If you click on the "rubber bumpers" link, you'll go right to Amazon.
Someone on BGG reported that 2.5mm is the best height. You can get some at that height for even cheaper here:
Someone on BGG reported that 2.5mm is the best height. You can get some at that height for even cheaper here:
Plus those are flat on the bottom, which should give you a bit more surface area in contact with the mat, although I did not see them when I ordered these.
2 elmers bi fold cardboard poster displays.. they are 4x3.. cost about 6 bucks.. granted they are cardboard but they are cheap. get the black ones...
I got enough black felt off eBay to make two mats (100x180 cm). I'm planning on sewing a white ribbon or something down the middle so its two playing areas on one side or an epic one on the other. Non slip and less than than £7.
Not as flashy as a proper starmat but very effective and cheap (which means more money for SPACESHIPS!).
Something like this will work fine: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Craft-Felt-Fabric-72-180-cm-Wide-10-colours-2-mm-Thick-4-30-Metre-/181269156049?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=480297718521&hash=item2a347bd0d1
not bad - bear in mind that although the description says 72 inches, they aren't 72 inches - they are 180cm which is just over an inch too small.
Absolutely fine for casual play but worth considering if it's going to be used in a competitive environment
Have just checked the size on mine and it's actually 186cm, giving me just over an inch spare - perfect! 
I think they often quote a little under because people need to be sure a piece of fabric is a certain minimum size.
Edited by HedgehogmechSomeone on BGG reported that 2.5mm is the best height. You can get some at that height for even cheaper here:
AWESOME! Ordered!