I am thinking of making a gaming board to play several random games on. I have never done this before, so I have some questions. It should be as cheap as possible.

What is a good size to start with? I heard four 2x2 boards are fine, to combine them to create larger game space.

Is it good to have the terrain on their own 'bases' so I can move them around and always have different games? If yes, what materials should I use for the base?

What materials are good to create hills and things, and how should I do that?

Where can I get trees and grass at a low price?

I know these are a lot of questions, but I would be pleased if someone could answer them. Thanks in advance!

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The love of Arda was set in your hearts by Ilúvatar, and he does not plant to no purpose.

Size depends on what games you want to play.

Your second question is up to you, do you want to have alot of variety? Also, you could go for a pretty empty board with seperate terrain pieces, whch allows for alot of variety as well.

Polystyrene or materials like that are suitable when making hills.

Trees can be home made using metal wiring, paper, basically whatever you think will work best. (Best way to learn is by trying!)
Grass can be found in hobby shops, flower shops etc. Shouldn't be too difficult to find.

Good luck and keep us updated!

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"Mickey, my friend!"

http://www.terragenesis.co.uk/




Cloth Table covers are the cheep way to start
I like 2by 4 that is the largest size you can put in a car trunk. All of the FOW table sections in the photo are 2X4
I like to do that. I use MDF (medium density fiberboard)

I make hill from MDFs but most people use Pink or Blue Styrofoam. I used 2 inch pink foam for the FOW D day boards.
A great link
http://www.terragenesis.co.uk/

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But none were more dangerous than the Great Willow: his heart was rotten, but his strength was green; and he was cunning,

Thank you very much for the replies, really helpful.

I think I'll start, as you said, with a cloth table cover, and then making several terrain pieces on MDF boatd, and maybe some hills.
Could you explain how you make hills from MDF?
If more questions come up I'll post them here, and thanks for the link!

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The love of Arda was set in your hearts by Ilúvatar, and he does not plant to no purpose.

Home made 10mm cloth table cover and terrain. Keith puts hills under the cloth table cover.

Some cheap idea suggestions

I use a belt sander
It is done the same as a foam step hill.The small hill with 4 wire brush trees is pink foam on hard wood scrap with pine bark rocks. You can see a CD base as well.
I am going to cut out a replacement for it this afternoon when I cut out a doll house for my college roommates foster child.
I use craft paint and wood glue. I make flocking from saw dust. You can grid up the miniature packing foam and use it too. A lot of people use sand for flocking.Matt Medium is what I use to attach flocking to cloth. A few small stones can be used for difficult terrain.
Simple is cheep and best to start with.

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But none were more dangerous than the Great Willow: his heart was rotten, but his strength was green; and he was cunning,

Great! Thanks a lot!
This was exactly what I was looking for, this really helped me.
Thanks for taking the time to make some pics too.

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The love of Arda was set in your hearts by Ilúvatar, and he does not plant to no purpose.