Hello, I am looking for a large close up pad to use for a table I'm making. I want a large pad. The one I have now is the professional sized pad from penguin. I think it's around 18 by 22. I want bigger than that.I'm thinking around 20 by 22 or 24. Any links would be very helpful.

Clay… welcome to Cupscon. I have made large close-up stages in the size that you are asking about. I have used large mouse pads to which I have attached to mdf boards, covered then with bating and velvet for the final performance surface.
If you do a search over at TMC there is a lot of information on what to use.

Good luck,
Bruce

Pattrick makes some VERY nice mats.....and he'll cut them to virtually any size you want.

http://www.pmsmagic.com/mats.htm

If you scroll down and enter "custom" in the type and enter your color and contact info, you can list your dimensions in the comment box and Pattrick will send you a quote.  He's a great guy and makes some very nice mats.

I agree with Bruce.
Since you are making the table you might as well make the performance surface yourself. If you cover a board with batting, headliner or even fleece - all of which you can get from the fabric stores cheap, and then add your own material (velvet or felt, etc.) to the surface you can always recover the board if you stain, burn or tear the surface. A staple gun is all you really need to do this and it gives you the flexibility to keep the surface new.
I've ruined too many purchased close up pads, and ruining a large one will break your heart!

For me, a close up pad is only for small portable surfaces. If I'm putting a performance surface on a table top, as large as you want, I'm making it myself.

But if you really want to buy a "close up pad" then Pattrick's mats at http://www.pmsmagic.com are the best way to go.
Donnie

I have made many close-up stages over the past year for very little money, it just takes time. There are many accent pieces that can be picked up from a Home Depot type store, feet, brass corners and upholstery tacks.

Home Depot will also cut the board to size for free and material and batting can be found at most craft or sewing stores.

I have seen close up stages that look like the ones I have made for 3 times the price for what I have made them for.

Bruce

Monster Mat....24 x 35..Wow, that's big! Stage show time!

I recently got a pad from Ronjo. An excellent pad, but I don't think they have them that big.

Etienne

Thanks for the welcome. The plan was to go to hobby lobby this week on my spring break and get a picture frame and then go to Home Depot and have them cut a board the size of the frame so i can just finish the board and just attach the frame to the board and put it on a waitor stand. i was going to have a pad made to fit inside the frame so it would fit perfectly. I would make a pad but I really don't have any experience with fabrics or anything.

It is pretty easy to make a pad… just keep layering batting until you get the squish factor that you like and then cover with felt or velvet… as Don wrote a staple gun works great, I would think that it would be easier for Hobby Lobby to frame around the top then making a top to fit in a frame (I hope that makes sense). I like the idea of a frame; I might borrow that if you don’t mind.

Hobby lobby does a great job of framing… at least the one I go to does.

Please post pictures of your final project and good luck.

Bruce

I didn't know hobby lobby does custom framing. Hmmm. I think as long as I make sure to have Home Depot Cut to the measurement of the outside of the frame I will be fine. I think frames are measured from the inside. I think the pad will be the hardest part. My family has a farm and we have a workshop but I don't know if we have the tools to work on the pad. My main concern would be the edges. If i use a staple gun it will show on the sides inside the frame...

Clay… you will wrap the material around the pad and board and staple it to the bottom… kind of like upholstering a chair. If you are worried as to how the bottom will look you can use a thinner board and then attach another onto the bottom to cover the staples. 

I have always folded the material and then stapled it, think wrapping a present. I suggest a custom frame after you make the performing surface, that way all will be square and perfect.

Again good luck with your project,
Bruce

Bruce, Thanks. If I wrap it around the bottom wouldn't it look strange with the frame on top? I mean a wood frame covering a board with felt on the sides of it? I was wanting to stain the wood to match the frame so it will look like one piece when completed

Clay…. No one will ever look at the bottom, but if you use a thick enough frame all the ugliness will be concealed or as I said in my other post add another board to the bottom and spray it black. Here is a link to a very beautiful stage.

http://rnt2.com/index.php?target=products&product_id=29900

Bruce

What about Dean Dill Close up pad ?

it's great and big...

One of my wish list :p

Cheers
Andre

Clay… I don’t know how your close-up stage is coming along, but I have finally found the pictures of some that I have made. Material cost all under $20.00 each.

Bruce


http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm227/BCSDenver/MondoClose-upStage003.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm227/BCSDenver/MondoClose-upStage002.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm227/BCSDenver/RNT25-4-09007.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm227/BCSDenver/IMG_1190.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm227/BCSDenver/Stuff/Rannie004.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm227/BCSDenver/Stuff/IMG_0840.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm227/BCSDenver/Stuff/IMG_0841.jpg