Ok, I've chosen a method.  What do I need?

 Well, congrats at making it this far!  There are a LOT of ways to build a table but here is a template to get started on!

 

DI

Clear surface of any material

IR Camera w/ IR Filter

IR Illumination System

Diffuser (may be optional)

Mirror (may be optional)

Project housing

A display system, either a clear LCD panel or some kind of projection system.  (Option if you just want a touch surface)

 

FTIR

Compliant Surface

IR LED's mounted on the edge of clear surface

IR blocking tapep

housing brackets for IR LED's

Diffuser

IR Camera

Clear surface using a TIR surface, such as acrylic

mirros (optional)

Projection system or LCD display (LCD must not put up too much IR light itself, or a filter will have to be layered)

 

So what can I use?

Here is a list of known materials that fit the bill for any of these needed items.  Most materials are actually findable used or hustled!

Compliant Surfaces

Therm-O-Web Heat-N-Bond - Used to iron printed materials onto shirts.

Silicon Caulking 

Non-Woven Interfacing 305L1200 White

 

LEDs

Webcam

The following webcams have easy to remove IR filters:

Creative Webcam N10225 Model No. PD1110 - No IR Filter apparently - Future Shop/Best Buy - North America

SWEEX USB 2.0 1.3 Megapixel camera - Easy to remove IR Filter - MediaMarkt - Belgium

PS2 Eye Toy - easy to remove IR filter - wherever PS2 accessories are sold

XBOX Cam - has IR filter applied to lens - allows IR light to pass

 Logitech Quickcam Chat (budget), IR filter removed, 7 fps @352x188 on Linux, USB 1.1

 Logitech Quickcam Communicate STX, removed IR Filter, 30fps @ 640x480.

  Microsoft VX-6000, IR filter removed, 30fps @640x480, USB 2.0.

  Phillips SPC900-NC

Phillips SPC900-NC (mounted a Philips PCVC740K lens, removed ir-filter)

  Phillips SPC900-NC

paulzain - Point Grey Dragonfly2 + Computar 1.8mm lens

Pleh - Phillips SPC900-NC

Sidje - Samsung VP-D101 FW with build-in but bad IR filter - Creative webcam 3 USB1.1

Gravano - Sweex WC001 (budget) Phillips SPC900-NC (for improved performance)

jibberia - Point Grey Firefly MV

juwaidah1990 - Logitech QuickCam Messenger, IR filter removed, Linux compatible.

BlaXwan - Unibrain Fire-i board camera, firewire, you can order it with lens without ir-filter (4.3 and 1.9 mm fish-eye lens), 640x480@30fps

Matthew180 - Sony MiniDV DCR-HC40, firewire, 720 x 480 @ 60f/s.  Has a “Night Shot” mode which internally removes the IR filter so it is perfect for capturing the IR blobs.  I had this camera already so I used it, but probably overkill and certainly an expensive way to go.

Microsoft LifeCam VX-1000 and it has got an easy to remove IR-filter. It’s just a little piece of glass behind the lens which will pop out by using a knife.

SWEEX USB 2.0 1.3 Megapixel camera has an IR filter easy to remove.

Logitech Quickcam Zoom

 

Diffuser

IR Illuminator

IR Filter

Exposed Film

Magnet ring in an old floppy disk

Clear Material - FTIR compliant