Build Your Own Table Tennis Table
Equipment
Jimmy Palmer Asked 11 years ago
Would it be smart to build your own table tennis table? I think it would be a lot cheaper but i don't know what would be best to use for building one? Any suggestions would be a help. Thank You.
Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago
Hi Jimmy,
I am not sure that it would be cheaper. I looked into it once and the costs seemed to add up. I guess it depends on how handy you are as well.
If you want something really basic it may be alright.
For the top you could use MDF... not sure if they call it the same all over the world. It is a dense particle board. The thicker the better. The problem is that they don't usually come in nice sizes that suit a Table Tennis Table, so you would need to buy bigger pieces and cut them down.
If anyone out there has experience in building one, your help would be appreciated.
Thoughts on this question
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Arlen Tan Posted 11 years ago
I know I've "sort of" asked this question before, but I'd like to know what is the standard type of table used in an official competition? I know there're many different brands, but do they use the exact same type of material and are their surfaces the same? I notice there are slight differences when I play on different table surfaces.
Aasim Showkat Posted 11 years ago
My Uncle told me once to do it but the plyboard comes of size 8'x4'.....That means 1' ft small from either sides
Rene van der Kleij Posted 11 years ago
The correct dimensions you can find in http://www.ittf.com/ittf_handbook/ittf_hb.html , index 2. Building was not so difficult and cheaper than a new one, but the table is a little bit slower, because couldn’t get the paintjob done right. Would like to know what’s the secret of the correct paint to be used, it seems they do something to the formulation of the paint. Used plywood which is made next door, 2,20 x 1,60 mt export size, 25 mm thick.
Nick Flor Posted 11 years ago
I had to build a 3/4 size table due to space restrictions. Here is what I did:
http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40288
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Great Nick. Thanks for sharing that and well done on building your table!
Jimmy Sanchez Posted 11 years ago
Hi, first, sorry for my English, it is not my native language.
For 2012 christmas, my 11 years old son asked for a table tennis table as his Christmas gift. I went to a local sports store and the basic STIGA table was 7000 bolivares worth (i live in Venezuela), it is a lot of money for me :(, so I decided to build a home made table tennis table. I search on the internet for the table tennis table specifications (size, material rebouting specs, colors, line sizes, etc) and constructed the table, finnaly, without muy hardwork I spent around 2500 Bolivares, a lot cheaper and the results were awesome, I invited some table tennis players and they liked my sons table a lot :)
I didnt build it with MDF, instead I used a 15 mm composite wood (here we call it compuesto, i dont know which is the exact name in english), I had to buy 2 pieces and ordered to cut custom size to fit the table tennis table officiall specs. The frame and table legs was made with 1x1 inches square metal tube and some metal hinges and wheels, I cut and soldered it at my fathers garage.
If you consider convenient i could upload some pictures, just let me know to do it in this forum.
Hope this info could help.
Jimmy Angel. Venezuela.
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Here are the pictures from Jimmy's table - pretty impressive!
Jimmy Sanchez Posted 11 years ago
Thanks Jeff, It is not a big deal, but nice to build and use, if I can be useful guiding anyone who want to build his own table tennis table, just let me know here. Thanks.
monisha Kejriwal Posted 4 years ago
Hi Jimmy,
Your table looks lovely. What is top surface treatment? did you spray paint it?