How to Build a Full Size Ping Pong Table For Under $70

Build ping pong Table

The Basics to Building a $70 ping pong table

Table Tennis, better known as ping pong requires two people, two bats, and a table. The problem is, tables can cost anything up to $3,000!

Why not build your own?

To start with, you need to get your measurements right, if you want a professional sized table, it will need to be 9ft x 5ft, and be at least 30 inches above ground level. The net will need to be placed in the central reservation of the table and measure 6 inches high. The specification of materials is slightly less strict, the surface can be made of any surface, although you need to test the surface you are using, as ping pong balls should bounce around 4 inches, if you drop it from a height of around 6 inches.

The basics are that you'll need around $50-70 of materials to build your table, and by cutting the pieces to around five foot wide, and making them meet in the middle, you'll use a mixture of glue and clamps to secure the table properly. In order to start this project, you'll need to make a base for the table from scratch. Two by two lumber will do the job nicely. Measure and cut two pieces that are nine feet long, and two pieces that are five feet wide. Lay the wood out into a rectangle, and then secure the corners together with wood screws. The easiest way to construct the table is with plywood, and then, using equal in length legs, piece together the legs with the tabletop with wood screws, and as an extra precaution, add some glue.

Guy Draper

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Guide to Ping Pong Table Dimensions

Ping Pong Table Dimensions

If you are considering a ping pong table for your home, there are many factors concerning standard its dimensions to take into consideration. Not only are the dimensions of the table itself important to determine how much space you will need, but the size of the its top is important as well.

Agencies that regulate the sport of table tennis worldwide have devised many standard recommended dimensions that regulate the tables used in competitive tournaments. Many of these standards apply to most ping pong tables on today's market. However, there are still some that are sold for home use that deviate from these recommendations.

For this reason, it is important to know exactly what you are getting when you go to buy a table tennis table, and knowing the recommended guideline dimensions can help ensure that you get the most for your money.

According to International Table Tennis Federation laws, most table tennis tables that are used in tournaments should be five feet wide by nine feet long and stand 30 inches from the ground. When you are shopping for a home apparatus, you will find a handful that deviate from these dimensions, but in general, most will have these measurements.

When buying a ping pong table, it is important to consider where in your house you will keep it. If you plan on storing it in a basement or garage, it is important to consider whether the materials of its construction are moisture resistant.

In this instance, it may be beneficial to look at an outdoor table or one that is coated with a water resistant coating, as moisture can cause warping and lead to a decreased lifespan of the table. No matter where you are placing the it in your home, you should have adequate space for all players to move around the table and return and serve the ball.

Once you have the right dimensions, measure the size of the room as well to ensure that the table will fit comfortably.

When it comes to the ping pong table dimensions for the top, the most important thing to consider is the thickness. ITTF regulations require a tennis table top that is 7/8 inch in thickness. However, many that are sold for household use may be slightly less than this, measuring at 3/4 of an inch in thickness.

Having the right equipment is the key to playing great table tennis, and getting your ping pong table dimensions right is imperative. Get loads more information on table tennis equipment at http://www.tabletennisexperts.com.

How to Choose the Right Ping Pong Table

Choosing Right Ping Pong Table

You should consider several factors when purchasing a ping pong table. Many people buy their first table before they are familiar with the sport, so they may not have a good understanding of what they need and what to look for. Furthermore, you may want to consider who will be using the ping pong table, and where it will be located. Take a look at your budget, your personal wants and needs, and what is available in your area when you shop.

One of the first considerations when shopping for a ping pong table is whether you will be leaving your table set up all the time, or whether you will need to fold it up and put it away. You can find affordable and good quality tables in both styles. A fold up model with rollers and brakes will be the easiest to set up and break down should you need to choose one that will not be up and available at all times. You may even want to choose one of these in case your living situation changes at a later time.

While manufacturers want to sell you the best and most expensive ping pong table, the majority of people who play for fun will find a less expensive ping pong table completely adequate for their needs. What is critical? An even top with no warping is absolutely essential. While a 1 inch (25 mm) thickness is a competition standard, a less expensive and thinner tabletop may be quite adequate for home use and provide you with a good playing experience. If you play table tennis competitively, you should splurge for the competition thickness; however, the rest of us can save by choosing a nice, but less expensive table. Look for strong and sturdy legs, preferably with levelers. Many people end up setting up their tables in the garage or basement, and irregular floors are commonplace.

Your table should meet the international standard. If you drop a ping pong ball from a height of 30 cm, it should bounce to a height of 23 cm. An even bounce all over the table will insure that your ping pong table provides a good and standard playing experience. A smooth and even finish, padded net clips, and a table with a good overall feel will all make your introduction to ping pong a great one.

Ryan Landow is a product manager at Ping Pong Central. The company is an online retailer of ping pong tables [http://www.pingpongcentral.com] and a variety of other rec room equipment. Brands include Joola [http://www.pingpongcentral.com/joola/index.html], DHS [http://www.pingpongcentral.com/dhs/index.html], Stiga, and more.

Outdoor Ping Pong Tables

Ping Pong Tables

Buying an outdoor ping pong table represents a significant investment, so it's important to get the one that's right for you. From a distance most look the same, so what should you look out for? Before handing over your hard-earned cash, follow these 3 simple rules to get the best one for you.

Table tennis / ping pong is a great pursuit. It's fast, challenging and great fun. Although traditionally played indoors, it's also a great outdoor pastime, and a great opportunity to have some family fun in the fresh air and sunshine. Table tennis equipment manufacturers recognise that many of us want to play outdoors, and nowadays there are a great variety of tables to help make it possible to enjoy the good weather and some ping pong excitement.

It can be bewildering trying to navigate your way through the choices on offer, but here are 3 quick rules to keep in mind when considering buying an outdoor ping pong table.

1. Weatherproofing. Make sure it has weatherproof playing surface. Traditionally, table tennis tables are made of wood. That's perfect for indoors, but when it gets wet and damp outside you need a table that won't warp and rot. A metal parts that aren't properly treated may end up rusting. Modern weatherproof table tennis tables are made of aluminium, with a synthetic laminate top, making them durable, and lighter.

2. Portability. Get a table that is easy to move. Portability is important, as you will probably want to move your table indoors as the bad weather arrives, and if it gets too windy you may want to wheel your table indoors, so you can continue your game. A good outdoor table will fold quickly and have wheels to enable speedy and safe transportation.

3. Anti-Glare Surface. You need to be able to follow the ping pong ball without the reflections from the table hampering your vision. Top manufactures will make sure that their tables are coated with an anti-glare finish. This helps ensure your game can be played comfortably and you can get the best from your table.

Once you buy your outdoor ping pong table it's important to look after it. The simplest way to do this is to purchase a table tennis table cover which will keep the worst of the rain from it. It will also protect the playing surface against the damage that animals and birds can do to it.

Playing ping pong with the sun on your back is a great feeling. It's also a lot healthier than spending your time in a dingy basement or garage, so a weatherproof outdoor table tennis table is a great investment in your family's fun as well as their health.

Stephen McTaggart is a keen table tennis player and publisher of http://www.ping-pong-table-reviews.com which reviews table tennis tables from all of the major brands. Visitors can upload their own reviews and photographs. For specific recommendations on which outdoor table tennis tables are worth considering please visit http://www.ping-pong-table-reviews.com/outdoor-ping-pong-table.html

Ping Pong or Table Tennis Vs Youth Obesity and Inactivity

Table Tennis Vs Obesity

It may sound like a lopsided TV wrestling bout, but it's a serious fight we must win. The author has some important credentials and personal experience to offer on how to gain victory. Our opponents are fierce, ugly, and well entrenched in our country. Can a tiny ping pong ball compete against these monsters? Can a table tennis table compete with a dinner table? Let's look closely at our competition first.

According to the science journal Lancet, we have a "childhood obesity epidemic". The prevalence of overweight children and adolescents has increased dramatically over the past several decades bringing unprecedented incidence of chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease to our children. As children become heavier worldwide, greater numbers become at risk of having Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) as adults says the New England Journal of Medicine. The culprits in this assault on our health are NOT hard to find.

Screen time, including watching television, surfing the internet and video gaming, has been associated with promoting inactivity which is linked to this rapid increase in obesity. How much screen time? According to the Henry Kaiser Foundation, children ages 8-18 spend about 1.5 hours on a computer, over an hour playing video games, 4.5 hours watching TV, and 7.5 hours on entertainment media...PER DAY! That's just one of our grotesque opponents.

The good news is that "screen time" has made our lives easier in many ways. The bad is that "screen time" has robbed us of most of the exercise time we previously used to balance our food intake. That food intake has taken a turn for the ugly too hasn't it?

For over three decades, fast food has infiltrated every nook and cranny of American society. It began with a handful of modest hot dog and hamburger stands in Southern California, but has now spread to every corner of the nation. Fast food is now served at restaurants and drive-throughs, stadiums, airports, zoos, high schools, elementary schools, universities, cruise ships, trains and airplanes, at K-Marts, Wal-Marts, gas stations, and even at hospital cafeterias.

In 1970, Americans spent about $6 billion on fast food; in 2000, they spent more than $110 billion. Don't even ask about 2010! Americans now spend more money on fast food than on higher education, personal computers, computer software, or new cars. We spend more on fast food than on movies, books, magazines, newspapers, videos, and recorded music -- COMBINED, says author Eric Schlosser.

Most of this food has high amounts of fat and sugar with little fiber, vitamins, or minerals. Our food market space is now dominated by processes food, which hides threatening levels of High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS). Don't forget that soft drinks and "rehydration" liquids are processed foods too. Robert Lustig, MD at UCSF says that the HFCS industry exerts enormous political power on our lawmakers.

On the other hand, SOME screen time is good for us. If you consume food and want to know what the sugar industry is up to, watch "Sugar: The Bitter Truth" on YouTube. Now enter the mighty, but tiny, ping pong ball!

Before the author became a sports medicine consultant, before he operated a tennis coaching business, even before he was a tennis player... he was a table tennis player. Just one of millions taking active shelter in the basement from Midwest snow. Before that, he was a less than fit target for the school bully. For that child, a little ping pong ball helped provide physical confidence, steer him away from a sedentary life style, and provide enormous after school FUN.

It is key that the first time you pick up a paddle or table tennis racket; you can easily have fun and feel skilled without coaching. Against a friend or family member of similar ability, you can even quickly rise to the self appointed title of "Menace".

Compared to screen time, ping pong/table tennis is enormously beneficial exercise no matter how docile the game. Many tables even have a playback mode (remember Forrest Gump?), for a one-player work out. Here's one more important word about our hefty opponents in this fight for our health.

Some researchers, like Dr. Alweena Zairi who study the causes of under performance in children, believe sedentary practices effect pre school neurological development and the academic potential of children by the time they start school. Teachers are finding they have to deal with a growing number of children suffering from numerous conditions born out of a childhood of conditioned inactivity.

Both table tennis and tennis are vastly popular international sports with professional tours which require tremendous athleticism and dedication. Tennis is almost always played outside. Table tennis almost always indoor and requires much less space. It's also much less expensive to learn and enjoy than tennis. The entry level is vastly easier. Even better for the family, every parent can look like a "pro" and have a great time too.

Ping Pong or Table Tennis--Be a Menace!

Jonathan Bailin, Ph.D. received his doctorate in Biomechanics/Exercise Physiology while coaching tennis at the University of Southern California. Currently, Dr. Bailin operates a tennis coaching business in Marina del Rey, California, publishes research, consults for corporations, and enjoys recreational table tennis locally.

When Dr. Bailin rediscovered his first childhood passion, ping pong, he published http://www.TableTennisMenace.com, but he wanted to use his expertise to better guide consumers to product. Because the selection of sporting goods from a huge array of products can be such a daunting task, Jonathan decided to pre-select only the best and most popular ping pong tables, table tennis rackets, ping pong balls, blades, rubbers, table tennis machines, and accessories from the most respected suppliers. TableTennisMenace.com is also a site that gives expert advice to consumers on product combinations like an outdoor table tennis table and net, ping pong ball and iPong machine, or the best racket blade and rubber.

Because of the sport's universal appeal to all ages, modest requirements of space/money, and potential to fight inactivity, he truly feels that whether you call it "Ping Pong" or "Table Tennis", anyone can "Be a Menace" at TableTennisMenace.com.

Ping Pong Produces Healthier Kids : tennis.

Ping Pong And Kids

I am a people watcher. I especially enjoy observing them at shopping malls and airport terminals. I realize that folks have always come in various shapes and sizes, but over the last couple years I have noticed a rather alarming trend in children: many of them are actually obese. I've recently read too that many of these children are being diagnosed with diabetes. The sad part of all this, in my opinion, is that it is preventable!

There are a number of factors that are fostering obesity in our children.

• One huge reason is that they spend many hours a week watching TV, playing video games, using the Internet and talking or texting on cell phones.

• Many schools have shortened or eliminated recess.

• In certain neighborhoods, especially in the big cities, parents are reluctant to let their children play outdoors because they don't believe it's safe.

• Play time is losing out to other activities, lessons, and classes-everything from karate to piano lessons, to Girl Scouts or ballet. Expectations are being placed on children to excel in all kinds of extracurricular activities, and they still have to do their school homework assignments.

All of this results in diminished unstructured play time. Children need time to play with other children to get social interaction. Socially inept young people are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression and attention-deficit disorder in addition to obesity. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that unstructured play fosters innovation and creative thinking. Let's allow our kids to be kids. Allow them to relax, laugh and play together for their health.

After saying all that, let me offer a specific solution: ping pong! ping pong is a game that is fun for the whole family. It can be played indoors or outdoors. You can get serious about it or simply play for fun, no matter what the weather is. Table tennis is an aerobic exercise, so it is a good physical activity. You'll find that your energy level will increase and your feeling of exhaustion will be reduced. If the electricity goes out, are your children bored? Boredom will vanish with ping pong! Table tennis will also foster healthy, friendly competition. I believe it will improve mental health as the blood gets flowing too. Why not start today to improve your health and the health of your children?

Judie and her husband Barney have been married for 49 years. They live in beautiful Alaska and look forward to visits with their 10 grandchildren. Judie remembers many hours of ping pong fun with her family, growing up in Pennsylvania. Her dad had to work to beat her!

Ping Pong Paddles, Pips and Robots, Oh My!

Ping Pong Paddles

History of Ping Pong

Ping pong was introduced to the United States when Parker Brothers bought the trademarked name from English manufacturer J. Jaques & Son Ltd. after 1901. The name 'Ping Pong' was used to describe the English game of table tennis when it was played with high-end, Jaques-branded equipment.

Today, however, the sport is officially recognized as table tennis; only those who play at the hobby-level use the term 'ping pong.' The sport of table tennis is governed by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).

Ping Pong Table and Balls

Ping pong is played on a table that measures 9' long x 5' wide x 30' high. A net measuring 6 inches high divides the table into two halves and extends over each edge of the table by 6 inches. Two or four players use paddles to hit a ball back and forth to each other, also known as a 'rally.'

The balls used for official tournaments now measure 40mm in diameter, are made of celluloid and weigh 2.7 grams. 38mm balls were once the standard, but that changed after the 2000 Olympics. 40mm balls are slower and spin less. It has been suggested that the move to the larger ball was due, in part, to being able to market table tennis matches for television. 40mm balls show up better onscreen, and the slower balls encourage a longer rally, which keeps the viewer interested in the game play.

The highest quality ping pong balls have a three-star rating, which represents consistency in relation to their bounce and roundness. A quality 40mm ball, when dropped from a height of 30cm (roughly 12'), will bounce 23cm high.

Ping Pong Paddles

The sport of table tennis uses paddles to hit the ball. In Europe they are called bats, and the ITTF refers to them as rackets. Although there are no official rules governing a paddle's size, shape or weight, it must be flat, rigid and covered in an approved rubber. The thickness of the rubber and adhesive must not exceed 2mm, and the paddle must be colored black on one side and red on the other.

The rubber's surface may be 'pimpled' (pimples facing out) or 'sandwiched' (pimples facing inward), but the pimples' density may not be less than 10 per square centimeter or more than 30 per square centimeter.

Most of the paddle (85%) must be made of natural wood. However, the paddle can be reinforced with a layer of carbon fiber, glass fiber or compressed paper as long as that layer is between the blade and the rubber surface. Some newer paddles may even be reinforced with aluminum or titanium.

With different rubbers on a paddle, the types and speed of spins can be changed during game play. Often a player will use a paddle that will produce great spin on the ball on one side, and the other side will create little to no spin.

Typically, the forehand side of a paddle is the attacking side, and the rubber used here creates a lot of spin. It is common to find sandwiched rubber on the attacking side because the inward-facing pimples, coupled with a smooth striking surface, allows the ball to sink more into the paddle, thus creating a larger area of contact and more spin.

The backhand side of the paddle is the defensive side, and the rubber used here should nullify the ball's spin coming from an opponent's hit. Pimpled rubber, with longer outward-facing 'pips', is commonly used for backhand, defensive strokes or chops.

Ping pong is a fast game. Skilled players with good equipment can serve a ball 70 mph. Table tennis officially became part of the Summer Olympics in 1988, and since then the game has seen some interesting technological advances, especially for training purposes.

Robots for ping pong Practice

Table tennis robots are available for the serious player. Typically ranging from $600-$5,000 in price, a robot can shoot balls over the net with various degrees of spin and at different frequencies. Some table tennis robots attach directly to the table; while others are freestanding. Balls can be delivered in a 'line drive' or with a 'looping topspin.' The robot can shoot table tennis balls at varying intervals, and even oscillate during practice sessions.

Although a table tennis robot can readily improve one's game, it is no substitute for live play against an opponent. For this reason, it is important to seek out local ping pong clubs. Most universities host clubs or have their own teams. USA Table Tennis, the national governing body for the Olympic sport of table tennis in the United States, provides a directory of its officially affiliated clubs nationwide (www.usatt.org).

Table tennis is an exciting and rapidly-growing international sport. Known as ping pong [http://www.pingpongresource.com/Ping-Pong-Tables/index.html] to recreational players, it can be the fastest sport on earth. If you love the sport as much as we do, come join us at Ping Pong Resource [http://www.pingpongresource.com/].

Ping Pong table Dimensions

If you are thinking about a table tennis table for your game room, there are several considerations regarding their dimensions. Not only are the Tennis Table dimensions themselves essential for determining how much room is required, but the size of the tabletop is significant also.

Organizations that regulate the game around the world have devised the standard suggested sizes of equipment utilized in tournament competitions. Several of these standards pertain to the majority of ping pong tables available for purchase. In spite of this, some of the tables sold for home use deviate from these standard dimensions.

Because of this, it is essential to know precisely what you are getting when you buy your equipment, and being aware of the suggested guidelines for table dimensions will help make sure that you obtain the most value for your investment.

In accordance with the International Table Tennis Federation laws, the majority of tables that are used in tournament competition ought to be five feet wide by nine feet long and measure 30 inches from the floor. When you are looking for a home table, you will find a few that differ from these measurements, but for the most part, most come in these same dimensions.

When purchasing such a large piece of equipment, it is essential to give some thought to where in your home you will locate it. If you plan on storing the item in your cellar or garage, it is imperative to think about whether the materials that it is made of are moisture resistant. In this situation, it may be advantageous to consider an exterior grade ping pong table or one that is covered with a water resistant finish, because moisture can warp the it and decrease its years of service.

Regardless of where you are planning to place your new equipment in your house, you should have sufficient room for all players to shift around the it and be able to serve and return the ball.

Once you have the table dimensions, measure the room dimensions also to make sure that it will fit.

When it comes to the ping pong table dimensions for the table tennis top, the most imperative thing to give some thought to is the thickness. ITTF rules require a tennis table top that is 7/8 inches thick. Nevertheless, many that are sold for home use may be a little less thick, measuring at 3/4 of an inch in thickness.

Having the right equipment is the key to playing great table tennis, and getting your ping pong table dimensions right is imperative. Get loads more information on table tennis equipment at http://www.tabletennisexperts.com

Ping Pong Table Tennis - An Idea To Arrange a Party

Ping Pong Table Tennis

Want to have a fun and exciting party with your creative Rec Room, where your guest can interact and play? How about using your ping pong table Top for your Tennis Themed Party!

Few ideas to make your party fun loving and well-organized -

Tennis Party Invitations:

In order to give a personal touch to your invitation, send the personalized Tennis themed invitation with your owning creativity that could make your guest more curious about the party and about the party's theme. If you want to get creative with the party invitation, then grab a can of Tennis ball and stick your invitation in the tube and send it to your guests!

Tell your guests that they must come in tennis outfits so they are ready to play Ping-Pong when they arrive. You can make the invitation an announcement that they are going to be in a tennis tournament. This will keep them guessing, but they won't know that they will be actually playing on a Ping Pong Table.

Tennis Party Decorations:

Set up your Ping Pong table as center court, and the "spectators" or guests can gather around to watch the game. You can even set up rows of seats around the Ping-Pong table, so you can really get that center court feel. Set up the food and beverage area as concession stand.

You can have some old tennis racquets, tennis balls, and even the tennis ball tubes as vase for decorations. Also having some yellow, green, white balloons and streamers around the room can really keep the theme going with the party.

Tennis Introduction Activity:

In order to make your guests feel like sports celebrities, you can set up a little area to have the couples get their pictures while they walk in. You can have little props such as tennis balls, tennis rackets, or tennis bags to really make them look like tennis stars. You can post those pictures on social networking sites like Facebook so as to share the fun moment with everyone once the party ended.

Tennis Food and Beverages:

Getting green tablecloths and yellow plates with white cutlery will make your party go colorful. You can use a bowl of tennis balls or the tennis ball tubes with flowers as a centerpiece of the table. Have some easy finger food that would be found at a concession stand such as chips, hot dogs, chicken wings, hamburgers, nachos, and fruit salad can me easy to prepare and stratify your guests.

For beverages keeping things light is the easiest. Of course having plenty of water bottles will be important or even a little Gatorade. But to keep party on roll, have some beer and wine on ice, it takes up less space than having a full bar. Plus don't forget desert! Having cupcakes that look like tennis balls can be an easy treat to prepare and a great decoration for your food table.

Tennis Party Games and Activities:

When guest walk in, you should have a large tournament board set up so that all the "players" or guests are set up on the tournament board. This will help you to keep game scheduled, and the winner on track for playing on the Ping Pong Table. To keep things simple and short, you should set up a single elimination tournament bracket. Also have everyone play to 11 to speed up the games but of course you will need to win by 2 points. Then follow the normal Ping-Pong rules for playing singles for everything else for the final game. The final game you might want to play until 21 to keep the excitement on high. If you have lots of guests or you are short on time, you can have people play the doubles to make things go faster, or just have a couple's tournament.

Tennis Party Favors

Depending on your budget, you can have a little awards ceremony to announce the winner or you can also give out other prizes such as most improved or best dressed. Having a personalized trophy for the winner with the date of the party will also make guests happy, and may be keep the tournament going for years to come!

You can use the photos as a memento for your guest as it would really be very touchy and will also make your guest happy while leaving the court or party.

Check out our table Tennis Table Tops at http://www.EverythingRecRoom.com for great deals and free shipping.

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