How to Design a Ping Pong Table

Ping pong is a beloved international sport. It is played in massive gymnasiums, parks, rec rooms, basements and garages. Ping pong can be enjoyed by people of all ages and all skill levels. Because ping pong tables are expensive, many people choose to build their own. Understanding how to design a ping pong table is the first step to building and enjoying your own table.

Instructions

1

Choose a material for the table top. Popular choices include painting Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) which provides a good, consistent surface. Specific ping pong table tops can be purchased, but are more expensive. Standard plywood is a cheap option, but does not offer good playability. Ping pong table tops must be 9 feet long by 5 feet wide.

2

Decide on how your ping pong table will be used and stored. Many modern ping pong tables can be folded in half when not in use to save space. Most materials that can be used to make a ping pong table do not come in large enough sizes to function as the entire table top, requiring two pieces fastened together. Fastening them with a simple piano hinge will allow your top to fold.

3

Select a base for your ping pong table. If you want your entire table to fold up and store easily you may want to design a wooden folding base. Using a triangular base under the middle of the table and folding legs on each side is the most simple design. Draw the design out using a calculator to help figure out the angles. Table tops must be 30 inches high, so plan your base accordingly.

4

Select accessories and color options for your table. Green and blue matte are the most common colors for table tops. Chalkboard paint is a popular, more expensive option that will give your table a professional look and feel. A net should be chosen that attaches easily and maintains its tension.