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Build Your Own Ping Pong Table for under $50

This is how I built my ping pong table for under $50. Extremely easy and cheap. I will be adding pictures soon!
 
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Step 1Materials

Purchased Materials
1" MDF Board (4'x8') from Home Depot
2 Cans of Forest Green Paint from H.D.
2 Rolls of White Electrical Tape from H.D.
1 Ping Pong Kit w/ net from Wally World (Walmart)
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29 comments
Jun 2, 2011. 10:27 AMwilliam1370 says:
WoAh! Youre telling me that a ping pong table is just a flat surface painted green! set upon a air hockey table! incredible!
Oct 2, 2010. 7:47 AMDIY and STUFF says:
it would have been better if you put pictures
Oct 3, 2010. 12:23 PMDavide67 says:
Hello to all from Italy, and sorry for my imperfect English!

Scope
We will build a ping pong table fully conform to the internationals standard sizes, light, fully in wood, and fully disassemblable.
It is a creative project, for fun before with the do it yourself, and after with gaming.

Construction procedure
(Pay attention: All the dimensions on drawings are in centimeters: 1 centimeter = 0,3937 inch!)
The material for construction is wood, and is not required a high precision for realization, so none tolerances are indicated on drawings: it is enough to have some rasps.

Now we start with the ping pong table legs (drawing 2): we utilize 4 (four) workstands, that we can find easily in a do it yourself center. If the workstand is not of high quality, it is better reinforce the its joints with some little through bolts and nuts.
Please note that the workstand must be high enough to realize the final dimension of 76 cm beetween the playing surface and the floor (standard dimension).
If the workstand is too much high, must be cut.
The first operation is the creation of the slot housing for support pins.
We utilize a round rasp, penetrating the workstand and checking the support pin until to the optimal coupling.
We can now proceed with the through drilling of workstand, externally respect to the slot housing for support pins.
Then we insert bolts and nuts, that must be regulated in closure, in order to permit a coupling not too much tight but even not too much slack.
A hole of 1 cm diameter, utilizing bolts of 0,6 cm diameter is the better solution.

Now we proceed with the construction of table supports (drawing 3).
It is a robust wooden plank, where we must apply the support pins, using appropriate wood screws.
After, the table support shall be drilled for creating the holes for the table pins.
The non-rigid assembly of workstands and supports will permit a table tilting, in order to find the better positioning.

Now we work on table (drawing 4): they are two pieces of plywood (thickness of 1,6 cm it is right), cutted to the nominal dimensions.
We must fix the net support, using wood screws reinforced with a layer of glue.
The net support must be prepared with the holes for the net pin inserting.
Then we fix the table pin, using some little metal brackets, glue and wood screws.
Utilizing wood bars with square section, we can build the frame, assembling the segments by metal brackets, and fixing it to the table with glue and wood screws.
The frame is not mandatory, but it is a very good reinforcement for the structure.

Now we build the net device (drawing 5).
The net device will have also the function of join and align the two half of the ping pong table.
For this reason its design can appear complicated:
Prepare the bar (square section 2x2 cm), cutting it at the right dimension;
Fix the net plates with wooden screws.
The net plates must be drilled for the net pin inserting;
Fix the net shafts, using wood screws.
As net we can use one bought in a store, adapting it to our project, or use a piece of net for fence, or other similar solution.

Now we build the net pins (drawings 6), cutting the wood round bar at the right dimension, and applying to it a head obtained from a plank, or from a bigger bar.

Now we can proceed with painting of playing surface.
The painting cycle used by me is:
- primer coat: 2 layers of impregnant varnish for wood (green or blue color);
- marking of lines with white enamel paint;
- top coat: 2 layers of transparent varnish for wood floors (parquet).
The top coat with the warnish for wood floors give to the playing surface the necessary resistance and the hardness for a good performance. The other components can be can be left unpainted, or painted with enamel

Now we can assembly the ping-pong table (see drawing 1)
1) Positioning the workstand to the right distance;
2) Assembling the table supports on the workstands inserting the support pins in the its housings;
3) Positioning the tables on the table supports inserting the table pins in the its holes;
4) Assembling the net device aligning the holes on the net support with the holes on the net plates, sliding the net bar under the tables;
5) Lock with net pins.

And now enjoy yourself!

Nov 27, 2010. 5:52 PMSlayerfan666 says:
Please make an instructable of this.

Si prega di effettuare una instructable di questo.
Feb 1, 2011. 1:38 PMDavide67 says:
Ciao!
I have just done the instructable.
Feb 6, 2011. 4:16 PMSlayerfan666 says:
cool, thank you.
grazie!
Sep 30, 2010. 9:52 AMDavide67 says:
Hello to All! I have translate my Ping Pong table project in english language. If you want to download it (free), please go to the link: http://www.manuali.net/manuali/intro/bricolage/how_to_build_a_ping_pong_table.html Ciao! Davide
Mar 10, 2010. 2:38 PMDavide67 says:
Hello to all!
From Italy: how to build a ping pong table.
See my project with 3D dimensional drawings and pictures at

http://www.webalice.it/davide_dona

Ciao!
Jan 14, 2010. 5:47 PMescheung says:
i have the table top but need a base upon which to place it.  i saw the saw horse idea.  anyone else have a suggestion for legs/base?
Mar 4, 2010. 6:05 PMtjacek says:
 use an old table as the base,  or just use your dining room table and put it away when you need the table.
Jan 3, 2010. 7:48 PMGianniMora says:
 pictures!
Feb 19, 2009. 4:01 PMWordwrestler says:
I have a thought about the size of the Ping Pong table. If it is for your own enjoyment and practice, any size should be fine. Most of the practice is how to hold the bat and hitting the ball and lots of space behind the table. The size of the table is not so important as getting lots of practice. If you practice on a small table, I think you will be surprised how good you are when you play on a regulation size table. I plan to build one 4 feet by 2 feet 3 inches. That size will fit in my Living room for practice and easily be moved out of the way. PS no, I have not built it yet and have not played on a mini size table. But I do not have much space in my living room. Additionally, you can get 3 tables out of a 4x8 sheet of plywood. So, if anyone dare try the smaller size, builder beware. I will not guarantee. But I will give a report when I finish the project. So far just talk. OK?
Jun 23, 2007. 1:08 PMpsychonurse91325 says:
I am interested in making an "outdoor table". Will probably order the MDF board from Home Depot. 9'x5'. Have them cut it in half. Apply 2 coats of the best waterproof sealant. 2coats of paint. A piano hinge. 2 adjustable sawhorses and hopefully that should be it. Do you think after this I could safely leave outside in the elements without warpage? Any input from anyone appreciated.
Aug 25, 2007. 8:12 AMChrisVincent says:
I wouldnt use MDF - if any moisture did penetrate (which it will, at least about 1% of it ) the MDF would turn into mush (glue will soften) unless you get MDF that is 'outdoor' rated or water rated. Also i know that there are some polyurathanes that are made for boat applications... that might be good enough but I would just buy some of that recycled plastic decking and make the table top out of that - it will last forever and always look good.
Aug 20, 2007. 6:52 PMfiofio says:
Thanx :) Its just waht i was looking for my husband :P
Jun 12, 2007. 4:18 PMkcmoskater says:
why dont u just make legs?
Mar 10, 2007. 1:28 AMmonkeybuilder says:
I really wanted to build a full version including legs etc as i dont have a suitable surface to put the main table part on...! Am currently searching the net for full plans and will let you know what i find!
Feb 10, 2007. 10:54 PMterrible-teee says:
I just finished building a 4x8 foldable ping pong table. I went to Rona Home and Garden,which is equivelant to HD and purchased an 8x4 x 3/4 sheet of press board for $19.00. I bought a 4 ft. length of piano hinge $7.00 to join the centre at make it colapsable plus it keeps the 2 pieces from shifting when you place it on a table top. In the paint section I bought a quart of (table tennis & chalkboard paint)which gives the perfect chalky dry flat finish your looking for $18.00.It comes in green or black.One quart gave me 3 nice coats using a semi smooth roller.Call HD perhaps they have this paint there? I added 3/4 dark oak malimar trim all around the sides for looks and some protection $7.00.
Feb 7, 2007. 8:26 PMpbarrett says:
Could somebody help me? Have a ping pong table that sits on my pool table. It has faded over the years and is in need of paint. How do I replace the paint on one of these. Does not look like regular paint. Thanks. Paul
Nov 27, 2006. 2:36 PMlivelyjay says:
A quick way to make the table foldable: Frame the underside of the table with 2x2 or 2x3 boards, orienting the boards vertically for strength. Build a rolling chassis for the middle section, using 2x4s. - Make the frame as wide as the table, minus the width of the boards used for framing (if using a 2x3 framing, measure the width of the table and subtract 3" overall, - Make the frame as deep as desired, the deeper it is the more stable when folded, but also the more room it will take up. I'll be making mine about three feet deep. - Make the horizontal framework on the chassis low enough so the table will be able to swing into a folded position (mine will be about 8 inches below the table surface, but I'll calculate it out when I make the plans). Set the table on top of the rolling chassis. Drill through the table framing and the chassis. Insert bolt. This is the general idea, but I have already found some flaws in the design. In the end just take good measurements or go to a sporting goods store and copy their rolling chassis with a wood structure :)
Nov 27, 2006. 2:25 PMlivelyjay says:
I went to Home Depot and they had no way of getting anything other than 4'x8'. Lowes could get me something in a 5'x10' MDF, but it was 3 times as much as a 4'x8'. Other lumber yards said they could get me a 5'x10', but I would need to buy it in bulk. I'm going to end up making a table with two 4'x8' pieces, cut into two 5'x4' pieces. So my table will be 5'x8', which is close enough. Another comment, MDF is rated medium for hardness. Real ping pong tables are made out of Masonite, which is what I am going to try and make my table out of. An outdoor table could be made if you laminated the table. Instead of painting it, get a nice piece of laminate and glue it around the entire table (top, bottom, edges). The make the rest of the table out of pressure treated, painted wood or metal.
Nov 13, 2006. 5:43 PMmflow4506 says:
I was wondering if maybe you might know or have an idea on how to make an outdoor table? What should be done to keep the table from warping with the weather?
Oct 2, 2006. 11:16 AMnosmo9 says:
If you go to the contractors desk at HD you can special order a 5'x9" sheet of 5/8 MDF which I did. I had HD cut it in two for me so I could get it home. This was a while back but seems like it was about $30. I plan to use interlocking biscuit fasteners which I have ordered from www.leevalley.com to connect the two halves at the center line where the net will go ( like most folding tables). I think this will work well because a 4x8 or 5x9 sheet of mdf is a real pain to handle especially by yourself. I plan to set it on top of a pool table in my garage, with one side painted for table tennis and the other side just plain so I can flip it over and use it as a work table in the garage. Oct 2 2006
Sep 2, 2006. 8:30 PMgtiguy81 says:
any pics yet? I'd love to see how it worked out... so that I can begin mine!
Jul 30, 2006. 10:30 PMCristian Lavaque says:
Great idea! Always loved table tennis and never before thought of building my own table. Thanks!
Jul 24, 2006. 7:54 AMSquad says:
I was actually at HD last night doing recon for this same project. However, a regulation table tennis playing surface is 9' x 5'. My original plan was to find either (2) 54" x 60" or (3) 36" x 60" pieces of mdf and piano hinge each spot. However, I was unable to find anything suitable last night that would fit in my car, and as it was raining I decided to put it off a night. I was going to add a few spots on the edges so it would sit flush and centered, and was going to add closed cell foam so it wouldn't scratch the oversized pool table I planned to lay it on. Also, iIf you started with white MDF, you could have applied the tape to the edges before spray paining and then removed them to leave a crisp line (2 cm at the edges and 3 mm down the center, right?) Your plans are superior to mine in one major way.... you actually completed the project.
Jul 4, 2006. 8:05 PMCoffee bean says:
Now make it foldable!
Jun 30, 2006. 12:53 AMjohnpombrio says:
How thick was the MDF board? 3/4 inch? Thanks!
Jun 29, 2006. 9:50 PMBrett says:
This sounds nice. Can't wait for the pics!

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