Introduction: How to Build a Ping Pong Table

The project describes the construction of a Ping Pong table dimensioned to the internationals standard sizes.

It’s a easy job: all people can be able to do it.

Only simple materials are used (wood mainly), and are necessary only simple tools for working the components.

The project combines the satisfaction of the creativity with the pleasure for the ping pong gaming.

The project is completed with 2D e 3D technical drawings, with dimensions, notes, part list, photos and instructions.

Good work and have fun!

Ciao from Italy.

Davide Dona’

Step 1: 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.

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.

Step 2: The Ping Pong Table Legs

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.

Step 3: The Table Support

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.

Step 4: The Table

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.

Step 5: The Net Device

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 2 x 2 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.

Step 6: The Net Pins

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.

Step 7: Painting Table

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

Step 8: Assembling Table

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!

Step 9: Photos of the Construction Details