How to Build a Ping Pong Table for under $100

Making your own custom Ping Pong Table (Table Tennis) is easy, affordable, and fun. It also makes a great family project. In this article you will learn everything you need to know about how to build your very on custom ping pong table. We made this table (pictured) for around $100 dollars. Pre-Sanded Plywood $36,2 Saw Horses $30, Paint $15, Net/Paddles $12 @ a total cost of $93.

Savings of over 50% from your local Walmart or Target. Plus you get your own custom color and size that fits perfectly in your basement or space of your choosing. Remember you can make the table any size you want.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 4X8 Pre-Sanded Plywood
• Two Saw horses
• Cool colored paint (2)
• White paint for border
• Paint tin and roller
• Masking tape
• Tape measurer
• Net, paddles, and ball

1. 
   4x8 pre-sanded plywood

   Ok, so you want to build your own ping pong table. First you will need to collect the necessary hardware. Go to Home Depo or anywhere you can pick up the following: 1 sheet of 4x8 3/4 thick pre-sanded plywood, 1 quart each of 1 or 2 bright colors of paint for the table top, 1 pint of flat white paint, 2 saw horses, and masking tape (blue painters tape works best). Be sure to stop by a sports store or walmart and pick up the net, paddles, and balls.

2. 
   Setup and Play a game

   Once home, in the family room or den open both saw horses and place them about 6 feet apart, next place the plywood on top and then install the net. Grab a family member or friend and play a game or two.

3. 
   Paint the first side

   Now, using a tape measurer and a pencil, measure and draw a line across the center of the table. Then, taking your blue painters tape, tape along the center line of one of the sides. Make sure the edge of the tape aligns with the pencil line giving you equal halfs. Once your tape is in place, break out your first color and paint the first side. Make sure you dont forget to paint the edges of the plywood.

4. 
   Paint the other side a different color

   Next, after the first side dries, pull up the blue tape slowly. This should leave a perfect line in the center of the plywood. Now, using the blue tape again, re-tape the line (on the other painted side). Make sure you tape along the painted line so both colors will "pull together" leaving no space in between. Once the tape is secure, begin painting the second color on the other half.

5. 
   Looking pretty good

   Now, after the second side has dried, slowly peel back the blue tape from the center of the table. Make sure you remembered to paint the edges of the table. Your table should be looking pretty good by now, but we still have more work to do.

6. 
   Tape and Paint the borders

   Next, you will be painting the white edges (your personal color choice, of course). Using some scissors and your blue painters tape, border the table with about 3/4 of an inch edge. Make sure your corners are square. Once you have completed taping the borders, go ahead and paint them. Make sure you do not get paint outside of the taped borders.

7. 
   Peel back the border tape

   Now, Once the border paint is dry, peel the border tape slowly away from the table top. It's looking good right? Hold on, your not done yet but close.

8. 
   Play A Game

   Next, Attach the net securely to both sides of the table. Grab a paddle, a ball and a partner and let the games begin!!!

9. Now that you have completed building your table and playing several games which you won of course. You might want to think about decorating your table like the one you see pictured here in this article. If your not into poka-dots, you might consider your favorite sports team colors, or you childs favorite food, or tv show. The possibilities are endless.

10. 
    Poka Dots

    Now if you really want to spruce it up, You can decorate your table further. We added some polka dots!!! View the steps below to see how easy it is to add polka dots to your table.

11. 
    Taping the Polka Dots

    Tape an area on the table using the blue painters tape. Place the tape roll on the taped area and draw a circle around the outside of the roll using a pencil. Then cut out the circle and peel back the inside cut.

12. 
    Painting the Polka Dots

    Now paint the inside of the circles using a different color paint, let dry, then carefully peel back the tape.

13. 
    Polka Dot Ping Pong

    Now that you have your very own custom made ping pong table you can enjoy it now with your friends and family.

Resources

• PDF instructions available Ask Mr Bump
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