table table tennis
Tables for Table Tennis: Some ‘Must-Reads’ Before Buying!
For those who want a smaller version of the lawn tennis, table tennis is the game to consider. Just like tennis, this indoor sport has a ball, two rackets, a net, and 2-4 players. But this is not a boring discussion of the rules of the game. This is all about that all important and ‘largest’ part of table tennis—the table!
The table has specific measurements that need to be met. The length is 2.74 meters (about 9 feet long), the width is 1.525 meters (about 5 feet) and its height is 76 centimeters (30 inches). The surface has two divisions which are divided by a net that stands 6 inches (or 15.2 centimeters).
The material commonly used to make tables for table tennis is Masonite timber. This type of timber is not natural timber. It is engineered using a method called Mason. First, chips of wood are blasted into long fibers. Steam is used on this method. From an elongated form, the wood is then turned into boards. These boards are then applied with pressure and heat, thus ending the process.
Masonite boards are highly bendable, and tensile. Other materials are also used but Masonite wood is considered stable and strong.
The surface of the table, by rule, should yield a 23 centimeter bounce (this should be uniform), when a ball (standard size) is served 30 centimeters high. There should also be uniformity on the color of the surface, with the side lines colored white (with width of 2 centimeters). Aside from these, the coated surface should support very low friction. This is necessary so that the ball can smoothly glide from one end of the table to the other.
There are many different types of main tables in the market today. You do not wanna go out there and start buying the wrong ones. Remember that tables can collapse or can ‘warp’. Warping simply means that the table is unstable and it could bend or bounce. Here are a few types of tables for table tennis that one should browse through before the big purchase:
International Tournament Quality Tables- a few names under this category are Kettler magnum (made in Germany), Joola Atlanta (used in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics) and the Joola Atlanta Olympic, Stiga (Supreme, Elite Roller and Expert Roller), Butterfly (which also has many styles), and the Killerspin (Revolution and Rad).
Institutional Tables- this category offers the same names under the International Tournament Quality Tables: the Kettler tables, Butterfly, Stiga, and Killerspin. Prince makes tables under this category.
Home Recreational Tables- under this: the Kettler (Stockholm Indoor, Topstar XL green and blue, Riga PRO and Classic), Stiga Quickplay 2 and Stiga Instaplay.
Outdoor Tables- the same brand names are available for purchase. There are just variations on the chassis and other specifications. And, of course, as the category name suggests, it is for outdoor use.
Pingpong Tables (Small)- the measurements are 60inches in length, 30 inches in width and the height is 28 inches. These tables are good for small homes that would like to have indoor games.
The last category allows the owner to convert his pool table into a table for table tennis. These are called Conversion tops. Again, the same companies manufacture for the tops.
The table is, literally, the biggest physical part of the sport. So with that in mind, buying the table should also be a big part of the investment. Agree? You must.
Source: http://www.bloggedadvice.com