DIY or Readymade Ping Pong Table - Which One is Better?
Jun 06, 2021
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How often do you come across people saying they have homemade ping pong tables at home? You will mostly hear them saying that they had bought a readymade table from the nearest sports store. Even though it's possible to make a DIY ping pong table, the reality is slightly different. Readymade tables edge ahead of DIY tables due to many reasons. Let's take a look at some of those factors and whether DIY is a fruitful alternative or not.
Cost
The first thing that you consider before buying or making a ping pong table is its cost. Readymade tables are costly. That's the only reason why some people prefer making one on their own. However, you must have the necessary tools and raw materials to make the table. Although you may end up saving a few hundred bucks, you should think whether it's worth the time and energy you spend or not. If it is, there's nothing that can stop you from making a DIY ping pong table.
The average price of a readymade ping pong table is under $400. But are you ready to spend that amount? Or do you want to give DIY a try? Decide before sourcing the materials needed to make the table.
Convenience
Sure, DIY ping pong tables help you save significantly. But are you ready to commit your time and energy to a DIY project? What if something goes wrong midway? Would you want to start from scratch? These are a few things that you need to keep in mind before starting with your DIY ping pong table project. Many would suggest buying a ready-made table because it's the easy way out. You don't need to think about taking measurements, sourcing raw materials from suitable merchants, take care of the materials so that they don't wear down, and have enough time to make the table.
The advantage of making a DIY ping pong table is you can go through a learning experience from day one. Let's assume that you made the table according to the instructions you see on YouTube videos. Wouldn't you want to share that experience with everyone? After all, it's a masterpiece, and everyone would appreciate it once you finish. If you can wait that long to start playing, you always have the option to visit a sports store and buy an affordable table.
Tailor-made materials
Premium ping pong tables cost a fortune. The manufacturers use the best materials to make these tables. But you can use similar materials and still end up saving a lot if you make the table alone.
Suppose your budget is $500. You have the option to either build a premium ping pong table or buy one with average-quality materials. If you have the time, energy, and resources to make the table, don't go for the readymade one. That's because you can pick materials that will make your table look like a premium one without spending a fortune. This ensures that you spend your money on items that eventually make premium tables without paying the gigantic profit margin of the manufacturer.
Sourcing the materials
Those who have already made DIY ping pong tables say that sourcing the materials is the hardest step in making the table. You have to be spot on with the materials. Even the smallest screws, nuts, and bolts matter. Otherwise, the table would wobble and eventually may break down after a few years. If you are investing your time, energy, and money on a DIY ping pong table, you must make sure that you have reliable suppliers who can supply the required materials to make a long-lasting table.
Some of the most common materials used to make a ping pong table are fiberglass, plywood, or particleboard for the tabletop, net, stands, rollers, support pins, wood screws, and primer sprays. Even though these may sound easy to source, you need to keep in mind that they have to conform to the size of the table. That means you first need to make appropriate measurements before sourcing the above materials. This is a time-consuming process. Even the slightest mistake can prove to be costly. That's why most people prefer buying a ready-made table to avoid these risks. To them, spending a few bucks more is worth it than spending so much time and effort on something that doesn't guarantee a world-class table.
Longevity
The longevity of your ping pong table depends a lot on how you keep it. Even DIY tables made from the best materials may succumb to termites if you don't take care of them properly. On the other hand, an average-quality readymade table can last for years if you clean it regularly and replace the worn-out screws or nets in time.
Now that you know the pros and cons of both DIY and readymade ping pong tables, make your decision according to the time and money you can afford to spend.
Tags: English