Everything You Need To Know About Table Tennis Tops For Your Pool Table
Most of the time, your pool table is just sitting there. You might play a couple of games on the weekend, especially when friends visit. But imagine if that table could be used to learn a skill you’ve never tried before. Table tennis tops allow any pool table to be used for ping pong. They aren’t made from flimsy material that shakes. They fit neatly on top of your current table, so you get a tournament-quality bounce and game experience.
What Are Table Tennis Tops?
Consider them as big, flat panels that change your pool table into a different game. They are designed so that each section fits perfectly with the next. The playing surface is similar to that of professional tables, so it is smooth, consistent and has just the right amount of grip. You can use your pool table for both games without permanently altering it. Take off the tops when you want to play eight-ball. Put your table tennis tops on again for some quick and exciting rallies.
Size is More Important Than You Might Realise
This is the part that becomes interesting. The way you choose will shape your whole experience with the game. Best fit tops are made for 7ft and 8ft pool tables. They use every inch of your table’s surface area. Good if you want your room to feel as big as possible. Even though the sizes aren’t exactly like regulation tables, it won’t matter much when you’re playing casually.
Regulation 9ft tops allow you to play with the same dimensions as in official tournaments. They help to ensure you have a championship-sized surface on any size pool table. Professionals practise on these exact dimensions. If you want to improve, your muscle memory will develop correctly. There’s more to it than just available space. It affects your movement, the development of shots and your location when serving.
Playing on a regulation table will get you ready for any other place you might play. Best fit works best with what you already have.
Your Pool Table Should Be Able to Play Ball
You should cheque if your pool table is suitable for conversion tops. Ensure the table is even – if it isn’t, the game will highlight the problem right away. You’ll notice that balls move strangely and bounce in unexpected ways. Inspect the condition of your table before anything else.
Slowly move a ball back and forth on the surface. Is it always moving in a straight line? Any variations you notice will be increased when you attach the conversion top. The type of rail is important as well. The table tennis top should be placed so that it touches the edge all around. Sometimes, the decorative moulding or unique rail shapes on a pool table can make it hard to fit properly. Check your measurements twice before placing your order. How the weight is distributed is another point to keep in mind. They are not lightweight. The table should not sag or shift even with the extra weight placed on it. Most good pool tables work fine, but the older cheap ones from the past could have trouble.
Getting Your Table Tennis Top Conversion Ready
After you figure out how to do it, installation only takes about ten minutes. The initial time will be longer as you try to find the best method. Sink or remove all the pool balls and other things from the pool table. Conversion tops should be set on a level, clean surface. Anything underneath can cause bumps that make playing difficult.
The panels are linked together by brackets or clips. Some systems are designed with magnetic connections. For some, it’s all about accurate placement and weight to keep them in place. Every section should securely connect to its neighbouring sections. It takes time to learn how to get the net tension correct. If it’s too loose, it will sag. If the table is too tight, it can cause the table to wobble. Adjustable net systems that grip the edges of the table are common with most conversion tops.
Keeping and Maintaining
Where do you place conversion tops after you’re finished with them? They’re not tiny. You can put these apart, but you’ll still need to keep all the pieces in storage because they cover a full tabletop. For some, the best place to hide them is under the table. Some people lean them against the walls of their garage. A few people are fortunate enough to have their own storage rooms. Our table top stands that we offer for hard table tops are great for this. We can even match the finish of the stand to that of your pool table. Set this up in advance, because it’s no fun to have conversion tops you never use because they are too hard to put together.
Cleaning your pool table is not the same as maintaining it. Wiping these surfaces regularly will help the ball bounce properly. Dust, marks from fingers and humidity can all reduce how well the game is played. Most of the time, a damp cloth works, but check the instructions from the manufacturer for the right cleaning products.
Getting the Most Out of Your Investment
Conversion tops are not inexpensive, but they allow you to play two different games with the same piece of furniture and floor space. Check how much it costs compared to buying a separate table plus the space needed for it. The quality of products can change a lot depending on who makes them. Those who choose cheaper options may save some cash at first, but they may not get the best surface and may have connexion issues. Our table tennis tops offer the same high-quality play as those used in tournaments for many years.
If you’ve already got the pool table why not double it’s function and get some table tennis tops for it.
