Table tennis table.

obi604 · 04-12-2025 01:20PM #1

was on holiday recently and my 10 and 12 year olds got the table tennis bug.

I played a good bit in secondary school etc a long time ago.

Potentially looking for a table for Xmas. Issue is size and house etc.

I know standard full size is 9ft, but this is too big for the house and garage scenario.

I see there are smaller tables but are they only a cod? (From what I see 7ft, 6ft etc)

HeidiHeidi · 04-12-2025 01:24PM

I can't imagine that the game would be anything like the same on a smaller table - be like playing snooker on one of those mini tables.

Our tennis club has a fold-up table (it folds vertically in the middle, and is on wheels), so if you could make the space for it anywhere on a temporary basis that might be one solution. No idea how much it cost, before you ask. And it's still very big, about 6 feet tall when folded up, and heavy.

Try to find a club locally and buy membership for you all?

Uncle Pierre · 04-12-2025 01:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058429422/table-tennis-table

I play a bit myself with our young lad (age 12). Our dining table is 7'6" x 3'3" when extended, and even at that, you don't get much of a game once you become any way decent at it at all. On that basis, I couldn't recommend a smaller table.

Bought a folding full-sized one myself early this year as we have room enough for it in the garage (so long as I move the lawnmower out before I set it up!). It gets great use. If you can find space at all, that'd be the way to go.

FWIW, discounts right now at Intersport Elverys - e.g. this one that I looked at myself at the time before deciding full price €499 was too much and buying a second-hand one from Adverts.ie at €250 instead. But this one is now available for just €299 and if I was only buying today, I'd be jumping at it -

https://www.elverys.ie/products/rival-folding-table-tennis-table-9ft

obi604 · 04-12-2025 02:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124041739#Comment_124041739

Yeah, this is my thing, buy a 6 or 7ft one and then realize its not great, ive never played on anything other than a full size.

But then have space issues, plus extra cost

obi604 · 04-12-2025 02:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124041803#Comment_124041803

Thank you for the honest feedback on the smaller type table.

Thanks for that recommendation

obi604 · 06-12-2025 07:12AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124041803#Comment_124041803

Question for you. Regarding folding tables. Is it better to have

One that folds in 2 separate half’s? As in each half has its own wheels and can be moved independently

2. One that folds all in one. As in the halves are linked together on same set of wheels.

Uncle Pierre · 06-12-2025 09:50AM

@obi604 - I honestly don't know. Ours is like the first one, and I've no experience of the second one (i.e. the 'all in one' type).

What I can say is that with ours, can be tricky (especially on first use) to get both halves of the table to line up exactly together. That might be easier with the second type if they're on some sort of hinge or pivot together.

However, disadvantage of that second type would be that being in just one piece means it would be approx. twice as heavy to move and manoeuvre.

And don't overlook that either way, there's going to be quite a bit of assembly involved before you get to play at all!

obi604 · 06-12-2025 10:12AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124047137#Comment_124047137

thank you.
yeah that was my thinking with all in one, heavier to move etc

Hmm, interesting about getting the halves to line up on first use. Are you saying that after a few uses they line up a bit better is it?

I had forgotten about the assembly part alright. But I’ve don’t plenty of ikea stuff over the years so should be ok.

It’s a tricky Xmas present to get for Santa as bullky etc and even trying to navigate delivery. And children not seeing it !! 🤣

Uncle Pierre · 06-12-2025 11:01AM

@obi604 -

Are you saying that after a few uses they line up a bit better is it?

After you get it right the first time, it'll stay fairly right. Just takes a bit of time the first time!

It's all down to the wheels at the bottom. They're typically of the same sort as you'd find on something like a dishwasher or large fridge, where they can be rotated one way or the other to adjust the height in case of an uneven floor or something like that.

But I'm just talking about one side being maybe 5mm or even less above the other, so much depends on how particular you are yourself. If they're just fun tap-around home games, no big deal. But my young lad is getting better all the time (my father-in law was an All-Ireland champion back in the day, and does a lot of coaching and play with him), so I like to have it as right as somebody like me can manage.

Good luck with the Santa element of it!!!!

HeidiHeidi · 06-12-2025 11:08AM

Our club one is the all-in-one type - it lives in a shed and gets taken out and into the clubhouse from time to time.

There are a couple of steps and doorways to negotiate, and it generally takes two grown men to manoeuvre it into the clubhouse - if you're limited for space I would definitely recommend the one that splits into two - more options for storage, and much easier to manhandle around the place - each piece is half the weight and much less bulky.

obi604 · 06-12-2025 12:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124047265#Comment_124047265

thanks yet again.
couple more questions:

1. When on wheels and folded up, I presume it will pass through a doorway. As in half a table is 4.5 ft. Then add on height with wheels etc. maybe 5.5ft or so.

2. I also presume each half will not fit in a standard car or even SUV no matter what way it was angled ?

obi604 · 06-12-2025 12:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124047281#Comment_124047281

thank you.

yeah, that’s exactly my thoughts too. A lot easier to move one half of it and half the weight etc.

Table tennis table.

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