1

Stiga Fusion Table Tennis Conversion Top

This table was not as advertised. The “padding” on the underside was just some lick-and-stick small foam fingers that would not hold up. There were several screws missing from the supports which could not be replaced into the particle board. The stiffeners were very flimsy. The whole table seemed like it would not last at all. We returned it unused. Note to Amazon: you should stop offering this product.

2

DMI Sports PTCT1A 5/8-Inch Billiard Table Conversion Table Tennis Top

Sturdy table, fits our large, 8-foot pool table, sits flat. Although the two halves of the table don’t attach, they haven’t slid apart during play. The shipping company contacted my by phone & arranged a shipping date/time a day or two ahead, at my convenience.

Note: it does need a net, which I purchased, along with paddles in a set, also through Amazon.

3

Stiga Table Tennis Conversion Top with Net and Posts

This table tennis is perfect if you already have a pool table and want a ping pong table but don’t have the space for both!! We just took it out of the box and put it on the pool table and the kids were playing in a matter of minutes!! Best purchase ever!!!

4

Martin Kilpatrick 5/8-Inch Pool Table Conversion Top

We wanted a good table top for a good price and that is what we got. The delivery was super fast and everything we ordered as separate items for the table arrived on the same day through three different delievery methods. The table top is a beautiful color and was packaged well enough to make up for the ding in the packaging which scratched the underneath but no biggy. The net sets up well and the whole table fits perfect over our pool table.

5

Stiga Duo Table Tennis Conversion Top

Although the product itself is satisfactory, the shipper used by this seller is absolutely unacceptable. Consider ordering from a local dealer; ordering online will cost a fortune! ]]> http://www.tabletennisconversiontopcentral.com/reviews/top-5-table-tennis-conversion-tops/feed/ 0 http://www.tabletennisconversiontopcentral.com/articles/is-a-table-tennis-conversion-top-right-for-you/ http://www.tabletennisconversiontopcentral.com/articles/is-a-table-tennis-conversion-top-right-for-you/#comments Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:40:01 +0000 Frank Damitri http://www.tabletennisconversiontopcentral.com/?p=13 If you are considering having a ping pong table in your home but aren’t sure whether you want to buy the whole table, then a table tennis conversion top might be the best choice for you and your family.

Table tennis (commonly known as “ping pong) is a game that truly appeals to all ages. It can become more advanced for adults and experienced players, but the game itself is simple enough that even kids can play. As long as they are tall enough to stand by the table and have some basic coordination, they’ll be able to knock the ball back and forth.

So you know you want your family to be able to take advantage of this fun and simple game, but you’re not sure how to go about it. Should you buy a table tennis table? Or should you buy a table tennis conversion top?

Well, if you already have a pool table in your home, a conversion top is probably the way to go. A separate table just for ping pong takes up quite a bit of space, so unless you have extra space and anticipate wanting to use both games at the same time, there is no need to buy a whole separate table just for the ping pong.

Here’s how the conversion tops work. They’re designed to fit specific size pool tables. Make sure you either get an adjustable conversion top, or one that is measured to fit your specific pool table size (such as 7 feet or 8 feet, etc.).

The table tennis conversion top fits over top of the pool table, and is designed to not harm the pool table in any way. It covers and protects the pool surface, while providing a new table on top for you to play ping pong. Then when you are done, simply remove it, fold it in half, and store it away (or just lean it against a nearby wall).

The result is flexibility in your home by adding one more game without adding the full investment (of either money or space) required by an all new table tennis table. Conversion tops are a simple way to increase your family’s entertainment by adding a game that will last a long, long time.

First of all, consider the price range you want to be in. A conversion top for table tennis can range anywhere from $150 to $500 dollars, or maybe even higher. What you pay really depends on how much you want. The more you spend, the higher quality of top you are going to get. The highest priced tops aren’t always necessary, but you may find that the lower priced tops don’t give you what you are looking for either. For the purposes of most buyers, somewhere in the middle is more than sufficient.

When shopping for a table tennis conversion top, make sure the top you get will fit your pool table you have at home. This may seem like common sense, but not all pool tables are the same size, so you need to make sure you’re buying a product that you can actually use! Measure your pool table if you don’t know its dimensions before you go. Most pool tables are 7 or 8 feet in length, but some may be larger, so make sure you know what you need before you make a purchase.

Another thing to look for is how the conversion top is stored. You probably want one that can fold in half so that it is easy to store. If it doesn’t, you’re not much better off than if you just had a whole second table for the game.

Weather proofing is also an option. Most of these tops are designed for indoor play, but some will be able to be used for outdoor use. These are more on the higher end price-wise, though, so there’s not much sense in paying for that unless you anticipate actually using it outdoors.

Finally, you’ll want to decide the brand you want. Some of the biggest names in table tennis conversion tops are Stiga, Kilpatrick, Prince Sports, and DMI.

And as a parting thought, if you are concerned with the condition of your pool table, make sure you get a conversion top specifically designed to not to damage to the table underneath.

The sport has, of course, come a long way since then. Now, you can buy a table specifically for ping pong, and there are, even more conveniently, table tennis conversion tops. These help you turn a regular table (or more often, a pool table) into a ping pong table without having to dedicate the space or money to a whole separate game table. You can simply add the conversion top when you want to play, then remove it when you do not.

There are several brands to choose from if you are considering buying one of these conversion tops. One of the leading brands is Stiga. Stiga is a company specifically devoted to table tennis. They are based out of Sweden and sell everything from tables and paddles to clothes.

Martin Kilpatrick is the name of a major U.S. distributer of Butterfly table tennis supplies. The Kilpatrick/Butterfly combination is a major source of table tennis gear and accessories and is the official ball sponsor of the 2009 World Table Tennis Championships.
A third good company to consider is Prince Sports, which specializes in games like table tennis, racquetball, tennis, and squash. Prince Sports also carries conversion table tops.

Each of these companies offers reliable quality conversion tops for the purposes of casual players and more competitive players as well. The best way to select the right table tennis conversion top for your home is to see the products in person, or compare quality reviews from sales websites. Once you decide the size, style, and durability level that are right for you, your family will be all set to enjoy table tennis in your own home.

Just some of the factors that you’ll be able to choose from include size, durability, style (to some degree), manufacturing brand, and, of course, price. Let’s look at some of the options for each of these categories so you have a better idea of what to look for when it comes time to make a selection.

Table tennis conversion tops come in different sizes. Choosing the size that’s right for you is not about the size you want; rather, it’s about how big the dimensions of your existing table (usually a pool table) are. You need a conversion top that will fit correctly to the table you are converting. Because the ping pong top fits overtop the pool table, getting the right size is essential both to let the ping pong table work, and to protect the pool table surface underneath.

Another factor to consider is what you want your conversion top to be able to withstand. For example, most people choose indoor tops. But there are outdoor/weatherproof tops available, if you so desire. Generally these cost a little more, so if you’re going to buy one, make sure you intend to use it; otherwise it’s extra money spent for no reason.

Then there is style. Most ping pong table tops will be similar: they will sit atop the existing table, they include two posts (and a net to attach to them), and they fold in half for easy removal and storage. There are different styles of how the top will actually rest on the table. The style you choose will probably depend on the style of your pool table.

There are many manufacturers that produce table tennis conversion tops, but the most common are Stiga, Kilpatrick, DMI, and Prince Sports. Finally, price is another choice you’ll make. Conversion tops in the $150-$200 range are probably best for you if you’re picking this up as a casual family game that you assume your kids will outgrow. However, if you want the top to be usable and durable for a longer period of time, the pricier models may be well worth your investment.

The transition could be for several reasons. Perhaps the upper class Victorians wanted to enjoy this fine sport indoors when the weather got too bad to play outside. Perhaps they loved it so much that they wanted a less athletic, more social version to play inside at parties. Maybe they were just bored and feeling creative.

Whatever the reason, tennis came to the table top not in the way that we know it now. Today, table top tennis has official tables with certain dimensions and markings, specific nets made just for the sport, and paddles and balls that are regulation size and design (plus many that are not regulation but are just plain fun).

But in fact, the game was first played with very makeshift equipment. People would clear off a table large enough to have room to play, and this would be the playing surface. A dining room or parlor room table was probably lacquered with a slippery, shiny finish, adding extra challenge to the game. For the net, they would line up books from the shelf across the middle of the table. For paddles, they would remove the lid from a cigar box and hold it in their hand. And the ball? The ball would be, most commonly, the round end of a champagne cork (or sometimes a ball of string).

By 1901 the name “ping pong” had become trademarked by a sport and toy manufacturer, and high end (and also more affordable) equipment began being available for purchase.

Now in modern times, table top tennis is played on many at-home tables made specifically for the game. They are generally painted green with a white stripe down the vertical center. Handheld paddles are lined with a thin layer of rubber on both sides, and a lightweight, hollow plastic ball is used for the game. From its origin to today, the game has changed a lot, but it has certainly always been fun.

First of all, the basics. Table tennis is played on a table with a net down the middle, crossed by a single white line that divides each side of the table in half. Equipment is a lightweight, hollow plastic ball and for each player, one hand-held paddle with a thin layer of rubber on each side. Table tennis can be played one person on each side, or two people on each side.

To serve, you stand on what is your right side and aim into the opposite quarter of the table (which is the far left corner as you see it, which will be your opponent’s right half as they say it). Hold the ball still in your left hand (assuming you’re right handed) and toss it just slightly. Hit it with the paddle so it bounces first in your right half, then crosses the net and hits the table in the opposite quarter. After this, which side of the line it hits does not matter at all.

For each hit in table top tennis, the ball can bounce only one time. You can hit it before it bounces, but don’t let it bounce twice or you’ll lose the point. After it hits your paddle, it must then return to your opponent’s side of the table. It can’t bounce on your side and then go over.

Players go back and forth, and whoever messes up (by hitting it off the table, into the net, missing it, or having it bounce more than once on their side) loses the point. Scoring for table top tennis goes until 15 or 21 (whichever you choose), and a player serves 5 five points (regardless of who gets them) and then the other player serves the next five.
It’s an easy to learn and fun to play game that appeals to all ages. So jump in and have fun!