Table tennis, also known as ping pong, is a popular sport played by two or four participants. It is a fun form of exercise that stimulates mental alertness, develops concentration, and sharpens reflexes. It is also a very safe physical activity and can be played all year round, day or night, indoors or outdoors (as long as the weather allows).
Apart from the paddle and ball, another important piece of equipment in playing this sport is the ping pong table. Standard ping pong tables are 2.74 m (9 ft) long, 1.525 m (5 ft) wide, and 76 cm (30 inches) high, divided into two halves by a 15.25 cm (6 inch) high net. Commercially available ones come in a variety of formats that can be easily assembled or disassembled for portability or easy storage. Depending on the manufacturer, setting up or knocking down a ping pong table can be as simple as unfolding/folding the legs or as complicated as dealing with numerous nuts and bolts.
Depending on its weight, size when disassembled, and materials used, a ping pong table can be either boxed or crated for shipping. Here are tips on how to properly packed and ship a ping pong table.
Knock down the table to its smallest size possible following the manufacturer’s directions. Place all small parts, nuts, bolts, screws, and other hardware in Ziploc bags. Label the bags for easy re-assembly and bubble wrap them.
Wrap the folded or dismantled table in several layers of bubble wrap and secure with tape. If removed from the table, individually wrap legs and braces in bubble wrap.
Place the table top inside a sturdy shipping box with packing peanuts at the bottom. The box should be large enough to accommodate the table and provide 3 inches of extra space for packing materials on all sides. Place other parts on the sides, including the bag of hardware. Fill empty spaces with more packing peanuts up to the top of the box. The key is to fill the package with fillers so that the items inside will not move around or collide with each other during transit. Close the box and seal with heavy-duty packaging tape.
Ping pong tables that are made from heavy materials are best crated for shipping. They must be protected with padding materials to absorb any impact during transit. The crate should also be filled with packing materials to prevent movement inside.
Close and seal the package. Address and attach appropriate labels. Take the package to a reputable carrier or have it picked up.