Tees Sport will re-rubber your own blade or make up a new bat with a blade and rubbers selected by you to suit your game. Tees Sport make up charge is £1.50 per bat.
To help you make up your own bat, click the link for an instructional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABmuNmw2ZLo
Tees Sport will varnish your blade to protect the wood and make the speed of the blade slightly faster on request. However, this is a service no longer recommended as it can cause rubbers to lift from the surface of the blade when using the water-based glues currently on the market. This service is not available through our website, but can be requested by email to tabletennis@teessport.com or in the comments box on the basket page of your order. You will be asked to confirm via email before we carry out the varnishing process and we must advise that we cannot take any responsibility in the event that rubbers will fail to adhere properly to the blade.
1. Size of Playing Space Available
To facilitate the use of a full size table (9' x 5') a playing space of at least 12' x 7' is needed. For advanced play the playing space should be a minimum of 30' x 15'. If playing space of less than 12' x 7' is available, a Junior size table (7' x 4') is recommended when the playing size is 9' x 5' is the minimum.
2. Thickness and Type of Playing Top
12mm Wood - Suitable for home use on ¾ size tables
19mm Wood - Suitable for home use (full size) School and Recreation Centre use
22mm Wood - Suitable for match play
25mm Wood - Suitable for match play
As a general rule the thicker the top, the better the bounce, but the stronger the undercarriage needs to be to safely carry the weight and for movement.
3. Storage and Movement
Care should be taken with the selection of the undercarriage system to cater for the amount of storage available and the task of moving the table from its storage area to the playing space.
Type of Undercarriage
Traditional
2 half tops with 2 pairs of folding legs on each separate half. Generally with 2 caster wheels on each half.
Benefits - Stores very economically. Easier to transport from one location to another.
Disadvantages - Takes longer to fold and wheelaway than the other types of rollaway table. No Playback features.
High Carriage Rollaways
2 tops fold into the centre carriage.
Benefits - Easy to fold away over rollaway. Relatively low cost compared with other systems. Good Playback features.
Disadvantages - Takes up more room for storage. Extra care needed when opening and folding the table.
Space Saver Rollaway
Single carriage 2 half folds together.
Benefits - Easy to fold up and rollaway. Stores very economically
Disadvantages - No playback facility
8 Wheel Rollaway
2 halves each with their 4 separate wheels.
Benefits - Easy to fold and wheel away. Stores very economically. Playback feature.
Disadvantages - Takes a little longer than space saver to put into playing position and to put away.
4. Assembly before First Use
Some tables are ready assembled upon arrival and only need the wheels (if supplied) and net and post set fitting before play. This takes only a few minutes. (List)
Some tables arrive in a format that requires some assembly and up to one hour should be allowed for 2 people.
5. Playing Heights of Table
The standard playing height of a table tennis table is 2'6" (30 in) which is ideal for adults and older children.
For younger children a playing height of 2'3" or 2'0" is better. The Butterfly Flexi table has adjustable height and is designed to neatly divide into 2 halves, producing 2 mini tables.
Attack Reversed
This is the type of rubber that is used by the majority of world ranked players. The rubbers in this category are capable of spinning the ball heavily as well as imparting speed. Some are difficult to control and rubbers in this category are not recommended for beginners.
All Round Reversed
Rubbers in this category are recommended for players who mix, attack and defence, like to be able to spin the ball heavily, but at the same time prefer control to speed. Rubbers with this rating are also recommended for players who are new to the sport and are developing their game.
Defence Reversed
Defence rubbers in general provide good spin with excellent control and normally have only a thin layer of sponge. In the main they are slow and whilst being suitable for attack need more effort and more power from the player to produce reasonable speed. Recommended generally for players whose main strokes are backspin.
Attack Short Pimpled Out
This type of rubber often preferred by quick hitting penholder players. Suitable for fast counter hitting and control, but limited in the amount of spin that can be imparted.
Defence Short Pimpled Out
This is a specialist rubber which is used by defensive players who like good control to assist their chop and combine their defensive play with quick hitting.
Long Pimpled Out
This is a type of rubber used by most defensive players who like the reversed spin effect that the long pimples provide. There are a wide range of long pimpled out rubbers most that are suitable for defence, and some that are suitable for attack. Generally long pimpled is the most difficult type of rubber to play with, but undoubtedly the most difficult to play against. This type of rubber is definitely not recommended for beginners.
Anti Spin Reversed
This is a rubber that was introduced in the early 1970s as the first anti spin rubber. It produces reasonable "reversed" spin with good control, but is easier to play against than the long pimples.
Pimpled Out No Sponge
This is the type of rubber that was used by the famous Post War players, such as Johnny Leach, Victor Barna and Richard Bergmann. It is very good for control, but is generally slow. This type of bat is used widely as the cheapest model available in the hobby segment.
1. Speed and Control
Offensive
Mainly for advanced attacking players. Adds speed to the rubber but in many `cases at the expense of control.
All Round
All round blades generally provide reasonable speed whilst adding control to the rubber. Suitable for attacking players who like to add control to their game and for defensive players who attack, as well as blockers and other all round players.
Defensive
Soft wood blades that are very good for control and spin. Ideal for defensive players who do not rely on attack.
2. Handle Shape and Size
It is important to select a handle shape and size that is comfortable in your hand.
Younger players and women generally prefer a small or slim handle. Defenders and twiddlers generally prefer a straight handle (ST). Flair (FL) and Anatomic (AN) Blades are favourites with attacking players.
3. Blade Size
Most blades are Regular size.
Larger blades are suitable for defensive players.
Smaller blades (compact) can be quicker through the air.
