Awesome Air Hockey Table

Air hockey tables are great, but sadly to buy a good one new is like $300. I have made a better, cheaper, DIY, alternative which is amazing and works like a charm. All made with stuff I had. (" are inches and ' are feet).

Materials

>1" Masking tape >Metre stick >Household Fan > 2-8' 2x4' Wood > Green craft felt

>1/4 sheet of 1/4 inch plywood > 1/4 sheet of 1/4 inch plexiglass > 1-4"x4"-1/4" plastic

> 1-3/4 plywood scrap 10"x4" > 1-1" dowel or curtain rod. 8" long > 1-25' L.E.D rope, for lighting > 8-2" Wood

screws > 8-3" Wood screws > 2, 1-1/2 Wood screws

Tools Required (parental help advised)

>- Mitre saw >- Table saw >- Drill press >- Corded or Cordless drill >- 1/16" drill bit, 1/2" drill bit, 1/2" end mill.

>- Hot glue gun >- Power bar >- White glue for felt >- Sander (Belt or Disc) >- Stapler for lights

Take your sheet of plexiglass, cut it down to 37" long by 21 and 3/8". Then, put the masking tape on it lengthwise leaving little slits in between the tape and your drill with the 1/16 drill bit, drill holes exactly one inch away from each of them and do this around the whole board. Then drill in between the middle of those holes around the whole board.

Take your 2x4' s and cut 2 of them down to 39" on the side boards and 23.5 inches on the back boards both with 45 degree mitred corners. Then, dado 2x4 sides 1/4 wide by 3/4" deep lengthwise on inside of mitres. At 1 & 1/2 from top of the board and 3/8 from bottom of board.

Mark the center of plywood, then use a pencil or something to trace the width of your fan then cut it out. The hole should 7 & 1/4" in Diameter.

Drill 1/2" hole at 9 & 1/2" to 14" mark of the outside of the end boards at 3/4" from the top of the end boards. Use a vibrating saw to cut between the holes and that should be your proper goal.

Cut 2, 1 & 3/8" at 2" with the mitre saw. Next, using the hole saw with a 2 & 3/8 cut, cut 2-2 & 3/8 holes that are 3/4 tall. Now attach dowels to 2 & 3/8 circle using glue and 2" screw. Then using all purpose glue attach the felt to the bottom of the mallet, do this to both mallets. Add weight while the glue and felt are drying. Trim the rest of the felt.

Cut 4, 2 x 4's at 8.5" square cut. That's pretty much it for the legs.

Mount strip lights with stapler 2x around the boards and 3x on the middle, or, as you like :)

Connect 2 long sides to one end with 2" wood screws. Slide plywood base into bottom dado. Attach L.E.D lighting just like how I've instructed you in the last step. Then, slide plexiglass into the top dado and attach the other end board to seal up the board using your 2" wood screws. Flip the table upside down and then connect fan to the board using the hot glue gun. Attach legs using glue and 3" screws toe-nailed, centered at 2 & 1/2" from the end of the table. Mount power bar on bottom side of the air hockey table and plug the fan and lights in. After finishing this step you're all set.

I had an awesome time working with my dad creating and making this air hockey table and I will for sure use this for a long time to come. I have a strong sense of accomplishment knowing that I have made this myself.