Bringing the thrill of the arcade to your home, this DIY mini air hockey table packs a lot of fun into a small package. From its sleek, melamine playing surface to the custom-made strikers and pucks, every detail has been thoughtfully crafted. Precision-drilled air holes ensure a smooth, gliding motion, mimicking the feel of a full-sized table, while homemade goals add a personal touch. Powered by a cleverly hidden vacuum, this playful DIY table doesn’t just look the part it plays it too, challenging players to a fast-paced game right from the comfort of their living room.
Mini Air Hockey Table
Materials List
- Thin material for the game surface (such as 1/8″ melamine), measuring 24″x48″
- 1×6 lumber for the sides of the table
- Thin plywood for the goal sections
- 3/4″ plywood for making the strikers
- PVC cap for the strikers
- Scrap 3/4″ pine wood for support pieces below the game surface
- PVC pipes and couplers for creating the air delivery system
- CA glue and construction adhesive for assembling parts
- Primer and spray paint for finishing touches
- Brads or nails for securing goal sections
Tools Used
- Table saw with a dado blade
- Bandsaw
- CNC machine (optional, for drilling hole patterns)
- Drill or a set of drill bits for crafting goals and air holes
- Disc sander
- Chisel
- Sled (for chipping away at the goal area)
- Corner clamps
- Screwdriver
- Forstner bit (for installing the PVC pipes)
- PVC cement
- Painting supplies (tape, paper to mask off areas, etc.)
Step by step Making Process
Constructing the Game Surface:
- Begin by cutting two pieces of your chosen thin material, ideally melamine for a slick surface, down to the size of 24″x48″.
- Slice two lengths of 1×6 lumber to match the length of the table, as these will form the longer sides of the air hockey table.
- Draw guidelines on these pieces to indicate where you will later carve out the goal slots.
Preparing Side Pieces:
- Adjust your table saw blade to around 1/8″ to cut slots in the longer side pieces that will accommodate the panels.
- Carefully start cutting these slots without extending through to the ends, using the guidelines to know where to stop the cut.
- Repeat a similar process with shorter side pieces, adjusting the fence to match the thickness of the side materials.
Crafting Strikers and Goals:
- On 3/4″ plywood, draw two circles for your strikers, then band saw near the drawn line and finalize the shape with a disc sander.
- Mark the center of these circles and drill a recess to fit PVC caps, which are later smoothed and glued in place.
- For the goal sections, carefully remove material with your table saw set to the thickness of your thin plywood until you’ve chiseled out a clean recess.
Assembling the Table:
- Glue together the scrap pine pieces to the base of your table, steering clear of the central area where air will flow.
- Align and attach the game surface to these stand-offs, adding weights to keep the surfaces in contact as they bond.
- For the air delivery system, trace out the PVC pipe on the side panel, cut, and fit the PVC, ensuring a tight seal with cement and adhesive.
Finishing:
- Protect the playing surface from paint with masking tape and brown paper, and apply a primer followed by several light coats of spray paint to the rest of the structure.
- Once dry, remove the tape, and your mini air hockey table will start to take its final form.
Final Touches:
- Construct two thin panels to sit atop the goal areas, securing them with glue and brads or nails.
- Cut and affix additional pine wood pieces to complete the goals, ensuring they capture the puck effectively.
- Craft a variety of pucks from materials such as wood or acrylic, test for the best gliding performance, and select the one that works best with your table’s airflow.
Now step back, admire your handwork, and get ready to enjoy endless hours of mini-air hockey with friends and family!
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