Puck Replacement and Selection Information that every Air Hockey Table owner needs to know. Pucks come in many sizes and weights. Each puck must correctly match your size and style table. All commercial quality 7 and 8-foot air-powered hockey tables use 3 1/4 inch pucks. While most 7-foot size tables use the full size 3 1/4 inch pucks, some use 2 1/2 inch pucks.
Most 7-foot air hockey tables are for home game room use. All 6-foot and under air hockey tables use a 2 1/2 inch puck. Most of the 4 to 5-foot tabletop and the air hockey children’s games use a special lightweight 2 1/2″ puck. It is important to use these lighter-weight pucks on these tables for free movement of the pucks.
Air hockey pucks ride on a cushion of air that comes up thru holes in the air hockey table’s top. If you use too heavy a puck, the puck will not glide around the playfield easily. On the same token, if you use too light a puck, the puck may fly off of the tabletop.
For best performance and game play, pucks must be properly matched in size and weight to your air hockey table.
Most pucks have a raised edge around the perimeter of the puck that captures the air blown up thru the playfield. In order to properly trap the air blown up under it, this ridge must be completely flat and smooth. As a result, the puck can ride on this cushion of air. If the puck gets chipped or nicked on this edge, the powered air will escape. Consequently, the puck will not slide freely causing disappointingly slow game play.
Pucks are relatively inexpensive. They always find a way to disappear right when you want to play air hockey most. So, replace your puck and buy a few spares just in case.
Some tips on keeping pucks riding smoothly on the playfield surface
Place a piece of fine sandpaper on a flat surface, and lightly sand each side of the puck. Sand it until it is smooth as possible. If the puck has nicks on the edges, you can often use a knife to scrape away the high points. Do that before sanding. Replace the puck once they become very uneven.
You can spray a light coat of silicone spray lubricant into a clean rag. Use the rag to wipe the bottoms of the pucks and the top of the air hockey table. This will clean and speed up game play. Be careful not to apply too much as the puck may tend to fly off the table more. You can also get special air hockey table cleaner & polish to help with your hockey tabletop maintenance. Be sure to follow the directions on the bottle for proper application.
