Here’s a quick how-to recipe for making your own pickleball paddle! Bear in mind that, as much as I strive to stay within regulations, homemade paddles are not permitted for “official” play. But we’re just building and playing for fun anyway.
Step 1: Cut out paddle
Using a scroll saw, I cut out the main paddle shape from a scrap piece of 3/8″ plywood. Officially speaking, it seems like just about any shape is allowed, as long as the combined length and width don’t exceed 24″, and the paddle length doesn’t exceed 17″.
Step 2: Cut out the handle
I fashioned a handle from an old hockey stick I found in the garage. 6″ does the trick for my hand.
Step 3: Cut the handle notch
I cut a notch down the centre of the handle, where the paddle slips in. I used a hacksaw for the cut, then cleaned it up with a flat file.
Step 4: Attach the handle
I used a bit of wood glue between the faces, and two small nails to make absolutely sure the paddle doesn’t go flying off. That would definitely not be regulation.
Step 5: Add a hook for the wrist strap
Just a simple hobby-store hook, screwed into the butt end of the handle.
Step 6: Snazzy coat of paint
Of course, before painting, sand down everything smooth. And bear in mind for whatever type of finishing you do, the maximum roughness is 40μm peak-to-valley. If, like me, you made this with plywood you’ll never get to regulation roughness. However, if, like me, you made this yourself you’re out of regulation already anyway.
Step 7: Handle grip and… you’re done!
A couple of layers of hockey tape, a bit of string for the wrist strap, and you’re off to the court!
Dylan Brenneis 
What is 40um peak to valley ?
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Hi! It’s a unit of measurement for roughness, which directly corresponds to the maximum distance between the highest point on the surface (peak) and the lowest (valley). You need special tools to measure this directly, but online you can find information about what surface roughness various finishing processes will get you (for example, when using different levels of sandpaper grit). 40 um (micrometers) is what I read in the rulebook I linked at the top of the page, which doesn’t seem to go anywhere anymore…so I’m not sure if that’s still the standard. The 2023 rulebook (https://usapickleball.org/docs/USA-Pickleball-Official-Rulebook-2023-v2.pdf) doesn’t mention much about surface finish, outside of saying no anti-skid paint, or textured paint with sand or other particles. It also doesn’t explicitly say “no homemade paddles!” but it does say every paddle has to have “a manufacturer-provided and clearly marked brand and model name or model number on the paddle”, so you may still need to incorporate a company and/or get an official-enough-looking logo to use it in official play
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