Home >> Games

How to Move a Pool Table a Short Distance

Moving a pool table even a short distance within the same house is complicated because of its unique build. The average pool table weighs more than 1,000 pounds and before it can be moved must be disassembled no matter if you are moving it across the room or across town. You cannot move a pool table by picking it up and may actually damage the table by popping a seam, cracking a slate piece, pulling a rail rod or breaking an apron.

Things You'll Need

Felt tip marker
Digital Camera
Staple remover
Drill
Screwdriver attachments for drill
Flat blade and Phillips screwdrivers
Carbide drill

Instructions

- 1
  Mark the assembly of the pool table and number the screws before removing them with a felt tip marker. This way you can put the table back together again. Take pictures of the way the table is assembled. Observe the way the pool table is put together. Look over the entire table cloth. Observe any holes or cuts. If you find any then you will have to replace the pool table cloth. Removing and re-stretching a pool table cloth that has a small cut or hole will make the hole larger. If you have already disassembled and re-stretched the cloth twice you will need to replace it for the 3rd move. Replacing the cloth means both bed and rail cloth must be changed, otherwise the colors won't match.
- 2
  Get under the table to remove the pockets using a drill equipped with a screwdriver head. Place them out of the way. Remove the rails by unscrewing the fasteners that hold it to the table.
- 3
  Remove the felt that is either glued or stapled to the table. Go around the underside of the table and remove every staple you see. Pull the felt up gently so the adhesive comes up slowly. Carefully remove felt around the pocket area, being careful not to tear the fabric.
- 4
  Remove the screws from the slate using a drill and replaceable screwdriver heads. Manually removing screws may be difficult as these are tight. Remove plaster or beeswax from around the screws. Dig beeswax out with a screwdriver from around the screws. Remove plaster with a carbide drill, but be careful of the screw heads that can become damaged from the drill use. Remove the screws from each corner of the slate. Lift the slate from the table frame. You will need 3 to 4 people to help because the slate can weigh more than 150 pounds. Move the slate vertically; there is no need to crate as it is only being moved a short distance.
- 5
  Unscrew and remove the legs from the pool table frame with the drill. Be careful in removing screws so you don't damage the screws or the wood.
- 6
  Move the frame as one piece to the area you want to place the pool table. Move the slate to the new area and the pool table legs, rails, felt and pockets.
- 7
  Reassemble the legs, the slate, the rails, and the table pockets by following your marked guidelines and pictures.

Games