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How to Install Felt on a Slate Pool Table

Quality pool tables and billiard tables have a slate bed covered by a thin layer of felt fabric. This felt helps cushion the balls on bumpers and allow them to roll evenly on the slate bed. If the felt is worn or torn, the play on the pool table will be affected. Replacing the felt on a slate pool table will help improve the play on the table, and will give the table a fresh, new look as well.

Things You'll Need

Pool table felt
Socket set or wrenches
Level
Screwdriver
Staple gun
Staple puller
Scissors or utility knife

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the nuts from the bolts under the table that hold the rails onto the table. Lift the rails off of the table, and keep track of their original positions.
- 2
  Pull all of the staples that hold the felt onto the perimeter of the table. Fold the damaged felt, and set it aside.
- 3
  Lay the new felt over the table, and attach it to one end of the table with a staple every two inches.
- 4
  Pull the felt taut in the center of the other end of the table, and tack in place with a staple. Work outwards from the center, pulling and tacking evenly every two inches.
- 5
  Move to one side of the table and tack the felt in place with a staple every two inches. Be sure to avoid pulling the felt, causing wrinkles in the fabric.
- 6
  Pull on the felt on the opposite side in the center until the felt is taut, and tack in place with a staple. Move outward from the center, with a staple every two inches.
- 7
  Trim the excess felt with a pair of scissors or a utility knife.
- 8
  Cut three vertical stripes in the felt in each pocket, making sure to start the cut 1/2 inch below the bottom of the slate in the pocket. Tuck the felt slits underneath the slate and secure to the bottom of the slate with felt cement.
- 9
  Poke a screwdriver through each of the bolt holes in the slate for the rails. Position the rail bolts through the bolt holes. Tighten the nuts under the table to secure the rails.

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