How to Disassemble a Pool Table

Owning a pool table is a great way to relax, entertain friends, and polish your skills. Moving a pool table, on the other hand, is a challenge. Many homeowners prefer to hire professionals rather than risk damaging the frame, felt, or slate by doing it themselves. But while taking your table apart isn’t an easy task, it doesn’t require much equipment or expertise. With the right tools and a little help, most people can tackle the job in a few hours. To that end, for those who prefer the DIY approach, here is how to disassemble a pool table.

Gather Your Tools

Disassembling a pool table requires a few common items. Some you can find in your home. Others you can pick up at your local hardware store or moving company. You’ll need:

• Staple Remover
• Flathead Screwdriver
• Needle Nosed Pliers
• Adjustable Wrench or Socket Wrench
• Power Drill with Screwdriver Bit
• Safety Goggles
• Resealable Plastic Bags
• Moving Blankets
• Stretch Wrap
• Ratchet Straps
• Furniture Dolly

Pool tables are large and heavy. Some weigh over 1,000 pounds, so don’t try to dismantle them on your own. For your safety, ask a few friends or family members to lend a hand.

Detach the Pockets

Start by removing the screws or staples holding the drop pockets in place. If you don’t have a staple remover, you can pry them out with your pliers or screwdriver. It’s easier to extract them from underneath the table. Wear goggles to protect your eyes. Screws and staples fall easily when detached.

Unscrew the Rail Bolts

Side rails are held in place by 3-4 bolts located under the table. Use your wrench to remove the nuts and washers one by one and collect them in a plastic bag, so you can locate them during reassembly. Depending on the type of table you own, the side rails may be in one piece or several.

Ask someone to hold the rail in place while you work, to prevent it from falling when you unscrew the final bolt. To remove the corner miters, flip the rails over onto the table so you can access the screws holding them in place. Turn them over slowly with the help of a friend or family member, to prevent dents and scratches. Once you’ve finished, set the rails gently off to the side.

Remove the Table Felt

After you’re finished with the rails, it’s time to detach the felt from the slate bed. Felt is either stapled down or glued in place. If it’s stapled, remove them slowly, one by one, to prevent ripping or tearing the fabric. On the other hand, if it’s glued down, peel the felt back at the edge, working your way gradually towards the center.

Remember to always pull backwards, never up or forward. Once the felt’s been removed, fold it up but don’t press down on the creases, to avoid wrinkles. However, if the felt is worn or tattered, you might be better off throwing it out and replacing it.

Unscrew the Slate

This is the most dangerous part of the dismantling process. The slate bed of a pool table can weigh up to 450 pounds. Normally, it’s divided into several pieces, weighing around 150 pounds each. They’re held in place by a series of screws on the corners of the table. However, you may find them along the sides and center beam as well.

Due to its weight, slate damages easily when dropped, so make sure you have someone keeping it stable while you work on it. While it’s possible to remove the screws by hand, a power drill works best. After you’re done, place the screws securely in a plastic bag, then carefully lift each piece of slate off the frame and set it down in a corner of the room.

Consider placing them on towels or moving blankets for safety. The slabs could not only scratch your floor, but even a small chip could ruin the table.

Disassemble the Frame

Together with your helpers, flip the table over and unbolt the legs. They’re usually held on by a few nuts and screws. Remove them and place them in a plastic bag. Label each bag, so you know what components you’ll need when you put each section of the table back together.

Prep the Components

Wrap the legs, frame, and slate in moving blankets before carrying them out to the truck. You’ll need enough blankets to cover each piece completely. Owing to the size of the frame and slate, you’ll likely need 10-12 to protect every piece. After wrapping them, add a couple of layers of plastic wrap to hold the blankets in place.

Load the Table Onto the Truck

While the legs can be carried by hand, the frame and slate pieces should be wheeled out on the dolly. Load them on their sides and secure them to the frame using one of the ratchet straps. When you get them onto the truck, you’ll need at least two or three people to lift them onto the bed. Stack the slate pieces and use at least two straps to hold them together, one lengthwise and the other crosswise.

Then loop a strap around one end and attach it to both sides of the truck. Do the same to the other end as well, to keep the slate from shifting during transit. Secure the frame the same way, if there’s enough room on the floor. Otherwise, place it against the side of the truck on its widest side and strap it down.

Reassembly

Once you’ve disassembled a pool table, reassembling it is relatively easy. Simply repeat the steps in reverse.

• Unload the table and wheel it into your home on the furniture dolly.
• Attach the legs to the frame.
• Lift the slate bed onto the frame and screw it in place.
• Wipe the slate down with a microfiber cloth, to ensure you’re working with a clean surface.
• Spread out the felt and refasten it. Use a designated pool table felt adhesive or staple it in the same places it was stapled before. Check for smoothness as you go.
• Bolt the side rails onto the table.
• Reaffix the drop pockets.

Disassembling a pool table takes two or three hours. Reassembling takes roughly the same amount of time, so plan accordingly. After you’re done, break out your billiard balls and play a few games. You’ve earned it!

Full-Service Moving for Every Household

Pool tables are a major investment. Make sure yours travels in good hands. Allied Van Lines has been helping people relocate for over 95 years. In that time, we’ve packed and shipped every conceivable piece of furniture, from pool tables to grand pianos.

Safely moving large items requires skills, resources, and experience. Our teams handle the heavy lifting - dismantling and securing each component with proven methods and techniques. Save yourself some effort and a lot of stress. Contact us today for a free quote!