A Beginner’s Guide to Pool Table Disassembly

This guide covers all that you need to know regarding the pool table disassembly process. If you need expert assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team of pool table movers.

Moving your pool table to a different location? If you’re planning to hire a team of professional pool table movers to do the task for you (hey, that’s us!), there’s really nothing to worry about. But if you’re planning to attempt the feat yourself and save on the cost of hiring pool table movers — now that can be a bit of a challenge. 

For one thing, standard pool tables are large and heavy, which means you’ll most likely need to disassemble your pool table in preparation for the move. Now a lot of things can go wrong in the process, so we decided to put together this brief guide to help you out in that area. 

The steps we’ve outlined below are the exact steps we also take when moving our clients’ pool tables. So if you have any questions regarding this guide, feel free to holler our way!

Before anything else though, please note that this guide is for moving standard, wood-framed pool tables only. If your pool table is of a different variety, please reach out to us for advice or look up a different guide for your type of pool table. 

Before Disassembling Your Pool Table

We’re pretty sure you can’t wait to get to work on your pool table, which is how we feel as well before each and every move. BUT before you dive right into the entire pool table disassembly process, please make sure that you’ve taken the right safety measures. We wouldn’t want any unwanted incidents to happen, do we? 

Since disassembling standard pool tables requires a lot of heavy lifting, make sure that you have someone who can assist you in the process. You’ll also need to wear eye protection, just to be on the safe side of things.

All set? Good! Now let’s get down to business.

An Overview of the Pool Table Disassembly Process

Disassembling your pool table doesn’t really have to be a difficult process. It’s fairly easy, so long as you go into the task with an idea of how to go about things. Never mind if it’s your first time moving a pool table! We’ve outlined the steps below for you to follow.

Step 1: Make sure you have the right tools

Just as with any other complex process, we start with the basics. For pool table disassembly, you will need the following:

• Flathead screwdriver (or, needle-nose pliers)
• Drill with a screwdriver bit
• Wrench
• Protective eyewear

Step 2: Start first with the drop pockets of your pool table

Let’s start with the easiest piece to remove — the drop pockets.

For this step, you’ll first need to lie on your back. Then, using either a pair of needle-nose pliers or your flathead screwdriver, take out the staples that keep your table’s pockets in place. These staples can easily fall on your eye once they’re dislodged, which is why wearing protective eyewear is important.

Once you’ve taken out all the staples, set aside the pockets and proceed to the next step.

Step 3: Unscrew your table’s side rail bolts

To remove the side rails of your pool table, you’ll first need to use your wrench to remove the bolts keeping them in place. Each rail usually has three bolts. Some side rails are set up as one piece, while others may be in multiple pieces. Whatever the case, make sure that you carefully unscrew each bolt so you can gently detach the side rails from the table. 

Once you’re done, bag the bolts and screws you’ve detached and set aside the side rails. Needless to say, you’ll have to make sure you don’t lose a screw so you can easily reassemble your pool table later.

Step 4: Take off the felt

After you’ve detached the side rails of your pool table, you can now proceed to the removal of the felt from the table surface. This is one of the most intensive steps in the pool table disassembly process, and one of the most crucial parts. 

The felt surface is usually attached to the slate bed either with glue or staples. If the felt surface has been glued on, you can slowly start detaching it from the table by gently pulling the edges backward. If the felt surface has been stapled to the table, then you can use your flathead screwdriver or needle-nose pliers to get rid of the staples. 

Unless the felt surface is worn and needs replacing, take your time in detaching it from the table’s surface so it doesn’t tear. Once the felt surface has been successfully removed, fold it and then set it aside for packing.

Find this step too challenging? Feel free to reach out to our team of pool table movers today.

Step 5: Detach the slate bed from the table

Now that you’ve already removed the felt surface, it’s time to deal with the slate bed. For this, you’ll need to use your drill fitted with the screwdriver bit to take out each of the screws that keep the slate attached to the table. 

Some screws may be difficult to spot, especially if the manufacturers have covered them in beeswax coating. If that’s the case for your pool table, you can easily scrape off the coating using the flat end of your screwdriver.

Once all the screws are out, it’s time to set aside the slate bed. Here’s where an extra hand would prove helpful. Slate beds generally weigh about 450 pounds if they’re in one piece. Otherwise, each piece would weigh around 150 to 200 pounds, which can be a lot to lift if you’re on your own.

Step 6: Remove the table legs

And we’re down to the last step! You should have no trouble removing the legs as they’re just attached to the body with just some screws. Once you’re done detaching the legs from the body and securing the nuts and screws so you don’t miss any, it’s time to start the actual move.

Congratulations! You’re done disassembling your pool table! Now it’s time for you to wrap everything up in either shrinkwrap or some thick blankets to prevent any scratches to the pieces you’ve just detached, and then transport these to their new location. 

Need help moving? We got you. Reach out to our team of expert pool table movers today and let’s talk about how we can help.