Pool tables have brought joy and entertainment to many people for quite some time. It is a sport that many have mastered and come to enjoy. If you own a pool table or are considering getting one, you know that it is essential to take proper care of it, part of that care includes moving the pool table. You may need some help or tips on how to move a pool table properly and we have that information for you!
Why Moving a Pool Table By Yourself Can Be a Bad Idea?
While it is no secret that moving a pool table by yourself is possible, it is generally frowned upon and, frankly, not the best idea. There are so many steps, processes and details you need to understand just to disassemble the pool table, along with the special tools required. Then, you also have to consider the weight of the pool table itself. It is often said that pool tables can weigh as much as a piano; can you imagine trying to move a piano by yourself?
From gathering all of the proper tools you will need, learning how to take your pool table apart correctly and then working to move the table itself, handling the entire process on your own can be overwhelming. By not attempting to move it by yourself, you can save time, money, energy, frustration and possibly even the life of your pool table.
Many people have ruined their pool tables by attempting to move them on their own. You may take it apart incorrectly, accidentally drop it while moving it or even put it back together the wrong way. The best thing you can do is hire a professional to move your pool table for you. They understand the steps involved and know exactly what needs to be done to make the move successful while keeping your pool table intact.
Steps to Move a Pool Table
There are specific steps that need to be taken into consideration when moving a pool table. We will walk through those steps so you can see exactly how the process should go. One important thing to know from the start is that certain tools are required when taking a pool table apart and putting it back together. The tools you will want to make sure you have for this task are:
- Drill
- Staple puller
- Ratchet wrenches
- Flat head screwdriver
- Phillips head bit
- Flat head bit
- Moving blankets
- Pencil (this will be used to mark the slate pieces)
- Container (necessary for storing the hardware and tools you will have)
Now that you know which tools will be needed to get the job done, we will go over the steps that are essential to ensuring your pool table is moved correctly. It is important to note that dismantling a pool table can be very difficult and there is a possibility of damaging the table during the process (another reason why you should not attempt to do this on your own).
Step 1: Remove the plastic parts of the pockets. You will use the flat head screwdriver for this step.
Step 2: Take the railing off. There are bolts that need to be removed in order to detach the railings. These bolts can be found on the underside of the pool table and generally require a socket wrench for removal. Be sure to place the bolts in a labelled bag inside the container. Once the bolts have been removed, you will need at least two people to lift the railing system away from the table.
Step 3: Disassemble the railing. You should find corner castings that can be removed using the drill and screwdriver. The first thing you will want to do is remove the brackets. Remember to keep all hardware in a container and label everything accordingly. After removing the brackets from the corners, you can then remove the miters.
Step 4: Take off the aprons. Each side of the pool table will have an apron and there are bolts holding them in place. Remove the bolts and you will be able to take the aprons off.
Step 5: Remove the pocket castings. After you have taken the aprons off, use the ratchet wrench to remove the pocket castings. Once they have been removed, pack them along with their corresponding hardware and place them in their own box.
Step 6: Remove the felt. The felt on a pool table is usually secured in place with staples. The easiest way to remove the felt is typically by using a staple remover to pull out the staples. Once all of the staples have been removed, you can carefully roll up the felt.
Step 7: Remove the slate top. You may find this to be the trickiest part of the move. The top of your pool table is made up of three pieces of slate. The reason it is divided into three pieces is because, if it were a single piece, it would be far too heavy to move. Even then, it would likely be too heavy to handle and could potentially break under its own weight.
The first thing you will want to do is remove the slate screws. Once that is done, use the pencil to mark the slate pieces, this is necessary so you can reinstall them in the exact same order in which they were removed. You can use numbers or letters (whichever you prefer) to identify where each piece belongs and which side should face up.
After doing that, slide one of the end pieces to the side so you can mark the middle piece and its exact placement. It is best to make your markings along the edge of the slate on the wood beneath it, do this on both sides of the middle section. It is also important to use numbers or letters on the wood frame so you know exactly where each piece should be placed.
Step 8: Dismantle the base if necessary. This may not be required, especially if you have enough room to move and store the base as it is. However, if you do not have the space needed, you will need to break down the base.
The entire process of taking apart and moving a pool table can take up to four hours and in some cases, even longer. There are many steps involved and a lot of pieces that need to be carefully handled. If this sounds like a lot, that’s because it is! Which is why hiring professionals to take care of moving your pool table is often the best choice.
Why You Should Hire a Professional to Move Your Pool Table
If you ask anyone who is knowledgeable on the subject, they will tell you to hire a professional to move your pool table, it is a job that is best left to the experts. A professional will take the time needed to inspect the frame for any existing breaks or damage. There may be issues within the joints or cracks in the wood that you likely would not notice on your own. In many cases, professionals include new felt in the quoted price, so you will not have to reuse the old felt. Most of the time, once the felt has been removed, it is not quite the same and replacing it with new felt is highly recommended.
Professionals are the most qualified to level the slate which must be done once it has been taken apart. They are highly qualified because this is something they do regularly. You do not want to go through the process of moving your pool table yourself only to find that it is never quite the same afterward. You also do not want to be in the middle of a game and have issues arise as a result of an improper move. Hire the professional movers in Phoenix at STI Moving & Storage to help you properly move your pool table, it is the best option for you!
