Why Pool Tables Are Different
Most pool tables have a heavy slate bed made up of three pieces, a wooden frame, rails with rubber cushions, and a felt cloth stretched over the top. You can’t just slide it out the door. The table has to be taken apart in a set order, each piece moved separately, and then rebuilt and leveled at the new home.
Step 1: Gather Tools and Supplies
You’ll typically need a socket set, screwdrivers, a staple remover or pliers, a drill, painter’s tape, bags and markers for hardware, moving blankets, and a sturdy dolly. Slate should be moved on its edge, never flat, so you’ll also want straps and padding.
Slate Moves on Its Edge
Never carry slate flat. Keep each piece on its edge, padded on both sides, with enough people to control it.
Step 2: Photograph and Label Everything
Before you remove anything, take photos from several angles. Label the rails, pockets, and hardware as you go, and keep screws and bolts in labeled bags. This saves a lot of confusion when it’s time to reassemble.
Step 3: Remove the Pockets, Rails, and Felt
Take out the pockets and rails first. Next, the felt is removed. If you plan to reuse it, take care when pulling staples. Many people choose to install new felt at the new home, since old felt rarely survives disassembly and re-stretching.
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Step 4: Lift and Move the Slate Carefully
Slate is brittle as well as heavy. Each piece should be lifted by enough people, kept on its edge, and padded on both sides. Dropping or even tipping a piece sharply can crack it. This is the point where most DIY pool table moves cause costly damage.
Step 5: Move the Frame and Hardware
After the slate is out, the frame can be taken apart, wrapped in blankets, and carried out. Keep all hardware with its matching parts and label which bag belongs to which section.
Step 6: Plan the Route and Room
Check doorways, hallways, and stairs at both homes. Basement game rooms are common in New England houses, and getting slate down narrow stairs takes planning and the right crew. Also measure the new room: you need space to stand and use a cue around all sides of the table.
Step 7: Reassemble and Level
The slate must be set on a stable frame and leveled with shims so balls roll true. Seams are filled, felt is stretched and stapled, and rails are reattached. Leveling is the step that most affects play, and it’s why many people have the same crew who took the table apart put it back together.
DIY or Hire Professionals?
A strong group can disassemble and move a table, but cracked slate, torn felt, and injuries are common results of a first attempt. Hiring experienced movers usually costs less than replacing a damaged slate, and it removes the risk of an uneven table.
Correira Brothers Moving & Storage is a family-owned company that moves large and heavy items for households throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. If a pool table is part of your move, we can review the access and give you a clear estimate. Call us at (401) 648-6683 or request a free quote to get started.
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