Moving a pool table

There are two parts to moving a Pool Table.

First is the physical moving of a Pool Table

It’s important to protect the esthetic beauty of the Table.

The rails should be protected in a box specifically designed to protect both the cloth and the beauty of the rail caps. It will also protect the structural part of the rail.

The pockets should be completely removed from the rails. All staples s/b removed to protect the finished part of the pockets. The cloth s/b bagged or boxed to protect the cloth from UV exposure. Billiard cloth is not color fast.

The cabinet and legs should be properly handled to protect the beauty of the table.

Second is the actual leveling and assembly of the table

The leveling and assembly of your pool table is actually what you are paying for. An improper leveling and assembly of the pool table can result with shifting slates, broken rails, broken slates, and a very unhappy customer.

• To level a table properly, the mechanic must use a 6” Starrett Machinest level. Any other level larger will not be accurate enough to set the slates. The Starrett level is sensitive to the thickness of a $1 bill. It will move the bubble half way across the vial
• The goal in leveling a pool table is to get equal weight on each leg. Failure to achieve that will result in table settling causing the joints to shift and possibly a broken slate. The slates are like pieces of plate glass and cannot be tweaked. We shim the legs first and then we shim under each slate to bring each slate into the same level plane.
• Once the slates are level, we install screws (never use old screws as they are prone to break). Setting the Starrett level adjacent to each screw, as you lock the screw down, the bubble is not allowed to move. If it does shim under the slates until the reading is correct. The screw tightening sequence must be followed exactly.
• The joints are grouted and there should be no buildup on either side of the joint.
• Installation of the cloth and rails will finish the final assembly.

As a pool table requires a very precise assembly, be careful in selecting a mechanic. Price should never be your first priority. If possible visit each mechanic’s place of business. This will help you judge his skill level. Also ask for referrals to confirm his skill level