You may be thinking that dismantling a pool table is a difficult task, but it is actually quite simple if you know what to expect and have the right tools.
First, remove the bolts that hold the railing in place (these can be removed with a socket wrench). Make sure you keep them safe and put them in a container labeled “rail screws”. Next, take the pockets off.
Tools
Before you start taking your table apart, make sure you have the right tools. Some of these might include a staple remover, flat head screwdriver, needle-nose pliers and a socket wrench or power drill. Having these tools ready will help make the process go much quicker and less painful. You will also need a box or several containers to put the parts in as you remove them. Keeping the parts organized and labeled will also make putting the pool table back together a lot easier.
If your table has pocket liners, the first thing you need to do is remove them. These are fixed to the pockets with either tacks or screws, and can be removed with a staple remover or flat-head screwdriver. Once the liners are removed, you can pull out the pockets and set them aside in a safe place.
The next step is to remove the rails. Depending on the type of table you have, this may be done by unscrewing the bolts that hold them in place or just pulling them out with your hands. The bolts are usually quite large, so having a socket wrench handy will be helpful at this point. Once the rails are taken out, they can be placed in a safe location as well.
Once all the small pieces have been removed from the frame of the table, it is time to start removing the slate bed. This can be a difficult task, but it is crucial to do if you want to move the table without hiring professional movers. It is important to read the manufacturer’s instructions on disassembly and be prepared to take a few breaks to allow your body to heal.
When removing the slate, it can be helpful to have another person to assist you. The process is long and tedious, and the slate is a heavy, cumbersome object that isn’t made to be lifted by one person. If you have any difficulty, don’t hesitate to ask for help from a friend or family member. You will be glad you did when the job is completed.
Safety First
A standard pool table is an incredibly heavy piece of furniture. Moving one without taking it apart poses a risk of injury for the people doing the work and can cause damage to the table itself. To avoid this, it’s recommended that a person have enough help and the right tools for disassembling and reassembling a pool table. A few of the most important things to have for this process include a power drill, socket wrench, screwdriver tool set, a staple remover and a staple remover tool (for the felt), moving blankets, bubble wrap and a good extra pair of hands.
First, start by removing the pocket liners. You can do this either by hand or using a staple remover. Then, put the pockets and any screws or tacks that come off in a plastic bag to keep them safe.
Next, you can begin to take apart the sides of the table. This step will likely involve a lot of bending and reaching, so be sure you have plenty of extra pairs of hands on hand to help out. If the rails are held in place with either screws or staples, use your staple remover to remove the staples and a flat head screwdriver to remove the bolts. Once the rails are off, you can set them aside.
Now you can begin to remove the slate panels. Usually, they’re held in place with either glue or staples, so be careful not to tear them off while working. If your slate panel is damaged in any way, you’ll need to have some replacement felt on hand for reassembly.
Once you’ve removed the slate panels, you can move on to reattaching the side rails. Depending on the type of pool table, they may be attached with staples or bolts. If they’re stapled, you can use the staple remover and needle-nose pliers to pull them out. Once you’ve removed the side rails, set them aside somewhere they won’t get kicked or stepped on.
At this point, you should be close to finishing the disassembly of your pool table. Be sure to have an extra pair of hands on hand for any heavy lifting and to be sure that you have all the parts you need to reassemble the table in your new home. You should also place each of the bolts, screws and tacks you removed in their own labeled plastic bag for easy access on moving day.
Preparing the Area
The first step in taking a pool table apart is to clear out the area around the pool table. This step is vital in ensuring that you can take apart the pool table without damaging it or anything else. If there are any tight spaces, narrow hallways or stairways, be sure to measure them to see how the pool table will fit once it is disassembled and ready to move. It is also a good idea to make note of any low doorways or ceilings that may cause issues when moving the table.
Once you have cleared out the area, the next step is to remove the pocket liners (if there are any). These are usually fixed to the rails with either screws or staples. You will want to use your power drill or flat head screwdriver and a staple remover for this step. Once you have removed the pockets, you can then proceed to removing the rail bolts. This is where you will need a socket wrench or a drill and again, it is recommended to have a friend to assist. Once you have removed the rail bolts, you can then flip the pool table over and begin to disassemble the frame system. You will want to keep track of all hardware that you remove from the table and put it in a labeled bag or box for easy reassembling once the pool table is at its new home.
You will then want to remove the slate panels. This is going to be a big job and it is recommended that you have another person to help you lift these panels as they are very heavy. If you do decide to lift the slate panels, it is important that you do not damage them as this could significantly increase the cost of replacing them later on. Once the slate panels are removed, you can then place them in a safe location for transporting.
Once you have finished putting the pool table into its storage location, it is time to remove the dollies and prepare for the actual move. It is very important to be very careful and go slowly during this step, as the heaviness of the pool table can easily damage walls, doors and other items in your home. If you are being very careful, you can successfully remove a pool table without any major damages.
Moving the Table
A standard home pool table is a huge piece of furniture that can provide hours of fun for all the family. However, when the time comes to move it, you’ll need some serious muscle power to get it from one place to another. The best way to make the process easier is to disassemble it before moving. This makes it much easier to transport your pool table without the risk of damaging the pieces or hurting yourself during the move.
Before you start the process of taking your table apart, it’s important to read through the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific model you have. This will ensure that you’re not inadvertently doing anything that could damage the table, and will also help you when it comes to reassembling it once you arrive at your new location.
Once you have your supplies and are ready to begin the process, start by removing the pocket liners from the pockets. Usually, they’re held in with either staples or screws, so a staple remover or screwdriver will come in handy here. Once you’ve removed the liners, set them aside in a safe spot somewhere. Next, turn your attention to removing the rail bolts underneath each of the rails. Typically, there are three or four of these bolts in each of the side rails, and you’ll need a socket wrench to remove them. After removing the bolts, set them aside in a safe place as well.
You’ll then want to flip the pool table over and start removing the legs. Again, you’ll need to be careful not to scratch the wooden frame with your tools. You can also wrap the frame and slates in furniture blankets to prevent any scratches during the move.
The rest of the process is pretty simple, although it can be a little time-consuming. Once you have all the parts separated, they can be loaded onto a truck for transport to your new home. Remember that you’ll need a sturdy vehicle to safely transport your pool table, and if you don’t have the space for it at home, it’s probably better to hire professional movers for the job.