Moving a pool table is a truly daunting task that should honestly be left up to the professionals. Pool tables are typically 7 to 9 feet long and weigh upwards of 800 to 900 pounds, some more than that. If the pool table isn't set up correctly (not only is it a safety hazard) but you can’t play pool properly. While we recommend hiring a mover for this task, you can move a pool table by yourself. Follow the steps in this guide to learn how to move a pool table by yourself.
**Moving a pool table by yourself is not recommended. This can cause bodily harm or damage to the pool table**
Step 1: Getting the Right Supplies
The first step in moving a pool table is getting the correct tools to disassemble and reassemble your pool table. Here are some supplies and tools you will need:
- Moving blanket
- Bubble wrap
- Socket wrench
- Drill
- Screwdriver set
- Staple remover (to remove the felt)
- A box with multiple bags to put screws and other parts from the pool table in
After you gather your tools, the next step is to measure.
Step 2: Measure Door Openings
Always plan ahead! Since you don't want to be moving your pool table just to find out that the door opening is too small, make sure to measure everything to make sure that your pool table can easily fit through the opening.
Also, measure hallways and, if necessary, staircases. You can also take a door off its hinges (if necessary) by removing the hinge pins from the hinge. If you are moving your pool table to a new home, make sure that your new house’s door and hallway openings are also large enough.
Step 3: Disassembly (3 Steps)
Before you move your pool table you need to take it apart since pool tables weren't made to be moved in one piece. You should remove the rails, pockets, legs, felt, and slate (table) then reassemble it once you get it into its new location.
Of course, each pool table is different so consult your pool table owner’s manual to see how to disassemble it specifically.
Disassembly Step 1: Remove Railings and Ball Pockets
The first step of disassembly is to remove the railings and the ball pockets. The ball pockets are held in by either staples or screws, so you will remove those and then remove all the ball pockets. Make sure as you disassemble that you organize the parts so you can easily reassemble it.
You will need to use a wrench to remove the rails next. Those should be easy to remove now that the pockets have been removed, so set them and the pockets aside for later.
Disassembly Step 2: Remove Felt and Slate
Using a staple remover, carefully remove all the felt from the slate. While this seems time-consuming and pointless, it allows you to get to the slate. You can choose to use the same felt, or this could be the time to change it out and go for a new felt (or even a new style completely).
Now you can see the slate. You will need to remove the screws carefully using the drill (or screwdriver). After the screws are out, carefully remove the slate and set aside.
Note: Slates are heavy so do not move it by yourself!
Disassembly Step 3: Remove Legs
Now that everything else is removed, get help to turn the table over (gently) to remove the table's legs. It is important that you try to keep the weight off the legs as you turn it over, so the legs don’t crack or break.
Once the table is upside down, unscrew the legs and set them aside.
Step 4: Wrap Table Parts
Before you pack your pool table parts up, you'll want to make sure to wrap them in your bubble wrap or in your moving blanket. The slate needs to be wrapped in the moving blanket and then wrapped around with packing tape (or plastic wrap) to keep the blanket in place.
The parts can be moved using dollies or moving straps, just make sure you have plenty of help moving your items. The slate is around 500 pounds on its own, so this isn’t something you can do on your own.
Step 5: Loading onto the Rental Truck
Loading the truck will be a cake walk. You need to protect the slate so it doesn't crack or chip, and it should be loaded so nothing can fall onto it. Once the truck is loaded, you will need to drive very carefully so nothing shifts in the truck.
Step 6: Reassemble the Pool Table
After you move your pool table, you will need to reassemble it. To reassemble your pool table, follow the disassembly steps in reverse. With the table flipped over, put your legs back on securely and flip it over. Next put the slate and felt back on. Then the railings and ball pockets.
Again, your pool table will have specific assembly instructions so be sure to follow those. If assembly is not down properly, your pool table may not be level or something else might be wrong with it.
Should I Do It Myself or Hire Movers?
Moving a pool table is an arduous task. It requires a lot of heavy lifting, precise movement, and perfect loading and unloading of the moving truck. It cannot be stressed enough, but this is a task meant for professionals. If you were to do this on your own you would need at least 4 or 5 other people to try to help you move, and the back pain will be immense.
Moving a pool table is also very time-consuming. The work is slow going because you need to make sure that nothing is breaking and that you don't drop anything heavy on you or your friends. A professional can get this done in a shorter amount of time and it takes the pressure away from you.
However, we understand that everyone has different needs and that sometimes hiring professional movers can get expensive. So, if you do follow through with moving your pool table on your own, make sure you follow your pool tables disassembly (and assembly) instructions to a T and be careful.