How to Install Bar Room Pool Table Felt

A bar room pool table is a specialty billiard table with a coin-operated mechanism for releasing balls before a game. The top of the table has a very flat surface, typically made from slate, that is covered by felt fabric. This felt allows the balls to roll smoothly and evenly across the table. If the felt on your table becomes faded or damaged, you can install new pool table felt to renew the look and play of your table. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Loosen the screws that hold the molding onto the four sides of the pool table. Slide the molding off the edges of the table and set the pieces aside.

2

Loosen and remove the bolts that hold the pool table rails onto the table. Lift the rails out of the frame. Set them aside in the order in which you removed them -- they must be reinstalled in their original locations after you replace the felt.

3

Lift the slate substrate out of the table frame. Place it upside-down on a large work table.

4

Loosen the felt where it is glued to the bottom of the slate, using a 3-inch-wide scraper. Continue around the perimeter until the felt is loose.

5

Lift the slate off the work table and gently set it aside. Discard the loose felt. Lay a new piece of felt on the work table. Set the slate substrate back onto the table, centered over the new felt.

6

Fold the edges of the felt over the sides of the table. Glue the felt to the table about 6 inches in from each edge. Stretch the felt slightly while gluing it to the table to remove any wrinkles in the playing surface.

7

Move to one of the corner pockets. Make three parallel, vertical cuts in the felt up to 1/2 inch from the corner pocket. Fold the strips onto the table so the pocket is formed without any wrinkles in the fabric. Glue the strips to the table. Repeat the process with the other five pockets. Allow the glue to dry for 24 hours.

8

Lift the felt-covered slate off of the work table. Nestle it back into position in the pool table's frame.

9

Replace the six cushioned rails into their original positions. Tighten the bolts to secure them to the table.

10

Replace the molding on the sides of the table. Attach the pieces with the screws you removed in Step 1.