Improperly moving a pool table can cause costly damage, serious injury, and hours of needless hassle. Whether you’re a homeowner relocating or a business owner transferring your table, this article on how to move a pool table will walk you through each step to make sure you save time packing and your pool table arrives safely and intact.
How to Move a Pool Table
To get the job done right, you must first carefully disassemble the unit by removing the pockets, railings, and felt before prying up the heavy slate. Once the components are free, use bubble wrap and heavy blankets to secure every surface so the parts don’t roll around and get scratched. Finally, the safest way to start packing the moving truck is to have professional movers handle the heavy lifting to make sure everything arrives at your new house intact.
Don’t let the wrong move turn a great idea into a breaking disaster for your furniture or your space. Some moves are pretty standard, while others require moving a specialty item that isn’t so straightforward. Today, we’re giving you a step-by-step breakdown of how we move a pool table so that you know what to expect when the movers come on moving day.
| Things to Do | Key Actions |
| Disassemble | Remove pockets, rails, and aprons; strip the felt; and label and lift slate pieces. |
| Secure | Wrap rails and legs in blankets, bubble wrap miters, and bag and label all hardware. |
| Transport | Load the table onto the truck; move the slate on its edge via dolly; secure with tie-down straps. |
| Reassemble | Rebuild the table in the new room; seal slate gaps with beeswax; level the playing surface. |
Step 1: Disassemble the Table
Dismantling a pool table can be difficult. You could potentially ruin the billiard table if not done correctly, which is why we recommend you leave this to the professionals.
Prepare the Right Tools
The process outlined below is for a game-style pool table, which is a little more complicated than a furniture-style pool table. Most professional moving companies have the special tools needed for the job:
- Drill
- Ratchet wrenches
- Staple puller or flat-head screwdriver
- Flathead bit
- Phillips head bit
- Container for hardware
- Pencil
- Beeswax
- Moving blankets
- Packing tape
- Bubble wrap or packing paper
- Table dolly or furniture sliders
Remove Pockets and Railings
Detach these components to access the bolts holding the heavy slate bed in place. This step prevents damage to the decorative exterior and creates the necessary clearance for a safe breakdown.
- Remove the plastic portion of the pocket: Have a ball return system? Remove that just before taking the pockets off.
- Take off the railing: Remove the round bolts on the underside of the table with a socket wrench. Put the bolts in a container and label them. It will take two people to carefully lift the rail system and remove it.
- Disassemble the railing: Remove the brackets. Once the brackets are off, the corner miters can be removed.
Strip the Aprons and Felt
There is an apron on each side that can be taken off by removing the bolts. Take off the side panels and carefully pull back the cloth to reveal the underlying components. This part helps you avoid tearing the delicate fabric and allows for the separate transport of the heavy stone slabs.
- Remove the pocket castings: Once the aprons are off, you can then use the ratchet wrench to remove the pocket castings. Pack up the castings and hardware in their own box.
- Remove the felt: A staple remover is usually the easiest and quickest way of getting this step done. Make sure all the staples are removed before rolling up the felt.
Remove the Slate Pieces
This is usually the trickiest part of the move. The pool table top is comprised of three pieces of slate. It’s in three pieces because if it weren’t, it would be too heavy to move and would probably break from the weight.
- Label and remove screws: Remove the slate screws and use the pencil to mark the slate. The pieces need to be put back in the same order that they were removed. Use numbers or letters to identify where each piece is supposed to go and which side is the top.
- Position the end pieces: Once that’s done, slide one of the end pieces to the side so you can mark the exact placement of the middle piece of slate.
- Mark the wood frame: Mark along the edge of the slate on the wood below. Repeat the markings on the other side of the middle portion. Number or label the wood frame so that you know where each piece needs to go.
- Seal the slate gaps: When putting the table back together, in order to make the pool table seamless, the gaps need to be filled with beeswax.
Dismantle the Base
This isn’t necessary if you have room on the moving truck for the complete base. However, if space is limited, go ahead and break it down all the way.
Step 2: Prepare and Protect Parts
Careful padding prevents expensive scratches or structural damage to all the pieces during transit. Organizing and shielding every component of your pool table keeps the assembly efficient once you reach your destination.
- Secure the fragile parts: Use thick moving blankets to cover the rails and legs, shielding the wood finish from dents.
- Wrap pockets and corners: Secure bubble wrap around pockets and corner castings to provide extra cushioning for these delicate parts.
- Label the hardware: Package screws and hardware in bags and label them to avoid losing parts of the slate top.
- Shield slate parts: Cover the heavy pieces with stretch wrap and blankets to maintain a clean, grit-free surface.
- Secure all the pieces: Use tape to fix padding onto the pool table frame so that no surface remains exposed.
Step 3: Transport and Reassemble the Table
Transporting and reassembling a pool table protects the heavy slate from cracking and maintains a perfectly leveled playing surface. Moving the heaviest components separately prevents structural damage during the transition to the new game room.
- Secure the frame: Load the pool table frame and legs onto the truck, securing them against the wall with a strap.
- Dolly the slate: Place each piece atop a dolly. Don’t lay them flat to prevent shifting or breakage.
- Tie-down straps: Use tie-down straps inside the truck to prevent movement and keep the load stable during the trip.
- Reassemble and level: In the game room, reassemble the frame, slate, felt, and rails before checking that the table is perfectly leveled.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Moving a Pool Table by Yourself
Evaluating the benefits and disadvantages helps you decide if the pool table moving process fits your budget and skills. Determining your physical limits prevents a potential drop or expensive cracks in the slate during the move.
Pros of DIY moving:
- Save money: You don’t have to pay professional pool table movers for their labor.
- Recruit people: Moving with friends or family makes the heavy lifting manageable and simplifies the labor point.
- Skill building: You learn the properly detailed mechanics of how your pool table is built.
Cons of DIY moving:
- Risk of damage: One wrong move can drop the slate and cause permanent dents or breaks.
- Physical strain: The massive weight of the pool table is difficult to handle properly without help.
- Time-consuming: The disassembly and leveling process takes more time in your new space.
Why Should I Hire Professional Movers When Moving Pool Tables
Relocating your pool table to a new home should be a celebration of your new space, not a source of stress. Trusting professional movers is the easiest way to prevent your investment from breaking during the transition.
Our moving experts take into account every tiny detail, from the exact leveling adjustments to the safe handling of heavy stuff. With the proper tools and a comprehensive moving checklist, they manage the difficult process of moving a pool table. This way, you can focus on making memories instead of worrying about storage or damage.
Related Questions
Do You Need a Professional to Move a Pool Table?
While you can try it yourself, being prepared means recognizing that a pool table must be leveled and handled properly to survive the move. Most owners find that the precision required for the slate and felt is best left to experts.
Can I Move a Pool Table By Myself?
Unless you imagine you have superhuman strength, attempting to move a 700- to 1000-pound slate slab alone is a dangerous idea. You will risk serious injury to your spine and your floors, even with a few friends helping out.
How Many Guys to Lift a Pool Table?
You usually need four to six strong individuals to safely lift and maneuver a pool table without damaging any parts. Hiring a professional crew guarantees you have enough hands on deck to distribute the load evenly.
What Is the Easiest Way to Move a Pool Table?
The most efficient method involves removing the felt, rails, and slate to transport the pieces individually rather than as one unit. Using heavy-duty dollies also makes the work easier.
How Heavy Is a 7-Foot Slate Pool Table?
A standard 7-foot slate pool table typically weighs anywhere from 500 to 700 pounds. The weight is concentrated in the slate slabs, which makes the table incredibly difficult to shift without total disassembly.
How to Move a Pool Table Without Taking It Apart?
You can move a table intact across the same floor by using furniture dollies under each leg and a team of three to six people. However, you must never lift by the rails. Pack carefully by wrapping the entire unit in blankets to make sure it stays pristine while you transition it slowly to its new spot.
How Long Does It Take to Reassemble a Pool Table?
Expect a timeline of two to four hours for DIY projects, as leveling the slate and stretching the felt is a meticulous task. In contrast, the job usually takes under two hours for professionals who have the specialized tools and experience.
How Much to Move a Pool Table?
The cost to move a pool table is based on an estimate of the time required and the specific details of your home’s layout. To keep the fees down, keep your pool table area clear, and be ready to move before the crew arrives.
Conclusion
Success in your new home starts with a solid plan for your heavy equipment. You can settle in with confidence when your pool table is set up and ready for a game without a single scratch. Before you start packing, remember to arrange your moving truck and rely on the experts at Square Cow Movers to transport your table safely and efficiently.
