How to move a pool table

Preparing to move a pool table

Pool tables are very heavy, with a standard 8-foot table weighing between 700 and 1,200 pounds, according to a couple of billiard sellers. If you decide not to hire movers to help you move it, ask for help from at least four family members and/or friends who are capable of lifting hundreds of pounds. Preparation will be key to preventing injuries and damage to your pool table and your residence.

1. Disassemble

First, you’ll need to plan on disassembling the table before loading it onto a moving truck. There are how-to videos available online that can guide you with step-by-step instructions. Also, be sure to read over the owner’s manual that came with your pool table for tips and warnings. Wear closed-toe, nonslip shoes to prevent injury.

Some materials you’ll need for the disassembly process are:

• Power drill, socket wrench and a flathead screwdriver
• Staple remover
• Small to medium-sized plastic bags to store loose parts
• Permanent marker to label bags

As you disassemble the pool table, put all screws and bolts in a bag. You can keep those items separate and label the bag based on the area of the table from which it came  (i.e., rails or pockets).

You can follow these steps to take apart your pool table (ConsumerAffairs based these steps on a video from Billiards of New Orleans, a servicer of pool tables in the New Orleans area.):

1. Remove all loose items from the pool table, like cue sticks and balls, and set aside.
2. Use a power drill to remove the rail bolts from underneath the table.
3. Remove the screws securing the pockets.
4. Carefully lift the rails off the table and place them upside down on the top of the table. The rails should come off as two halves.
5. Continue to disassemble the rail pieces by removing any screws or bolts that may remain in the pockets. Use a staple remover to take out the staples that may be securing other parts of the rail. Set aside the rail pieces and pockets.
6. Carefully pull out the staples securing the felt to the slate on top. You can roll up the felt to keep it contained during the move.
7. Using a power drill, remove the screws from the top of the slate. You’ll need help lifting the slate piece up and off the frame. Lay the slate flat until you’re ready to load up the moving truck.
8. While someone is holding up one end of the frame, remove the bolts and detach the legs from one side of the frame. Once removed, slowly rest that side of the frame on the floor. Follow the same process on the other end of the frame.
9. The top of the frame can be loaded and moved as one piece.

2. Protect and load

Once you’ve disassembled the table, you can prepare to move it. Doug Jiles, a former billiards professional with over 30 years of experience in the industry, recommends wearing leather gloves to move table parts and adds that you need to be able to lift about 125 pounds.

Some materials you’ll need for the move are:

• Measuring tape to measure doorways, stairs and other obstacles in your moving path
• Moving blankets, bubble wrap, a dolly and lifting straps

You can stack the slate pieces on top of each other and cover them with a moving blanket. Make sure to lay them flat, not on top of the frame or any other items. Then secure them with a strap so they don’t slide around.

When you load the frame, turn it upside down so the bottom is facing up. Place other pieces, like the legs and the rails, inside the frame and cover them with a blanket and secure with straps. You can reassemble the pool table when you’ve reached your destination.

Tips for moving a pool table

• Wear nonslip shoes to help avoid injury.
• Have a lot of plastic bags on hand to store loose parts.
• Take pictures of how things are put together for help when you reassemble the table.
• Use lifting straps when loading.
• Use moving blankets and ties to protect and secure parts.
• Verify that you rent the sized truck to fit the table and its pieces.
• Consider hiring movers to help disassemble the table and load it onto a truck, especially if you aren’t comfortable lifting heavy items.

Bottom line

Moving a pool table is daunting, so it may be best to hire professional movers. However, if you have four strong people willing to help out, you could try to do it yourself. In this case, you will need to be well prepared for this task ahead of time and carefully follow all of the recommended steps for disassembly.