How to Set Up a Three-Piece Pool Table

Manufacturers of most pool tables recommend that you have your table assembled by a professional, but it's possible to do it yourself. The key to setting up a three-piece pool table is in making sure that everything is level or even. Typically three-piece tables come with an assembled frame, side rails and the slate, which will be in three sections. If your frame is not assembled, there will be instructions for this with your particular table.

Instructions

Leveling the Frame

1




When the frame is even, the bubble will be in the center of the level.

Use a carpenters level to find the lowest point and the highest point on the frame. When the bubble of the level is floating in the center, then it is level. You will be adjusting the lowest point to meet the highest.

2

Place something that can't be compressed, such as wooden shims (thin slats of wood), under the legs of the lower end until the frame sits level.

3

Place the pieces of slate on the frame and leave it for at least a day. The weight of the slate will cause the frame to shift.

Securing the Slate

4

Examine each piece of slate. They will be cut or notched to indicate where the pockets will be. The pieces with the corners cut will go on the ends.

5

Position the middle piece first, recommends the Dallas Pool Table website. Using a tape measure, make sure all four corners measure the same distance from the slate corners to the end of the table.

6

Add the end pieces once the middle piece is centered. If they do not fit, remove and measure the center piece again and adjust.

7

Place the level all over the surface of the three pieces of slate to ensure they're lying evenly on the table. Begin at the ends. If there is a piece that is not level, place a wood shim beneath the lowest end.

8

Secure the center slate using screws. Turn screws until they are snug and then back them out slightly (Dallas Pool Table recommends about a 1/4 turn.) to ensure they have equal pressure on them.

9

Use the level to check the center slate. You may have to add another shim to the lowest point and rescrew.

10

Level and fasten the remaining sections of slate using the same process. Dallas Pool Table recommends leveling to match the center piece to make it easier. The seams between the pieces of slate, where they join together, should be smooth and even.

11

Fill the seams and screw holes with beeswax. Melt with a propane torch dripping the wax along the seam. Allow to dry and scrape with a paint scraper until the surface is smooth. You may have to reapply beeswax in spots, which can be reheated several times.

12

Apply the felt or cloth covering per the manufacturer's instructions. The rails should not be assembled before the slate is covered.

Assembling the Rails

13

Insert the pockets on the rails of the table and assemble the side rails (longer rails) by first setting them on the sides of the table. Fasten them with bolts provided with your table. Do this by hand, without tightening anything yet. Make sure all of the bolts are centered in their holes.

14

Slide the end rails in place and fasten by hand. Tighten the bolts around the rails, beginning with one of the side rails. Secure the two bolts closest to the pocket; check to make sure the rails line up and then tighten the next two, and check again. Do this for each side.

15

Push the end rails in to close any gaps between the rails and pockets and tighten into position; then go around the table and screw in the pockets underneath.