Homemade Pool Table

A

Altissimo15

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
As the title suggests, I am planning on making my own pool table :wink:

I recently got home from school and have been really missing being able to play pool when ever I wanted for FREE (well it's part of tuition). My school has a little pool room on campus [about 8, 9' tables] and I got so used to just getting out the bed, coming from the library, or what ever and just going to play. You just walk in, hand them your school ID and bingo! Now that I am home the nearest pool hall is like twenty minutes away. There are little bars and sports clubs but on certain days and at certain times they wont even let me in because I'm not 21! :mad:

To solve this problem I'm just going to build my own. To help convince my parents into it I picked up some plans off the internet instead of working everything out myself like I had originally planned.

With this being said, what do you all think of the idea? Has anyone taking on the challenge themselves? What features make you current tables special, or good? Do you have any slate replacement recommendations? MDF is the replacement material in the plans, anything better?


Im open to any comments, suggestions, concerns.. Anything that'll help me with this project and making the best table.
 
1. You need to be proficient in the use of (and own) a compound miter saw, a circular saw (or table saw), a drill press, a router, and various hand tools.

1a. If you have never built something capable of bearing substantial weight, this is not a good "first project". If you have successfully built things like decks, beds, chairs, ect, you can probably build a pool table.

2. If you build the frame out of 2" x 2" square steel 1/8" tubing, you can use MDF as a playing surface and it will play OK. If you are using a wood frame, the MDF will find the imperfections in the wood and in the frame.

3. If you want to build a pool table, it is a great project. If you mainly want to play pool, buy a used bar box. You can't build anything decent for less than $400.
 
DoubleD said:
Unless you have access to pretty much a full cabinet shop and a donor table you'll spend a lot more building than picking up one used.

You'll hate it if it uses anything but slate, which alone will cost more than a used home 8 brunswick.

Check craigslist.

dld
Click to expand...
Understandable, I've been thinking about substituting in slate (of course I'll have to make other small changes to accommodate the weight) and I found a place where it would be around 200.

We have a full cabinet shop but I believe I have enough to do the job haha.

All-in-all I am pretty confident I can make it as good and for less than a used brunswick. At least a "normally" priced used brunswick.

I do thank you for the comment and concerns offered.
 
Dead Crab said:
1. You need to be proficient in the use of (and own) a compound miter saw, a circular saw (or table saw), a drill press, a router, and various hand tools.

1a. If you have never built something capable of bearing substantial weight, this is not a good "first project". If you have successfully built things like decks, beds, chairs, ect, you can probably build a pool table.

2. If you build the frame out of 2" x 2" square steel 1/8" tubing, you can use MDF as a playing surface and it will play OK. If you are using a wood frame, the MDF will find the imperfections in the wood and in the frame.

3. If you want to build a pool table, it is a great project. If you mainly want to play pool, buy a used bar box. You can't build anything decent for less than $400.
Click to expand...

Thank you
I have built lots of things by myself and with my dad so this is far from a "first" project.

I'm looking into replacing the MDF with slate but thinks for the input on the issue.
 
jon bilt table

you are better off to buy a good used table , as i was bulding my table a friend called me and told me about a table for sale . the people was moving
out of town and was selling every thing , i jumped in my truck with all tools
to take apart table , just my luck 30 min. late . the lady let me look at table it was like new 8 foot rec. ware house table one of there better tables. she sold it for 500. i spent at least 500. not to count all the time
and hard work. take your time and look around you can find a good deal
on a table . most people that want to sell a table want there room back.
if i can find pictures of my jon bilt will post .
 

Attachments

  • DSCF0009.jpg
    DSCF0009.jpg
    99 KB · Views: 4,100
Thanks for all the comments.
I'm just in the process of access the materials and everything. I'll definitely continue to check around for used tables until I get to the point that I'm ready to build. If I get to the building process I'll definitely let everyone know how everything went.

Thanks again for the input
 
That's pretty cool your going to make your own. But if you do get tired of it, check craigslist, I traded my xbox for a pretty mint GCI so keep your eyes open.
 
I'm not sure why you are asking your question when you seem to be very confident that you can do exactly what you want to and do so within your budget.

If there is something specific you need, like slate patterns or rail bevel specs, how to find a used slate, or different opinions on the relative merits of structural materials, there are people here who can help.

In the years I've been on the forum, there have been several posts like yours. My guess is that very few of them have ever actually completed (or even started) their projects. Good luck to you if you decide to move forward with it.
 
Dead Crab said:
I'm not sure why you are asking your question when you seem to be very confident that you can do exactly what you want to and do so within your budget.
Click to expand...

Yes I'm confident but I was asking because it still is something I have never done and I was looking toward the forum to see if anyone had already done it. Or, for those who just know a lot about tables what are some different options or concerns that they might see. That was the basis around the slate question; I know that if I could find a GOOD replacement for the slate that would really cut costs.

I was just searching for a little knowledge before I dove in.
 
OK, here are a few suggestions:

1. Contact local table dealers and see if they have any used slate sitting around. They might let you have one for $100-150. They might also have used table parts such as pockets or even rails. They end up with a lot of extra stuff from tables they take in trade.

2. Decide what type of rails you want. Subrail+finished wood vs. a one-piece solid covered with laminate. Decide if you are going to buy pre-cut subrails or mill your own. If you cut your own, do a practice run to make sure you can cut them perfectly. The rails are everything.

3. What type of pockets? The plastic buckets are cheap but look like crap. Irons with leather are costly, but have high asthetic value. The irons also complicate your rail design.

4. What rubber and cloth? Artemis + Simonis or Generic red rubber + Mali?

5. What kind of wood? Stay away from generic pine if you want the table long term. Eventually, it will warp and the knots will become problematic. Poplar is best, but expensive. As I previously stated, steel, at $2 a foot is a very attractive alternative for the frame.

6. Finally, I offer these links, some of which can be very helpful:

http://www.metalsdepot.com/products/hrsteel2.phtml?page=angle&LimAcc=$LimAcc

https://www.rockwellbilliards.com/pilot.asp?pg=pool-felt-intructions

http://www.poolfelt.com/billiard_supplies.html#parts

http://www.calspas.com/manuals/downloads/2007/2007_06_05_manuals_Billiards_Bars.pdf

http://mzanetti.ch/pooltable/index.php

http://www.refelting.com/cushions.htm

http://www.champbilliards.com/view_k66.html

http://www.lakesidebilliardsupply.com/pooltableslate.html

http://www.thelevelbest.com/TableParts/Slate.cfm

www.bestbilliards.com
 
Ah, the insanity of youth. Good luck to you and your project. I think you're nuts. Have you some experience in wood-working? Do you have the necessary equipment? Do you have the capability to cut slate or do you know a shop that does? I doubt you'd be able to buy all the parts (cloth, rubber, slate, etc.) for less than $600-$800. If not, keep checking Craigslist. I hate to discourage you but building a table is a major task, even for the experienced. Eventually, you'd want a better table and you won't get much for a home built one. Really think this one out. Sorry I don't have anything positive to say but I think you're making a mistake.
 
Altissimo15 said:
As the title suggests, I am planning on making my own pool table :wink:

I recently got home from school and have been really missing being able to play pool when ever I wanted for FREE (well it's part of tuition). My school has a little pool room on campus [about 8, 9' tables] and I got so used to just getting out the bed, coming from the library, or what ever and just going to play. You just walk in, hand them your school ID and bingo! Now that I am home the nearest pool hall is like twenty minutes away. There are little bars and sports clubs but on certain days and at certain times they wont even let me in because I'm not 21! :mad:

To solve this problem I'm just going to build my own. To help convince my parents into it I picked up some plans off the internet instead of working everything out myself like I had originally planned.

With this being said, what do you all think of the idea? Has anyone taking on the challenge themselves? What features make you current tables special, or good? Do you have any slate replacement recommendations? MDF is the replacement material in the plans, anything better?


Im open to any comments, suggestions, concerns.. Anything that'll help me with this project and making the best table.
Click to expand...

I say go for it. As a lot of people have said, you maybe able to buy one cheaper, you're a little crazy because it is going to cost you a lot of time, do you have the tools, how good are you at woodworking...blah, blah, blah.

The ignorance of youth? Well I think the experience and effort to try is very valuable. The experience of "project management" (i.e. material, tool, cost, etc.) will benefit you in the future. We have seen a lot of craftsmanship on this forum and they had to start somewhere. We have seen some pretty nice first cases made as well.

So therefore I say go for it and have fun!

P.S. You can always have a bonfire and roast weenies on the end of your pool stick too!
 
When I was a kid I had a "nerf pool table." Seriously. Fast forward a couple of decades and I was in my first pool league. I fell in love and needed to get good fast. No room for a pool table in my house but my girlfriend had a rhoulette wheel with a big green felt thing with all the numbers. I bought a cue ball and a fifteen ball. Stacked phone books to act as rails and weight down the felt on top of the dining room table. I took a plastic cup and tilted it so when I made a shot it would roll back out for an easy reset.

I got a lot of good aiming practice that way lol.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top