Pool Table Renovation

We’ve had an old hand-me-down pool table in our basement for some time now. The slate is in great shape and the size was perfect for our space but it was in need of a serious overhaul. So we decided to give it a face lift and it turned out even better than we both could have imagined.

DIY Pool Table Renovation Rogue Engineer 1

Project Video

How to Makeover an Old Pool Table

In this tutorial I will detail how we took an old 7ft pool table and gave it a new modern look. From building new rails, to recovering and installing new legs and aprons. This table is exactly what we wanted and saved us thousands compared to buying a new one.

Sponsored by DAP

Time needed: 3 days.

  1. Remove the Rails


    Depending on your pool table the rails may come off in pieces or all as one like ours. Just remove the bolts from below to free the rails.

    Pool Table Reno 1

    Remove the felt by cutting with a utility knife and prying out the feather boards. Remove all staples and hanger bolts as well.

    Pool Table Reno 2

  2. Cutting New Rails


    I used my old rails as a template by first measuring the angles and matching them to the cuts made on the new, red oak, 2×6 rails. The angles you should be matching are the top angle, keeping in mind the length of cut on the rails (cushion mounts to this), and the bottom angle (matches cushion) which returns to the table.

    Pool Table Reno 4

    I also cut a dado to match the old one which will be used to install the fabric to cover the bumpers.

    Pool Table Reno 5

    I then traced the pockets and rough cut them with a jigsaw. The pocket holes are cut on a slight angle to help accept the pockets.

    Pool Table Reno 6

    I finished the pocket holes by matching the compound angled cuts of the old rails on the miter saw. This is an important angle to try to match up.

    Pool Table Reno 7

  3. Joining the Rails


    I cut the rails down to their final length based on the old rails as a template and joined them together by gluing and clamping the rails and securing with 1-1/4″ hardwood pocket screws.

    Pool Table Reno 8

    I then filled in any imperfections with DAP Plastic Wood-X which dries to a nice natural color.

    Pool Table Reno 9

  4. Installing the Hanger Bolts


    I first removed the existing skirting to make things a little easier.

    Pool Table Reno 10

    I then located the rails on the table and marked the hanger bolt locations.

    Pool Table Reno 11

    Using an appropriate sized drill bit, I predrilled the hanger bolt locations.

    Pool Table Reno 12

    And installed the hanger bolts by cinching two nuts together and screwing the course threaded end into the rails with a socket.

    Pool Table Reno 13

  5. Building the Legs


    For the legs we wanted to bring them out to the corners. The problem was that this is where the pockets are. So I decided to build 8 inch boxes out of plywood. The boards were all mitered on a 45 and glued together with DAP Weldwood Wood Glue for a strong hold.

    Workshop Makeover Step 20
    Pool Table Reno 14

    I laid down two strips of painters tape and placed the boards on that to help hold the miters. Then finished off the joints with a pin nailer.

    Pool Table Reno 15

  6. Finishing


    The red in the red oak really stands out when you apply a finish to it. So we opted to bleach all the wood. This process consists of wiping the wood with peroxide and then applying a lye mixture and allowing to bleach in the sun. The mixture is 3 teaspoons of lye in 1 quart of water. After it drys, you wipe it with clean water to remove any residue and apply a wipe on polyurethane for protection.

    Pool Table Reno 16

  7. Installing Cushions


    For a permanent bond I installed the cushions with DAP Weldwood Contact Cement. This is applied to both the cushion, and the rail where it mounts, and allowed to cure until both pieces were tacky. I was able to salvage the old cushions which were still in good condition.

    Pool Table Reno 19

    Then it can be pressed into place for an instant bond on contact.

    Pool Table Reno 20

    The bumpers I purchased on Amazon were also installed with contact cement. They are kind of like rubber end caps for the cushions and recess into the pocket. Once bonded we trimmed with a utility knife and eased the edges with a rotary tool.

    Pool Table Reno 21

  8. Installing Sights


    Sights are the dots on the side of the pool table that help you line up your shot. The old sights were a pearl inlay that I didn’t think would go well with the new style of the table so I opted to cut discs out of 1/2″ brass rod.

    Pool Table Reno 22

    I then sanded them down, marked the locations based on the old rails and used a 1/2″ forstner bit to drill a hole the same depth as the discs. I checked the depth by placing the discs and removing with a piece of tape before adhering.

    Pool Table Reno 23

    The discs then get bonded into place using DAP RapidFuse All-Purpose Adhesive.

    Pool Table Reno 25

    Pool Table Reno 24

  9. Recovering the Table and Cushions


    In the beginning I thought “I going to have to get a professional to recover this table” but after rebuilding the entire table and watching enough YouTube videos my confidence was pretty high, so I ordered some charcoal pool felt on Amazon and went for it.

    I started by installing the felt on the table. Stapling the middle of one end and stretching both sides toward the pockets. I then did the same at the other end getting the felt nice in tight, lengthwise. After that I moved on to the sides, making sure to staple every 3/4″ or so and pull evenly.

    Pool Table Reno 17

    After trimming the felt I cut 3 slits in each pocket and pulled tight, stapling below. This part of the recovering process wasn’t hard.

    Pool Table Reno 18

    Then it was on to the rails. The part I was most nervous about. I highly recommend watching as much content on this process before beginning. I started by laying the fabric upside down and hammering the featherboard into the dado to secure the felt to the top of the rail.

    Pool Table Reno 26

    Before completely seating the featherboard I trimmed the excess felt off.

    Pool Table Reno 27

    I completed hammering the featherboard in with a scrap piece of wood.

    Pool Table Reno 28

    I then flipped the rails over, wrapped the cushions, pulled the felt tight in the middle and placed one staple there. I then stapled the corners of the side pockets getting the fold and tension just right.

    Pool Table Reno 29

    After pulling the felt tight and stapling back to the middle, I moved on to the corner pockets which just get stretched around the corner and stapled tight. Then finish out the rail back to the middle, stapling about 3/4″ apart and trimming the excess. Sounds easier than it is to get it right, but this isn’t a recovering tutorial.

    Pool Table Reno 30

    Flip the rails back over and insert the hanger bolts into the holes on the table.

    Pool Table Reno 31

    Secure the rails from below with washers, nuts and socket wrench.

    Pool Table Reno 32

  10. Installing the Legs


    I first placed the legs at the outside corners of the table such that the pockets would recess into them. Then I secured the beams to the legs with wood screws temporarily.

    Pool Table Reno 33

    We then unbolted and removed the old legs from the table.

    Pool Table Reno 34

    Using a drill I drilled holes for through the beam and into the new legs.

    Pool Table Reno 35

    Then, using the old bolts I secured the beams to the new legs.

    Pool Table Reno 36

  11. Aprons & Pockets


    The final pieces of the table were the aprons. These were ripped to 6-1/2″ which is enough to cover the side pockets and secured with four 1-1/4″ pocket screws at each end and 90 degree clips in the middle.

    Pool Table Reno 37

    I then placed the upgraded leather pockets and secured with black tack nails.

    Pool Table Reno 39

And there you have it! A new modern pool table. Not only did we save the old pool table but we got a great new look for under $1000. Not bad if I don’t say so myself.

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