Are you relocating to a new home? Individuals who choose to box up their old pool table may require additional assistance. In fact, if you’re transporting a pool table, you should think about hiring a professional. Why? Because moving a pool table is not a piece of cake! A pool table is not only one of the heaviest items a person can own, but it also necessitates a lengthy and laborious dismantling process when traveling.
Billiard tables can be as heavy as 1400 pounds because of their size and weight, they are extremely challenging to transport. For these reasons, it’s critical to get as much assistance as possible when transporting a pool table. While we strongly advise employing expert movers to handle all parts of pool table disassembly, transportation, and reassembly, we understand that this may not be practical for everyone. If employing professional movers is not within your budget or timeframe, a pool table can be moved with the assistance of strong pals.
How to Move a Pool Table By Yourself?
Moving a pool table is a difficult task, but it is possible with the correct tools and skills. Getting expert assistance can be expensive, so learning how to move a billiard table on your own can save you money. The goal is to take the proper steps and safeguards to avoid any damage to the table or danger to yourself. You can safely and successfully deconstruct the table, move it to its new position, then reassemble it by following a step-by-step procedure. Without the need for expert assistance, you may execute a seamless and stress-free pool table move with the help of labels and markers, as well as a few tools and some effort.
1. Gathering Essential Moving Supplies and Preparation
Keep in mind that you will need to disassemble the pool table before moving it. This step will make carrying it through the house and to and from the moving van much easier. We recommend the following equipment and materials for disassembling and moving your pool table:
| Measuring tape | This is necessary for measuring the size of the pool table as well as the available space for moving it. |
| Carpenter’s level | Required to ensure that the pool table is level before and after transportation. |
| Flathead screwdriver | Used to remove screws during disassembly. |
| Socket wrench | A tool used to remove bolts and nuts during assembly and disassembly. |
| Staple remover | Before disassembling the pool table, use a staple remover to remove staples from the felt liner. |
| Cutting tools (e.g., snips) | These are useful for cutting zip ties and other materials while moving. |
| Power drills | Power drills are useful for swiftly and efficiently removing screws and bolts. |
| Furniture dollies or carts | Moving the hefty and massive pool table requires the use of furniture dollies or carts. |
| Bubble wrap and moving blankets | To protect the pool table, use bubble wrap and moving blankets. |
| Labels and markers | To keep track of the different pool table parts and their corresponding locations. |
2. Remove Obstacles and Obstructions
Clear the surrounding area of any impediments or furnishings that may hinder the path before attempting to move the pool table. This will help to move the pool table easier without damaging it or any other items in its area.
3. Measure the Doorways and Pathways
After Removing obstacles, it is still critically important to measure all of the paths it will need to take. This includes doorways, hallways, staircases, and any other areas through which the pool table must pass. Pool tables are frequently large and heavy, and may not fit through tiny places, so make sure you measure both the width and height of each pathway.
Take note of any abnormalities or barriers that may offer a challenge during the relocation when measuring. Low-hanging ceilings, sharp angles, and tight entrances are examples of this. After measuring all of the necessary passages, compare the measurements to the dimensions of the pool table to ensure that it will fit through all of the required areas.
4. Hiring a Moving Truck
Renting or hiring a moving truck is typically done early on in the pool table moving process, once you have acquired all of the necessary materials and cleared the area often before disassembling the pool table. This is because the size and type of truck you choose will depend on the dimensions and weight of the pool table, as well as any other items you will be moving.
By securing a suitable truck early on in the process, you can ensure that you have the necessary transportation to move the pool table and any other items safely and efficiently. Choose a truck large enough to accommodate the disassembled pool table and any other things you will be transporting. It is also critical to ensure that the vehicle has a loading ramp or lift-gate to make loading and unloading the pool table easier.
5. Disassembling the Pool Table
Pool tables are an excellent addition to any game room, but they can be difficult to relocate. Disassembling a pool table can be a difficult operation, but with the correct equipment and a few willing pals, it is simple. Follow these procedures to securely and effectively disassemble your pool table.
Step 1: Remove the ball pockets
To begin, take off the pockets that hold the balls. The pockets on most pool tables are either stapled or screwed into place. If the pockets are stapled in place, carefully remove each staple with a staple remover. If the pockets are sealed with screws in place, you will need to remove the screws with a screwdriver. To avoid losing screws and bolts, keep them in a labeled container.
Step 2: Remove the side rails
The side rails must be removed after the pockets have been removed. Remove the bolts that hold the rails in place with a socket wrench. Remove each rail gently after the bolts have been unscrewed. Take care not to damage the rails or the material that covers them.
Step 3: Remove the felt
After removing the side rails, it’s time to remove the felt from the pool table’s surface. To remove the felt, carefully detach each staple using a staple extractor. When removing the felt, take care not to rip or damage it.
Step 4: Remove the slates
After you’ve removed the felt, you’ll need to remove the slates. Pool table slates are incredibly heavy and will require assistance to move. Because the slates are most likely screwed in, you should have a power drill nearby to fully remove them. Once the screws have been removed, carefully remove the slates with the assistance of friends.
Step 5: Remove the Legs
The legs will be the final component to be removed after all other parts have been removed. You must turn the table upside down or sideways before removing the legs. Maintain consistent weight distribution while flipping to avoid slipping and injury. Then, using your drill, remove the screws that hold the legs together and store them safely.
6. Wrap, Label, and Store all Parts
After disassembling, firmly wrap each component to prevent damage when moving it. Wrap each pocket, rail, and leg in bubble wrap and padding. Moving blankets can be used to secure the slate. The padding and blankets can then be secured with packing tape or wrap.
When everything is packed and ready to transport, name everything so you know which part is which. This will make reassembling the billiards table in your new home a lot easier.
The final step before relocating is to load the pool table parts onto your moving van or truck.
7. Loading Pool Table Components onto the Truck
Loading the pool table into the truck is one of the most important steps in moving it. The slates, which are the heaviest and most delicate portion of the table, require great care during the relocation to avoid damage. Here are the procedures for loading your pool table into the truck and ensuring its safe transit.
Safeguard the slates: Because the slates are the heaviest and most delicate portion of the pool table, they must be protected when being loaded into the truck. Cover the slates with moving blankets or another padding to keep them from getting scratched or cracked.
Secure the slates: When moving the pool table, make sure the slates are securely fastened in place. They could be harmed if they shift or move during shipment, so take extra precautions to keep them stable.
Employ proper lifting procedures: To avoid harm, utilize proper lifting techniques when loading the pool table into the truck. Employ the assistance of friends or family members, and move the table carefully using lifting straps or dollies.
Employ proper lifting procedures: To avoid harm, utilize proper lifting techniques when loading the pool table into the truck. Employ the assistance of friends or family members, and move the table carefully using lifting straps or dollies.
Avoid sudden movements: If the truck is rented, ask the driver to drive carefully after loading the pool table into the vehicle to avoid abrupt movements that could cause items to shift and shatter. This is especially true when driving over bumps or around turns.
Use extra padding: Put extra padding or packing materials around the pool table and any accessories to further protect it and avoid damage during shipment. This will aid in the prevention of scratches, dings, and other sorts of damage.
Plan your route: Plan your route ahead of time, and choose routes that are smooth and devoid of obstructions. When possible, avoid tight streets, sharp curves, and steep climbs.
Check for damage: After carrying or receiving the pool table at your destination, carefully inspect it for signs of damage. Take photos of any problems you find and contact the relocation company or pool table manufacturer for assistance.
8. Reattaching the pool table
Reattaching the pool table in your new home can be difficult, but you’ll generally put it back together in the opposite manner you took it apart. Reattach the legs to the main structure with the assistance of pals. After reattaching the legs, place the slate and felt on top. After that, secure all rails and pockets. Of course, applying felt to a pool table while keeping it entirely smooth is a difficult task that is normally best left to professionals.
How to Move a Pool Table Without Taking It Apart
It can be difficult to move a billiard table without disassembling it, but using dollies, pool table lifts, or furniture sliders can make the procedure quicker and more effective.
Use dollies
To move the pool table without disassembling it, use four dollies, one for each leg. With the pool table secured on all four dollies, roll it to a different space or room on the same floor, assuming the doors and hallways are wide enough.
Use pool table lifts
A pool table lift is another alternative for moving a billiard table without disassembling it. These elevators are specifically intended to assist in the movement of pool tables. Simply lay them beneath the pool table’s center and use the lever to raise the table off the ground. The lift’s wheels at the base make it simple to move the table from one location to another.
Use furniture sliders
If you only need to move the pool table across the room a small distance, attach furniture sliders to the bottom of each leg and gently slide the pool table. To prevent the pool table from rolling, make sure the dolly is locked in place.
