how to build it yourself?

Question

I am looking for a guide on how to build your own pool table easy and cheap! I want to do this for my son and husband for xmas, Thanks for any help!!!!

Answer 1

I have never seen any guides published on the subject. I do know a craftsman who is making pool tables now and I have studied his method of construction. Just as they have already said, it is a very difficult task to build one without having lots of special tools.

That being said, here is what I would suggest for making what I would call a pool table "substitute". The slate that I have seen for the tables the guy is making comes in 3 pieces. So you can make a frame out of laminated plywood. Rip sheets of 3/4 inch plywood to 11 inch widths. glue and screw 2 or 3 layers together. Take the laminates slabs to a cabinet shop and ask them to plane the edges so they are completely flat and same dimension. Make a rectangle out of the laminated board about 4 inches less than the dimension of the slate(get the dimensions from the billiard supply place). You will have to cut and screw into place 2 cross members where the seams of the slate will be. Get some 4 X 4's for legs, This will be difficult to explain without a drawing, but notch the top of the legs so part of the leg will rest under the plywood frame. You will need to locate some heavy duty table levelers for the bottom of the legs to use for leveling the table. Get the pockets, bumpers and felt covering from the billiard supply house. You will have to bore holes thru the outer edges of the slate so you can screw boards to the edges to support the bumpers. The corner pockets can be screwed to these boards as well. Hope this gives you some idea of the cheapest wat to make a good pool table. It may not be very easy, but its the easist way I can think of... good luck.
Going down and buying one would definitely be easier!!!!

Answer 2

Seeing as how nobosy has yet answered your question....That is a bold task to take on. A pool table typically has a slate slab which is perfectly smooth and level. Cheap tables that they mentioned from sears or target lets say have a plywood top. One spilled drink and you normally arent shooting to straight anymore. If you went with just a basic style, you can grab the dimensions off of table online. Go with just pockets rather than a return sytem. it will make things easier. Not sure what you would use for bumpers on the rail though. Might be able to use 3/8'' pipe insulation behind some vinyl corner bead for drywall wrapped in felt. Start by stapling the felt to the rails, then around the corner bead and as close to the bottom of the piece into the rail again. Your guess is as good as mine. My uncle designed and made like 8 tables for a billiard out here but they got shut down cuz of the mobb. Who knows.

Answer 3

Not sure where to get the guide for you, but yes you can, pool tables don't have to have slate tops. I've used ones made of wood, they work just fine. You aren't doing tournament play!

A friend of mine built one as a school woodworking project, course it does take weeks of work to do, and I don't know how you'd be able to hide such a big project from your husband and kids! 3/4 inch particle board is usually used as the table surface, same stuff that is under most kitchen counters and diningroom tables. Coating it with a sealer solves the issue of spilled drinks.
Frankly though the time is awful short. I saw some last year at Walmart, 7 ft ones, for only $178; haven't been there lately but I bet they have them again this year.

Answer 4

you ask: "Am i the only one who thinks or discovered that purposely putting yourself through hard situations down to the point that you feel you may break or hit rock bottom emotionally, (over a period of time of course) and then forcing yourself in every manageable way to climb back up to the top is a great way to build yourself and your character and help find out who you are?" No, you are far from the first who thought of and has implemented this. What you describe is known as Boot Camp in the Military. A Retreat, A Walk About, A Sojourn and has many names throughout the History of man and the Quest for Spirituality

Answer 5

i would advise against a home made pool table, unless you have access to some good slate slabs. you can probably buy a cheap little pool table at like Sears, or Walmart for what it costs to build and even halfway decent one. I do give you props on wanting to give homemade from the heart gifts, but a pool table really isn;t something you just build yourself, unless you are a skilled craftsman. good luck if you do venture on with this. Merry Christmas.

Answer 6

I would suggest you start with something easier, like a "Ping-Pong" table. There is NO WAY you will build a "Pool" table by Christmas 2007. It ain't easy or cheap, or fast. Buy a used one out of the news paper.

Answer 7

Unless you have some serious carpentry and furniture-making skills, forget it. You won't even get close to building what you'll need. And if you start it, the equipment and tools you'll need will not be cheap. Go find one you can afford.

Answer 8

Pool tables have a sheet of slate in them. Are youy a stone cutter:?

Answer 9

I have to agree best not to do this yourself try ebay or local paper for a cheap one thats most likly your best bet

Answer 10

Terrible Idea.