Refurbish Pool Table : 9 Steps

I have this very old pool table my father bought about 50 years ago and in need of repair. The felt was bad, the pocket tassels were falling apart, and all the leather pockets were broken so the balls would fall to the floor. To start this project, I needed new pockets and felt. I chose the color felt to match the new pockets which had a red/burgundy color woven into the tassels.The table had veneer that was peeling off. My original plan was to strip off the old veneer and replace it. However, the veneer was very expensive and the peel n stick veneer would need to have pressure which was too much to do. So I decided to leave the veneer and try to repair it.

Step 1:

Step 2: Step 1: Supplies

For this project, l needed the following:

1) a staple gun, 2) staples, 3) paint stripper, 4) stain, 5) new pockets, 6) new felt, 7) paint, 8) spackle, 9) moulding, 10) wood glue, 11) nails, 12) screw driver, 13) tool to remove staples, 14) rubber mallet, 15) pool table feather strips for rails, 16) special tool to remove the bolts for this particular table

Step 3: Step 2: Remove the Pockets and Rails

First, I needed to remove a small panel that covered the screws. Next, I unscrewed the blots holding the rails which will release the pockets. You will need to remove the felt from the rails. These rails were tacked. Once you remove the tacks, you will see the felt is in place with a thin feather strip. Trying to save and reuse this strip would be difficult. I ordered replacement strips from a pool table supply store online. These rails were painted brown. I started to sand it and did not like it nor the color paint. I decided to strip the paint from the rails and stain it.

Step 4: Step 3: Stain the Rails

After stripping paint. I sanded the wood rails to a smooth touch. Next, I chose a stain with a tint of red in it to compliment the felt color.

Step 5: Step 4: Repair the Table Sides and Legs

The veneer was lifting and pieces were missing from the table sides and legs. I put wood glue under the lifting portions of the veneer and used spackle to fill the holes and chips. Then sand it smooth.

Step 6: Step 5: Paint

I primed and painted the table black to match the new pockets and give it a new look. I also bought molding to cover the large missing pieces of veneer between the table legs and glued it to the bottom sides. This also gave the table a little more character.

Step 7: Step 6: Remove Felt

Removing felt is basically pulling out staples and tacks.

Step 8: Step 7: Adding Felt

Open felt and make sure there are no dirt or dust on table prior to laying the felt. Staple felt stretching as you attach to table. You will also add felt to the rails putting felt back in reverse of how you take it off. Use a rubber mallet when adding the feather strips to hold felt in place.