DIY pool table, anyone ever build one?

[Barto]

This might be OT, because it's not reef related, but it's a heck of a DIY.
I scored a bar size pool table yesterday, frame, felt legs & bumper are garbage, the 1" slate top is perfect.

I want to build a cool pool table out if it.

I want to do some sort of rustic log work for the frame & legs
I have access to a portable sawmill (bandsaw type) for fabricating rails etc.
Has any of the DIY guru's here ever built a pool table?
If so any advice?
Thanks

 

[outy]

ive ran tournaments and set the slate tops on a few and helped with refelting [easy]

all i can say is bumpers and felt are normal to replace often.

if you do it yourself use a good grade hardwood and with that said it may be cheaper to buy a new frame

 

[AcroSteve]

I would use kiln dry lumber. Plan ahead if you are sawing your own.

 

[xtrstangx]

Refelting is easy, we did it to our pool table. We were going to replace the bumpers at the same time, but it was a lot more money. They were pretty easy to replace from what I heard.

The biggest thing is having the slate level and make sure it can hold the weight.

 

[Monkey_Bone]

Definately spend the extra $$ on kiln dried AND TREATED for the slate framing. For the legs I would just get some fat oak square bottom spindles and flip them up side down.
You can use some nice 1/2"-3/4" oak planks for the skin on all four sides. Also you could spice it up with molding of some sort over the frame skin.
I would get your bumpers and felt from a pro billiards shop though if I were you.
Is it a ball return type or basket?
If the pockets are baskets I would buy them from a pro- billiards shop as well.
You can buy leg mount levelers at a pro- billiards shop as well.

 

[Isozelmonic]

I actually looked into building a pool table when I was considering making one out of fiberglass. The largest obstacle in building a pool table is going to be the preciseness of your measurements. My father worked for MH ballastalley a while back, all the measurements for their tables are accurate within .05" or something close. Of course they had lots of really expensive equipment to help them, and its really not pratical for the home hobbist. So... my suggestion is to take an old pool table strip it down to the bare frame and the build from their. Good luck if you decide to try it and keep us posted.

 

[Barto]

Thanks to everyone for the input.
I have a vision of this table completed, built from gnarled old fir trees.
It was a bar table, so a ball return system is there, but it's in poor condition and headed for the dump, I want to do leather pockets, preferably elk hide. I'd like to polish some ivory for the "diamonds" on the rails.
I have access to forest land with standing dead trees, and I will pay close attention to moisture content. If I can't get low enough moisture for stability, I'll do a sub-frame from hardwood and exterior decorative frame from my logs.
Going out this weekend to search for and hopefully harvest the tree(s) for this project.
I will keep track with photo's and when far enough alone I'll post a few pics.
Thanks again.

 

[Pattylucylaura]

If ball return wasn't out of the question my dad has a buddy that did his with PVC might not look the best but you could hide it well.

 

[Barto]

Did a little pool table deconstruction this weekend.

All the junk headed to the dump

Slate top & sub frame (for frame pattern)

Italian slate, I guess thats good stuff

Trees picked out, but not harvested yet, standing dead 10yrs +/-, moisture should not be much of an issue, but I will watch out.
More when I have it

Bart

 

[H20ENG]

Bart,
Hmmm, 84-86 XR 350 or 500? Trusty steeds....

 

[Barto]

H2
darn good eye, 83 xr500
just bought it week & a half ago
I have to learn the choke/throttle still, it's a 2 kick trick cold, after that 1st time every time
got it from a friend, he's had it 8-9 yrs, it was his putt to a high mountain creek fishing bike, he liked the way it lugged down, so do I
($400.00)

 

[Scuba_Dave]

My free slate table. I'm going to make a waterproof top for it & it's going out by the pool
A "real" table will go in the addition once finished

 

[H20ENG]

Bart,
Those things run forever. I have my old 88xr250 still for the wife and kids, while I moved up to a beastly WR426

Dave,
What do you mean by
"PM = Public Message"?

 

[Barto]

WHOOT
Free!!
What a score, very nice!

All I got was the slate for that price
**EDIT** and a trip to the dump :lol:

 

[Scuba_Dave]

Some people think PM = Private Message

To me, PM = Public Message

I had some people PM me some angry remarks, then they were upset when I shared that information
So, I now post a warning; PM to me means = Public Message

If you don't want what you send shared, don't send it
The only thing that is ever Private is that which you keep to yourself, & do not share with anyone

 

[H20ENG]

10-4 on that.