How to Make a Billiard Table

Billiards is one of America's oldest and most treasured pastimes. It shows up on ESPN, in countless bars, homes and stores across the nation. It appeals to nearly every generation, and is really a lot of fun to play, hence its popularity. So, how do you get in on the action? Well, the easiest way is to own a table. For many, the financial drain of buying a brand new table is simply not feasible. Fortunately, there is an alternative: making your own.

Instructions

Building the Table

1

Construct the base of the table. Here, we need two pieces of solid hardwood that are 8 feet long. In addition, we will also need two pieces that are four feet, two inches wide. Place the wood such that it forms a rectangle, and secure it with wood screws. Then cut four additional supports, and place them across the width of the table. Secure them with wood screws.

2

Add support to the base. Cut several small blocks of wood, and place them in the corners of the base. Secure them with wood glue and a clamp. Then wait for the glue to dry.

3

Put the legs on the table. For this step, I would recommend buying some pre-made legs, as it will save you a great many man hours at the lathe. Once you have procured your legs, they will need to be bolted on. For this, take you drill, and bore three or four holes in each corner. Then take a long bolt and washer through each leg and base. Then thread a nut onto the bolt and tighten securely.

4

Measure two pieces of plywood that will cover the top of our base. Use the same dimensions as before, and screw it in with wood screws. Now, mount the "Slatron". This is a product that is designed to take the place of the traditional slate used in table construction, as its much cheaper and lighter. Position the "Slatron" over the plywood, and screw in from the base.

5

Cut out the pockets. Take a saw and router, and carefully bore out pockets, one in each corner, plus one in the middle of the longer sections. Be careful to make the dimensions correct, as if they are not wide enough, a ball will not be able to pass through them. If they are too wide, it will be to easy to sink a shot. In addition, you will also need to buy six small nets which will fit underneath the pockets to catch the balls that have have fallen though.

6

Buy and install the felt that will cover the table. Once it is in your possession, simply measure and cut the appropriate amount that will be required for your table. Remember that we want it to be tight, but not stretched too thin. Then, using adheasive, fasten the felt onto the "Slatron" and wait for it to dry.

7

Cut and install the rails. With this step, you have some flexibility, as they can be designed in whatever manner fits your preference. Most commonly, the rails are about 2 inches wide, and are attached to a wooden support that will go to the edge of the base, creating a hollowed out area where the game is played. You should secure them with wood screws.

8

Detail and finish the table. Here, we should sand and stain all of the wooden pieces, being careful not to stain the felt in the process. After we have applied multiple coats of stain, we should apply a few coats of a clearing or sealing material to protect the wood, as well as giving it a professional looking luster.