Pool Table Rail Installation

The pool table rail is generally a foam rubber strip attached to a wooden rail, covered with table felt. With regular use, the table felt will wear and the foam rubber may lose its shape and/or bounce, preventing balls from rebounding as they should. When this happens, it's time to replace the rails. You can buy replacement foam rubber and table felt and replace the rails yourself, saving on expensive maintenance costs.

Things You'll Need

  • Table felt
  • Foam rubber strips
  • Socket set
  • Flathead screwdriver or staple remover
  • Pliers
  • Tape measure
  • Sandpaper
  • Adhesive
  • Staple gun
  • Utility knife
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Remove one of the six rails by unfastening the bolts on the underside of the pool table that are holding the rails in position with the socket set. Remove the rail and move to a separate work station.

    • 2

      Remove the felt by lifting out any staples from the underside of the rail using the screwdriver or a staple remover. Pliers will help remove any broken staples. Pry off the metal strip holding the felt in position, then pull off the loose felt.

    • 3

      Remove the foam rubber strip. Measure the length of the existing foam rubber strip using your tape measure. Take a note of this length. Peel away the rubber from the wooden rail.

    • 4

      Cut a new length of rubber to match the old strip. Sand away any remaining glue from the wooden rail. Apply adhesive to the flat surface of the new strip of rubber and fasten it onto the wooden rail.

    • 5

      Cut a 6-inch wide strip of felt that's slightly longer than the rail length. Tuck one edge of the new felt into the groove on the underside of the rail and replace the metal strip to hold it in place. Pull the other edge taut and wrap it around the rail. Starting from the center, staple the felt securely in position on the underside of the rail. Slowly work outwards, ensuring the felt is pulled taut throughout the whole length of the rail. Tuck the felt at the corners under the rail and staple securely. Trim any excess felt.

    • 6

      Position the rail back on the table in the correct position and fasten securely using the original fittings.

    • 7

      Repeat the steps for each of the remaining rails.