How to Cover Rails on Pool Tables With Felt

Proper care of a pool table means ensuring that the felt and rails are in good shape. You can accomplish this yourself in several hours, and you'll notice improved performance of the table without having to hire a professional. The balls will rebound better and you'll be able to place your shots more accurately, thoroughly enhancing your billiards experience without having to put a dent in your wallet.

Things You'll Need

  • Felt
  • Mallet
  • Ratchet
  • Scissors
  • Staple Gun
  • Staples
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Instructions

    • 1

      Unscrew the bolts that keep each rail in place using a ratchet. These are found on the underside of the table, directly under each rail. This will allow you to lift the rails out of place. Place them on their respective sides of the pool table, next to their original positions.

    • 2

      Pull the staples out of the rails with the staple remover.

    • 3

      Measure the exact centers of the rail and the piece of metal that holds in the felt, making a mark on both.

    • 4

      Separate the metal piece from the wooden one using a flat-head screwdriver. This will allow you to then take off the old felt.

    • 5

      Measure the length of each rail, then cut felt strips 6 inches longer than each rail and 12 inches wide. Center each felt strip over its respective rail, leaving the same length of felt hanging over each end.

    • 6

      Reattach the metal piece to the wooden piece. Confirm that they are properly aligned by matching the marks that you make in Step 3. Begin in the center of the metal piece, gently forcing the pieces together. Do not fully reattach them, however. There should be a 1/4 inch of excess felt hanging off the rail. As you are tapping them together, keep the felt taut over the rail.

    • 7

      Use the scissors to cut off the excess felt. Reattach the metal piece.

    • 8

      Cut the felt at each end of each rail so that it will not be obstructed by each pocket.

    • 9

      Tighten the felt on each rail, then turn each rail over and staple the felt to the rail, beginning in the center and moving to each edge. Cover the ends with felt and trim off any excess felt.

    • 10

      Replace the rails by bolting them back into place from the underside of the table.