How to Set Up a One-Piece Slate Billiard Table

Billiard tables are precision instruments in many respects. Slate bed tables require the right atmosphere and temperature, and the floor must be level and strong enough to support the weight of the table and the slate. Billiard, snooker and pool tables are usually professionally assembled by the makers, on site. They have years of tradesmanship and experience to perform the assembly adeptly. One-piece billiard tables are named as such because they have only one piece of slate for the bed. They are quite rare because the slate tends to break when being moved. They should also have a hardwood backing underneath the slate.

Things You'll Need

  • Large flat-head screwdriver
  • Small and large Philips screwdrivers
  • Spirit level
  • Socket wrench
  • Hydraulic jack
  • Belt strap clamps
  • Wooden shims
  • Flat Iron
  • Staple gun
  • Utility knife/scissors
  • Billiard table brush
  • Black marker pen
  • Ball marker stickers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Assemble the bottom of the table by settings the legs equidistant from one another, making sure you've got enough space in the room for the table itself and area to move around. Full-sized billiard tables will have eight legs, but smaller tables usually have six. Bolt the legs together with the sidebars of the table. The holes should be matched up and the bolts placed through and tightened with the socket wrench. Check the level with the spirit level and adjust the level, if needed, by using wooden shims.

    • 2

      Prepare the slate--you'll will need some extra hands to help you lift the slate into place. Place the piece of slate onto the table and square it up.

    • 3

      Lift the table bed with the hydraulic jack and place leveling shims where needed.

    • 4

      Attach the pocket brackets with small wood screws included with the table, then level the table again. There will be one bracket for each pocket, cut to the shape of the pocket opening.

    • 5

      Install the green baize cloth by placing it over the table. Use the flat iron to smooth out the cloth and remove air bubbles and creases. Staple one end of the baize cloth to the edges of the surface of the table bed and spread the cloth tightly across the table top. Staple the opposite end and then the sides.

    • 6

      Attach the cushions and rails to the side of the table with the screws that came with the table. The wooden rails attach to the steel part of the rail with bolts. Leave the bolts slightly loosened until all six rails are in place. Attach the rails for the corner pockets first.

    • 7

      Trim the excess green baize cloth from the lower edges of the table. Brush the baize cloth with a billiard table brush. Mark the table using the correct mathematical equations and place ball markers on the ball spots.