Instructions for Pool Table Felt Replacement

If the felt of a pool table thins, becomes torn or begins to loosen from the slate, the entire table becomes unusable. It is vital that the pool table surface not prevent any natural movements of the balls because this can cause an unfair disadvantage to one player and an unintentional advantage to the other. Many companies will refelt your pool table for an often pricey fee, but if you are detail-oriented, you may want to tackle the job yourself.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Scissors
  • Screwdriver or nail claw
  • Felt
  • Staple gun with staples
  • Adhesive
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the length and width of the top of your pool table. Cut the new felt so that it is longer and wider than the pool tabletop by 1 foot. Remove the rails from the table and pull out the nails or staples securing the old felt.

    • 2

      Lay the new felt over the surface of the pool table. Adjust the felt so that it is centered and one of the ends is aligned with one of the edges of the table surface. Hold this end of the felt in place and staple the edge down along the deep base of the side of the table; staple from the middle toward each end to avoid bunching.

    • 3

      Pull the felt tight from the other end. Hold the felt down against the table and staple it into place as you did before. Stretch the felt from one side until it is taught; have someone hold the other side, if necessary.

    • 4

      Staple down the first long side. Pull the other side so that the felt is stretched and tight on the table and attach it to the last side. Cut off any abundance of extra felt and tuck all of the edges under.

    • 5

      Trim down the felt over the pockets of the pool table, then make shallow cuts in the felt so that it can be folded under easily. Apply adhesive to either the backs of the felt strips or the underside of the slate, fold the felt up into each pocket, and attach it underneath the table. Reinsert the pocket liners.