How to Level a Pool Table The Right Way – Set Up a Pool Table Like a Pro

Are you having trouble deciding whether to raise your pool table yourself or hire a professional? Many think it’s too hard and time-consuming. Others think that hiring a professional is necessary. You’ll be pleased to know this isn’t taking up your time or your budget, and it’s simple to do. Do you want to know how to level a pool table the right way? This is a skill you’ll need to master if you have an existing table. Perhaps the carpet or floor is becoming uneven due to the weight of your table. Perhaps you relocated your table to a different place, or the table was never level.

Learn how to do this and reap the benefits without spending a penny. Before we go into the specifics on how you can level your table, I’d like you to remember that different pool tables are not exactly the same. The kind of table you have will determine how you apply these vital techniques. Be assured that you will soon see that the basic principles of getting your pool table level are similar.

How to level a pool table the right way 

It’s a wonderful night, and you’ve had an enjoyable time with your buddies playing pool. You take aim and hit the cue ball with precision, but it ends up to the left and fails to hit the target in the right way. Bummer, right? It is essential to know how to level a pool table correctly to avoid such situations. In this article, we’ll walk you through the entire process you need to follow to ensure long-lasting results. We’ll be discussing a few additional suggestions that could prove helpful.

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Inspecting the level of ground

Before beginning any kind of work at the table, it is essential to ensure that the floor underneath is level. To determine this, you can employ any method that you can use in a second to determine your table’s height. The best option is to employ a long level covering the ground beneath the table’s length. It is also possible to use the cue ball method to determine whether the ball moves or rotates in any direction after you roll it lightly.

Carpets and other more dense and soft surfaces can be difficult as they can’t assess the ground level. In these instances, you’ll have to give the table a couple of days to spread the carpet, then flatten it slightly in the areas of contact. Following that, you must mostly rely on the table’s adjustment methods.

Legs adjustment

Begin by adjusting the bottom leg of the table. Then attempt to raise it half of a turn or even a full one when needed. After each rotation, make all the checks for the previously mentioned level. Most of the time, you’ll need to adjust your legs several times, and you should be prepared with patience.

The level of the table

There are several ways to measure the table’s level. Most commonly, they use the carpenter’s meter and your smartphone or the most simple and simplest approach by using Cue Ball. In all of these methods, the main thing is to find the lowest point on the table. Once you have identified it, you can raise the leg below the corner. Sometimes, you’ll need to alter several legs. In such cases, the slope will typically be larger and wider and does not just require only one pocket (corner).

When you begin measuring the table’s height using the carpenter’s level, you must use the method known as H (or the pattern). It involves measuring once on the mid-line of your table parallel to the longer sides. In the next step, while staying on that mid-line, rotate the table’s level and take measurements along the long line that runs along the top of the table. After you’ve completed those two measures, continue to measure in the vicinity of all the table cushions and bumpers. Then you’ll be able to paint the”H” in the letter “H” using your measurements and two additional measures on the two shorter sides the table has.

Use your smartphone 

If you don’t have a Carpenter’s meter and you don’t have a carpenter, you can use a smartphone. Many applications for measuring and level can transform your smartphone into a multi-tool instrument. The main issue with smartphones today is that they’re smaller and cannot cover a larger space, which makes them less precise than a carpenter’s longer level. When using the cueball to determine whether the table is level, rolling the ball across several sections is necessary. Try to roll your ball in the straightest way you can and follow the ball’s course using your eyes. To help you follow the path, you can roll the ball parallel to one of the tables’ sides. If the ball can turn to any side, make sure you adjust your leg(s) that are in line with the direction that the ball turned.

Use marbles

One other method worthy of mention because of its precision is to use of marbles. Because marbles will not roll smoothly onto the table’s cloth, placing a flat piece of glass in between the marbles and table is recommended. Place the marble on top of the glass. If the table’s level, the marle will not move across the table in any way. Repeat the process across as many places on the table as you can.

Using shims to level the table

Shims are the most common method that works in the majority of cases. Before we go over the methods to implement it, you can be aware that two kinds of shims are available: wooden and metal. To insert a shim, it is necessary to raise the table’s leg to a sufficient height to begin. This can accomplish with a lifting jack placed in the middle of the table or with the assistance of a companion (recommended). Another way to accomplish this is using a wood piece and a long steel rod to place it under the foot of your table.

It’s not recommended since it may cause twisting and damage to the table’s frame. It could also damage the wood. If your table has feet that can be adjusted, it is possible to adjust a few of them and then put an under-shim on the other. Most of the time, it’s all down to how pleased you feel with your results. 

How to level slate pool tables

Level test

Before doing anything to the slate pool table, be sure it is tilted. One method of determining this is to buy the carpenter’s level and set it on both sides of your table.

Insert wood shims

After you determine which side needs to level, ask two or three of your friends to help. They should lift the table’s side, which needs to level. It is essential to ensure that they don’t lift the table off the top. The table could be damaged by the table’s weight, and it may break off from its base. Let them remove the table from the base. This will ensure that the total table’s weight support well and does not stress the table’s top. If the table has a small amount of space from the ground, place a wooden shim beneath the legs or the base. This should raise your pool table pretty easily.

Re-check level

Test whether the table is level when the wood shims are properly and securely positioned beneath the table. If it’s not quite right, Adjust the shim until the level is.

Test roll

When your carpenter’s level has an exact reading, perform the roll test to verify whether the table’s level is across the. Place a billiard ball onto any part of the table and pay attention to how it moves. The ball should be straight and should not deviate towards the opposite side. If you observe any anomalies regarding how it moves, the table might need to be adjusted.

Marble test

Another method to determine the table’s level is to use the marble test. Simply place the piece of flat glass in the table’s centre and then carefully place the marble in the middle. If the marble moves to one side or the other, make a note of that and note that this will be the one that requires adjusting. This applies to all tables with slate.

Learn here how to tell if a pool table is a slate.

How to level a pool table: Things to avoid

If your pool table has finally levelled, it is important to remember some things you’ll need to keep in mind. This will ensure that your table stays level and you won’t cause damage in the wrong way. It is important to not place all of your weight on a table. You are thinking about the long shots you’ll have to lay on the table too. To take these kinds of shots, it is possible to utilize a pole for a pool. Reposing and sitting on the table could cause it to twist it or break its bed or frame in the worst-case scenario and cause damage to its levelling in the best scenario.

Another major rule of thumb in the pool world is to lift your table by one side. If you wish to lift your table to perform some maintenance or to level its legs and feet, do it using a lifting jack starting from the bottom middle. Don’t take the top piece when you lift it up since that could break or bend the frame.

Learn more: How to replace pool table cushions

Conclusion

This walkthrough on how to level a pool table was helpful to you. If your table is equipped with adjustable legs or not, you can adjust it to make the best time you can get. Remember to test and check the balance of your table frequently. This will allow you to identify when something is not right and determine the best way to solve the issue. Do not be afraid to employ the suggestions we’ve provided for you!