DIY Refelting Pool Rails
Your pool table rails are the area that gets the most wear. Every time you lean over to take the perfect shot, you rub up against the rail edge. Over time, the felt on the pool table rails will wear away. This will affect your game and the aesthetic appeal of your table. Sending the table away takes time, money and is awkward to transport. Refelt your pool table rails yourself. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Socket wrench
- Staple remover
- Pencil
- Screwdriver
- Craft knife
- Felt
- Electric staple gun and staples
- Rubber mallet
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Instructions
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Get under the pool table and use your light to locate the screws that attach the rail to the pool table. Use the wrench to remove the screws and keep them in a safe place.
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Lift the rails from the table and turn them over. Remove the old felt from the rails by pulling out the staples with the staple remover. Leave the rails under the table on the side where you removed them or mark them so you know where they go.
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3
Locate the feather strip. This is a thin piece of metal that holds the felt in place. Mark its location on the wood with the pencil. Place the screwdriver under the strip and gently pry it loose.
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4
Remove the felt and lay the felt piece on your new felt. Use the old felt as a template and cut out your new felt, leaving a 6-inch border of felt around the old piece for installation.
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Place the new felt piece on the edge of the table so that an equal amount of fabric is hanging down both sides. Replace the feather strip, but do not push it in all the way. Line up the feather strip with the mark you made earlier.
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Pull the felt tight as you pound in the feather strip in all the way. Use a rubber mallet so that you don't damage it. Trim the excess felt off with the craft knife. Use the knife to trim the felt around the corner pockets on both ends.
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Pick up the rail and turn it over. Take the other side of the felt and start to staple it to the underside of the rail. Pull the felt tight as you staple. Start in the middle and work towards the ends. Trim excess felt as close to the staples as you can.
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Turn the rail over and push it into place. Use the wrench to screw it back onto the table. Repeat for the other three sides.
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Tips & Warnings
Be sure to get rid of the staples when you remove them. Leaving them on the floor may cause injury to others.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
