Moving a pool table?
 

Is this just a don't do it yourself situation? Or doable with enough help and some instructions for reassembly?

I would say it depends on the pool table. Some are light enough that they can be carried and moved intact. Others I have seen disassembled and moved that way. Even in one instance, the slate segments (3, I think?) were removed and crated separately.

My experience comes from my illustrious days working for United Van Lines...I moved these more often that I care to admit.

Yeah, if light enough no big deal, it's more if it ends up being a beast and the slates need removed how hard it might be to get put back together correctly.

Seems that professional moving and setup is around $400, tables themselves can be had for $500-1500 used, so it adds a fair amount, but may also be totally worth it.

When we used to move them, we had a guy who would come in and assemble/level/set them up. I forgot about that. I was just the "strong back/weak mind" part of the process.

Do you know the table make? If it's a good brand, I would suggest using a good table mechanic and a couple of helpers. I'd also suggest going new cloth as a "while you're in there" thing. If it's a cheap krap table, break it down & haul it to a landfill, then buy a good table.

Give these folks a call. I've never been there, but they are rated highly on a pool site I visit...they'd know who to use in the Seattle area.

http://billiardsforall.com/content/free-pool-lessons

I watched a nice old Brunswick being recushioned and given new cloth @ the cue ball. It's very much a tricks of the trade thing. Wouldn't try it myself.
These two guys were amazing...each having their own chores to do, not much talking. Experience...

If it's a full size table and you want it to play true, hire it done.

There are various table options, Brunswicks, Western Billiards (Tacoma builder), Olhausens, etc.

It wouldn't be for serious playing, and at first it'd be to figure out if we used it much at all, so I don't want to go too high end, but I also understand the frustration if it really sucks and just isn't fun to play on.

While I like the idea of picking up an early 1900s Brunswick and having it rebuilt, I don't want to do all of that and have it just sit. An inexpensive table can always be replaced later.

That's our table (with new Simonis cloth) and we love it.

I have the exact same model of Golden West. (7ft).

Nice table

Not necessarily. If I were to buy a new pool table today, it would be a diamond brand. An old table? A nicely restored (40's-50's) Brunswick anniversary or centennial. Here's a restored centennial pic I lifted. Well into 5 figures to replicate this... Olhausens are okay for family/kids play. And less money than Brunswick (think Chinese made these days) or Diamond..(all USA) Sounds as if Rob has his criteria straight, so I'd say go Olhausen, but if anybody in the family gets serious, be prepared to want to move up to Diamond, the table preferred by pros today. As an aside, Ohausen pocket cuts and shelf depth make for difficult rail shots...;)

All that said, wish our home had room for a table. That's why I made 85-90 miles round trips to play on one of Jim's beautiful old Centennial or anniversary 9' tables. Today's Brunswick Gold Crowns are okay, but they don't build 'em like they used to.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1522263090.jpg

I have an older 9 foot pool table that's decent but hardly very good. Maybe the 924 of the pool table world. I've had to move it three times. I tried to do it myself and it was just way too heavy, even with friends. It's from the 1960s, so maybe it's heavier than today's (antique tables are much heavier that modern ones) but it's well over 1,000 pounds. Just for kicks I got under a corner on my hands and knees and pushed up with my back. It didn't budge and I almost killed myself. It can be done with enough effort and help, but it's something I think is very much better left to the professionals.

It took 3 pro's when they delivered my table - and almost 3 hrs to assemble it (3 piece slate) and get it level on a tile floor.

That's some good perspective. I expected 4-5 people that are definitely not pros and the better part of a day of fiddling, so I guess I wasn't too far off.

Also seemed like if we got it moved and mostly in place that it'd be less expensive for a set up / tune up than an entire breakdown and move process, but might not be worth it at that point.

Also, Rob, in order to get the table "level" - they used a machinists level, not your standard contractors level.

I saw two guys instal one at my parents house years ago. $400 is so worth it.

But that part sounds like an excuse to buy a tool that will be way overkill in the future for hanging pictures. :D

Rob, you weren't clear. Buying a new or used table? Size? If new, you can trust most legit dealers to have a good installation crew. The hauling is the easy part.
Give Golden (aka Golden fleece) a ring...there you'll learn more. Actually, maybe rent some table time there on a Diamond...see what you think. I know I suggested Olhausen, but that might be penny wise...not sure of he price difference between Olhausen and Diamond, once delivered and installed.

It'd be a used table, 8' probably, 9 is too big, 7 might work, but might be cramped to play on. The question was along the lines of "if I bought one of these in decent shape on Craigslist, could myself and some friends successfully get it set up 95% and playable in the basement?"

Also, if I hauled one with a trailer, could I pull it with a V6 Mustang, or would I need a Bullitt? ;)

LOL! If I had the space, and since I prefer drop pockets over a ball return, I'd go with this:

The Professional Drop Pocket Table

But since I don't, I just wish.

Seriously, since many area tournaments and league play is mainly on 7' tables, I'd suggest going that route. 8' tables are kind of an orphan these days. 7' Diamonds are used for the Western BCAPL amateur championships. What ever you do, avoid a Valley brand bar box like the plague.

If a table is too old, it may need cushion replacement. That isn't cheap...so when looking at used, check for dead rails. If I were looking used, I'd probably hire a good table mechanic to do a PPI. It would be money as well spent for a table as it is for a used car.

It's entirely possible in an area as large as Seattle, you could find a nice used 7' Diamond...be patient.

I won't say you couldn't set one up yourself, but if you've never done it, I'd very strongly suggest calling a pro.

Hm, interesting, didn't know that the 7's were more popular than 8's, and it'd certainly fit better. I'll keep an eye out.

Here's a 7 foot example about a half an hour drive away. 8 footers are definitely more common.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/spo/d/7-foot-olhausen-pool-table/6536076158.html

w/new felt and such I thought that we might be able to haul and mostly set it up and then have someone come dial it in to save some $$ and keep it super reasonable.

In a dream home game room, a serious player would want both a 7' and a 9'..be able to practice on a table the same as the one he'll be on in an upcoming tourney.

Suggest you also view the how to select a table videos on you tube. Generally speaking, you get what you pay for. Veneered pressboard vs. solid wood, thickness of slate, quality of slate, and so on. It can become a pretty complicated subject.

The above video shows well why I'd hire pros. Not only do they know the tricks, they have specialized tools.

(edit) As long as were' on videos, check out this one about the pro-am Diamond. I know, broken record about diamonds, but they really are made better than others. This video should have one following giving you a factory tour, so you can actually see the materials used, how it's constructed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vpLjMNhOSQ

moving it is easy
 

I moved mine by utilizing car wheel rollers
I placed one under each leg and just rolled it
lifting one end at a time was easy

When I was looking to buy a house about two years ago, there were quite a few houses that included the pool table in the game room with the sale of the house.
I helped a friend pick up a free pool table about ten years back. We got it to his house and set it in his garage. There was no way we were getting it into his house without ruining it (or his house).
He originally complained about the roughly $400 it cost for a pro to come and dissemble and reassemble the table in his basement with new felt etc. He finally understood why the table was free.
The table was great after the pro was done with the install. I would always recommend getting a pro to move a pool table.
He left it behind when he sold the house. :)