Playing pool is a fun way to bond with friends and family, and so making a pool table! Whether it’s a standard size pool table, regulation size pool table, a portable pool table, or a foldable pool table, we’ve got you covered.
Check out these DIY pool table plans, print your blueprints, grab some buds – and beers – and start building! Visit our homepage for more DIY ideas
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DIY Pool Table Ideas
1. Build Your Own Billiard Table at Epoxy Works
If you’ve ever thought about buying a full sized billiard table for your rec room, but looked at prices and quickly realized you were having champagne dreams on Budweiser money, this guide is for you.
Author Brian Knight explains that the key to a good, long lasting billiards table is a stable playing surface and structure. You want your table to be as flat as possible at all times, without the balls moving around because someone leant against it.
Be aware however, this build isn’t a quick “half an afternoon” project. Brian aims to build an almost professional grade table, using a pool table felt covered slate for a top.
If you’re up for the challenge, this guide is for you.
2. Build Your Own Small Pool Table at Instructables
The goal of this tutorial is to teach you how to make a cheap and inexpensive mini pool table. Dinooz came up with this build to keep his mind occupied after he “got into a divorce” (which, really, you want to avoid if you can).
Lucky for you, this table is very attainable, and Dinooz goes to great lengths to make this a very easily followed tutorial. In several pages of instructions and over 70 pictures, he walks you through a process that, guessing by the timestamps on the pictures, took him about six weeks.
That said, you don’t need to spend six weeks on this build if you have time and friends on your side. This is for sure a project that I could see in many basements, rec rooms and college houses – easy, cheapish and cheerful.
3. Build a MDF Pool Table at HGTV.com
Many high-quality craftsmen shun MDF (some say it’s just sawdust and glue), but for many of us, it’s just an affordable, lightweight, practical material.
This project is for a pool table made from medium density fiberboard and makes for a sturdy, inexpensive pool table that looks good, and is fun to play.
Again, this is not a quick afternoon project, but you will come away with a pool table that will fill up your rec room, and your friday nights, for many years to come.
4. Build a Half-Sized Pool Table at Instructables
If you’re a beginner in both playing pool and building a pool table, you might want to consider creating a pool table half the regular size.
This tutorial covers making a half-sized pool table using bike tire material for bumpers. This is a great way to reuse materials you may have around the house, but does present some challenges.
You’ll need to remove the inner metal rings from the tire, and you’ll want to make sure you’re using the rubber of the inner tire as our bumper surface. This is because the outer surface will provide too much bounce to be practical.
That said, this is a fun and pretty easy project that is ideal for teenagers looking for an afternoon’s work, and an evening playing half-sized pool.
5. How To Build A Pool Table at Century Billiards
Building a pool table is obviously not an easy job, it requires some experience and skills, but, don’t worry! The experts of Century Billiards will teach and guide you from what you need and you should do.
They give a full rundown of all the things you should consider when taking on a custom pool table project.
Some of their tips include making sure you have the right space for the table, deciding early if you want a regulation sized table or something more custom, how to choose the right pool table plans from all the ones available online, choosing a table top, and more.
While it might be tempting to see a pool table as a weekend job with friends, they really hammer the point home that you’ll need to put a lot of thought into your pool table plans before you execute – or else you’ll end up with an unusable eyesore in your games room.
6. Home DIY Pool Table at Wood Archivist
If you’re into something retro, this old school but thorough guide on making a pool table provides you designs and blueprints.
As an extra added bonus, the printed plans have hand written notes from a previous owner in several places, adding some practical tips on building the table that the guy ran into during the build. You sure won’t get confused with this one!
7. Mini DIY Pool Table in a Tin at ConsumerCrafts
While not something you’re going to play every day, this super adorable and clever table in a tin is an excellent gift idea! Turn an empty tin into a super cute pool table and it will warm the heart of the man or little boy in your life!
The instructions for this one comes with a full parts list – nothing too crazy or expensive included in this build, all told it should cost you somewhere in the neighborhood of $12.
The table makes use of 8mm beads for the balls and long dowels for cues – smart!
Obviously something of this size is going to include a fair bit of detail work, so make sure you have a steady hand – and if you don’t, it’s just a good excuse for a stiff drink. Huzzah!
8. Upcycled Ford Mustang Pool Table at Recyclart
This table has two of the best things: it’s incredible and movable! How boujee and fancy is this pool table?
Ok so maybe this isn’t one everybody will be rushing to complete at home. This table was custom made by a company in Largo Florida. It is moulded from a 1965 Ford Mustang that was found at a salvage yard and used to create the custom molds for the table.
In order to make a 4 * 8 table they did have to shrink it slightly, but it still makes for a killer display piece for your home game room. There are no clear instruction for this design but, Sports Gears Lab can get your started in the right direction.
9. Pool Table YouTube Tutorial at SDM Custom Woodworking
If you’re a visual learner and learn best with watching videos, this could help you! Steve’s video covers all stages of his MDF based pool table, built in his woodworking shop in Haverhill, MA.
The table itself is 5 feet, and made from a sheet of 3/4 MDF, which is probably the most practical material for most people. It also contains a hole saw tip you’re not going to want to miss.
10. DIY Pool-Billiard Table at Instructables
Less is more. Sometimes, set of photos are enough to explain what is needed; so, here is a set of photos to guide you through what to do. The provided PDF shows all of the CAD drawings used to plan ahead to make this killer DIY pool table a reality.
If you’re looking for more details then what Instructables provides for this design maybe you’d want to look into getting a book on how to build a pool table. This way you’ll have clear instructions to follow and leave nothing up to chance!
This anonymous user creates a simple but useable pool table that easily doubles as a writing desk when not in use.
11. Volkswagen Pool Table at Billiards Forum
If art and entertainment had a child, this pool table would be the product! This incredible and innovative idea is undoubtedly unique and fun to do. It represents elegance, grace and quality style. Probably the greatest piece of art you will ever own!
The table began life as a 1965 VW Micro Bus that was chopped in half and then shortened to fit a regulation sized billiard table.
It’s also rigged for power so that you can turn on the head and tail lights! The bumpers and pockets are all fully functional, but it does lack a ball return.
It was formerly owned by Seattle Mariner Ken Griffey Jr, and also spent several years at Dr Cue’s Billiards in Seattle WA. Mike Farruggia made it as a post-college project, it’s said to have taken him a full year of tinkering to get it just right – but boy did he get it right!
There’s no tutorial for this design but, SportsRec has some instructions you could follow along with to make your own pool table and hey, if you add a car to the base it’ll be just as cool as the Volkswagen Pool Table!
12. How to Build a Pool Table
John shows how to build a pool table that will definitely impress! Your friends and family will not be able to tell that this is a DIY pool table. It’ll will take some time but, you’ll be saving a lot of money by building your own pool table then buying one.
Watch as John walks you through the steps to design your own pool table. He also gives a lot of help tips along the way. I can’t emphases enough that you’re going to need some time to complete and to follow along with the John’s tutorials because there are 10 videos all together to complete this pool table design.
13. PVC frame pool table
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own DIY pool table:
- A large piece of plywood
- PVC pipes
- Pool balls
- A pool cue
- Chalk
First, you’ll need to cut the plywood into the desired shape and size of your pool table. Then, use the PVC pipes to create the frame of the table. Next, attach the pool balls to the surface of the table using chalk. Finally, use the pool cue to start playing! Enjoy your new DIY pool table!
Now that you know how easy it is to make a DIY pool table, there’s no excuse not to try it out for yourself! Gather up the and get started today. You’ll be playing pool in no time!
Time to Build!
Hope these tips were helpful to you! Be sure to check out the 2 in 1 pool table dining table reviews. Remember, woodwork is not a safe job so if you’re in doubt, seek help from an expert and stay safe!