How to level a pool table the right way

[@Maxpower4908]

This video has convinced me that I need to hire a professional. 😂. Thanks for making it. Very informative.

[@djohnson8323]

Same lol

[@Moninja]

😂

[@whitigir]

Not all professionals do it the way he did. At least not the folks that did my table

[@casedistorted]

Yeah just get a guy who sets up pool tables for a living and pay them a bit, we had to pay about $400 for our guy and his friend to haul and set up our pool table? ($200 for each), but he also leveled it perfectly with his machinist level too

[@809thepedro]

Estoy 150% seguro que este tiene que ser el mejor video explicativo en todo KZbin en cuanto a nivelar una mesa se refiere. Buen trabajo amigo👌🏽 y muchas gracias 🙏🏽 es usted un CRACK 👍🏽

[@mysteryandmeaning297]

I really needed this info thanks so much. So level sides at diamond edges first he said. Then middle center pockets align. Worked for my table and it was way off. Its pretty level now balls flow straight as before curved. Consistency at middle parts of table.

[@cherrycola8440]

hey great help all those things you spoke about when you initially tried to level your pool table is what happened to me, pool tables are not that simple to level as people think i gave up till i watched your vid thank you helped alot

[@casedistorted]

4:50 yeah that’s how I watched a professional pool table setup and hauler guy do it with his machinist level. He had his helper guy help him bring the Slate and table downstairs, then set it all up. At the end he pulled that big level out and did all the corners and spots and had the other guy lift it while he adjusted the legs. Got it leveled perfectly for our basement carpet. Then we removed the carpet 2 months later and put vinyl floor.. no idea if it’s still perfectly level but it still plays well 😅

[@zhpmafiadotcom4470]

You actually do not show how to level the table. You do however point how how to determine if your pool table is level or not level.

[@SandmanLLc]

Your right! but I was trying to show more of how to go about it instead of actually turning the legs... as turning the legs would be the action needed to correct the bubble variance and level the table.

[@williamelgie9894]

Thanks Dane great pt

[@Freedom-nu7he]

Sounds like you spent a lot of money on a table that isn’t level

[@Jeff82556]

@@SandmanLLc YOU'RE right

[@timpsullivan75]

Not one word mentioned about how to level a pool table.

[@WingoTribe704]

Smh lol

[@mysteryandmeaning297]

Are you serious lol. I can explain exactly what he said if want or rewatch. Worked on my pool table

[@Jeff82556]

@@mysteryandmeaning297 HE MEANS that the dude didn't show us how to adjust THE LEGS!!!!! (which he didn't)

[@mysteryandmeaning297]

@@Jeff82556oh i see. Well on mine you turn the bottom leg feet connector. It goes higher or lower

[@mw0gbr1]

Nice video. Proved what I thought about levelling a table.

[@m007remote]

if you did it, put a mirror on it and on that mirror a billard ball... if you failed the ball will roll. :D

[@wesleysandifer6157]

The weight of the slate will send in the middle. You'll have to remove the slate, add shims to bring the middle back up. You can use your level to determine how thick it needs to be. Once you got the same reading all over the table, you can level it by the legs now.

[@gjekerushaj4537]

wesley sandifer is the day you get

[@zzytrewq]

Thanks for explaining your methodical approach. It was a big help.

[@kennethbrazell4857]

With any accurate level... find the high point, there is only one. Level in both directions out from there, lay level horizontally across table (corner to corner) and the table should still indicate level. If not, there is a separate problem that will need addressing (sag or bow in slate) with shims. As the slate is precision machined and checked for flatness from the factory, once the table is level you can put a level anywhere in any direction on the one piece slate and the level will indicate level.

[@Cotronixco]

You can use an inexpensive level. Just turn it 180 degrees and remeasure, and take the average of the two readings.

[@Sertao2013]

For a 1 piece the best way is to use a survey level , and level before you add the felt and do the same thing as you would do on a foundation in the 4 corners of the table . Set the survey level up about 6 inches above the slate so you can use a small mm ruler . Add a base to the mm ruler so it will stand on its own . Don't use a level like you have use a ruler and get the same numbers on each corner on the survey level . For a 3 piece measure each corner of the 3 pieces 12 in total . Make sure all 12 corners have the same number . Use a Millimeter ruler . If you do it right and take your time you can get each corner between the mm lines and thats as good as it gets . After the 3 pieces are level use a small propane tank and torch attachment and heat up a small section about 1 inch of the slate at a time and get it just hot enough to let the bees wax flow into the crack . Add bees wax into the cracks between the 2 pieces all the way across . Heat the wax using the torch so it drips into the preheated section of slate ,use the torch to melt the wax so that the wax is liquid forms as it goes into the cracks . Once you have the wax on both slate cracks all the way across take a razor blade and scrape off the excess wax so the blade touches both sides of the slate . Doing this makes for a crack free slate base . Get a ball and roll it over the joints as slow as you can roll it , the ball should pass over the joint with out any interference . Then add the felt and finish with the rails . Once you set up a table with a survey level you will never use a table level again . Its 100 times faster and it always comes out perfect . or as perfect as the slate will allow . You don't have to buy a survey level if you are only going to do this once or twice you can just rent on fro home depot or lowes if they have a rental section or the local rent a center . The way you are doing it is okay for home use where precision is not required . Match tables are all leveled with a survey level . The survey level is also easy to check the level once a year to keep it level if the floor foundation is wood as in most houses , most are not build on a concrete slab and not solid concrete. but the ones that are will say level for years and years or until the ground shifts which does happen .

[@bowegoodall1677]

The 7ft one piece slate is all you will find in a bar the standard size 8 foot 3 piece slate house table you will use a machinist level plumbers putty in the screw holes in the middle of the slate no need for the beeswax just use car bondo after the Slate has been leveled with wood shims in a machinist level of course

[@Sertao2013]

@@bowegoodall1677 The wax is for the 3 piece slate . The wax goes all the way across on both sides of the center piece . The wax fills the space in the slates on the playing side . Watch this video . Only the cheapest of slate tables have the holes for screws on the playing surface . Watch this video it shows kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYvQfmypf8p2jsU

[@casedistorted]

It is so much nicer and easier just paying a professional a few hundred to haul the slate and table and set it up and level it for you. I would’ve messed up our valley pool table so bad if I had done it myself

[@Sertao2013]

@@casedistorted I'm willing to bet if you did it yourself it would be 100 time better setup than the idiots they send out to put the tables together . They don't give a crap if its perfect or not . They all do half ass jobs . Most places send the minimum wage workers out with 4 to 5 tables at a time and they go from house to house . Trust me they are not going to take the time to do it right .

[@Eger118877]

Great video. Wouldn't you get a more accurate leveling with a 4 or 6 foot level?

[@connorhill3796]

No, you measure the leveling in certain spots of the table and it is more accurate.

[@SandmanLLc]

I'm not an idiot! Your proposed idea is not in any instructions I've ever seen. I suggest you make a video of your method if you think it can help. Remember I said I was not a pro and was only offering free advice to people like me who have these tables at home. It's the correct way and helps DYI people to understand the theory. These tables are not pro tables, our only goal is to get them close for enjoyment and practice at home. I just made this for helping others not to claim guru knowledge. geez man

[@darrelmoats9949]

You are just trying to help! Go look at my post on how, I level each and every table! in this thread of comments. I didn't mention, I start with all leg levelers at two turns out from all the way in! Then I turn both legs the same amount on the low side or end. til I get the table level. That way there is no UN-do twist in the table when done! If it is low in the corner, lets say. I shoot the table, both ways. Then adjust the levelers the same to lift the low side or end. So hypothetically. If it is low in a corner, because the ball drifts to the side and the end. I lift both levelers on the low side the same. Say three and a quarter turns. Then lift the levelers the same on both legs on the low end. say 2 and a half turns. the corner that was low got five and three quarters turns. While the others still came up even prospectively. When setting up a home table it works the same but most don't have adjustable legs. So we us shim stock. not wedges! Sometimes a playing card will do it....

[@leonardwalker4641]

@@darrelmoats9949 i have a old sportscraft 7' pool table. Can adjusting legs (which feet do turn) can alleviate center sag? (center is low)

[@darrelmoats9949]

A one piece slate shouldn't have any sag as you are describing. I have noticed that any slate can be untrue. As far as a high and low areas on that slate (due to the machining of that slate)! But, no I think your asking if adjusting the adjustable bell on each leg can pull the low area out of the slate, that is in the center area. A one piece slate table as like the one above in the video is assumed to be true! I have seen that not always true. I have seen Valley tables to have a saddle or crown on a part of the slate. I have set 3 piece slate tables, where one or more of the slates had high or low spots in them! I am not familiar with the name Sportscraft? But I can only think it is a one piece slate. Adjusting the legs will only change the table as a whole. From side to side, or end to end. Not any area of it in general.

[@SandmanLLc]

Also to address the concern of sag towards the center, If your handy enough pull up the slate and check the two cross member supports, usually a piece of cloth is placed on these so the slate sits up a little. Also check the outside slate support wood, I have seen these wood supports get loose and can drop down causing uneven support for the slate.

[@jasondmaguire]

Pool table

[@southpawdeanlefty342]

Great answer

[@whitigir]

The people who did setup my table didn’t use the starlet leveling tool. They only used bubble and long level. Probably 2x the length of your. When the balls roll very very slow, it would droop in and out randomly. I asked them, and they said it was because of the stretching of the cloth, and that was normal

[@txproudproudamerican9474]

Screw the complainers! Thanks for making this video I know I'll be able to use a lot of your tips on leveling a I piece slate

[@SandmanLLc]

Thanks! I appreciate that. Some people seem to just always have to criticize or say stupid remarks without contributing to the conversation. I said I wasn't a professional but nothing I said was wrong, was just trying to help other people who may have a second hand table or don't know a few things can make it play better. I made this video because I couldn't find anything on how to level a 1 piece table and ya it's more complicated than just messing with the legs. But all the back seaters seem to throw insults instead of offering tips

[@hwfranjr]

If pool tables had adjusters like a shuffel board table wouldnt it be eaiser to get a good level with less work and keep it later if needed to readjust as time goes by? Just a thought,since like a shuffel board center will sag?

[@SandmanLLc]

No, shuffle boards are made of wood and I'm guessing the sag is from the wood over time, pool tables with slate typically don't react that way over time. If a 1 piece slate table was installed on a typical concrete floor and leveled correctly and the humidity stays constant it would almost never change or become un-level... The reason for my advise and the video is because people are buying second, third, fourth hand tables that have been moved countless times and who knows how many recovers etc. So you never know how much the table was moved or dropped and whether the side and bottom supports are missing or loose. These 1 piece Valley tables are pretty tough and can handle a lot but once it's in your garage and hasn't been beaten to death you can get it playable by just a good leveling.

[@Gruuvin1]

10 minutes to say, "put your level in the middle of the table."

[@Gruuvin1]

Also, you have a bowl shaped table, sunken in over time by gravity. That slate needs to be shimmed in the supports close to the center.

[@tskipwadoo3447]

You only have four points of adjustment, the foot pad. How can you make micro adjustments?

[@CharlieEdward25]

Do pool tables increase in speed as you wear them in as mine is quite slow any tips

[@drewdavis1985]

New felt buy simonis 860

[@c.r.b.6971]

True felt makes a big difference so does the rubber if it’s a new table and it plays slow does it bounce off the rails good or is that slow maybe your rails need tightened or it’s just a slow table and your stuck with it unless you want to do some expensive up grades to the rubber and cloth.

[@chrisallen6717]

This is why you level it before you put cloth on. So you can shim under the slab.

[@danc3831]

@ 6:55 when you lifted the level I assumed to level the bubble the opposite of what you say is true. The side you say is high (if you lifted the level to level the bubble with your right hand) is in fact the low end of the table (your right). Travelling to your left would be the high side.

[@chitomacagga6485]

So where is the adjuatment to allign?

[@darksinthe]

are you sure your slate is not warped?

[@bowegoodall1677]

First of all standard size pool table is 8 ft yes but every bar table is 7ft one piece slate unless you're going to a pool hall that has a bar in it!! A machinist level is all you need but of course before you put the felt on then small shims underneath the table legs well using The Machinist level again

[@anotherOneMore7]

It is nice to get ideas of how to measure level, but you don't say anything about what to do when you find it is not level, and you imply it requires more than just raising/lowering the 4 corners.

[@setaymada5023]

you showed how to display whether or not a pool table was level. if it's not level, then how do you bring it to level....that's what I was looking for.

[@Diana-wg1tm]

Can you please come to my house because I have an octagon bumper pool table and when I finally get a level 2 where I think it is then the table wobbles LOL it's a mid-century modern octagon bumper pool table. I always feel like it bows in the middle

[@Bree0814]

What do you do if you needa level your table asap or don’t have a machinist level?? Cause mines off and I can’t figure it out I’ve tried everything.

[@m007remote]

:D

[@dannyhoskins4084]

How to level 8 ft old square legs without leg adjustments cannon table

[@cloutjerry8646]

Okay try leveling it on uneven floor smh it’s a pain

[@isaiasdenton3489]

Can you show us how to actually level it?

[@juansantana9678]

😹😹😹😹

[@SandmanLLc]

Put a wrench on the nut and turn it. clockwise raises the leg, counter clockwise lowers the leg, It doesn't take much effort to turn the adjusting bolt, most tables are "frame built level" so start with all legs at minimum and raise 3-5 turns evenly keeping track of each full turn, then start using the level. At this point you can lower or raise the legs depending on what the level says to do. I'm very clear that the video is for one piece slate table like Valley, If you have a 3 piece slate table just moving it requires a professional to redo the slates and properly level it because any shifting during transport will change the slate alignment.

[@deanandpamtodaro1920]

The problem I’m haveing is. The pool balls are rolling like kind of wired can’t explain it but any suggestions to help would be great full

[@darrelmoats9949]

I would suggest try replacing your set of pool Balls with a new and at least 100.00 dollar set. Of a well known brand of balls. The Higher the price of a good ball is better, for true roundness! I have seen this to be true. An untrue ball will roll untrue and make one think the table is un-level! Saluc Aramith balls are the best that I know. www.saluc.com/html/home.htm

[@leninmi7579]

Change your felt to a quality one, if your felt feel nubbly, it's a cheap felt, and the balls will roll with the grain I bet you have a hard time getting good English too? Poor felt

[@byronsonberg7652]

Used my car jack to lift the table and add shims under the legs

[@stephaniehernandez1999]

I just bought a pool table off of someone but just noticed that the pool balls keep rolling to the edges of the pool table once hit that way. Can somebody tell me why? 😣

[@SandmanLLc]

What brand and model is the table? My advise is limited to a Valley or dynamo 1 piece slate table. All other tables may be using 3 piece slates and require different methods... their is so many types, some need shims and don't have adjustable legs etc.. the list goes on and on. But if you have a Valley table and it has not been messed with I would bring all the legs up together. It sounds like it's frame sagging, but it may have other issues if that doesn't work.

[@darrelmoats9949]

Or you can just line up four balls by tapping them with another ball to set them. Then step back and check that your as straight as you can be. Then take a fifth ball and hit the line up so to cause the first ball to take off rolling. Grab or sweep the remainder balls away from the ball path, so when it returns from the rail it won't hit the other balls. As it slows down, it will roll to the low side of the table. Or if it is level it will roll straight. Do the same across the table. But you have to snatch the balls faster. Watch the second ball from the lead ball. As you hit the line of balls. This is the one to go for first! Do this around the table several times, to get a better read of the table! If you have a high end, low center and high end. Then your slate has a valley in it! And shooting the table at each end across the table will show that. English will not transfer through 5 balls. This is why you use 5 balls! Darrel Moats Pool Table Recovering since 1982.

[@jopajoholland8821]

The slate can flex slightly

[@ritawashere5787]

Can somebody help me figure out what model table I have and if there's a way to find a manual for assembly I'm just thinking it might be an extra help to me. My table on the rail says it's an AMF playmaster this slate pieces measure 7 feet. Do I need to know the model in order to assemble it? Also what kind of screws do I need to get for the table itself the movers never gave them to me? Thank you to anyone in advance for the help I get.

[@michaelmartinez8066]

Google ABIA they will find an installer near you to help you out. I do t recommend setting a table up yourself unless you are fairly handy or have done it before

[@c.r.b.6971]

By now I imagine you have had it put together but if not is the slate off the frame how dissembled is it.

[@ritawashere5787]

@@c.r.b.6971 thank you so much. I gave it to my son-in-law and he and I and his friends put it together just about a month ago. I appreciate your help.

[@frankie1220]

you're just telling me how to place the levels. But how do I actually level? I have adjustable feet but that requires manpower.

[@SandmanLLc]

Put a wrench on the nut and turn it. clockwise raises the leg, counter clockwise lowers the leg, It doesn't take much effort to turn the adjusting bolt, most tables are "frame built level" so start with all legs at minimum and raise 3-5 turns evenly keeping track of each full turn, then start using the level. At this point you can lower or raise the legs depending on what the level says to do. I'm very clear that the video is for one piece slate table like Valley, If you have a 3 piece slate table just moving it requires a professional to redo the slates and properly level it because any shifting during transport will change the slate alignment.

[@Jeff82556]

@@SandmanLLc WHAT SIZE wrench???

[@eddienerphy5788]

Intro = Creepy / Accent = confirmed

[@richfischer6820]

An 11:40 minute video that says it shows u how to level a pool table, yet u never adjust anything. It's a level. That's the easy part.

[@AstroBananna]

Slate sagging in middle as its not being supported properly.

[@darrelmoats9949]

Some slates have issues from the machining on the table lathe. I see it a lot these days as most tables and or slate are machined in China.

[@SandmanLLc]

That's true, and for those who have seen under these tables I will note a few things. The center supports are aluminum and usually has some felt laid on them in the middle, also these tables are supported on the outsides by simple wood supports. It's important to check these for loosing or misalignment. You never know how many times the table has been moved or recovered and all that can affect the slate support area.

[@darrelmoats9949]

@@SandmanLLc One thing to also consider about a one piece slate that has been glued on several times, is the glue build up underneath! I like to scrape a slate after 5 or 6 times. Due to build up. It does cause the slate to go up on the table. Also making the slate to not actually rest on the cross members in the middle of the table! Also if it is not address after many recovers, it will push the rails up as well. If you see a table with rails above the table sides itself. Then it has a glue build up, from to many recovers without being scraped!

[@doug8237]

I fast forwarded a lot but from the comments I’m assuming he never really showed how to level a pool table.

[@appletree8441]

The Americans use their military grade GPS to level the presidents pool table.

[@m007remote]

IMAGINE you only need a billard ball thats all. if there is no cloth on the table the ball will roll if the table is not lvled... and if the cloth is on the table... its a litte late to level the table but u can still do it with a billard ball... just put a glass or mirror on it so the ball will roll again (because there is no cloth to stop the rolling)... if u want check the work form your expensive pool table guy... just put a glass or mirror on the table and on it a billard ball... you will see if its good work or not. :D

[@robertdoyle5496]

Great to know your pool table is level, but you didn’t say anything about how you did the initial levelling from side to side.?? So how did you adjust from side to side??! Otherwise, this was a waste of time. Bob

[@anapkasplat]

Damn, you mean Valley's can actually be level??!

[@commandernoodles2367]

transparent hose with water is most accurate leveler.

[@kevysrandomstuff5835]

Did not show how to adjust

[@Apexjasonmorganllc]

You need a 6 foot level.

[@m007remote]

no u just need a billard ball and a table without a cloth on it, or a billard ball and a mirror to put the ball on. if the ball rolls, the table is not lvled :D

[@Apexjasonmorganllc]

@@m007remote or a simple level would do it

[@Supperesed]

can you explain a 3 piece slate

[@SandmanLLc]

This video is about one piece slate tables typically used in bars. These tables can be moved around as one unit. I.E. one piece of slate. Other tables will have 3 pieces of slate under the felt and require a complete breakdown to move.

[@thegoodvsthebad]

Angel Vega , 3 pieces I repeat 3 pieces !

[@c.r.b.6971]

A three piece has to be leveled one piece at a time. Level the center piece first but before you do anything level the frame with no slate on it. Then level the middle slate then add a end slate and level it to the middle slate because you have to make sure the seam is perfectly smooth to do this you have to use tapered shims under the table where the frame contacts the wood back board. To smooth out the seam once it’s level you have melt paraffin wax it the seam and once it’s dry you scrape of the excess. It’s not easy if your cloth is on the table and it’s out of level then you can try to shim it a bit but if you pop up the seam the ball will hit it and you will have to pull the cloth to fix it. I’ve moved pool tables for years and trust me call a professional table moving co. For one thing you will need a machinist level like he used but you need to do it right he needs to shim his slate in the center if his level is reading all over the place. I left out a lot of details I just wanted to give you a idea of how hard it is to correctly level a pool table.

[@brianmilburn1154]

A man made level is only as accurate as the person who made the level. Human error happens with all of of us. We can level the frame then add the weight “meaning slate” then it comes down to how the balls roll and go from there. - I’m Brian and my company is “On TheLevel” we are based out of Wentzville Missouri

[@6133406660]

I can understand using a two foot level to check center to edge but A carpenter would never use a two foot level to level a eight foot wall and neither should anyone

[@jgrigusIV]

How to use a level.

[@borysvoronkov9200]

I'm sure you can find awesome woodworking plans on woodprix website

[@timmo5443]

Fuck me its an American Reg Prescott!!!!

[@robboat3864]

Did he say one pice can be tricky I'm fucked mine has 3 pices of slate No I did not watch the whole thing

[@pinedastaglio6500]

procedure to do leveling??? wow! can anyone help me how to put my shoes on? lol!

[@boohoo2427]

This is a wast of time you only have 4 legs that you can move up and down on each corner , you can not leave the middle of it there are no legs there !!

[@robertcalaway4970]

Very confusing

[@hammondmiers3789]

I heard about woodprix instructions good opinions.

[@mikewest712]

I have never seen an 8 foot table in a bar. Not even a 7.

[@darrelmoats9949]

The table in the video above he says it is a 8ft. table. I am in the northwestern part of the US. Oregon to be more specific. But I think 7ft. tables are the more popular table I see in bars. At least here in my area. That is all I recover, with the exception of a 8ft. now and then!

[@sethadam4266]

The cheep level you have would make a good pry bar, its total junk, a level is only as good as the bubble, the bubble in that level, is plastic and has a value of 50 cents. If you had placed the machinist's level on top of the crap level you would be on the right track.

[@SandmanLLc]

Watch the video I do in fact place the machinist level on the "crap" level

[@mr.international429]

fake news, level it before felting it with slates. Each table is different. get it at the legs, and or use wood shims in slate before waxing and pulling the bed.

[@paulsilipignisilipigni2147]

all those junk coin op tables sag towards the center.

[@darrelmoats9949]

Your opinion is worthless!

[@c.r.b.6971]

Not Valleys

[@puckpuckandpuck]

Nothing in this video shows me "How to level a pool table right away". It shows one approach for checking if the table is level but does not show how to level it. What if someone watches your video, checks the level of their pool table per your instruction, and finds that the pool table is not level? Then what?? They would need to find a real video of how to level their pool table - as opposed to a video that describes only how to check the level. You might want to have your videos reviewed by someone other than yourself before publishing.

[@SandmanLLc]

Really! I kind of figured most people could do this with out me actually showing the wrench on each leg.

[@darrelmoats9949]

I think he is covering the fundamentals of how to find out if your table is not level. To actually level a table works the same on all tables except Diamonds! Once you figure out where it is unlevel. You need to know on a Valley you can lift each leg make the adjustment, then move to the other leg and do the same. On a home table you lift it in the center of the side or the end. As to not twist the table, so not to break the seam of the slates. On both you will want to adjust the leg on a valley, or shim it on a home table. The same for both! Don't adjust one leg without the other. If you lift it on the end to change one leg you do the same to the other. If you don't it puts a twist on the table. A home table with a twist can cause the seams of the slates to break apart! On a one piece it is just twisting stress on the table!

[@keys2la]

Don’t use a piece of crap level

[@Queondacutpodcast]

This guy is a joke.