What To Do With Old Pool Table? (Here's What You Can Do)
There are so many memories of friends and family gathered around your old pool table, but all good things must come to an end. Before you toss it in the trash or stick it in a corner to collect dust, learn what to do with an old pool table.
Sell your old pool table online, or donate it to a community center. Restore it for your man cave, or recycle the materials. Use an old pool table to make a foosball table, workbench for the garage, or ping pong table. Use the pool balls for door stops, garden sculptures, bottle stoppers, and coat racks.
Let’s look at what to do with an old pool table to keep it out of the landfill.
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How to Dispose of an Old Pool Table
You certainly could pay a fee and leave your old pool table at the landfill, but you are missing out on some opportunities. Old pool tables can be sold, recycled, donated, and repurposed.
What Do Used Pool Tables Sell For?
Pool tables are one of those gaming tables that increase in value with age. Antique pool tables sell for $10,000 or more. If you aren’t sure about when your pool table was built, look for some telltale signs, such as ornate designs on the sides of the tables. There may be ivory or precious stones (including diamonds) inlaid on the rails. Antique pool tables also don’t have an auto feed design. The balls fall into cups at each corner rather than being fed back to a chamber at the end of the table.
Another way to tell if your pool table is an antique is to look for a manufacturer’s label. Anything built at least 20 years ago is considered antique or vintage.
New pool tables will sell for a little less than retail value – around $100 to $500 depending on condition and style.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Pool Table?
On average, expect to spend $275 to $400 to have your old pool table removed from your home. The cost is based on several factors, such as where you live and the condition of the pool table.
How Do You Recycle an Old Pool Table?
If your old pool table is in pretty bad shape, recycling is the best option. Check with your local city or recycling center to find out how to have the table recycled. You may be able to recycle the entire table or only certain parts of it.
Where to Donate an Old Pool Table
Check with local non-profits and community centers to see if they will take your old pool table. Include all of the balls, chalk, and cues so you are offering a complete package.
How to Upcycle an Old Pool Table
Old pool tables have a relatively simple design that is ideal for DIY repurposing projects. Here are some ways to upcycle your old pool table.
1. Turn It into a Foosball Table
Foosball is another classic game that has stood the test of time. The heavy slate of an old pool table is the ideal surface for the game. Standard pool tables measure 3.5’ x 7’. Billiards tables are slightly larger. Cut the slate down to the size of a standard foosball table (2.5’ wide and 4’ 8” long). The legs of a pool table are the right height, so you only need to cut the rails down to fit the foosball table.
2. Workbench
You always need more room in your garage for those “honey do” projects. Use the slate, legs and rails of your old pool table to build a workbench.
3. Ping Pong Table
Here’s another classic game that works with an old pool table. Make a mini ping pong table for the kids. It will be smaller than the standard 5’ wide by 9’ long, but it is perfect for your little ones.
How to Cut Slate from an Old Pool Table
Most of the upcycling projects for an old pool table require cutting the slate surface. The best tool for the job is a circular saw. It gives you a nice, straight, even cut. Use a diamond or masonry blade. Remove the felt before you cut the slate.
If you don’t have a garage filled with power tools, you can still get the job done. It will just take a bit more precision and time. The easiest technique is with a hammer and chisel, but this is not very precise. A better option is to use handheld slate cutters that you can find at a local hardware or home improvement store.
When cutting slate by hand, clearly mark a straight line. Take your time, and work slowly.
What To Do with Old Pool Table Balls
When you are ready to find a new use for your old pool table, you’ll also need to know what to do with the balls.
A Note About Celluloid Pool Table Balls
Before we delve into amazing DIY projects for old pool table balls, some features of the balls need to be mentioned. Antique pool table balls were made from ivory. As efforts grew to protect elephants, a new method for making pool table balls was developed. A material known as Celluloid replaced the ivory.
The balls had the same density, but, unfortunately, there were some unexpected side effects of the new technique. Specifically, Celluloid was made with nitrocellulose. You might be able to tell from the name why the material is no longer used for pool table balls. When the balls hit each other on the table, they fractured and exploded.
Celluloid pool table balls are rare, but they may be still be in circulation. If you have an old pool table, you can check for the material. It typically dissolves when acetone is applied to the surface, but not always. If you suspect that your pool table balls are made with Celluloid, it’s best not to try to repurpose them. Never drill into a Celluloid pool table ball.
1. Door Stops
Attach a flat rubber base to your old pool table balls, and you have instant door stoppers. The balls are heavy enough to hold the door open, and light enough to move to close the door.
2. Coat Rack
Use a router to make indentations in a nice piece of solid wood. Apply a small amount of strong glue to the old pool balls, and insert them into the indentations. This makes fun coat rack for your entryway or game room.
3. Cork Bottle Stoppers
Glue a cork to each of the old pool table balls. Use them in your game room or bar to cork bottles.
4. Garden Sculptures
Create garden sculptures with your old pool table balls. Use a strong glue to join the balls in interesting shapes, and mount the sculpture on a piece of wood or a paver.
5. Table Legs
Stacked pool table balls make great legs for a coffee table in your family room or game room. Use a strong glue, and take your time. The balls need to be perfectly stacked to balance the tabletop.
6. Candleholders
Use your router to make an indentation in a small piece of wood. Also drill out part of an old pool table ball to the size of a votive candle or tea light. Glue the ball to the base, and insert the candle.
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Related Questions
How do you replace the felt on a pool table?
You can have the felt on an old pool table replaced for $250 to $600. You can buy a kit online for $130 to $250. The kit includes the felt, a brush, and a cover for the table.
What size room do I need for a pool table?
Pool tables are 39” wide by 78” long or 44” wide by 88” long. For the smaller table, the room should be at least 13’ 6” by 16’ 8” for 58” cues. The larger table requires a room that is 13’ 11” x 17’ 4” for the same cue length.
Conclusion
Who knew that you could do so much with an old pool table? Old pool tables that are in good condition can be sold online. Those that are beyond their lifetime can be recycled. The frame, legs, slate, and balls from an old pool table can be repurposed.
Jennifer L. Eggerton loves being hands-on, whether it's with a home DIY project, making repairs, re-decorating a room, or keeping life organized. She enjoys helping people by sharing her knowledge, insights, and experiences, as well as her lessons learned. In addition to her work as a writer, Jennifer is a Jeep® overlander, self-published author, and nature photographer who loves being outdoors.
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