How to Dismantle a Snooker Table

With a handful of tools and some elbow grease you can dismantle a snooker table in a few hours. Each make of snooker table has its own unique construction, and since full-sized snooker tables range from 450 to 525 lbs. (1000 to 1150 kg), it would be best for at least two people to work together.

Step 1 – Take Out the Pockets

Put on the dust mask and goggles before beginning the dismantling.

Use the staple remover or pliers to remove any remaining staples in the pockets. Then use the Allen wrench to remove the actual pockets from the frame.

Step 2 – Dismantle the Rails

With more modern tables, remove the bolts from underneath the table. Older tables might have bolts along the sides instead of underneath. Depending on the make of the table, once the bolts are removed, the rails will either come right off or will need to be slid away from a carved channel.

Step 3 – Remove the Cloth (Baize)

Sometimes you will find that the baize—the green fabric that covers the table—will be glued to the slate. You will need to use the razor or flat-head screwdriver to remove it from the table.

If the baize is stapled, you will find the staples along the bottom edge of the slate. Remove them with the staple remover or pliers. You can then remove the baize from the slate.

Step 4 – Dismantle the Slate

Most tables are built with 3 slabs of heavy slate. Additional help is beneficial in removing them.

If you are planning on reassembling the table (rather than disposing of it) then the slate should be slid from the table before lifting it and you want to be careful not to chip, dent, or drop any of the slabs.

The slate is often bolted to the frame. Additionally, the 3 slabs are usually screwed to each other. Remove the bolts and screws and then slide each slab of slate off the frame before lifting it.

If reassembling the table later, lay the pieces of slate so that the flat, slate-up side of piece 1 is laid atop the slate-up side of piece 2. With the rough, bottom side of piece 2 facing up, lay piece 3 with the rough side down. Putting slate against the rough, bottom side of another slab will potentially damage the slate. If it is being stored for over one week, lay the slate on its side, supported well, rather than flat on the ground. This way it is less likely to distort.

Step 5 – Dismantle the Frame

This will be the simplest part of the process, and if you are planning on disposing of the table, you can usually keep the frame in one piece. You will see that the frame will either be bolted or screwed together. Flip the table upside down to remove the legs and then dismantle the rest of the frame.

If you are selling, moving, or otherwise reassembling the table, you will want to wrap each piece carefully.