A level pool table is essential in order to play a fair game. However, it is possible that your pool table may not be level, or you might have recently moved it and need to accurately adjust the legs. If you are unsure how to do this, follow these steps.
1) Firstly, find out if the pool table is really not level. A simple method of doing this is to put a long, level object across the playing surface. Then, tip the table on its side as you did when you originally leveled it. If the table remains level, it means that either the leveling brackets are loose or that your pool table’s surface is uneven.
Using a straight edge will help you to determine if your pool table is level and will save time.
2) Next, start to adjust the legs. You can do this by screwing in or out the leg bolts. The rule of thumb is that if you are going to tighten a leg bolt, you should loosen the other one of similar length. And vice-versa for loosening them.
To minimize the gaps between your pool table and floor, place a hardcover book under each corner of the table . Do this before you level the table.
3) For the remaining steps, you need a sharp pencil, a straight edge and a spirit level. Place the straight edge on the joint of the pool table top and run it around the entire perimeter of your table. The straight edge should be kept flat and parallel to the playing surface. Then, mark the high points with pencil.
Make sure that the surface is level before you start to make your actual adjustments. To do this, place the spirit level on one of the playing surface and move it around along the entire length of pool table. It should be possible to find a spot where it lies flat.
If there is not enough room for a spirit level, you can use a carpenter’s square or a piece of string.
4) Now, it is time to raise the table. You should start by moving the playing surface with your hand. Once you have figured out where it is level, use a screwdriver to tighten the bolts that hold the top in place. Remember that as you tighten one bolt, you must loosen another one or it will cause a bump in your table’s surface. If this happens, adjust accordingly with the level and pencil marks you made previously, and start again at step.
The table top should be completely straight.
5) Once the surface is level, you need to check that it is still parallel to the ground. This can be done by placing a straight edge along the entire length of pool table. If it does not touch both ends of table, tighten or loosen the bolts as appropriate. Repeat this process at every corner of your pool table until every leg is properly adjusted.
If your pool table’s top is flush with its frame but not level, you can align if using a spirit level.
6) And finally, tighten the level of the table. If you do not do this, your pool table will still be level but not flush with its surface. This is done by tightening or loosening the level bolts inside each leg .
You should adjust them until they are aligned perfectly with the playing surface. If you notice that one of your pool table legs is shorter than the others, it means that it has a built-in tilt mechanism to allow you to change the game’s angle. It is therefore very important that you check that this mechanism is working correctly.
When all the bolts are tightened, you should repeat the process of checking that it is still level.
You can tighten or loosen each bolt as required.
Conclusion
A level pool table is essential in order to play a fair game. However, it is possible that your pool table may not be level, or you might have recently moved it and need to accurately adjust the legs. If you are unsure how to do this, follow the above steps.
