How to Lay the Bed on a Delta Pool Table

Delta Billiards Manufacturing of Los Angeles, maker of custom and antique-style billiard tables, went out of business 30 years ago. While it is very unusual to have to change the slate bed (either the one or three piece) on a pool table, it is not unusual to need to change the bed cloth (also known as felt) on a pool table. With age the bed cloth wears out, and more commonly, through cue accidents, rips and tears in the bed cloth will occur.

Instructions

Attaching the Bed Cloth Using a Staple Gun

1

Remove the pool table rails by loosening the bolts holding the rails with the wrench. There are normally three bolts and are visible on the underside of the table. Remove the old bed cloth by pulling out the old staples.

2

Dust the slate bed, removing any minute particles. Lay the new bed cloth so that the cloth is hanging equal distance on all sides.

3

Beginning two inches from an end pocket on one of the long sides, wrap the cloth below the slate to the wood and staple. Add new staples approximately every two to three inches until you get to the mid-point between the end and side pockets. Repeat this procedure on the other side of the table at the same end. Check throughout the stapling process that the bed cloth remains tight to the table.

4

Repeat the stapling and cloth tightening procedure at the other end of the table. Staple the end sides. Continue the stapling and cloth tightening procedure near each side pocket working your way toward the already stapled area

5

Using your fingers as a guide, make slits in the bed cloth with the razor blade at the bolt holes in the wood of the table. Make a short slit in the bed cloth at each pocket and wrap and staple the bed cloth under the table to expose the pocket. Reinstall the rails.

Attaching the Bed Cloth Using Ahesive

6

Follow the steps as above but substitute adhesive for stapling. Be aware that using adhesive is a significantly slower process.

7

Spray the adhesive no more than 12 inches on the underside of the table which you are first going to attach. Spray the adhesive on the underside of the bed cloth that corresponds with where you have sprayed the table underside.

8

Let adhesive air for about 30 seconds. Join the cloth to the frame. Wait a couple of minutes before proceeding to the the next section of cloth.