Upcycling a pool table - has anyone ever re-purposed one?

[RetiredAt63]

Part of the basement reno is getting the pool table out.  I hate to see all that wood and slate go to the dump. Has anyone ever used part of a pool table for something outside?

I had thought of using some of the slate for stepping stones but only if it has some texture.  I know the top surface will be super smooth, which means slippery when wet, but I am hoping the bottom will be a bit rougher.  Something else?  The legs (7.25"x7.25"x23")? The frame?  I figure the felt is a no-go - I would use it for mulch but it could be partly man-made fibers.

Not sure where in their schedule the pool table will be taken out, but it will be soon.  Ideas please?

[Miss Piggy]

Oh, man, it seems like such a waste to use it for something else. Have you considered giving it away? Sure, someone would have to pay to have it moved, but at least it could still be used as intended. And if it's any level of quality at all, you could sell instead of giving it away.

My husband and I bought a pool table a couple of years ago. We strongly considered a few that were listed on craigslist, but in the end, we went with a reasonably-priced custom order because with the "used" prices ($1500 & up) plus the moving/setup fee ($500 to $800), we were better off going with new.

[RetiredAt63]

Miss Piggy, I so agree with you.  I have tried word of mouth (always good in small towns), I tried word of mouth with the contractors, and I have tried ads.  Nothing.  So this is last ditch.

The previous owners left it when they moved out, I didn't want it, and now I want the space.  Plus it will make the renovations so much easier for the work crew if they have the extra basement space, and don't have to move it multiple times while they install the floor.  And they will get it out of the basement, and take away anything I don't want while they take away all the construction debris.  The tile for the laundry room and the laminate flooring for the big room are coming this afternoon, so space will be at a premium.

[GuitarStv]

The slate is usually made up of multiple pieces laminated together.  I don't think you would find it easy to chop it up into smaller bits due to splintering and cracking.

The legs should be reasonably easy to repurpose with a different table top if you're handy with woodworking tools.

[RetiredAt63]

I thought of legs for another table - it would be outside, maybe I should just put the slate right on the legs?

Maybe use the side for a raised garden bed?  They would be great to sit on while I planted/weeded.  ;-)

[lthenderson]

Since the materials used in pool table construction aren't meant to be used outside, I doubt whatever you used it for outside would last too long.

If I had to add it up, I've probably helped move 5 of 6 pool tables in my life for friends who got them free from online somewhere. I have probably spent a couple day's worth of time helping them to try to level them out as best as possible. I'm surprised no one has bit on an add for a free pool table.

[Miss Piggy]

Miss Piggy, I so agree with you.  I have tried word of mouth (always good in small towns), I tried word of mouth with the contractors, and I have tried ads.  Nothing.  So this is last ditch.

The previous owners left it when they moved out, I didn't want it, and now I want the space.  Plus it will make the renovations so much easier for the work crew if they have the extra basement space, and don't have to move it multiple times while they install the floor.  And they will get it out of the basement, and take away anything I don't want while they take away all the construction debris.  The tile for the laundry room and the laminate flooring for the big room are coming this afternoon, so space will be at a premium.

Well, darn. At least you tried.

[Secretly Saving]

Part of the basement reno is getting the pool table out.  I hate to see all that wood and slate go to the dump. Has anyone ever used part of a pool table for something outside?

This may not be what you're going for, but I've seen one used as a potting table for gardening.

[Roland of Gilead]

When we moved to California, we used ours as a dining room table.

[Frugal Lizard]

Stone paving material needs to be very thick if you have freeze-thaw cycles.  Otherwise it will crack during shifting. Also it may spall as there is some permeability to all natural stone products and when the temperature drops, the moisture inside freezes and expands and pops off a layer of the stone.  I don't know the exact properties of slate because it is rarely used in exterior landscaping in my area.

[RetiredAt63]

@Frugal Lizard

Freeze-thaw cycle, yup.  Concrete walks.  The plastic fake trellis.  Plants. Nature wins, always.  I figure if I can get some use from it, it is a win, even if it doesn't last forever.  At least slate is a metamorphic rock so shouldn't spall as bad as shale.  They used to make roofs out of slate, after all.

[Lulee]

For a time around these parts least ways, people used to use slate tiles to paint on instead of canvas so you might find an artist nearby who's like some or all of that part of the table.  I'd be curious too if you couldn't fashion chalkboards out of it for kids as they used to use slate for that as well, didn't they?

I suspect you'll find it to be too slick when wet for walking on unless it's surface is rougher than slate I'm used to.  The slate roof on the last house shed snow at near super sonic speed, suggesting slipperiness when wet.

[bobechs]

When we moved to California, we used ours as a dining room table.

Jed?...   Is that you, Jed?

[RetiredAt63]

Saga of the pool table - no wonder the previous owners left it, it was a beast.  Hammers and saws took it down.  The slate was in slabs joined with Bondo.  There was no way two strong guys could have taken it out in pieces, and no way any purchaser could easily have gotten it out of the house in decent condition.  It went out the basement window in small pieces. 

Old pool table, RIP.

And now there is so much SPACE down there!