There are few carpentry challenges more formidable than building a pool table. Just getting the cabinetry solid enough to support all that heavy slate is a feat in and of itself, and if you can make it level, all the better. Of course all that comes long before you even start thinking about how the table will look.

Pool tables are tremendously complex to build, which is why so few people try it themselves. Even a cursory glance through the Web will likely reveal several DIY sites that offer methods of a hundred steps or more. Get any one of these just slightly wrong, and you could find yourself with a broken game surface within weeks of that first break.

The Pros

That's why most people leave this sophisticated construction work to the professionals at major companies. The best of these use hardy 3/4" slate and solid oak pieces to ensure a surface that is level, smooth and elegant for years to come. They also throw in thick 21 oz. cloth, genuine gum rubber cushions, and the kind of advanced wood stains that will stand the test of time.

A number of smaller builders have made inroads into this industry as well by offering unorthodox designs and fully customizable templates for unique tables. If you are in the market for an inexpensive pool table that will last for generations, you may want to check out some of these boutique builders. Often they offer similar quality to the big guns at a fraction of the price.