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How to Make Your Own Pool Table Light

Make Your Own Pool Table Light
Illustrations by Andrew DeWitt

No rec room is complete without a working pool table and no pool table is complete without a pool table light. A pool table light adds ambiance and allows for late night sessions. Creating a pool table light on your own is an inexpensive and enjoyable project. Follow along with the step-by-step method to complete this do-it-yourself project.

Measure and cut the wood planks to shape using a hand saw. Cut two lengths for the sides with the exact same dimensions. Cut another thinner piece for the top. All these pieces should be around 55 inches long. The side pieces should be around 12 inches wide and the top around 8 inches. Cut another piece for the electrical housing; it should be slightly smaller than the top piece.

Hot glue the electrical housing to the wood piece. Attach the fluorescent bulbs. Let the glue dry. Gently flip the board over and test to see if everything holds.

Create the light frame. Hammer together the pieces. Using the tin snips add copper plating to the top of the light fixture. Press and fold this into place and gently hammer the copper plating onto the wood.

Fix the electrical housing inside the frame. Use the hot glue gun to seal the fixture to the frame. Add two nails on both ends to ensure that the electrics are fixed in place.

Drill a small hole for the wire to pass through. Drill and attach the hanging chains to the top of the frame. Weave the wiring in between the chains. Drill and screw the chains to the ceiling. You may string the wiring across the ceiling to an electrical plug on the wall or rewire a light fixture on the ceiling.

Things You'll Need:

  • Two fluorescent light bulbs
  • Lighting rig and wires
  • Hanging chains(steel or brass)
  • Thin high grade plywood
  • Nails
  • Hot Glue Gun
  • Hammer
  • Some Brass or copper plating.
  • Small Drill
  • Tin Snips
  • Screws

Warnings:

  • If you change out the electrics on a ceiling light be sure to contact a professional before attempting. Failure to take proper safety procedures could result in electrocution or death.
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