DIY Pool Table Light

I shopped around local retail and web based billiard supply shops for a hanging lamp for my pool table. However I was disappointed with the quality and pricing of many lamps. So as a hobbyist I decided to build my own. After shopping around for components I ended up with:

• 3 x Portfolio hanging antique brass pendant


• 1 x Expanding aluminum drapery rod (2" x 72-144")


• 2 x Decorative aluminum/glass finials


• Misc hardware: threaded pipe, ceiling hooks, ceiling cover plate, ...

I spent a few hours assembling, installing, and leveling the new lamp. In order to center the lamp over the table I had to create a bit of a "cat's cradle", due to the table being between ceiling joists. The proper method would have been to installed a cross joist in the attic above the table. However due to the combination of regular & vaulted ceilings in my house, it's a major pain to navigate to the section above my game room. For now I just wanted to get the light installed and wired in. This spring I will haul my tools and lumber there and put in the cross joist. For now maybe I'll hang some brewery flags or some other decorations to mask the hardware.

I'm very satisfied with my home made billiard lamp. I saved some money, and have a much better lamp then if I purchased a retail one. In the future I may make some further modifications to improve its look. Possibly some decorative curled metal on top between the lamps like this.

Billiard Room: Check!

I've been an avid pool player for many years and consider my abilities to be modestly above average. I have to give credit to "Auntie Ann" for coaching my abilities early on, and my cousin for spending so much time playing against me. I've had a few cheap pool tables over the years, but nothing worth mentioning. Although bumper pool is always a fun alternative.

I've wanted a professional tournament quality table for years. However I really haven't had the space to allocate to one. Now that I have a new house of my own I have plenty of room for any size table, and I'm settled permanently enough to justify owning one. Last week we decided to buy a table. I don't have the patience or time right now to buy a used table, make any repairs, and set it up. So we decided to purchased a new table from Golden West Billiards. I ended up with a standard 4x8 (44" x 88" playfield) "Kaman" model with black leather pockets, and charcoal grey felt. Golden West provided next day deliver, setup, and leveling! Great Service! I know I'll enjoy this table for years and hope to spend hours increasing my skills!

New Home

I’ve been waiting in the shadows ready to pounce on the housing market for the last couple years. However I’ve been taking my time due to the declining housing prices and the flood of available properties on the market. I started to get serious about shopping a few months ago as the market seems to be close to bottoming out, and I can buy twice the house for the price compared to last year. After looking at a ton of houses, finally found the perfect house. This house is gorgeous and it makes my old rental look like a dump. I’m so excited to finally be vested in a place and have the ability to customize my surroundings.

On the downside however, we have been in “Moving Hell” for the last week. Organizing, packing, throwing stuff away, moving, cleaning, etc. We made the biggest move this last weekend with the help of our dedicated friends, however I think we punished them too much with all our stuff. Especially when it came time to move my arcade machine collection. There’s nothing like moving all of your belongings to make you realize how much junk you have. After 6+ years living in one place, we’ve accumulated a ton of junk. And of course non of it is stuff we couldn’t live without. I’m definitely going to be taking a hard look at all my stuff and start downsizing. I can see the tranquility in living a life with minimal processions. I definitely won’t be moving again anytime soon, and next time I’ll spare myself and my friends/family the back pain and hire some professional movers.