How to Make a Pool Cue Case in 6 Easy Steps

Buying a pool cue case from a pool table shop can be a tad expensive.

This is why many people would instead prefer to learn how to make a pool cue case with their own materials.

Making a pool cue case can easily be done within 1 – 2 days of work and will be much more affordable than purchasing one that is already made by a company.

However, this is a project best reserved for somebody who has experience with construction or handy work.

Before you get started on this project, you will need to go to the hardware store and purchase a few things:

Materials Needed:

Circular Saw
Screwdriver
Small Screws
Spare Thin Wood
Wood Glue
Hot Glue
Felt (or similar thin soft material)
Cue Case Catches
Two Small Hinges (optional)
One Small Handle
Paint

Step 1: Create the Dimensions of Your Model

Since this is your own pool cue case, this is where a little creativity comes into play.

Since pool cues are normally around 57 – 59 inches, your case needs to have a length for your pool case that is at or around 65 inches.

This will leave plenty of space to add a slot for fitting your chalk or other small pieces.

The width of the case will depend on how many pool cue sticks that you need.

The height of your case will only need to 6 – 8 inches.

Remember that the idea here is that you have as little space for your pool cue sticks to move around, so make sure that you don’t make it too high.

However, you will still want to leave plenty of space for installing your cue case catches at the end, so make sure to use wood pieces with a little more girth on the top side.

Once you have the dimensions you want in mind, start by drawing a blueprint of your pool cue case.

Step 2: Cut Your Thin Wood Pieces to Match Your Desired Dimensions

Once you have a blueprint in mind for how you want to craft your case, it is now time to begin using your circular saw to carefully create the basic box frame of your case.

Once you have the box frame prepared, you are now ready to cut out extra thin wood pieces which will be used to separate your pool cues from each other, create extra pockets, and so on.

If you want to create a pocket which can be used for storing chalk, make sure to cut the cue separators at around 60 inches, depending on the length of your pool cue sticks.

The extra pocket will take up the remaining space, which should be a 5-inch square if you are making a pool cue case with 65 inches of length.

Finish by creating an exterior to each of the sides of the case.

Step 3: Glue Your Case Together

Once you have all of the parts of your case cut out and ready to put together, it is time to put your case together.

Since we are using thin wood for the case, it is important that you don’t use nails unless you use ones that are small enough to nail in without harming the rest of thin wood pieces.

For best results, glue the wooden case together using wood glue.

Start by placing the bottom of the case and then installing the separators before crafting out separate pockets to be used for other amenities like holding chalk, pool balls, or other similar items.

Once you have your case glued together, you should let it sit for several hours to dry before moving on to the next step.

Step 4: Install the Felt of the Case

Now that the case is looking like the case you had imagined, it is now time to install felt (or whatever soft material you purchased) on each of the edges so that your pool cue sticks don’t grind against the separators or rumble while being carried around in the case.

This part can be a little tricky since it requires precise measurements, but extra caution will be rewarded with a beautiful case interior.

Use hot glue to put the felt on each part of the interior of the case. Be sure to let the glue dry for several hours before moving on to the next step.

Step 5: Paint and Detail Your Case

Now that you have a beautiful interior of your case that can open and close, it is time to begin making it look beautiful.

Using your favorite color, paint the outside of the case.

You might design to use stencils for adding your name, paint brushes for extra detail, and any other type of painting material that will best serve your creative needs.

Remember that this is the step that will add some personality to your case, so take this part seriously.

While you are painting, remember that you still need to install the catches and handle.

Be sure to know where you are going to put these things before painting letters and other important designs so that you don’t realize later on that they will need to be covered up by catches or your handle.