Hi guys - i know many of you are wood workers and i imagine many of you enjoy a game of eight ball or cut-throat.

I was thinking the other day about making my own pool table - i'm figuring on a "standard" size one; 4' by 8' and i was wondering what you guys could tell me.

Anyone tried making their own before? Money is, like always, an issue so the less parts i have to buy the better. Any clever substitutes for slate (remember this is for my entertainment only - not a tournment table or anything) or substitutes for buying pre-made bumpers? How about the "felt"?

I thought maybe with all the woodworkers out their with machine skills one of you might have a hybred table using metal and wood for a cheaper table (that still performs well).

Thanks!