Converting Bar Tables to Use a Small Cue Ball

krbsailing

krbsailing

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Does anyone know how to convert an old Dynamo bar table to use a small regulation cue ball!?

I've been told it is possible to do so but, nobody seems to know how to go about doing the converion??? Magnets? :eek: don't want to buy 4 new tables ;)

Any info would be greatly appreciated.....THANKS!!!
 
Have you?

Talked to a table mechanic? I have never heard of it being done, or have seen it done anywhere in 44 years of playing. The ole large mud ball, huh?

Just get new (or buy used) Valley tables, the oversized 7's. It will be an
investment for the future. Sell off the old Dynamo's to people that want
a home table if you can.
 
I don't think you can convert the tables, for use with a regular CB, and still keep the coin slot in play. You can, however, remove the barrier that holds the balls in (which means they just go through the table to the rack end), and then rent the tables by the hour. That's easy to do.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
I have done maybe 10 tables in my town. Converting them over to use a small cue ball. You need the Arimith cue ball with the metal around the inside of the ball. The one they have been using in Vegas at BCA. Or a cue ball with a metal slug.
You go to Radio Shack and they sell magnets the exact size of a Domino. You know, like 1/2 " wide by 1 1/2 " long. Looks like a Domino. Cost $1.00 each.
You open the table up where the balls come down, you drop the cue ball down a pocket and watch it come down and come to where the fat cue ball usually drops down..The Arimith cue ball with fall in line with the other balls when you do that. So you put 2 magnets together and place them on the metal track just where the ball just drops down at. The magnets are strong and will pull the cue ball downward, down to where it will come out cue ball end hole. Just keep dropping the cue ball down and moving the magnet around until you find the right spot.
No kidding, it is simple. I can do it now in about 30 seconds. And for a cost of 2 $1.00 magnets. No conversion necessary. Try it. It works....
 
Thank you for getting rid of those oversized balls. You are a hero!

In my Valley table, there is a 6 or 8 inch long magnet which makes the "magnetic" cue ball move towards it and into another track which leads to the cue ball return. There is a center bar and two tracks in this section of the table with a downward slope. The center bar makes all the balls roll to one side. However the magnet will attract the cue ball over to the track closer to the magnet.

I would suggest finding a vending company locally which services Valley tables. They should be able to add this section with the magnet to your table quite easily or provide parts. Below is where to get the "magnetic" cue balls (same size same weight) and a link to Valley. Valley may be able to give you names of dealers in your area.

Tournament Magnetic Belgian Aramith Cue Ball
http://www.poolndarts.com/index.cfm...37e6f2c10-4D7739B0-D61C-4F06-BC47C3401E62078D

Valley Dynamo (Division of Brunswick Billiards)
http://www.vdlp.org
 
You could always do what Byrne suggested in "New Standard Book of Pool and Billiards ".... have 3 cue balls. The third scratch is a loss of game.
 
krbsailing said:
Does anyone know how to convert an old Dynamo bar table to use a small regulation cue ball!?
Click to expand...

If you mean that you want to convert the old "scale balance" style ball separator so that you can use a newer Aramith foil ball or the Aramith metal cage ball, then you would simply install a relatively strong magnet under (but no connected to) the balance.

For the two track system, mount the magnet to the side of the "cueball track."

Don't need to get too fancy. Velcro and a block of wood do nicely.

Fred
 
Billy_Bob said:
Tournament Magnetic Belgian Aramith Cue Ball
http://www.poolndarts.com/index.cfm...ping from Meullers, Lincoln, Nebraska online.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
lewdo26 said:
Are they really the same weight? I know they are the same size. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I measured new ones a long time ago. One was the same weight, but a = smaller in diameter (just under the low end). The other was right in the middle, dimensionaly, and on the high end (but still in spec.) weight-wise.

In case anyone hasn't seen the inside of the Valley Metal Cage Insert ball (what others like to call the 'magnetic cueball), here it is:

attachment.php



Fred
 

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Jigger said:
The Aramith cue ball with the green logo suggested by Billy Bob works great without modifying your table. It is supposedly the correct size and weight. I use one in Valley tables with no problems. Cost is $21 including the shipping from Meullers, Lincoln, NB online.
Click to expand...

The key to this question is that he is using the "old" Dynamo table, which did not use a magnetic return system.

Fred
 
Cornerman said:
The key to this question is that he is using the "old" Dynamo table, which did not use a magnetic return system.

Fred
Click to expand...

Sorry Fred/all, my bad. The "old Dynamo table" didn't register with me. :o


Jigger
 
lewdo26 said:
Are they really the same weight? I know they are the same size. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Yes. The Arimith "Tournament" magnetic cue balls are the same size and weight as *new* object balls. (Older balls will be worn down, smaller and lighter weight.)

So that is the advantage of these balls. Same size, same weight.

With stop shots - cue ball stops - same weight.

With object ball frozen to rail - easy to shoot ball into corner - cue ball same size.

Half ball hits work as advertised...
 
Magnets, huh!?

Thanks for all the input! We will get some magnets and give it a whirl when we recover the tables next week.....these old (15+ yrs) tables have a lever like (trap door) that the heavier oversized cue ball pushes down slightly which allows the cue ball to slide off the track and down into the return -- if that makes sense?

I'm still a little confused at which cueball is the best to use for size and weight? Did you have a link?

Thanks Again!
 
Cueballs?

krbsailing said:
Thanks for all the input! We will get some magnets and give it a whirl when we recover the tables next week.....these old (15+ yrs) tables have a lever like (trap door) that the heavier oversized cue ball pushes down slightly which allows the cue ball to slide off the track and down into the return -- if that makes sense?

I'm still a little confused at which cueball is the best to use for size and weight? Did you have a link?

Thanks Again!
Click to expand...


Well, thanks for your questions. I was mentioning about the red or blue dotted heavy cueballs on another thread. Somebody, I forget who jumped in and called me crazy. What color dot on your original cueballs.
Valley has the new magnetic ball with the green squirly logo. These will work the best once you convert your tables. You will need to clean them often as the finish does mark up. There is also some good cored magnetic but stay away from the cheapies. they are off balance
I have the Valley and some good core style available. PM if interested.:)
 
krbsailing said:
Thanks for all the input! We will get some magnets and give it a whirl when we recover the tables next week.....these old (15+ yrs) tables have a lever like (trap door) that the heavier oversized cue ball pushes down slightly which allows the cue ball to slide off the track and down into the return -- if that makes sense?

I'm still a little confused at which cueball is the best to use for size and weight? Did you have a link?

Thanks Again!
Click to expand...


The "lever trap door" is the balance system on the old Dynamo Table. Just remember: do not mount the magnet on the trap door. You have to mount it below but not touching the trap door.

The best bar table ball today that will work with a magnet system is the foil Aramath ball. It has a green (not red or blue) Aramith Logo.

Magnet system Aramith Bar CueBall

Fred
 
You can get the cue balls from Muellers. It is #31-430 tournament magnetic belgian Aramith cue ball. If you get 3 or more they are only $11.95 each, plus shipping....Our BCA league has these cue balls in every tavern in town. Around 15 taverns.
 
krbsailing said:
...I'm still a little confused at which cueball is the best to use for size and weight? Did you have a link?
Click to expand...


The best magnetic cue ball is the "Tournament Magnetic Belgian Aramith Cue Ball".

This is an exact size / weight and rolls true. (Some cheap magnetic cue balls have a "slug" inside and they will wobble due to the weight not being evenly distributed throughout the ball. Sort of like a car tire which is not balanced.)

Get them here...
http://www.poolndarts.com/index.cfm...37e6f2c10-4D7739B0-D61C-4F06-BC47C3401E62078D
 
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