Pocket plugs?? Is there a good way to play Billiards on my pool table????

A friend gave these pocket inserts (posted below) to me several years ago. I do not know where they came from and I guess they were made by Brunswick. They have serial numbers on each insert.

I had to extend the metal brace by welding new inserts in the braces that goes over the back of my Gold Crown III pockets to get them to fit. I dipped the braces in Dip-It to rubberize the handles. If you show the photos to a machinist they could make a set. Alternatively I did learn that 3/4 inch angle iron could also be used with a wooden shell to make similar ones.









Although the cloth is old and was stored for many years the quality of the inserts is superb. I estimate they would cost $200.00+ today if you could buy them someplace.

I remember

Where I learned pool they had 6 9 footers. Some of the players would use those things to play billiards which is a fun game. Have not seen those things for about 40 years. A blast from the past. It would be interesting to find out if they are still being made?

Soldtonight said:

Awsome, does the ball come of the insert true? Do you think the inserts were made by Brunswick?
Dan

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There are no indications of who made these inserts. The construction leads me to think that they were manufactured in a plant and they do have serial numbers that probably had some meaning at one time. My wild guess is that Brunswick made them or had them made as they would seem to be similar to much of their high quality sports equipment for pool and bowling.

I have not had any serious trouble with the return off the insert rails. Surprisingly they seem to be about as lively as the table rails. I am not very good at billiards and they are acceptable to me as a make shift system. I suspect that a pro would not like them. I have not hit the seams in 8- 10 hours of play. If a seam is hit it would definitely wreck the shot and I find the inserts useful for me to practice. If I got serious I would probably prefer a real table with all that implies.

Let me say they are acceptable for most practice shots or a casual game and leave it at that.

Thanks for the pics Joe...some rep for you. I have considered trying to fab something like this a few years a go, but decided it could not be very reliable it the ball was to contact one of the seams. I seem a carom table at the Billiards Den in Richardson, Tx that was a pocket pool table and the rails were converted.

Did you try a search...I remember a similar thread within the last year?

mattman said:

Thanks for the pics Joe...some rep for you. I have considered trying to fab something like this a few years a go, but decided it could not be very reliable it the ball was to contact one of the seams. I seem a carom table at the Billiards Den in Richardson, Tx that was a pocket pool table and the rails were converted.

Did you try a search...I remember a similar thread within the last year?

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I would say they are definitely worth making. Mine are very enjoyable. They are tight and the rails are more than acceptable. Whoever engineered these inserts knew what he was doing as they can be easily adjusted for fit. I have a set of billiard balls and everything seems to work just fine.

Now that I think about it it seems I told someone that 1/2 inch angle iron would do the trick. I do not think it would be too difficult to make a shelf and metal back for the rails. If you or anyone else is interested I can take one apart and photograph with a ruler. I would guess that measurments would need to be within a 1/16 inch or so. A stick welder, bench drill and a some carpentry skills to make the rails should be sufficient.

You would need about 15 feet on 1/4 thick X 1/2 angle iron, about six feet of high speed rails, 24 1/4 X 1 wood screws and of course cloth that is comparable for your table. I think that some pool halls might have old cloth and some old rails if you asked around.

I just replaced the cushions on my table and saved the old ones...including the old cloth that I replaced. Also and lots of steel, including angle iron, laying around, cut-off saw and mig welder. Sounds like a good winter project for me. I was thinking of something that would have a base that could simply fit snug into the pockets. I will have to put some thought into this one....unlike the ball polisher...lol....that one was easy.

Gimmie a couple of minutes and I will post some photos for construction.

BTW I made two more ball polishers and the motor on one of them burned out so I don't trust selling it to the fellow who asked for it.

This should make your winter interesting. Ruler included for measurements. Just download and blow up.