Pocket cut size

D

Dieselkiss

Registered
Hello folks,

I'll confess I'm not a mechanic. I'm a poor schlap who decided to build his own table. Given this was my first attempt I opted for an MDF bed - I know sin of sins, but the table frame is built to handle a slate bed, I just didn't want to spend the money on late until I knew I was up to the job and $25 for a sheet of MDF compared to $800 for slate delivered is the only real option for me just now.

Anyways, everything is going fine, but the corner pockets are giving me a fit.

I wonder if you kind gents would be so nice as to give me an idea of the Diameter of the circle for the corner pockets cut on 8ft (standard size 44 X 88 playing area) slate bed. Not the frame or cushions - that I have found in the forums, but the actual cut into the slate bed itself, and even if it is a circle cut or an eliptical?

I know there are some industry secrets you guys might want to keep to yourself, but that particular piece of information would be really appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Doug
 
8'

I have a few sets of used sold wood rails and a few sets of leather drop pockets if u need...
Let me know'
-
Robert Molina
 
dontlitethat said:
I have a few sets of used sold wood rails and a few sets of leather drop pockets if u need...
Let me know'
-
Robert Molina
Click to expand...

Ahhhh, thank you that's a kind offer. Wish I had seen that a few months back. I actually have already bought some poplar pre-cut sub rails. They're not full rails, just to the back of the feather strip but at $75 for a full set it was a good deal for my first attempt and I have built the frame to make up the edges of the table. I have a set of K66's to go with them and measuring it all up they will work wonders.

Again thanks for the offer and if I decide to upgrade to slate once this table is complete I'll give you a holler.
 
Dieselkiss said:
Ahhhh, thank you that's a kind offer. Wish I had seen that a few months back. I actually have already bought some poplar pre-cut sub rails. They're not full rails, just to the back of the feather strip but at $75 for a full set it was a good deal for my first attempt and I have built the frame to make up the edges of the table. I have a set of K66's to go with them and measuring it all up they will work wonders.

Again thanks for the offer and if I decide to upgrade to slate once this table is complete I'll give you a holler.
Click to expand...

go to the test forum and check out my home made table i think its about
# 20 from top of page. the jon bilt , to get right cut for pockets rails must
be in place then measure & mark where to cut. remove rails cut on mark.
take care johnQBS:anderson sc
 
johnqbs said:
go to the test forum and check out my home made table i think its about
# 20 from top of page. the jon bilt , to get right cut for pockets rails must
be in place then measure & mark where to cut. remove rails cut on mark.
take care johnQBS:anderson sc
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll take a look at that, but as it goes I really didn't have any issue with cutting the rails themselves, that was relatively straightforward - it was the actual bed cuts I was struggling with and I have that all fixed now. Once the table's complete, I'll pop some pics of mine up there too.
 
Dieselkiss said:
Thanks, I'll take a look at that, but as it goes I really didn't have any issue with cutting the rails themselves, that was relatively straightforward - it was the actual bed cuts I was struggling with and I have that all fixed now. Once the table's complete, I'll pop some pics of mine up there too.
Click to expand...

Had a look at your table, and left some comments.
 
Vahmurka said:
yes please, it's always interesting to see. Which project did you use as a guideline?
Click to expand...

Well, in the initial stages I did my usual thing 'I can do this on my own'.:eek:

I actually had some 3 1/2" by 1 1/2" by 10' stud wall timber kicking around from a office I'd ripped out of the garage in my new house. I'd been looking at buying a used table, but being as I love any kind of project, I got a bee in my head one day that I could make the frame from this and off I went.

I made a lot of errors on the way, did a lot of research looking at construction of tables from manufacturers, drew up some plans but mostly made it up as I went along.

I've said the table can handle slate....well I honestly think it would need some reinforcing and I'm planning on changing the legs I used for ones I'm going to make myself because the ones I have though strong enough - a bump on the table does move it.

But, when it came to understanding rails cuts/angles/length and that area I found these:

A nice project table

Another one

That and reading these forums really got me a great grasp on information I would never have known.

and of course the link to slate dimensions above was a godsend.
 
I have collected about a dozen of projects already :D And those two were the ones I started with. Here is another one, very good, available online and in pdf printable version. http://mzanetti.ch/pooltable/ I wonder if this is the same Marco Zanetti who is a top 3-cusion pro or just has the same first and last name :)
I thought I was going to start with slate (and build around it as stated in BestBilliards project) but seeing several guys use MDF board instead and having read your reasons in regard with price - I think I might do the same, use MDF for trial and then replace it with slate if my attempt is successful
 
Vahmurka said:
I have collected about a dozen of projects already :D And those two were the ones I started with. Here is another one, very good, available online and in pdf printable version. http://mzanetti.ch/pooltable/ I wonder if this is the same Marco Zanetti who is a top 3-cusion pro or just has the same first and last name :)
I thought I was going to start with slate (and build around it as stated in BestBilliards project) but seeing several guys use MDF board instead and having read your reasons in regard with price - I think I might do the same, use MDF for trial and then replace it with slate if my attempt is successful
Click to expand...

Wow, I never found that site in all my searches. Looks pretty good.

As for MDF first? Well I'll say that a pool table turned out to be more complex than I imagined. Or not so much complex as certain points needing to be spot on to get a good table.
Unless you're really confident, or have good plans to follow (instead of making it up as you go along lol) then I think MDF is the way to go even if you're going to use slate eventually. That way you don't blow money on slate, which is expensive and if you make mistakes, then when you DO replace with slate you have already made them and can ensure with the upgrade you get it right.

One piece of advice I would give; If your 3 car garage only has space for one car because you haven't lived in the house long and are still sorting everything then make sure your wife doesn't mind you taking up the one car space in the garage for 2 months BEFORE you start your build!! lol

That said, maybe just going slate first is the best way, would be interesting to hear the views on that from others who've done a first time build from scratch - though I have a feeling this post should moved now, cause am not sure this is really where it should be anymore.
 
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