Cloth tensions effect on how the rails bank.

[Newton]

I have done a table twice now where I experienced with the cloths tension on the rails.
First round I had a fairly loose tension on the rails, the last time I pulled the cloth
well so the tension was super tight - may be a tad to tight.

However the table banked really bad after the first round where the bank was way
to short (less tension on the cloth)
Now after a tighter tension the table banks much more how it should be but the
owner of the table feels the table is a little "dead" in response.

Of course the cloth would give a little after some play and loosen up, but how do
you do it when you put on new rail cloth? Is there a different tension for different tables
which is measured or do you tighten by feel ?

I was wondering if I could speed up the stretching of the cloth on the rails by
using a damped rug swiping over the rails ?

Any one ?

K

 

[Donny Wessels]

I have done a table twice now where I experienced with the cloths tension on the rails.
First round I had a fairly loose tension on the rails, the last time I pulled the cloth
well so the tension was super tight - may be a tad to tight.

However the table banked really bad after the first round where the bank was way
to short (less tension on the cloth)
Now after a tighter tension the table banks much more how it should be but the
owner of the table feels the table is a little "dead" in response.

Of course the cloth would give a little after some play and loosen up, but how do
you do it when you put on new rail cloth? Is there a different tension for different tables
which is measured or do you tighten by feel ?

I was wondering if I could speed up the stretching of the cloth on the rails by
using a damped rug swiping over the rails ?

Any one ?

K

I put the rail cloth on as tight as a can get it without stretch lines or dimples. If customers don't like the way I pull cloth they should call someone else, I suggest you tell your customer the same. Are you pulling the cloth by hand? The benefits of pulling the cloth tight are increased action with running english, better bounce at low speeds, less chance of loose spots on top of the rail. It might take 2 weeks for the cloth to break in.

 

[accurajoe]

I was wondering if I could speed up the stretching of the cloth on the rails by using a damped rug swiping over the rails ?
Any one ?
K

adding moisture to cloth won't make it tighter and is not recommended but im sure some people come from a different school of thought on that. a key to good rails is getting the cloth tight consistently along the length of the rail. part time diyers will most likely have difficulty with this.

 

[Newton]

adding moisture to cloth won't make it tighter .....

I think you misunderstood a little bit. I was wondering if this would speed up to make the cloth looser:thumbup:

Tanks both for the feedback

 

[junkbond]

I put the rail cloth on as tight as a can get it without stretch lines or dimples. If customers don't like the way I pull cloth they should call someone else, I suggest you tell your customer the same. Are you pulling the cloth by hand? The benefits of pulling the cloth tight are increased action with running english, better bounce at low speeds, less chance of loose spots on top of the rail. It might take 2 weeks for the cloth to break in.

Listen to Donny.
When my GC V was installed, the rail cloth was not tight enough, and it banked very, very short. After Donny recovered it, the bank shots were dead on. Six months later now, and the rails are still banking perfectly.

-Howard

 

[accurajoe]

I think you misunderstood a little bit. I was wondering if this would speed up to make the cloth looser:thumbup:
Tanks both for the feedback

if you are wiping down the table/rails with a damp cloth there should be no affect on the cloth.
when I say damp I mean really wrung out so all you are doing is removing chalk marks.
get the cloth too wet and you contribute to it getting loose.
hope that clarifies.