flush trimming top of bumpers

tableman

tableman

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Hey guys,
I came across a job yesterday where some hack "mechanic" replaced the bumpers on a table and glued them on just enough too high for the edge to show through the cloth. The customer called me to come and repair them so the line didn't show.
Just wondered, what creative ideas some of you use for flush trimming bumper tops either in this situation or when installing?
 
tableman said:
Hey guys,
I came across a job yesterday where some hack "mechanic" replaced the bumpers on a table and glued them on just enough too high for the edge to show through the cloth. The customer called me to come and repair them so the line didn't show.
Just wondered, what creative ideas some of you use for flush trimming bumper tops either in this situation or when installing?
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not a mechanic but wouldn't the rail height be wrong? and if you trimmed the top wouldn't this affect the dynamics of the cushion.

that said you could put a strip of masking tape across the gap and this would make the line go away.

not my photo:
 

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rail height is fine as we are only talking about a slight bit high. Just enough to see the line. Tape would soften the appearance a bit.
 
no glue showing. Rubber just had an edge that showed through the cloth. I always knock the edge off before installing. Not sure who installed these. Funny how some people will hire someone to do a job without even taking time to find out who they're dealing with. :confused:
 
dremel tools have nice little drum sanders that can float along the edge or sometimes just a new razor blade but it all depends on whats there I guess.
 
I use a pneumatic sanding disc to take the edge off. Strapping tape works great and have seen that used on rails since I started on tables. Only place I can find that still sells the 1" wide is Staples.
 
I use a pneumatic sander at the shop too. Sometimes it tends to want to push the rubber down and sand the wood more than the rubber as the wood is more easily sanded, leaving a worse line. I also have a Woodtek pump sander that I use to kinda knock the edge off the new rubber, kinda beveling the top edge slightly, which leaves a much smoother, nicer transition. Olhausen Accu-Fast bumpers already come that way from the factory. I'll try to post some example pics later.
 
If you guys aren't using the Makita 9031 belt sander to flush up the facings to the rail block and cushions....you're not real table mechanics:D
 
Moved a table yesterday and someone had installed K-55's and K-66 rails. They were at least mindful enough to split the difference and center the bumpers so they were off the same amount on top and bottom. :thumbup: Talk about a huge line under the cloth! Everytime I think I've seen it all..................
 
tableman said:
Moved a table yesterday and someone had installed K-55's and K-66 rails. They were at least mindful enough to split the difference and center the bumpers so they were off the same amount on top and bottom. :thumbup: Talk about a huge line under the cloth! Everytime I think I've seen it all..................
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Brian - I find all kinds of strange table "mishaps" in our area. I recently did a recover and the gentleman wanted a faster table without the Simonis price tag so I put on ProForm. He had the cushions replaced about a year ago that were put on with the cloth control strip down. Unbelievably, they actually played well enough that he didn't want me to change them. There was definitely a line there but worse was a slight dip on top. Nice!
 
TheTablePro said:
Brian - I find all kinds of strange table "mishaps" in our area. I recently did a recover and the gentleman wanted a faster table without the Simonis price tag so I put on ProForm. He had the cushions replaced about a year ago that were put on with the cloth control strip down. Unbelievably, they actually played well enough that he didn't want me to change them. There was definitely a line there but worse was a slight dip on top. Nice!
Click to expand...

No wonder he wanted faster cloth.
 
Yeah, I'm thinking it has a lot to do with the large amount of swimming pool and spa guys in our area just "trying to get through the winter" by doing pool table sales (Chinese junk) and services while having absolutely no clue what they're doing. They are doing nothing but flooding our market area with chinese trash tables for US to have to try to work on later. To me they're worth less than the pallet they are shipped in on.
 
When I had my table set up (Bluegrass Billiards, Nashville), they set the cushion lower than the rail so that if you were shooting off the cushion your cue would actually scrape the edge of the rail. The store who sold me the table sent them back. I told the mechanic he wasn't leaving until it was right. That was stupid. He packed his tools back up and left without fixing the table he messed up.
 
Prob not a great choice of words since he was there to fix his mistake. However, had he been a true professional, he would have taken the time to talk to you and made sure your table was right before he left. Our job is more than just working on tables. It's also customer service and that unfortunately includes just saying "I made a mistake" at times. I've found over the years you get a lot more respect for just admitting your mess ups and fix them rather than making excuses or getting mad at the customer for calling you back.
Good luck with your table. I wish I was closer to you so I could make your table right for you. Sounds like a simple fix.
 
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