Quality, yet affordable, table brush or mini-vac?

F

fathomblue

Rusty Shackleford
Silver Member
I'm sure it's been covered ad nauseum on here, but I'd appreciate any fresh suggestions.

Christmas is coming up and my best friend is putting together an old Brunswick Sport King for his garage. He's re-using some old, cheap cloth for now, with plans to upgrade to Simonis 860 Tournament Blue next year.

I can't drop a bunch of coin, as this holiday is kinda tight for me. But, I know he needs something to keep the table clean.

Any suggestions for a quality, yet affordable table brush or mini-vac?

His wife is buying him a table cover, so that should help, btw.

I'd like to keep this under $50.

P.S. Any bonus suggestions for products to keep the table clean?
 
I'm also interested in knowing what people use to remove the small white spots off of felt (if possible at all) I just recently got a gold crown with tourney blue 860, and I've noticed a couple of spots from where I break. All suggestions/info is much aplreciated
 
Charlie Hustle said:
I'm also interested in knowing what people use to remove the small white spots off of felt (if possible at all) I just recently got a gold crown with tourney blue 860, and I've noticed a couple of spots from where I break. All suggestions/info is much aplreciated
Click to expand...

Power breaking cuts down the life of the cloth greatly...I doubt there is
any thing you can do about it.
I think people with their own table should play straight pool and 1-hole.

The old grand touring rooms wouldn't allow 8-ball or rotation on their
main tables for this reason.The break shot is a brutal hit.

ps...FB, get the vacuum
 
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Wiping down the cloth with a damp cloth will help diminish the appearance of the white burn spots but they won't go away. And I agree, get the vac.
 
o.g. (old guy) said:
Wiping down the cloth with a damp cloth will help diminish the appearance of the white burn spots but they won't go away. And I agree, get the vac.
Click to expand...

I agree about the "burn spots" which...according to a Mr. Hynes of Brunswick in a Billiards Digest article...can reach 400 degrees.

On my fomer table covered with 860 I got "hop burns" from breaking that formed a "track" all the way to the 1 Ball. However, while the scientists out there may have data to the contrary, I never detected ANY issues with playability due to the friction spots.

In the same article, a man from Simmonis said that nearly half the chalk dust gets UNDER the cloth of tables that aren't cleaned virtually after every use.

They also recommend vacs BUT caution...

1. The use of any rotating brush like on a normal carpet vacuum is a bad idea. Just use one of the wide attachments without a rotating brush and

2. REDUCE suction! On a tank type version* there is almost always a "collar" that can be opened to reduce suction. I used to clean my table with about a 1/4 inch gap in the collar but your results may vary. But FOR SURE, don't use full vacuum suction. It isn't necessary and will stretch the cloth!

3. Clean your balls ( I know...I know). (-:

But the point is that they pick up all kinds of grunge and if it isn't removed, it's like smashing that grunge into the cloth with a hammer all the time.

EagleMan

*Except for possible longevity issues, the cheapest tank type you can find is probably TOO GOOD for cleaning table cloth. Just don't waste money on one that has a rotating brush.
 
brush vs vac

Bought that brush online and it sheds. The vac gets my vote.Even know a guy that uses a Roomba robot vac on his table. Seems ok and is fun to watch for the "dim of thought":wink::smile:
 
I cut a hole at a 45 degree angle right in the center of a nice table brush with a hole saw the size of a small shop vac hose effectively making it into an attachment for my one gallon shop vac. I brush gently all directions with the vacuum running holding it in my other hand and get pretty nice results. Then I wipe down the table with a damp cloth wrung out in warm dish soap water. I have 860 HR. Photo available upon request or if you don't like the idea, insults accepted on my reputation without retribution.

JC
 
The white marks are definitely ball burn. It's normal so don't worry about it. It gives your table some history. ;) But the best way to minimize them around the head string where you break is to use a break cloth. This is basically a 4" square remnant of bed cloth that you put under the cue ball just when breaking. Leave one each head corner pocket for convenience if you have drop pockets. Over time you will notice burns dotted over most of the table. These are caused primarily from firmly hit draw shots. But the ones in the breaking area are concentrated and more noticeable. You will also see "tracks" between the break area and the apex of the rack. If you look closely you will see these are not actually a solid line but rather a line made up of ball marks. It just happens, but especially when always breaking from the same area and not using a break cloth.

As for the gift, get him a shop vac if he doesn't already have one. You don't need the biggest or most powerful model. If he has one then perhaps you can get him a good rack. The Delta 13 standard model can be found for $50 at both Pooldawg and Seyberts. It qualifies for the free shipping at Seyberts.
 
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fathomblue said:
I'm sure it's been covered ad nauseum on here, but I'd appreciate any fresh suggestions.

Christmas is coming up and my best friend is putting together an old Brunswick Sport King for his garage. He's re-using some old, cheap cloth for now, with plans to upgrade to Simonis 860 Tournament Blue next year.

I can't drop a bunch of coin, as this holiday is kinda tight for me. But, I know he needs something to keep the table clean.

Any suggestions for a quality, yet affordable table brush or mini-vac?

His wife is buying him a table cover, so that should help, btw.

I'd like to keep this under $50.

P.S. Any bonus suggestions for products to keep the table clean?
Click to expand...

Hand held Dirt Devil. Been using one on my table for over 20 years.

John
 
I've been using a one hp shop-vac for over 10 years. I have a regular small brush attachment and an upholstery attachment.
 
Use a good brush every time you play.

Use a small hand vac or shop vac with a brush attachment once a week if you play daily.

Keep the balls clean.

Lightly clean the cloth with a Woolite and water mix from a spray bottle every couple of months. Lightly spray the cloth then wipe gently with a clean towel. Will keep the cloth clean and shrink it a bit to keep the tightness.

White spots happen.
 
Hand Held Vac For Pool Table

Here's a handy hand vac. What makes it good for pool table cloth is that you can vacume without using the revolving brush. It also has the crevice tool to get under the rails. Check it out at the link below.

http://amzn.to/12lv2Cy
 
A table cover will help keep it clean when not in use. I can supply those. As far as occasional cleaning, I use a shop vac with a wide narrow end and lightly run it across the felt. I have Simonis 860 on my 8' table. You just don't want to pull the felt upwards.
 
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