Simonis X-1 Cleaner

The X-1 is overpriced, but it's also the best cleaning tool I've used. A lot of the suggestions here come close, but none quite match it in terms of ergonomics and efficiency from what I've seen. It was a tool designed specifically for a purpose, and it does its job well.

Whether you should buy it or not depends on whether you are okay with paying a premium to have the best tool or not. You can certainly clean a table just as well with other tools.
 
The same can be said if you compare a Yugo to a Porsche 911.

If you're not willing to shell out $90 for the X-1, then there is this dollar store alternative.

Scaramouche said:
Lacks the ergonomics and superior design of the X-1 :grin::grin::grin:

Also, not a solid flat surface that will fit under rails.
RKC's blackboard eraser would be a better alternative, but would have less contact area than the X-1.
Click to expand...
 
X-1 how it does what it does

Ok I get it. It "sorta" works but how does it actually pick up chalk and where does the chalk go? What is the magic or technology that cost $90?
 
Ok... so I watch these "table butlers" on ESPN scrubbing the tables down between matches with these X-1 chalk cleaners... IN CIRCULAR MOTIONS!!!

What is up with that? I've always been taught that you want to brush the nap of the cloth down and in a straight line, following the direction of the break (head to foot). This is supposed to make the cloth run true, straight and a little bit faster.

So what is with this wax-on... wax-off BS that I keep seeing on TV.
I'm not knocking the X-1, but a low suction "NON-ROTATING" vacuum "soft-brush" attachment works very well for me followed with a table brushing. But I guess during a tourney (or an all-nighter) the X-1 is a handy thing to have for quick touch ups.

Also I personally use a noticeably different color chalk than my cloth. I want to see where the buildup is, make sure that I get it all and when it is time to do a little table maintenance... before the chalk gets ground-in below the surface.

The circular motion that I keep seeing on ESPN has kept me from investing in an X-1. It's hard for me to take it seriously when I see it used that way.
 
Diogenes said:
Ok... so I watch these "table butlers" on ESPN scrubbing the tables down between matches with these X-1 chalk cleaners... IN CIRCULAR MOTIONS!!!

What is up with that? I've always been taught that you want to brush the nap of the cloth down and in a straight line, following the direction of the break (head to foot). This is supposed to make the cloth run true, straight and a little bit faster.

So what is with this wax-on... wax-off BS that I keep seeing on TV.
I'm not knocking the X-1, but a low suction "NON-ROTATING" vacuum "soft-brush" attachment works very well for me followed with a table brushing. But I guess during a tourney (or an all-nighter) the X-1 is a handy thing to have for quick touch ups.

Also I personally use a noticeably different color chalk than my cloth. I want to see where the buildup is, make sure that I get it all and when it is time to do a little table maintenance... before the chalk gets ground-in below the surface.

The circular motion that I keep seeing on ESPN has kept me from investing in an X-1. It's hard for me to take it seriously when I see it used that way.
Click to expand...

I don't know what the table butlers do. But here is what I do per the Simonis website:

First like this:

utilisation.gif


Then like this:

finition.gif


Here's there instructions.
 
Diogenes said:
Ok... so I watch these "table butlers" on ESPN scrubbing the tables down between matches with these X-1 chalk cleaners... IN CIRCULAR MOTIONS!!!

What is up with that? I've always been taught that you want to brush the nap of the cloth down and in a straight line, following the direction of the break (head to foot). This is supposed to make the cloth run true, straight and a little bit faster.

So what is with this wax-on... wax-off BS that I keep seeing on TV.
I'm not knocking the X-1, but a low suction "NON-ROTATING" vacuum "soft-brush" attachment works very well for me followed with a table brushing. But I guess during a tourney (or an all-nighter) the X-1 is a handy thing to have for quick touch ups.

Also I personally use a noticeably different color chalk than my cloth. I want to see where the buildup is, make sure that I get it all and when it is time to do a little table maintenance... before the chalk gets ground-in below the surface.

The circular motion that I keep seeing on ESPN has kept me from investing in an X-1. It's hard for me to take it seriously when I see it used that way.
Click to expand...

http://www.simonis-x1.com/page/p/2/l/3/use.html
this might help you get over your resistance
you can brush from head to foot when done
also
icbw
but one difference of simoniis from the old cloths is there is little nap
 
Thank you very much for the instructions. Haven't heard a bad word by anyone here so it might be time.
What is the expected lifespan of the X-1 (does anyone know)?
 
Ordered one from webbsbilliards. Will post up my review when i get it.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
 
I've never heard anything but positive about Simonis X-1, but I think $90 (retail) is too pricey. As soon as I learnt a year ar two ago that a microfiber cloth would work almost the same, I was longing to give it a try. Well, finally I had time to (my imagination seemed to have had a day-off :rolleyes:)
rednex1.jpg

Cardboard is fun material to play with. Really, my first bike looked like this
cardboard.jpg

until I managed to come up with this
yamaha.jpg.
And I look forward to upgrade to something like this!
redneckbike.jpg
 
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