Diamond Professional 8' Questions

coolidge

coolidge

Well-known member
I'm about to order a Diamond 8' Professional and have a few questions.

1. Does anyone have a link to the Diamond Professional assembly/service manual? I read a reference to a PDF in a thread but found nothing on Diamond's site or anywhere.

2. Round vs 45 degree rail corners - is this purely aesthetic or are there physical differences to the pocket/construction? Seems like a there's a lot more 45 degree being purchased vs the round corners so wondering why? Seems if I was bridging around a corner a round corner would be better than a 45 but also seems like there must be a reason why the 45 is so popular.

3. Black Diamond vs Artemis vs Brunswick Super Speed cushions - The 8' comes with cheaper Black Diamond cushions $99 made in Taiwan estimated to last 7-10 years. The $365 Artemis cushions made in Germany are estimated to last 20-25 years. (source diamondpooltables.com). I'm tempted to upgrade the cushions from the get-go. I also happen to have a new set of Brunswick Super Speed cushions sitting here from a GC deal that fell apart. So thoughts on upgrading to the Artemis or Brunswick Super Speeds?

Note: I mocked up the table size, height and rail width for a 9' in the space at my house, it just doesn't fit. The 8' table's 10" reduction in length and 5" reduction in width eliminates all but one small area of cue backstroke interference.
 
coolidge said:
I'm about to order a Diamond 8' Professional and have a few questions.

1. Does anyone have a link to the Diamond Professional assembly/service manual? I read a reference to a PDF in a thread but found nothing on Diamond's site or anywhere.

2. Round vs 45 degree rail corners - is this purely aesthetic or are there physical differences to the pocket/construction? Seems like a there's a lot more 45 degree being purchased vs the round corners so wondering why? Seems if I was bridging around a corner a round corner would be better than a 45 but also seems like there must be a reason why the 45 is so popular.

3. Black Diamond vs Artemis vs Brunswick Super Speed cushions - The 8' comes with cheaper Black Diamond cushions $99 made in Taiwan estimated to last 7-10 years. The $365 Artemis cushions made in Germany are estimated to last 20-25 years. (source diamondpooltables.com). I'm tempted to upgrade the cushions from the get-go. I also happen to have a new set of Brunswick Super Speed cushions sitting here from a GC deal that fell apart. So thoughts on upgrading to the Artemis or Brunswick Super Speeds?

Note: I mocked up the table size, height and rail width for a 9' in the space at my house, it just doesn't fit. The 8' table's 10" reduction in length and 5" reduction in width eliminates all but one small area of cue backstroke interference.
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May wanna throw this in the mechanics section. I think the cushions may have too much bounce if you go with the other ones. RKC would be able to tell ya for sure.
 
Play with the table how it comes and see if it is acceptable. You can change the cushions at a later time, if deemed necessary.

And about the assembly manual... you don't need a manual because it isn't for you to put together and take apart! It ain't no gold crown, it is a jigsaw puzzle.
Screenshot_20211222-092140.jpg
 
Nyquil said:
I think the cushions may have too much bounce if you go with the other ones.
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this is correct, exact in fact. you could change in the future, i have an idea you will be happy. if not switch em out down the road, I cant actually imagine what the upgrade price is, if they will even do it. The put the black diamond k55 for a reason. :)

the corners are aesthetic, the round ones are much beafier construction wise.

no service manual, bagged up screws, So happy I got trained at the factory to build the "box" on site. I always order all my tables "knockdown" aka, built then taken apart and packed. If there is a basement involved or stairs more than a few, the box is so awkward to move around, I would always rather just built it on site!

:) TFT :)
 
I have the professional 8', with round corners, maple cherry finish. Incredible looking table, and plays fantastic if set up correctly. Also built a 2'x6' led light to go over it. I posted pics of it when I got it about a year and a half ago. Somewhat better pics than the one you have shown.
 

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muskyed said:
I have the professional 8', with round corners, maple cherry finish. Incredible looking table, and plays fantastic if set up correctly. Also built a 2'x6' led light to go over it. I posted pics of it when I got it about a year and a half ago. Much better pics than the one you have shown.
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Feel free to post more pics of yours here. Do you have a thread on building the light? 3 piece slate or 1 piece?
 
jtompilot said:
Personally not that fond of red. I’m looking at the black PRC
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A Darth Vader Diamond is appealing, my space is full of oak, hickory and black granite so a black PRC would look awesome. But I found lots of posts complaining about keeping the black PRC rails cleaned and buffed and other annoyances. What's the hardness of the PRC?
 
Square corners go along with PRC. Round cannot be ordered with it. Unless the costs are trying to be kept down the PRC upgrade is the way to go. They do not hi-shine but have a beautiful look of their own.
 
Here is a couple pics of the wood look. I wanted the gray Dymalux, not available at the time, or the black prc, wife said no to the black and she shoots pool with me. You have to be more carefull with the wood, it will dent and scratch, and when friends come to play, I do not allow jumping. Fingerprints were a real problem at first when I was using Renaissance wax, switched to Meguiars pure carnuba, it's a much harder finish, unlike the greasy finish of Renaissance, and has eliminated most all of my fingerprint issues. Long term durability go with the prc. I have 3 pc slate. Look up my past postings for table and light. Light is basically 1"x4"x2'x6' frame with 3- 2'x2' led lights, and 2 pieces of 2'x4' grill, all from menards. Wood I had, so apx $170 for me to build and I have a wood shop.
 

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I don't want to scare people off to the wood look top, it's really nice looking, and in a year and a half we have one little nick, about 1/16" diameter or less, and one little dimple about 1/8" diameter, that if I didn't show it to you, you wouldn't see it, from a ball leaving the table. We do have friends over to play, and that is the only time I even think about it. I guess I'm just fussy about some things, and would like the table to look like the day it was installed, 10 years from now.
 
muskyed said:
Here is a couple pics of the wood look. I wanted the gray Dymalux, not available at the time, or the black prc, wife said no to the black and she shoots pool with me. You have to be more carefull with the wood, it will dent and scratch, and when friends come to play, I do not allow jumping. Fingerprints were a real problem at first when I was using Renaissance wax, switched to Meguiars pure carnuba, it's a much harder finish, unlike the greasy finish of Renaissance, and has eliminated most all of my fingerprint issues. Long term durability go with the prc. I have 3 pc slate. Look up my past postings for table and light. Light is basically 1"x4"x2'x6' frame with 3- 2'x2' led lights, and 2 pieces of 2'x4' grill, all from menards. Wood I had, so apx $170 for me to build and I have a wood shop.
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Beautiful table.
 
muskyed said:
I have the professional 8', with round corners, maple cherry finish. Incredible looking table, and plays fantastic if set up correctly. Also built a 2'x6' led light to go over it. I posted pics of it when I got it about a year and a half ago. Much better pics than the one you have shown.
Click to expand...
Super nice! Wow!
 
coolidge said:
I'm about to order a Diamond 8' Professional and have a few questions.

1. Does anyone have a link to the Diamond Professional assembly/service manual? I read a reference to a PDF in a thread but found nothing on Diamond's site or anywhere.

2. Round vs 45 degree rail corners - is this purely aesthetic or are there physical differences to the pocket/construction? Seems like a there's a lot more 45 degree being purchased vs the round corners so wondering why? Seems if I was bridging around a corner a round corner would be better than a 45 but also seems like there must be a reason why the 45 is so popular.

3. Black Diamond vs Artemis vs Brunswick Super Speed cushions - The 8' comes with cheaper Black Diamond cushions $99 made in Taiwan estimated to last 7-10 years. The $365 Artemis cushions made in Germany are estimated to last 20-25 years. (source diamondpooltables.com). I'm tempted to upgrade the cushions from the get-go. I also happen to have a new set of Brunswick Super Speed cushions sitting here from a GC deal that fell apart. So thoughts on upgrading to the Artemis or Brunswick Super Speeds?

Note: I mocked up the table size, height and rail width for a 9' in the space at my house, it just doesn't fit. The 8' table's 10" reduction in length and 5" reduction in width eliminates all but one small area of cue backstroke interference.
Click to expand...
Artemis is too fast for a 8 footer. Your table will end up with 1 rail shots that should be possible that are impossible.
 
coolidge said:
A Darth Vader Diamond is appealing, my space is full of oak, hickory and black granite so a black PRC would look awesome. But I found lots of posts complaining about keeping the black PRC rails cleaned and buffed and other annoyances. What's the hardness of the PRC?
Click to expand...
Not sure of the actual hardness of the phenolic compound but seems pretty hard just tapping on it. Cleaning is super easy you just need to use the right cleaner. Buffing I think I may do every refelt that's many years for a home table. Really PRC is overkill for a home table, not that it's a bad thing but I would be fine with oak rails also. Just whatever you feel looks best.
 
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