Why is Slate so Great?

tim913

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Probably covered a hundred times but why not porcelain, granite, epoxy, marble, cement or any other cultured or natural stone? Is it the expense, properties of materials(too soft, too hard, too brittle .. etc)?, and why Italian or Brazilian?
 
Probably covered a hundred times but why not porcelain, granite, epoxy, marble, cement or any other cultured or natural stone? Is it the expense, properties of materials(too soft, too hard, too brittle .. etc)?, and why Italian or Brazilian?
easily mined, split and ground/polished. has the weight ,density and just the right flexibility not to be brittle. its just the ideal material. https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=italian+vs.+brazilian+slate
 
Always thought there was an opportunity to build one hell of a table out of an "out of spec" industrial surface plate (granite)... and yes they make them that large...lol
 
Always thought there was an opportunity to build one hell of a table out of an "out of spec" industrial surface plate (granite)... and yes they make them that large...lol
I’ve played on a few granite slates.couldn’t tell any difference in playability….but granite tends to chip much more than slate.
 
Probably covered a hundred times but why not porcelain, granite, epoxy, marble, cement or any other cultured or natural stone? Is it the expense, properties of materials(too soft, too hard, too brittle .. etc)?, and why Italian or Brazilian?
Lot of materials seem like a good idea but they will become damp if not used for a few hours…slate is porous, the moisture goes into the slate, leaving the playing surface relatively dry. And it comes in layers, making it more cohesive than many materials.
 
Confirmed.
Screenshot_20230127-140202.jpg
 
Always thought there was an opportunity to build one hell of a table out of an "out of spec" industrial surface plate (granite)... and yes they make them that large...lol
Most surface plates ar 3"+ think.
No way that could be an indoor table.
You would need to pour a concrete floor and build the house around it.
3pc perhaps but you would need a team to move each piece and a darn sturdy frame, plus leveling would be a nightmare.
 
Just my opinion.
Slate is semi porous allowing moisture to soak into the material. Granite and marble is not. Sooo in humid areas it becomes more of a problem without heat.

Then of course the cost of material. Granite and marble are more expensive. Not only the material but expense of machining. Industrial diamond cutters will wear down faster=more blades per mile.

Years ago when I was looking for a Carom table, I found a Collender table with a marble bed. Not sure when Collender and Brunswick got together but this on was built prior to that.
 
bvm told me once a man in belgium made a carom table bed with some type of thermoplastic bed,dont remember which
and that it played well
 
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