Dead rails

[tomatoshooter]

My dad has a little pool table and the balls don't rebound off the rails well. There's often a think when the ball hits the rail, like the energy is lost to a loose connection. The trails are held in by 5 horizontal screws through the perimeter of the cabinet. I tightened those up and out seemed to help a little but it still isn't right. I can't say whether or not the rubber cushions are good or not. Any suggestions?

 

[straightline]

Noses might be too high.

 

[smiling_Hans]

Probably dead.

 

[smiling_Hans]

Noses might be too high.

Could be this as well.

 

[tomatoshooter]

Noses are about 1 7/16"

I'm wondering if I just can't get sufficient torque on the Phillips screws holding the cushions.

 

[book collector]

It would help if you took the rails off and showed the connectors to the frame and the places where the rails screw in, not sure what you are talking about there. those connectors get loose and will make the rails tink and play bad.
Also show how much material is on the bottom of the rail, some people bunch it up and theat doesn't allow the rail to seat properly, These are just guesses since I can't see any of it.
There are ways to fix these problems , fairly easily.

 

[bbb]

How old are the rails ?

 

[MitchAlsup]

Get a dial indicator with a flat touch button and place touching the middle of a cushion at the nose.

Use as large a force as you can with your hands on the rail (pushing and pulling) and measure how much the rail moves.
do the same with the cushion.

 

[fastone371]

Noses are about 1 7/16"
View attachment 742003
I'm wondering if I just can't get sufficient torque on the Phillips screws holding the cushions.

If you think that you cant get the Phillips head to bite well enough without slipping go to an auto parts store and get a small tube of valve grinding compound. It has grit in it, it will prevent the screw driver from getting pushed out of the head of the screw and slipping. It makes a huge difference. You might have to go to a quality parts store like NAPA, not sure if the "big box" auto parts stores carry it (or even know what it is). It only takes a very small dab on the tip to work, everyone that tries it has always been amazed at the difference it makes, saves the screw heads from getting "stripped" too.

 

[Tennesseejoe]

Go to the "Ask a Mechanic" section here on AZBilliards. Just read a few posts to get a feel for what you really need to ask.

 

[ChrisinNC]

My dad has a little pool table and the balls don't rebound off the rails well. There's often a think when the ball hits the rail, like the energy is lost to a loose connection. The trails are held in by 5 horizontal screws through the perimeter of the cabinet. I tightened those up and out seemed to help a little but it still isn't right. I can't say whether or not the rubber cushions are good or not. Any suggestions? View attachment 741989

By the photo, it looks like a lower end $ table. New cushions might help, but it’s not going to ever play like the cushions on a high-quality commercial table.

You might also check if the cushions may have come loose from the subrails. If you bounce a ball against the cushions all the way around the table every few inches, the rebound sound should be very consistent, if you get a thud in some areas, it’s either a loose cushion or the rubber has gone bad.

Getting new cushions professionally installed will likely help, but it’s not an inexpensive fix and for a table of this price point, there’s no guarantee how much of an improvement it will be, although it should certainly be a noticeable difference.

 

[DynoDan]

By the photo, it looks like a lower end $ table. New cushions might help, but it’s not going to ever play like the cushions on a high-quality commercial table.

You might also check if the cushions may have come loose from the subrails. If you bounce a ball against the cushions all the way around the table every few inches, the rebound sound should be very consistent, if you get a thud in some areas, it’s either a loose cushion or the rubber has gone bad.

Getting new cushions professionally installed will likely help, but it’s not an inexpensive fix and for a table of this price point, there’s no guarantee how much of an improvement it will be, although it should certainly be a noticeable difference.

Makes me wonder, in poolrooms players are warned (and then aware) about sitting on the rails. A home table may not be so well policed (?)

 

[Benelli]

What balls are those, do you know who made them?

 

[tomatoshooter]

What balls are those, do you know who made them?

No idea. The table isn't fancy, so I doubt the balls are special, except my Aramith measles ball.

 

[tomatoshooter]

Okay, a little more information about how little we know about the table.

The table came with the house that my dad bought. He doesn't really care about it but if there's an easy fix, why shouldn't I make it play better. If he decides to get rid of it, it will be worth a little more.

The cushions are fastened through the aluminum trim ring, but I'm wondering if the rails themselves are not securely attached.

I'm going to toughen these screws now and see if that helps.

 

[Jimmorrison]

It appears it would be very easy to overtighten those screws, and strip the threads. I’m referring to the wood threads, tapped in to the back of the rails. Assuming that’s how it’s put together.

 

[dendweller]

Getting new cushions professionally installed will likely help, but it’s not an inexpensive fix and for a table of this price point, there’s no guarantee how much of an improvement it will be, although it should certainly be a noticeable difference.

I think it depends on your expectations. If your wanting it to play like tables you play at the pool hall, it's probably not going to happen, especially with rails that don't bolt through the slate. But that's just my experience, could be wrong.

 

[straightline]

Can you determine the brand or mfg?

 

[Chili Palmer]

Okay, a little more information about how little we know about the table.

The table came with the house that my dad bought. He doesn't really care about it but if there's an easy fix, why shouldn't I make it play better. If he decides to get rid of it, it will be worth a little more.

The cushions are fastened through the aluminum trim ring, but I'm wondering if the rails themselves are not securely attached.
View attachment 742050
I'm going to toughen these screws now and see if that helps.

My guess is those screws only hold that side panel on and the actual rail bolts are located on the bottom of the table and bolt the rails to the slate? I know it's a cheap table but I still can't fathom those screws are holding the rails on.

 

[tomatoshooter]

Can you determine the brand or mfg?

I tightened up the screws on the sides, still did not make a difference. I can't see anywhere else to tighten the table up. I was hoping it would be just be an easy fix.