Smaller Pockets Don’t Always Play Smaller … Dr. Dave Evaluates His New Rails and Pockets

[dr_dave]

FYI, I just posted a new video that shows the installation of my new rails and pockets, uses the Table Difficulty Factor (TDF) system to compare the modified table to the previous one, and performs a set of tests to measure the effective sizes of the pockets at different angles and speeds to see how the toughness compares to the original table. Check it out:

Contents:
0:00 - Intro
0:28 - Table Conversion
2:42 - TDF Comparison
4:17 - Pocket Testing
---- 5:25 - results summary
6:45 - More Info

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!

For reference, here’s the previous video:

 

[dr_dave]

FYI, I just posted a new video that shows the installation of my new rails and pockets, uses the Table Difficulty Factor (TDF) system to compare the modified table to the previous one, and performs a set of tests to measure the effective sizes of the pockets at different angles and speeds to see how the toughness compares to the original table. Check it out:

Contents:
0:00 - Intro
0:28 - Table Conversion
2:42 - TDF Comparison
4:17 - Pocket Testing
---- 5:25 - results summary
6:45 - More Info

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!

For reference, here’s the previous video:

Was anybody surprised by the results, and do you think it will change much after the cushions break-in and become less slick?

 

[jnwilliams]

Thanks! Great info. Been looking forward to watching this.

 

[jnwilliams]

Was anybody surprised by the results, and do you think it will change much after the cushions break-in and become less slick?

Not sure I was surprised that the smaller pockets played bigger with the geometric change of the pocket facing. Those older pocket shapes made 5-6 speed + down the rail very difficult (for me). Are the rails still Accufast?

 

[dr_dave]

Not sure I was surprised that the smaller pockets played bigger with the geometric change of the pocket facing. Those older pocket shapes made 5-6 speed + down the rail very difficult (for me). Are the rails still Accufast?

Yes. The cushions are still the standard Olhausen AccuFast.

 

[Poolmanis]

Did your rails come pre-clothed or?
I am curious how thick your pocket liners are now..

 

[dr_dave]

Did your rails come pre-clothed

Yes.

I am curious how thick your pocket liners are now..

Do you mean the pocket facings? If so, I just tried to feel them through the cloth, and they seem to be about 3mm thick.

 

[nataddrho]

Was anybody surprised by the results, and do you think it will change much after the cushions break-in and become less slick?

No, not surprised. Smalling facing angles seem to always make a big difference.

 

[Poolmanis]

Yes.



Do you mean the pocket facings? If so, I just tried to feel them through the cloth, and they seem to be about 3mm thick.

Yeah. So your rails are totally new? 3mm is normal.

 

[dr_dave]

No, not surprised. Smalling facing angles seem to always make a big difference.

I still wonder if it will change much when the new cloth on the cushions and facings is less slick. I guess time will tell.

 

[dr_dave]

Yeah. So your rails are totally new?

Yes. The rails were custom-built for me by Olhausen.

 

[Monti]

No, not surprised. Smalling facing angles seem to always make a big difference.

I’d like to see this test in 6 or even 3 months. I think the slick cloth definitely changes these results but do also agree the angle lets them go in easier but maybe not as much as shown here

 

[alphadog]

New cloth always plays easier.

The change to the pocket angles I believe will play easier then if angles were kept the same but with a narrower opening.

 

[dr_dave]

I’d like to see this test on 6 or even 3 months. I think the slick cloth definitely changes these results but do also agree the angle Leo’s them go in easier but maybe not as much as shown here

Great minds think alike. That is my plan.

 

[Poolmanis]

I asked these questions because i know facings hardness matters too. Harder=rattle, softer seem to rub ball little different spin that drops it after rattle...
So often when people "shim" pockets to tighter they use double of those normal facing rubbers. I tightened our table with one thicker facing rubber that is softer than 2 normal ones in one. Table plays great even it is 10.7 cm pockets.

 

[dr_dave]

I asked these questions because i know facings hardness matters too. Harder=rattle, softer seem to rub ball little different spin that drops it after rattle...

They feel pretty hard to me, pressing my fingernail through the cloth, but I don't know how they compare to other tables (other than my previous rails which had facings of similar thickness and hardness).

 

[Poolmanis]

They feel pretty hard to me, pressing my fingernail through the cloth, but I don't know how they compare to other tables (other than my previous rails which had facings of similar thickness and hardness).

I did edit my post lol. you were so fast to answer haha..

 

[jnwilliams]

Man that table looks great with the redesigned pockets. I have a diamond professional on order and I'm not sure I wouldn't rather have my 8' olhausen brentwood refurbed like that . Those new pockets look great. Also love the apron on it

 

[billiards_watch]

Those are some big pockets.

I'm use to my 4.25 and sometimes even lower than that at the pool hall I go to. Somehow somebody convinced the owner to make it that way. LOL

 

[dr_dave]

Those are some big pockets.

I'm use to my 4.25 and sometimes even lower than that at the pool hall I go to. Somehow somebody convinced the owner to make it that way. LOL

As I mentioned in the video, I use the table mostly for lessons and filming, so making the table brutally hard was not a goal.