Table recover?

[jtompilot]

I just set up my Peter Vitalie table, I used a 96” level to level the frame. I’m waiting on the movers to set the slates on top. They mentioned that they refelt tables and offered their services. I’m already concerned they’re hacks so I asked a few questions. Do you glue the seams, do you glue the cloth, do you use bondo or beeswax, what type of level do you use to level the slates. Their answers, no glueing slates or cloth. They use beeswax and sand it. They use a 5’ level on the slates.
The house has a concrete slab with a 3mm underlayment and 10mm laminate flooring. Should the slates still be glued and what about the slate screw holes? Do these guys seem like table hacks?

 

[fastone371]

I just set up my Peter Vitalie table, I used a 96” level to level the frame. I’m waiting on the movers to set the slates on top. They mentioned that they refelt tables and offered their services. I’m already concerned they’re hacks so I asked a few questions. Do you glue the seams, do you glue the cloth, do you use bondo or beeswax, what type of level do you use to level the slates. Their answers, no glueing slates or cloth. They use beeswax and sand it. They use a 5’ level on the slates.
The house has a concrete slab with a 3mm underlayment and 10mm laminate flooring. Should the slates still be glued and what about the slate screw holes? Do these guys seem like table hacks?

I am not sure why in this day and age mechanics would staple the cloth on and wear out the slate backing instead of glueing the cloth on with one of the quality glues available. On my first furniture table I used beeswax on the seams, it worked just fine but even so on my Gold Crown I used Bondo. I did not glue the slates because they are pinned but I didnt install all of the slate screws. Take my advice with a grain of salt, I am not a table mechanic. I tried to hire someone to set my table up for me but I did my homework and looked at the local jobs done on tables, I couldn't find any that were done adequately so I had to learn myself.

 

[GoldCrown]

I just set up my Peter Vitalie table, I used a 96” level to level the frame. I’m waiting on the movers to set the slates on top. They mentioned that they refelt tables and offered their services. I’m already concerned they’re hacks so I asked a few questions. Do you glue the seams, do you glue the cloth, do you use bondo or beeswax, what type of level do you use to level the slates. Their answers, no glueing slates or cloth. They use beeswax and sand it. They use a 5’ level on the slates.
The house has a concrete slab with a 3mm underlayment and 10mm laminate flooring. Should the slates still be glued and what about the slate screw holes? Do these guys seem like table hacks?

From my personal experience most of the mechanics think/believe they can do a proper installation. Most are hacks or 90%r's. I do not know where you are but if Table Fitters can come your way use him. Zach Jonas. It'll be one and done..you will be satisfied. If not him get a referral or expect to re-do the table if the movers set it up. You play well enough to notice flaws. You saw my table...the next person did a shlock job also. I'm waiting for Zack.

 

[Sheldon]

5' level = red flag
Sanding slates? RED FLAG
No glue? Can be done, but better mechanics will use glue on the slates at the minimum.
These guys probably do fine setting up tables for people that don't actually play seriously.
You're going to be disappointed.

 

[fastone371]

5' level = red flag
Sanding slates? RED FLAG
No glue? Can be done, but better mechanics will use glue on the slates at the minimum.
These guys probably do fine setting up tables for people that don't actually play seriously.
You're going to be disappointed.

Do you glue them even when pinned?? I never glued mine but they are pinned, as far as I know everything has stayed together nice, guess I will find out for sure when I go to put on new cloth.

 

[Sheldon]

Do you glue them even when pinned?? I never glued mine but they are pinned, as far as I know everything has stayed together nice, guess I will find out for sure when I go to put on new cloth.

Yes. the pins rarely get them perfectly aligned. I use less glue though, since you can't lift up as much to break them loose if you take it apart. If my own table had pins I would probably cut them off. Luckily my GC4 did not have them. The seams on this thing are the nicest I've ever seen, so tight and clean, I didn't even fill them.
Run a coin back and forth across the seams when you re-cloth. If anything is off it will click.

 

[jtompilot]

Yes. the pins rarely get them perfectly aligned. I use less glue though, since you can't lift up as much to break them loose if you take it apart. If my own table had pins I would probably cut them off. Luckily my GC4 did not have them. The seams on this thing are the nicest I've ever seen, so tight and clean, I didn't even fill them.
Run a coin back and forth across the seams when you re-cloth. If anything is off it will click.

Reminds me of a YouTube video that the so called mechanic half throws/slides his Starrett level across the seams and it thumps every time.

 

[Sheldon]

Reminds me of a YouTube video that the so called mechanic half throws/slides his Starrett level across the seams and it thumps every time.

Yikes, I would never treat a precision instrument with such disregard! I set up a nice case for (some of) mine that fits into a stackable rolling toolbox.
I usually only need one, but when I set up 3 piece slates I like to have all of them.

 

[jtompilot]

Yikes, I would never treat a precision instrument with such disregard! I set up a nice case for (some of) mine that fits into a stackable rolling toolbox.
I usually only need one, but when I set up 3 piece slates I like to have all of them.

Do you ever come to New Orleans for vacation

 

[Sheldon]

Do you ever come to New Orleans for vacation

What's a vacation?