Room size and Ridgeback Rails Questions

GideonF · Apr 22, 2017

Hello folks.

I'm looking at converting a building at my cottage to house a pool table.

Measurements are 15' 5" x 15' 5". I'm thinking of trying to squeeze a 7' Valley in there. Obviously I'm fine for width, but I'm short on the length. I've done the math, so I know I would need a shorty cue - maybe a 48" Balance Rite.

My first question is for those who've had similar issues - how have you found it playing on a table in similar right spots? Is it too frustrating? I may try the "fake wall test" (replicating the problem at a pool hall) but that's not the same as actually living with it.

My second question is about Ridgeback rails. My 7' playing is generally on Diamonds. What is your experience on with the Ridgebacks, especially the "pro" version designed to replicate the Diamond as much as possible? Anyone try the new "league cut" version?

hang-the-9 · Apr 22, 2017

While I am not 100% sure, but I think the 7' tables at Ivory billiards use ridgeback rails. At least the tables play very well and have good cut pockets, they do remind me a bit of the Diamond 7 footers. I think there are a few Ivory regulars on here that may verify things for me. If they do happen to be ridgebacks, I put in a good word for them, they are great playing tables.

jshawn81 · Apr 22, 2017

The penguin pro cut rails off eBay are excellent

GideonF · Apr 22, 2017

jshawn81 said:
The penguin pro cut rails off eBay are excellent

Interesting. Can I get some input from anyone who can compare the Penguin and the Ridgeback?

realkingcobra · Apr 22, 2017

GideonF said:
Interesting. Can I get some input from anyone who can compare the Penguin and the Ridgeback?

Ridgebacks are way better built, trust me, i know first hand.

GideonF · Apr 22, 2017

realkingcobra said:
Ridgebacks are way better built, trust me, i know first hand.

Thanks, Glen. And I do trust you on this.

While I know that nothing will actually play like a 7' Diamond, is a Valley with the pro cut Ridgebacks the best distant second choice?

realkingcobra · Apr 22, 2017

GideonF said:
Thanks, Glen. And I do trust you on this.

While I know that nothing will actually play like a 7' Diamond, is a Valley with the pro cut Ridgebacks the best distant second choice?

The cue ball will hit 5 times the length of the table and 9 rails around on either table if the Valley is recovered right.

JRusso · Apr 22, 2017

A Valley table is a Valley table and really will never play like a Diamond. They are just no where near as solid structurally. That being said, I have Rideback Pro Cuts and 860 Simonis on my Valley and it plays very well for a Valley table. Kerry with Ridgeback Rails is a pleasure to work with and is full of info. He was always more than willing to answer questions. There is no doubt in my mind that you will not find better rails for a Valley.

realkingcobra · Apr 22, 2017

Let me try and explain it this way, if Valley tables were like a car, then they would be like a Volkswagen compared to a Cadillac, being the Diamond tables. But keep in mind, they'll both get you where youre headed. Both tables have the same speed in the playing surface if the both have the same cloth installed. They'll both bank the cue ball 5 times the length of the table and 9 rails around, and either can be out of level, or both level as much as possible. The single biggest difference between the two tables, is the cue ball when in coin operation, the Valley with the magnetic cue ball, and the Diamond with the red circle cue ball, which rolls true and plays true, and plays more like a pool table should play. So, I'd consider the Valley tables to be second best, but cirtainly not the worst, there are other coin op tables far worae than a Valley. I'm not going to get into the structure of the tables because that has nothing to do with the OP's questions, as he's not asking about buying a Diamond pool table and is it a good purchase..

GideonF · Apr 22, 2017

realkingcobra said:
Let me try and explain it this way, if Valley tables were like a car, then they would be like a Volkswagen compared to a Cadillac, being the Diamond tables. But keep in mind, they'll both get you where youre headed. Both tables have the same speed in the playing surface if the both have the same cloth installed. They'll both bank the cue ball 5 times the length of the table and 9 rails around, and either can be out of level, or both level as much as possible. The single biggest difference between the two tables, is the cue ball when in coin operation, the Valley with the magnetic cue ball, and the Diamond with the red circle cue ball, which rolls true and plays true, and plays more like a pool table should play. So, I'd consider the Valley tables to be second best, but cirtainly not the worst, there are other coin op tables far worae than a Valley. I'm not going to get into the structure of the tables because that has nothing to do with the OP's questions, as he's not asking about buying a Diamond pool table and is it a good purchase..

Thanks. I do understand that I'd be buying a Volkswagen (even if I put better cloth and rails on it). If this was going in my house, I'd get a Diamond no question. Unfortunately I can't justify spending the money on a Cadillac given that it's going to be in an unheated building at my cottage during cold Canadian winters. If the weather kills the Valley after a few years, I can always buy a another one!

Since I will be leaving the coin mechanism open, I can use my Aramith Super Pros with a normal cueball (no big or heavy cb for me).

Scott Lee · Apr 23, 2017

Ridgeback Rails make a Valley barbox play close to a Diamond. They bank quite well. Side pockets are still too small! LOL

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

GideonF · May 2, 2017

Thanks everyone for the replies. Think I have found a used Valley and will be getting Ridgeback Pros.

Any other tweaks to the table I should think of?

Jesse Gilbert · May 2, 2017

I have the ridgebacks. Just turn your table at a angle and you won't have any dead spots

Hollismason · May 2, 2017

If you have a room that is 15 feet by 5" x 15 feet by 5" then you have more room than you think. It's 21 feet by like a few inches corner to corner. If you center the table diagonally you should be fine. Get some painters tape and go out there then draw it on the floor with painters tape then measure.

realkingcobra · May 2, 2017

Hollismason said:
If you have a room that is 15 feet by 5" x 15 feet by 5" then you have more room than you think. It's 21 feet by like a few inches corner to corner. If you center the table diagonally you should be fine. Get some painters tape and go out there then draw it on the floor with painters tape then measure.

Even diagonally you're still gling to end up with 4 short corners.

Hollismason · May 2, 2017

realkingcobra said:
Even diagonally you're still gling to end up with 4 short corners.

I guess I could graph it out, but it's a lot more than you think if it's centered in the room. I get at around 40 inches from the corner of the table to the wall and that's at the absolute tip of the tables corner. A 7 foot table isn't actually "7 foot x 4 foot" or at least depending on what type it is. The playing area is going to be slightly smaller than 7 foot. So like 80 to 82 inches then its like 40 inches wide.

realkingcobra · May 3, 2017

Hollismason said:
I guess I could graph it out, but it's a lot more than you think if it's centered in the room. I get at around 40 inches from the corner of the table to the wall and that's at the absolute tip of the tables corner. A 7 foot table isn't actually "7 foot x 4 foot" or at least depending on what type it is. The playing area is going to be slightly smaller than 7 foot. So like 80 to 82 inches then its like 40 inches wide.

40" to the wall from the corners? And how short is that using a 58" normal length cue? I know the table size and room size very well, I've only been working on pool tables for over 33 years:thumbup:

Johnnyt · May 3, 2017

Ridgeback Rails are the best rails for a Valley by far. Thanks to Glen, I have bought three sets over the years, for three different tables. Don't forget to tighten the two bolts in the corner pockets. You will almost always find some loose or missing. Johnnyt

GideonF · May 3, 2017

revised below

GideonF · May 3, 2017

On the basis of the suggestion re turning the table diagonally, I have used a online room planner ( https://www.homeleisuredirect.com/company/games-room-designer.html ) and tried both ways. I included two bar stools. Note that what appears as the edge of the table in the diagram is actually the edge of the cushion, since interior dimensions are what matter.

Can I get some input on which orientation would be best? I have ever-so-slightly less room on the corners in the diagonal one (but of course the slate is actually a bit further in at the corners) and a few odd places, but maybe more open areas. Will be playing 8, 9 and 10 ball.
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Room size and Ridgeback Rails Questions

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