Hi All,
I made the bed cloth DVD, (yes that's me in the DVD). The issue with seeing stretch shadows can be alleviated by three procedures.
First, make sure you establish YOUR index with the size and cloth model you are using. for example, gray 760 and tour blue 860 HR on a nine ft pool table will vary by more than half an inch on the side to side index. The instructions for establishing the proper index are demonstrated at the beginning of the DVD. Your personal level of strength will determine the index for the the specific cloth and size table you are working with.
Second, After your attach the stretch side of the cloth on either side of the side pockets you'll have a distinct wrinkle of cloth across the middle of the table. You'll now attach the corner or end of the stretch side... MAKE SURE YOU PULL THE CLOTH FROM THE END (away from the side pocket) FIRST, THEN ACROSS AND DOWN. You'll notice the wrinkle in front of the side pocket will flatten down. You'll also notice that the index marks in the unattached area between the side pocket and the corner pocket will have been pulled closer to the edge of the slate. I like to refer to this as a "gentle C". When done properly you should have about 1/3 less distance to pull the index marks to the edge of the slate. Repeat the same process on the other side of the "stretch side" of the slate and complete the attachment of the long stretch side between the attached corners and the attached side pockets.
Third, When you close the side pockets, be sure to pull the center tabs straight across and the tabs of cloth on either side of the center, from the short end of the table towards the side pocket. In other words, the tab next to the center would be pulled at about a 45% angle and the last tab would be pulled at about a 90% angle towards the side pocket. Pulling straight back, holding the tab above the slate and the down and attach will make this process easier. 3M 77 spray glue will make closing the pocket tabs much easier as well.
One more note, If you are working on an Antique pool table or any table that has very shallow side or corner pocket depths or very gradual radius, the slacking measurement for the side pockets can be reduced. For example on an antique table done recently I used 1/2 inch index on the anchor side and 3/8 inch on the stretch side of the side pockets for slacking.
In my experience, most excessive stretch shadows can be traced back to to much side to side stretch relative to the amount of end to end stretch.
You may have noticed in the DVD that the end to end stretch is a 100% pull, whereas all the other stretching done on the cloth is a maximum stretch the releasing 1/2 to 3/4 inch from the maximum. If you remember "the cloth has to be installed in a rectangular fashion" That is a direct quote from RKC. I fully agree, and with Simonis it's critical to getting the best play and wear.
Hope this helps.
Jay