After level before cloth

n10spool

n10spool

PHD in table mechanics
Silver Member
Just curious If any techs out there after leveling a table with a level check the true level of the slate to check for warps or trouble spots?????

Usually when I level a Table I slow roll a ball on it 20 -30 times in different directions to check for any drift or imperfections in the slate that I don't see with a level, eyeball or fingers. I am checking for the ball to speed up or slow down or breaks left or right when it just about to stop.

Try it sometime its amazing what it does sometimes on old slate tables on new one's you dont need to do it. It well show you were some other tech took a sheet of sandpaper or a belt sander to the table ot remove plaster of paris, Durhams, epoxy, even Bondo or scratches from the slate. this will sometimes make you use a longer or shorter level on those tough old slate's.

Just roll it to stop around the back half of the last slate. End to end side to side corner to corner you get it. It's just a simple rool of a ball before the cloth goes on.

I'm just wondering how many people think it's stupid and who actually takes pride in thier work only takes 2-10 minutes of your time.

Craig Herman
 
Great post! I usually like to roll test a table before I cover it and again after it's completed just to double check one last time.
 
I have several machinist levels that I use. I feel the levels will tell me more than a rolling ball will. I will only check the table for a ball roll if the levels are telling me the slates are warped to see if the warp affects the ball roll and to learn what readings on the levels will make a difference and what doesn't. Are you rolling the ball on the slates before or after the recovery?
 
I like to use 3 levels ,one for each slate. I use to check and re-check then check before I left , now I set them up using the 3 levels and I know that it is correct. I do roll the ball to check the level before I leave, rolling it from end to end to the diamond/circle and then back to me as I watch for a roll.
 
sdbilliards said:
I have several machinist levels that I use. I feel the levels will tell me more than a rolling ball will. I will only check the table for a ball roll if the levels are telling me the slates are warped to see if the warp affects the ball roll and to learn what readings on the levels will make a difference and what doesn't. Are you rolling the ball on the slates before or after the recovery?
Click to expand...

Roll test before and after the table is covered.
 
I ALWAYS roll balls on the table in many different directions to make sure its level when Im finished setting it up. Thats the best test IMO.

Southpaw
 
slates

I mainly use my 18" staretts and double check everything with a six foot level and a 6" Starett on top of that. As far as warped or crowned slates. i use two razor blades and a six foot level with a dollar bill in between the six foot level. After work is complete, i usually roll a ball or two, to see how it tracks. But as far as using a ball to check for roll offs, I would not worry about it to much, beacuse i have seen cheap balls track bad. The bottom line is, If your Starret level is reading correct, It is correct.
Thanks, Ron Lyman
 
Turn your levels up on their sides and use them as a straight egde, then you can see the highs and lows in the grind of the slates, or at the seam, how much has been removed from sanding:D

Glen
 
I'd trust my machinest levels for level before I trust the roll of a ball. I know how accurate my levels are, I have no idea as to how round or true a ball is;)

Glen

Donny pretty much hit this one on the head. I think everyone should know what is acceptable for level, and what is not. No matter where you place a level on the slate, you're going to get different readings, the whole key to leveling slates...is to know what you have control over when it comes to leveling, and where you have no control. To me, a perfectly leveled slate is when I know there's no chance a ball is going to roll off, that's perfection. I'm not going to try and level every spot on a slate to 0 perfect with a machinist level, it's a waste of my time, since there is an amount of variable in level that gives you a cushion to know when it's level enough that there is no chance of a ball rolling off.

Glen
 
What are you talking about Glen? When my table was done you tossed your machinist level everywere on the table and it was dead nutz.. He can say on the forum that he wouldnt waste his time leveling it perfect with a machinist level but he does! :D
 
realkingcobra said:
I'd trust my machinest levels for level before I trust the roll of a ball. I know how accurate my levels are, I have no idea as to how round or true a ball is;)

Glen
Click to expand...

Excellent point, Glen
 
I trust my Starret level's also I was just wondering now many thought of trying a ball roll for trueness. 90% of the time levels are perfect but I take care of alot real shooters not your everyday home owner. I do the ball test on table's I setup as tournament quality of play or when I'm bored to double check my work.

I now carry multiple levels with me at all times since I broke my level 4 years ago and tried to level it with a carpenters level and a ball it worked but took for ever to do.

I just wanted to see if I was crazy for checking my work with a ball roll or two.

I do the test before and after cloth is installed.

Thanks for the reply's,

Craig
 
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Starrett's all the way! I do final ball checks, slow rolling up and down the table, cross ways at the ends, at each seam on each piece of slate and diagonal from corner to corner. Typically, all my tables need (if anything) would be a shim under a leg or a slight leg adjustment. I want my customer present when I'm doing this so there is no question before I leave that the table is perfect.

Robin
 
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