Anyway to know if rubber has to be replaced before putting table together?

[realkingcobra]

Spent the weekend setting up the Anniversary. Hit a few balls testing the cushions today and they are perfect, very lively! Thanks Glen for the advice to keep the original rubber!

Sometimes being an old school table mechanic has its advantages over the younger installers today working on pool tables, its called experience
Glad I could help you out buddy, even more glad you took my advice

 

[darmoose]

I have a GC1 with Monarch cushions that seem lively enough and so I plan to keep them. I would like to ad an additional 1/8" facing to the cushions to reduce the pocket size. Why would this be a problem as some are saying?

 

[rexus31]

I have a GC1 with Monarch cushions that seem lively enough and so I plan to keep them. I would like to ad an additional 1/8" facing to the cushions to reduce the pocket size. Why would this be a problem as some are saying?

"Stacking facings" as you propose will make the pocket play dead because the neoprene facings are more stiff than the cushions. When you start stacking them, it is more pronounced. IMO, the only way to tighten a table is to have the subrails extended with wood and new cushions installed. This will also require subrail bevel adjustment on a GCI due to the different dimensions of the old K55 profile (Monarch SuperSpeed) and new K55 cushions.

 

[darmoose]

"Stacking facings" as you propose will make the pocket play dead because the neoprene facings are more stiff than the cushions. When you start stacking them, it is more pronounced. IMO, the only way to tighten a table is to have the subrails extended with wood and new cushions installed. This will also require subrail bevel adjustment on a GCI due to the different dimensions of the old K55 profile (Monarch SuperSpeed) and new K55 cushions.

Thanks and I do understand what you are saying. However, don't facings come in different hardnesses whereby one can install a "softer" facing to play more like the original cushion? Keeping in mind tha we are only talking about a 1/8" facing.

 

[coolidge]

Thanks and I do understand what you are saying. However, don't facings come in different hardnesses whereby one can install a "softer" facing to play more like the original cushion? Keeping in mind tha we are only talking about a 1/8" facing.

Yes indeed and I'd keep away from the harder facings. I went with 1/4 inch facings when I restored my rails to tighten the pockets and opted for the harder ones (I ordered both soft and hard) with the lining on the faces. Regretted it, when banking we have to avoid the pocket tips because those facings are so hard and thick it's dead. One day I'll remove them and put the softer facings on.