Best Rack

Druid

Druid

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I noticed that the cheap wood triangle rack I have for my pool table doesn't rack the balls very tight. No-matter how I push the balls into the rack, I can see that there are at least a couple balls not touching. It's as if the rack is just a little too big for the Aramith Pro balls I'm using. I want to pick up a new rack that actually works good and racks tight. Have any suggestions for a rack that actually works? Not looking to get some high-fangled, expensive machine... just a good triangle that actually is the right size.

A quick search of the store here gave me the following options:

Plastic Ball Rack $2.63
Yukon 8 Ball Rack $21.95
Magic Ball Rack Pro 8 $8.00
Black Beauty 8 Ball Rack $9.95
Delta-13 Ball Rack $44.95
Delta-13 Elite Ball Rack $114.95
Delta-13 Elite Ball Rack 24K Gold $995.00
Delta-13 Elite Ball Rack Limited Allison Fisher $170.00
Delta-13 Elite Ball Rack Nickel Plated $749.00
Sardo Tight Rack $69.95
 
Druid said:
I noticed that the cheap wood triangle rack I have for my pool table doesn't rack the balls very tight. No-matter how I push the balls into the rack, I can see that there are at least a couple balls not touching. It's as if the rack is just a little too big for the Aramith Pro balls I'm using. I want to pick up a new rack that actually works good and racks tight. Have any suggestions for a rack that actually works? Not looking to get some high-fangled, expensive machine... just a good triangle that actually is the right size.

A quick search of the store here gave me the following options:

Plastic Ball Rack $2.63
Yukon 8 Ball Rack $21.95
Magic Ball Rack Pro 8 $8.00
Black Beauty 8 Ball Rack $9.95
Delta-13 Ball Rack $44.95
Delta-13 Elite Ball Rack $114.95
Delta-13 Elite Ball Rack 24K Gold $995.00
Delta-13 Elite Ball Rack Limited Allison Fisher $170.00
Delta-13 Elite Ball Rack Nickel Plated $749.00
Sardo Tight Rack $69.95
Click to expand...



Delta-13...same rack I use and I love it!!
http://www.ozonebilliards.com/de13mebarabl.html
 
I have the black beauty and it works just fine. Allot of people swear by the magic rack. I have seen it work, but personally, I just dont want any stickers on my new cloth. I dont even have a dot on the rack spot. I just marked it with a sharpie.
 
The 24k delta 13 rack is the only way to go!
I am still saving for one.
I am only $725 short. I think in the end it will be money well spent :thumbup:
 
If the delta 13 doesn't rack them right, the balls might be different sizes. You see that a lot in poolhalls where the balls get mismatched etc.
 
If you do get the Delta 13, I highly recommend getting the leather inserts to dampen the sound. For the money, the delta 13 is def the way to go. Perfect rack everytime!
 
Druid said:
I noticed that the cheap wood triangle rack I have for my pool table doesn't rack the balls very tight. No-matter how I push the balls into the rack, I can see that there are at least a couple balls not touching. It's as if the rack is just a little too big for the Aramith Pro balls I'm using. I want to pick up a new rack that actually works good and racks tight. Have any suggestions for a rack that actually works? Not looking to get some high-fangled, expensive machine... just a good triangle that actually is the right size.

A quick search of the store here gave me the following options:

Plastic Ball Rack $2.63
Yukon 8 Ball Rack $21.95
Magic Ball Rack Pro 8 $8.00
Black Beauty 8 Ball Rack $9.95
Delta-13 Ball Rack $44.95
Delta-13 Elite Ball Rack $114.95
Delta-13 Elite Ball Rack 24K Gold $995.00
Delta-13 Elite Ball Rack Limited Allison Fisher $170.00
Delta-13 Elite Ball Rack Nickel Plated $749.00
Sardo Tight Rack $69.95
Click to expand...

The Magic Ball Rack is not a triangle and the Sardo is a high-fangled machine, so toss both of them out from what you said you are looking for.

The only choice is the Delta. The big advantages that I can see to the Elite over the standard Delta is that the tolerances are guaranteed and it can be engraved, but it is definitely more expensive. I have the base model Delta and while the tolerances are not guaranteed it is still built to exacting specs and the thing racks the balls tight to each every time. If it didn't then I would have returned it for either another one or for the Elite model.

Having said that, for 9 or 10 Ball the Magic Rack does a great job. So does the Slug Doctor. The Slug Doctor is new so it may not have appeared on your radar but you can find it here if you do a search. For full rack games though (especially soft rack games like 14.1 and 1 Hole) I prefer a triangle over the Magic Rack as there is no issue with being able to remove the rack after the break when there may be interfering balls. This is not an issue with the dot system of the Slug Doctor since it is not removed. As far as the Sardo goes, in addition to being a contraption you have to tap the table. This does not appeal to me. Plus, if you are going to tap the table, why do you then need the Sardo?

Really, purchase of the Magic Rack (or Slug Doctor) and a good quality triangle does not need to be mutually exclusive. Triangle for full rack games and one of the other two for short rack games like 9 or 10 Ball. I happen to have all three and each has its use.

Hope this helps.
 
Last edited:
Something to think about: your current rack has three angles, all of which can be used two ways (i.e. flip the rack over). This gives you six possible orientations to rack with. If you try all six you can usually get a tight rack from one. Then mark the rack so you remember which one!

If the same ball won't touch through all this, switch its position with another ball in the rack. It may be a little over/undersized.

-s
 
For $10 and if you play 9-ball only, get a magic rack as others have stated. Slug Doctor works just as well, but is more expensive upfront purchase ($25). It is cheaper in the long run if you're applying it on more than one table, or pay for itself if you tend to lose, leave the magic rack behind in poolhalls.

For $20-$30, get one of the muellers premium wooden racks, or a Diamond wooden rack.

$45, get a Delta 13. The leather inserts cuts down on the metallic clank when racking. Almost as quiet as a wooden rack.

Sorry, no experience with the Sardo, but I'm sure you can pick up it used for alot less than $70.
 
After much soul searching, primarily because I'm cheap, I bought the Delta 13. Every single review I have read about them was very positive. It's the perfect rack. It is a bit noisy, but as their website states, it's the sound of quality. Actually, I like the sound it makes. So, bite the bullet and break into the piggy bank and do shop around (someone on this website sells them). Don't settle for anything less. You won't be sorry.
 
Thanks, Delta-13 it is. Some of the Elite Racks looks very nice off their website... but that standard will work just fine for me.
 
First of all if money wasn't an issue I would've bought the Delta-13 elite. When I bought my Aramith super pros I also got a wooden rack very similar to the Spinali's used at a local pool hall.
If the cloth has no memory and is any good I can get a TIGHT rack.
The trick with any rack is not only do the balls need to be with in the same tolerances but you must understand the nature of the equilateral triangle. No matter how well it is built, one angle will always be greater than the other two. Account for this, make note, employ it appropriately and you have no problems.
My wooden rack is similar not only to the Spinali's but also the Club rack by Diamond, an excelent rack I might ad. As Diamond marks their appropriate apex so do I. Here is where the trick comes in. You can't just push all the balls toward the top apex as you will create a gap between the two balls directly behind the spot ball. You have to push all the balls (3,7,9,10,15 etc. whatever) to one side of the rack or the other.
With practice you will achieve the best possible rack I have been able to come up with and when I rack for myself and subsequently break it is a very distinctive sound (almost painfull to the ear if too close).

Hope this helps and Mahalo. Carl
 
I would like to say my ex-girlfriends Rack but that's not the type of rack we are talking about . lol

Anyways my choice is the Delta 13 because is gives the tightest rack , I have used the Sardo 5000 rack and hostestly it's not that great now it just sits on the wall collecting dust . Delta 13 is the way to go .
 
I'm a huge fan of the Slug Doctor.

Very easy to use, racks 'em tight and no issues with it affecting the roll of the balls after the break like the Magic rack (sometimes occurs).

Awesome!
 
It really depends on what you want.

If you like the act of putting the balls into a triangle and tightening them up, the Delta is the way to go. I don't have the cash yet, but I'd really like to get the Elite version. Currently, I have the Brunswick Big Break rack and it does the job just fine.

If you don't care about the act of racking and are more concerned with the quality of the rack, it's the Magic Rack... hands down... no comparison. You can make sure that it's always placed in the exact same spot on the table and you are guaranteed a perfect rack any time. Whenever you are concerned about consistency, try to remove the element of human error as much as possible. Our actions differ from time to time... the Magic Rack template is constant. It also works great on worn cloth. You don't get that ball that rolls off all the time and is hard to freeze (perfect for bars and pool halls if you want to take it with you).

When in doubt... buy both! The Magic 8-ball Rack is $8... It's worth $8 to give it a try even if you don't end up liking it :thumbup:


Mike
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top