Billiards table bolts

[AllAmericanJock]

I got a billiards table that has carriage bolts in it now and wanted to know if I can replace them and go with a hex head bolt so I could tighten the bolts up better. The carriage bolts are ok, but when tighten up some of them they just turn and since the head is dome there is nothing to grip to stop it from turning as the nut is tighten. My main concern was is there a reason that carriage bolts were used originally or does it not matter the type of bolt used. The billiards table is high end and high quality construction. Are carriage bolts primarily used for frames in pool table construction? Any information or thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ralph Kramden]

Carriage bolts have square protrusions under the domed head. I don't know how your table was constructed
but a carriage bolt may have been used for quick assembly. The square probably removed wood as it turned.

My guess would to be use a hex head and possibly a lock washer, as long as there won't be any interference.

 

[3kushn]

I'm not a table mechanic but have a fair amount of knowledge of bolted joints. I would have to see what these bolts are designed to do. I suspect the mechanics would need to as well.

Actually those guys would probably just need to know what table you're talking about. Mfg., Model, Year,..... Where used.

 

[AllAmericanJock]

Its a Vitalie pool table.