Brunswick Bristol pocket change

[keepanionme]

I have a Brunswick Bristol that currently has a ball return system installed. The problem I have is where the balls come back. The opening is pretty small. My hands aren't the smallest, so I have some troubles getting the balls out. With that said, I'd like to put in drop pockets.

I believe I've found the correct pockets to use, but have a question on attaching them. Right now, the pockets are nailed in. These nails seem to keep coming loose and marking up the balls. What are the best nails to use for attaching the pockets?

Thank you for any help/advice you can provide.

 

[ROB.M]

Table

You are going to use the plastic web drop pockets? the plastic universal style pockets will have to be trimmed to fit the side pockets and possibly the corner pockets to by the installer. A lot of tables pocket liners/drop pockets come loose or lost because of the nails coming out due to lack of knowlege how to fit them, or the plastic tears away from repetitive resetting of the nail and now the wood has so many holes in it there's no meat for a nail to grab.
The side pockets will need a relief cut to open up the pocket because when installed, it's much shallower when trimmed back to fit. Depending on witch pockets you get. most of the time I'm trimming the tap relief for a better fit. I have used several types of nails to install pocket liners/drops with acceptable results when fit properly. Two nails per side! If the plastic pocket mouth is not opening up and fitting to the wood top to bottom you will need a relief cut for a wider spread. The nails go in the pockets where the balls do not make direct contact with a nail head. You will be surprised how well the balls are poctected on a well fitted nailed in place pocket liner/drop.
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Rob.M

 

[ROB.M]

These the pockets you plan on using? Or do you have the antique Bristol table?

 

[keepanionme]

I went to a local shop to inquire about pockets and was told all I would have to do is measure the pockets and they could be ordered to fit.

As for the table, I'm not really sure what I have to be honest with you. I don't believe it's an antique, but I've included some pictures of it. If anyone has any information on it, it would be appreciated. I can also provide any pictures that would help identify.

The nails that were used to install the pockets are not the correct ones, in my opinion. I would think that a nail that has a flat head should be used to avoid the problems I'm experiencing? I've also seen nails that are twisted that I've heard are what should be used. I don't know how well that would work. Would you please show me an example of the nails that work for you?

Thank you.

 

[keepanionme]

Here you can see the opening for the auto ball return.

 

[ROB.M]

Table

That is one funny story. Pockets can not be ordered to custom fit your table, there is a standard pockets that gets trimmed to fit yor pockets.
The ball return system is a tube system. Very simple design...The Bristol II sharded pockets,hardware and design with a few other tables. If I was you, I would fit the pockets better and use what you have. I will ship a few pictures when I get home later
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[ROB.M]

Your boot pockets need fit and finished a little better. Do not use pin nails that I'm sure are in use at the time and see if that helps, use a nail that has retaining burrs. I stay away from the ribbed shank nails and the big spiral nails because they tear up the rail after removal. Your going to want to break off tooth picks flush in the holes that are in behind the pocket now to assure a good grab of the new nail.
Who ever told you that the pockets are custom ordered to fit? You can see in last pic that side pocket and corner pocket are the same part & part number
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You will see in the part number listing picture where Brunswick Informs of having to trim the side pockets to fix
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Your table looks like a combo of the Richmond and the Hampton mixed up with a Bristol II.. There's rail counters on your table that are not usually seen on the Bristol II... That I gave seen anyways.......

What ever problem your having with keeping the pockets in place is a simple fix.
Use that plastic plumbing strap to secure the tubes and gully fie extra support.
Attach the strapping to bottom of rails with a system you will only have to staple in place once no matter how many times the table is disassembled.
Best of luck.
Try not to fire the balls in..
Send me a PM if needed be
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Rob.M

 

[keepanionme]

Thank you for the great information. I've decided to take your advice and leave the auto return intact. I'm definitely going to fix the pockets though.

After I got home last night, I looked and saw what you meant by the pockets need to be fit better. I like the idea of the toothpicks. Another tip I've heard from my searches is to put some electrical tape over the nails so that if they do pop out a bit, the balls will be protected better.

The fitting doesn't seem to be too tricky. I'll have to do some research as I've never done that before. I'm not sure of the age of the table, but I would think the original pockets wouldn't need anything special to be fitted properly.

Any tips on how to reduce the pocket size? They seem to be gigantic on this table.

Thanks a lot for your help and suggestions. I really appreciate it.