Caught the Light Installer STANDING On My Table!!!!!

DJSTEVEZ

DJSTEVEZ

Professor of Human Moves
Silver Member
So I hired a well recommended local electrician and his sidekick to install my Diamond Professional Table's matching light (the table had been installed by Diamond Mechanics just 1 week prior). Upon returning home from my second trip to the specialty bulb store (don't ask!) I find the jockey size sidekick standing my table making fine adjustments to the light :eek:. Now he "only" stood in the middle of the table, and did NOT step/walk anywhere near where the slate is fitted together and he didn't step on the rails. His shoes were off and the table's protective pleather cover was on. After they left I thoroughly inspected the table by feel and rolling balls. There appeared to be no leveling damage or any other. I've played on it several times since and all balls appear to be rolling true.

Is it possible there is, in fact, no damage? Your thoughts, input, advice & guidance would be greatly appreciated. THANX! -Z-

DSC02693.jpg
 
would you rather him moved the table to put the light??? i guess he could have build some intricate scaffold system of some sort. ive stood on a few tablem in my time also... i wouldnt worry. your kids are prob sitting on it too
 
dave sutton said:
would you rather him moved the table to put the light???
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Funny you should say that, he asked me about lifting & moving the table in case the studs were lined up in such a way that the light wouldn't be even from end to end. That should've tipped me off then that these guys didn't fully get it LOL! :grin:. Thanx for the feedback. -Z-
 
i have stood on a few tables also, no shoes of course. i don't walk around but just stay in one spot, when i have to do it i try to stay close to the edge and only on the center slate
 
Diamonds are made well enough to support the weight of the slate and then some. There are a lot of other tables that will sag under the weight of the slate, but there are a few that will take it.

I'd say there's a real good chance there's no damage. Just make sure no one sits on the rails!!! Too easy to break the rubber down on most tables.

I just got finished recovering 9 bar tables for a city league tournament. Amazes me every year how many loose spots there are on those rails! Does that thing look like a chair to you!!! ;)
 
I would have kill him lol Now I had to stand on my table to put my light up and I was worry about making it unlevel also but I'm jealous of your table I want a diamond bad .
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DJSTEVEZ said:
So I hired a well recommended local electrician and his sidekick to install my Diamond Professional Table's matching light (the table had been installed by Diamond Mechanics just 1 week prior). Upon returning home from my second trip to the specialty bulb store (don't ask!) I find the jockey size sidekick standing my table making fine adjustments to the light :eek:. Now he "only" stood in the middle of the table, and did NOT step/walk anywhere near where the slate is fitted together and he didn't step on the rails. His shoes were off and the table's protective pleather cover was on. After they left I thoroughly inspected the table by feel and rolling balls. There appeared to be no leveling damage or any other. I've played on it several times since and all balls appear to be rolling true.

Is it possible there is, in fact, no damage? Your thoughts, input, advice & guidance would be greatly appreciated. THANX! -Z-

DSC02693.jpg
Click to expand...

You also have a thick carpet there. NO damage to the table is likely but I would say the compression has changed within the carpet and you may need to tweek the adjustable feet. A good level will indicate any problems.

Hairline cracks can NOT be felt through the cloth usually and it would be interesting to see how much the mech shimmed the slate underneath. If there was little shimming then I wouldn't worry. If by chance its jacked up a bit then there may be cause for more concern. Also the method by which the seams were joined may have been comprimised. Most guys glue them but some have other methods.

When I purchased my Diamond package I went and looked at the table first, liked it, and purchased it. Since I was there I got up on the table after seeing only one shim underneath and took the light down with no problem to the table.
 
This is an issue that comes up in other venues as well (such as walking on the roof of an RV), where the high pressures from feet may cause damage.

IMO, the correct thing to do would be to place a cover over the table to protect the cloth, followed by a piece of 1/2 - 3/4" plywood. Walking on the plywood will distribute the weight more evenly across the slate. Ideally, a 4x8' sheet would be used, but even a 2x2' scrap will help.
 
A piece of 2x12 laid across the table would have solved the problem of how to make the necessary adjustments.

If you don't have a good level to do some checking for damage you could use the old trick of laying a piece of glass on the cloth and placing a ball on the glass. If it's not level the ball will roll off the glass. I use a piece of picture frame glass.

By the way...... great looking table and room.
 
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DJSTEVEZ said:
So I hired a well recommended local electrician and his sidekick to install my Diamond Professional Table's matching light (the table had been installed by Diamond Mechanics just 1 week prior). Upon returning home from my second trip to the specialty bulb store (don't ask!) I find the jockey size sidekick standing my table making fine adjustments to the light :eek:. Now he "only" stood in the middle of the table, and did NOT step/walk anywhere near where the slate is fitted together and he didn't step on the rails. His shoes were off and the table's protective pleather cover was on. After they left I thoroughly inspected the table by feel and rolling balls. There appeared to be no leveling damage or any other. I've played on it several times since and all balls appear to be rolling true.

Is it possible there is, in fact, no damage? Your thoughts, input, advice & guidance would be greatly appreciated. THANX! -Z-

DSC02693.jpg
Click to expand...

I think you will be ok , but he should have asked you first. I would have freaked on him personally .
I was also under the impression that Diamond tables , even the 9 footers
where one piece slate . Because i asked at the expo about having one installed in my basement poolroom and he said they couldn't do it .

The thick carpet with padding under it is more likely to cause a slight shift
been there done that.

Good Luck,
Doc
 
JimS said:
A piece of 2x12 laid across the table would have solved the problem of how to make the necessary adjustments.

If you don't have a good level to do some checking for damage you could use the old trick of laying a piece of glass on the cloth and placing a ball on the glass. If it's not level the ball will roll off the glass. I use a piece of picture frame glass.

By the way...... great looking table and room.
Click to expand...

Using a piece of glass really won't work but its the right idea. Glass just isn't that even side to side. Plus you have the fact that the cloth is there. For example, if you were to take a piece of glass for the experiment, try it on a flat surface like a counter top, put a ball in the middle and press down, it may crack if its not perfectly flat etc. I use precision ground plates for this which was my very first post in this forum. Not knocking the idea but it won't be accurate using glass.
 
DJSTEVEZ said:
So I hired a well recommended local electrician and his sidekick to install my Diamond Professional Table's matching light (the table had been installed by Diamond Mechanics just 1 week prior). Upon returning home from my second trip to the specialty bulb store (don't ask!) I find the jockey size sidekick standing my table making fine adjustments to the light :eek:. Now he "only" stood in the middle of the table, and did NOT step/walk anywhere near where the slate is fitted together and he didn't step on the rails. His shoes were off and the table's protective pleather cover was on. After they left I thoroughly inspected the table by feel and rolling balls. There appeared to be no leveling damage or any other. I've played on it several times since and all balls appear to be rolling true.

Is it possible there is, in fact, no damage? Your thoughts, input, advice & guidance would be greatly appreciated. THANX! -Z-

DSC02693.jpg
Click to expand...

All the Diamond mechanic's are instructed to superglue the slates together before the seam is finished off, so I wouldn't worry about it:grin: I've stepped on the slates of tables I've set up as well in order to hang a light...and I weigh over 260lbs, so it all depends on who puts the slates together and how it's done:wink:

Glen
 
Well, the slate on my Diamond Pro wasn't glued but I don't think it was a Diamond mech that set it up. Well at least I hope is wasn't.
 
Barry Doc said:
I was also under the impression that Diamond tables, even the 9 footers
where one piece slate . Because i asked at the expo about having one installed in my basement poolroom and he said they couldn't do it .

Good Luck,
Doc
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Doc - Here's my understanding after purchasing a tournament-used 9-foot Pro Am:

The standard Pro Am table (any size) has a one-piece slate... although RKC has posted here about installing a 3-piece one but it was custom done by him (and the factory, I'm assuming).

The standard Pro table (any size) has a 3-piece slate.
 
Baker stage

dave sutton said:
would you rather him moved the table to put the light??? i guess he could have build some intricate scaffold system of some sort. ive stood on a few tablem in my time also... i wouldnt worry. your kids are prob sitting on it too
Click to expand...

Dave,

A standard baker stage is very simple, slips right over the table and supports the light during installation. Also has locking wheels for maneuverability!

This is SOP for any electrician or pool table mechanic installing lights. They can be rented for $10-$15 a day if you don't want to purchase.

Jay
 
There's probably no damage, but I certainly wouldn't hire that electrician again. I had to repair the light above my table last summer. I put five-foot aluminum step ladders on either side of the table and ran two two-by-eights across on the third steps. That was about an inch above the rails. Really simple and safe.

Very nice looking setup you have there.
 
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