Connelly drooping pockets

[3RAILKICK]

Local senior center has 3 connelly 9 footers.

Problem: The pockets droop badly.

Recent recovered all. Mechanic apparently swapped enough rails to get 2 tables almost OK. The third table is hopeless ...all six pockets sag severely.

Local regular says that drilled holes that support pocket irons have wallowed out badly, and won't support the pocket irons at the correct level.

Does that sound right? Could a cabinet shop plug holes and redrill? They're talking about having to buy replacement rails to fix this.

Is there other attachment/ support bolts to help keep pockets in place, or is there only a male/female plug-in support system?

Seems a shame to have to buy replacement rails, assuming they're still available from the manufacturer.

Any suggestions?

thanks

 

[ROB.M]

Table

I would like to see the end of the rails where the irons insert into the rail with the iron/pocket removed and I would like to see the bottom of the rail where the bolt comes up thru the bottom of the rail to secure the iron in place.
The rails can be repaired but is like to see pics... I'm thinking the bottom of the rail is blown out.



Rob.M

 

[Dopc]

Rob says "Need PICS", and he's right!

Rob is on the right track (Howdy Rob:thumbup, pics would certainly help determine the amount of damage needing corrected. I had the same issue on my table (also a Connelly) when I bought it used. In my case the subrail split and separated from the cap under all the stress of a lose or missing iron bolt (see pics below). A lose/missing iron bolt allows the iron to become a large pry-bar when weight is applied and it eventually either elongates the hole or the wood fails and breaks away altogether.

I wood glued & screwed (don't forget to pre-drill pilot holes if you go this route, hardwood splits easy) everything back together and that iron sits at the same level as the rest now. I lean on this pocket quite often and it hasn't failed yet (knock on wood). But I was pretty lucky in that my damage was fairly minor and an easy fix. You/they may or may not be as lucky and picks would help determine that and a course for correction.

There was a previous repair (spun rail nut that holds the rail to the slate) near my failure that may have contributed, or it may have even made it so weak it broke without doing much damage. Either way, its been almost a year and the table is played on a lot and holding strong.

Good luck and keep us posted with some pics.

Dopc.

 

[3RAILKICK]

Guys...thanks to both of you.

I don't think I can get pictures. The table is reassembled for play while the city attempts to purchase replacement rails.

The corners sag enough to see the hole bored in the rail. It is much larger than the round anchor leg of the pocket iron. There is a set screw in place. But there is still a whole lot of wobble and droop slack in the fit.

They seem determined to buy rails, rather than find someone to fix/repair the problem.

Again, thanks to you both for your time and offers of help.

 

[ROB.M]

Table

Guys...thanks to both of you.

I don't think I can get pictures. The table is reassembled for play while the city attempts to purchase replacement rails.

The corners sag enough to see the hole bored in the rail. It is much larger than the round anchor leg of the pocket iron. There is a set screw in place. But there is still a whole lot of wobble and droop slack in the fit.

They seem determined to buy rails, rather than find someone to fix/repair the problem.

Again, thanks to you both for your time and offers of help.

-
Man.... I'm lost..... You said the third table is a lost cause and I assume it's not put together if it's lost cause, you can only do more damage playing on it in a damaged condition...you should be able to get photos if it's dissambled...then, dopc and I proceed to tell you what is wrong and how it might be fixed after you asked how it could be repaired.... Then you say they want replacement rails after you ask us for a fix....

Which is it.....?




Rob.M

 

[Dopc]

lol@Rob... me too!

Back on topic of the original post. Replacement rails can certainly be bought, and if they find them cheap enough it "might" be worth it. Do the tables get much use?

These tables are decent home tables when setup properly and not abused much. Most home tables typically see very little use. More often than not after 6 months they become a place to set & store stuff on, or become a pseudo workbench for other projects (not on my table though).

This is why home tables are not built to the same durability standards as a commercial table is. A commercial table is built much more stout. With more rigid framing and heavy duty fasteners, combined with **STRONG HEAVY DUTY POCKET DESIGN** and a highly durable finish to prevent damage and wear from typical use and abuse, and cost a "LOT" more because of this. This is also why commercial tables tend to play way better as well. Wider and heavier rails with higher quality cushion rubber on a commercial table should play way better and different from a home table with skinny rails and lower quality cushion rubber.

Placing a home style table in a public or commercial environment and you'll be lucky if you get 2-5 years out of it before it's worn out, much like what has happened here it sounds like. Let us know if you have any further questions.

Dopc.

Edit... After re-reading the original post again and realizing this is in a senior center, make that 2-5 year prediction a 5-8 year prediction. I would think seniors would treat the equipment much more respectful and less abusive than the younger generations will. When I said "Commercial environment" above, I'm referring more to a poolhall or community rec center type environment.

 

[ROB.M]

Table

lol@Rob... me too!

Back on topic of the original post. Replacement rails can certainly be bought, and if they find them cheap enough it "might" be worth it. Do the tables get much use?

These tables are decent home tables when setup properly and not abused much. Most home tables typically see very little use. More often than not after 6 months they become a place to set & store stuff on, or become a pseudo workbench for other projects (not on my table though).

This is why home tables are not built to the same durability standards as a commercial table is. A commercial table is built much more stout. With more rigid framing and heavy duty fasteners, combined with **STRONG HEAVY DUTY POCKET DESIGN** and a highly durable finish to prevent damage and wear from typical use and abuse, and cost a "LOT" more because of this. This is also why commercial tables tend to play way better as well. Wider and heavier rails with higher quality cushion rubber on a commercial table should play way better and different from a home table with skinny rails and lower quality cushion rubber.

Placing a home style table in a public or commercial environment and you'll be lucky if you get 2-5 years out of it before it's worn out, much like what has happened here it sounds like. Let us know if you have any further questions.

Dopc.

Edit... After re-reading the original post again and realizing this is in a senior center, make that 2-5 year prediction a 5-8 year prediction. I would think seniors would treat the equipment much more respectful and less abusive than the younger generations will. When I said "Commercial environment" above, I'm referring more to a poolhall or community rec center type environment.

-


Good efforts to help, the pocket irons are not for commercial use.... I've seen some 3 irons droop and compress the rail...


Best of luck!



Rob.M

 

[3RAILKICK]

Update:

Went back to senior center yesterday.

Bad table now has all new 'used' rails, apparently purchased from vendor that did the recovering of all three tables. The bad table now has pockets that don't droop.

Thanks again to all who commented and made suggestions for a fix.

The senior center keeps all three tables busy all day, every day playing doubles at 1/15 sides, 8ball.

I tried to play a singles game, and was made aware that couldn't happen.

thanks again