Cutting Cushions Accurately

jfred0826

jfred0826

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Can anyone tell me what process the big table manufacturers use to cut the precise angles and bevels for factory installed cushions? Don't mean to step on any toes here, so if that info is a trade secret, then I will certainly understand.

Otherwise, thanks for any help.

jfe
 
Cutting Cushions

To JZMechanix-

Thanks for the PM and web link. I appreciate that.:thumbup:

jfe
 
jfred0826 said:
Can anyone tell me what process the big table manufacturers use to cut the precise angles and bevels for factory installed cushions? Don't mean to step on any toes here, so if that info is a trade secret, then I will certainly understand.

Otherwise, thanks for any help.

jfe
Click to expand...

rough cut with a knife and then use a mini belt sander to get them perfect. btw, the secret is not in the above, it is in the experience it takes to get them precise with the belt sander ....that's where the magic happens.
 
cushions

If you dig long and hard enough you will find RKC has posted pictures of how it done'
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Rob.M
 
dontlitethat said:
If you dig long and hard enough you will find RKC has posted pictures of how it done'
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Rob.M
Click to expand...

Hi, Rob.

I read all 125 pages of Talk to a Mechanic threads, and studied everything that involved rails, subrails, cushions, or Gold Crowns. Took about two weeks of serious reading time. :p

I saw a lot of stuff on cushion replacements and got familiar with the process as done in the field or private shop. However, what I am wanting to know is how it is done in a factory setting where they have any and all tools, fixtures, jigs and equipment at their disposal.

The reason I'm asking is, I bought a GCIII off Craigslist in Dallas about three months ago. The rubber is shot, so I'm going to extend the subrails and install Diamond Black K55's. Although I'm retired and live in the mountains of New Mexico, I still maintain a private woodworking shop back in Dallas. That's where the table is.

For the record, I'm 62, retired, and shoot lots of pool. My interest in working on tables is strictly as a hobby.

Thanks to all for the help.:thumbup:

Joe
 
Hi Joe.

1. Viva Cimarron canyon! (personally, i think deer lake is a meteor crater)

2. When you get back to Texas, give it a hug for me, I miss it.


although every factory probably uses a different tool for cutting, i've seen some factory assemblers use a power tool that resembles a rotary plaster cutting blade. (similar to the type that a doctor would use to cut a plaster cast off your arm after an injury)

obviously it is safer than a typical spinning saw or reciprocating blade, but still cuts clean and quick. sorry but i cant offer any specs on the tool being used, i wasnt expecting a pop quiz later :)
 
Mr. Bond,

Buenos Dias to you from New Mexico! And thanks for the reply. I think an angle grinder with maybe a diamond tile blade might be similar to what the doc uses for cast removal.

More than likely, I'll just take the old Superspeeeds off the GC and experiment on them with various cutting tools till I find something I like. The reason I favor the idea of using a bench tool like the SCMS is the ability to do multiple duplicate cuts at exactly the same miter and bevel.

I did receive a PM from one of the pros here that shows him finish sanding the rough cut cushion with a sanding disk on a radial arm saw. I'll do that at a minimum, even if I end up doing the rough cut with a hand tool of some sort.

I'm really interested in all the efforts here on this forum to achieve near perfect playability from a pool table. As I said earlier, I went back as far as possible on Talk to a Mechanic, and studied every single post that had to do with Gold Crowns or rail work.

Regarding Cimarron Canyon.....it's beautiful. I'm down in the far southern part of NM in the Ruidoso/Cloudcroft area. It's pretty country as well, but drier and more high desert than up north. My place is at 7100 feet elevation.

As requested, I'll give Texas a big hug for both of us. It's a great area, too, but all the hustle, bustle, and rat race sends me back to the mountains after a couple of weeks.:grin:

Thanks, again for your suggestion.

Joe
 
table

jfred0826 said:
Hi, Rob.

I read all 125 pages of Talk to a Mechanic threads, and studied everything that involved rails, subrails, cushions, or Gold Crowns. Took about two weeks of serious reading time. :p

I saw a lot of stuff on cushion replacements and got familiar with the process as done in the field or private shop. However, what I am wanting to know is how it is done in a factory setting where they have any and all tools, fixtures, jigs and equipment at their disposal.

The reason I'm asking is, I bought a GCIII off Craigslist in Dallas about three months ago. The rubber is shot, so I'm going to extend the subrails and install Diamond Black K55's. Although I'm retired and live in the mountains of New Mexico, I still maintain a private woodworking shop back in Dallas. That's where the table is.

For the record, I'm 62, retired, and shoot lots of pool. My interest in working on tables is strictly as a hobby.

Thanks to all for the help.:thumbup:

Joe
Click to expand...
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CNC machines can even have problems in production' finishing the cushions by hand is the best way' glen seams to have it down really well at making the pockets openings exact .
look here' you will see how the table saw is used with a sanding disc installed to flush up the cushions after changing the angles with a high end compound miter saw
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http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=92512&highlight=cushion
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enjoy'
Rob.M
 
jfred0826 said:
Hi, Rob.

I read all 125 pages of Talk to a Mechanic threads, and studied everything that involved rails, subrails, cushions, or Gold Crowns. Took about two weeks of serious reading time. :p

I saw a lot of stuff on cushion replacements and got familiar with the process as done in the field or private shop. However, what I am wanting to know is how it is done in a factory setting where they have any and all tools, fixtures, jigs and equipment at their disposal.

The reason I'm asking is, I bought a GCIII off Craigslist in Dallas about three months ago. The rubber is shot, so I'm going to extend the subrails and install Diamond Black K55's. Although I'm retired and live in the mountains of New Mexico, I still maintain a private woodworking shop back in Dallas. That's where the table is.

For the record, I'm 62, retired, and shoot lots of pool. My interest in working on tables is strictly as a hobby.

Thanks to all for the help.:thumbup:

Joe
Click to expand...


I am not a mechanic. However, I am a builder of fine furniture and I built my own 9' table in 2009. I rough cut the cushion angles with a disposal blade knife, fully extended. Then I finish sanded them with a DeWalt 5" random orbital sander with a 60 grit disc. This worked very well and is very easy to do. I did a little practice on some cut-off pieces of cushion to get the feel for stock removal and pad pressure. In less than 5 minutes I had enough confidence to sand the cushions. Give it a try.
Speedi
 
cloudcroft is awesome!! I spent some time in alamogordo as a kid, lived near the drive in, we used to climb up to the top of it from the inside, and hang out. White sands, and cloudcroft bring back fond memories. Good luck with the cushions:thumbup:
 
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