Cutting out rail bolt holes

PoolTable911

PoolTable911

AdvancedBilliardSolutions
Silver Member
What do you guys use to cut the rail bolt holes out in the cloth? I use a razor blade. Have heard of guys using a screw driver and pushing it into the hole than rotating it against the slate to cut the cloth. I have tried it and it makes a mess on the floor.
 
PoolTable911 said:
What do you guys use to cut the rail bolt holes out in the cloth? I use a razor blade. Have heard of guys using a screw driver and pushing it into the hole than rotating it against the slate to cut the cloth. I have tried it and it makes a mess on the floor.
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A good razor knive with a sharp blade is all I have ever heard. If works very well for me, and best of all it is simple.

Take care
 
I just cut 1 or 2 slits in the hole. I haven often wondered how others do them as well because I see some that are cut perfectly to the hole with surgical like precision. There must be an easy way to do it like that.
 
mechanic/player said:
I just cut 1 or 2 slits in the hole. I haven often wondered how others do them as well because I see some that are cut perfectly to the hole with surgical like precision. There must be an easy way to do it like that.
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EXACTLY! That is what I want to know...How did they do it? Somebody share the secret.:grin:
 
PoolTable911 said:
EXACTLY! That is what I want to know...How did they do it? Somebody share the secret.:grin:
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I use a razor blade. After you cut out about 100,000 holes they start coming out perfect. I have to admit this is one of my least favorite parts of assembling a table.
 
sdbilliards said:
I use a razor blade. After you cut out about 100,000 holes they start coming out perfect. I have to admit this is one of my least favorite parts of assembling a table.
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I totally agree, it just takes practice, not Rocket Science!!!!!
 
manwon said:
I totally agree, it just takes practice, not Rocket Science!!!!!
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LOL....I know it not rocket science. I do over 400+ tables a year. I can cut holes just fine with a razor. Just looking for a better method. Isn't that what this forum is for?
 
PoolTable911 said:
LOL....I know it not rocket science. I do over 400+ tables a year. I can cut holes just fine with a razor. Just looking for a better method. Isn't that what this forum is for?
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A fresh razor typically works fine but you might try using a thin Xacto blade.
IMO they are sharper and allow more precise cuts.
 
PoolTable911 said:
LOL....I know it not rocket science. I do over 400+ tables a year. I can cut holes just fine with a razor. Just looking for a better method. Isn't that what this forum is for?
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I totally agree that this is what the forum is for, but some times simple procedures can become over complicated when they don't need to be. I spent 23 years in the US. Army, and from that experience I learned that in most cases if something is not broke don't fix it.

The gentleman that taught me how to recover tables did nothing else his entire life and all he ever used was a Box Cutter. He taught me to put a little pressure in the center with my finger and cut around the edge of the slate. The old dude that taught me could do so perfect you would think that he had some special tool, when in reality it was nothing but technique.

Take care
 
<----- A- to A+ hole cutter with a 49 cent snap blade. ;)

On tables with the bolts already in the rail (some Brunswicks and American Heritage, etc.) that get the nut and washer on the bottom, I think you can get away with just a slit or two, since the rail bolts will just slide down through the hole when you put the rail in position. On most tables where you have to put the rail in position, then fire the bolt in from underneath, it's MUCH easier in my opinion to go ahead and cut the cloth all the way out of the rail bolt hole. Too easy to catch leftover cloth in the insert and make it tougher to start the bolt.

Here's a hint for those that haven't learned the hard way: When using a snap blade to cut rail bolt holes, just use the tip of the blade to start the hole. I don't know how many helpers I've had that would extend the blade all the way out to push it through the cloth when they start the hole. Guess what, Einstein. It's called a snap blade for a reason. :)
 
Would anyone like me to take pictures of my A+ holes on my next job?

LOL Just having fun, don't ban me. ;)
 
To cut out the cloth in the bolt holes in little round circles, use a 1/2" carriage bolt turned upside down inserted in your drill. Place the head of the bolt in the hole, and spin cut the cloth against the edge of the hole and it cuts the cloth in nice little circles;)

Glen
 
Anything that works is good, I like these because they are offset, made in Germany, excellent quality
 
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bolt holes

I really liked Glen's idea of spinning a carriage bolt on a drill and using it against the slate to cut the hole.

That guy could just make DVD's of all his tricks of the trade and retire!:poke:
 
I have ordered a die punch for this, if it works I will post pics. If not, I will write off as more R&D. You know you get to deduct things like this
 
Eh - you can have 18 holes cut with a blade in the time it takes to set up something fancy.
 
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