Diamond Pocket Facings - Reduce Pocket Size

J

Janhaus

New member
I've got a pretty new 9" Diamond table with 4.5" pockets, looking to reduce to 4.25" pockets. My options are to get a new set of rails and everything $2800 or buy the Diamond Rail Facing rubber set to REPLACE my existing rail facing. I read several posts on pocket facings and the consensus is to not stack the facings, but this would be a replacement from what I've been told. Is this a good idea?
The installer said they would take the facings and sand them, adjust for angle etc. as well, not sure if that's a factor.
 
Janhaus said:
Hmm ok - those only come in 3/8 though and I think I need a 5/16:ROFLMAO:
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It's 1/4" (4.375"), 3/8" (4.125") or bust. If you are planning go 3/8" I recommend you go softer than 60 Durometer. Standard 316" facings are 60 Durometer and you are planning to double the thickness. At 3/8" and 60 Durometer, the pockets will most likely play dead.
 
According to the description on the diamond site, "If the factory pocket size of your Diamond table currently uses a 3/16" facing, it can be reduced by 1/4" by switching to a 5/16" facing without any modifications to the wood rail. This adjustment will reduce a pro-cut 4 1/2" pocket to a 4 1/4" size while keeping similar pocket playability!"

That's why I'm looking to switch to the 5/16" facing, presumably they did the calculations on their rail lengths so that this particular facing size would result in a 4.25" pocket? The guy I spoke to mentioned that this same solution is what's being used for the tables being played upon at the US open now.
 
Janhaus said:
According to the description on the diamond site, "If the factory pocket size of your Diamond table currently uses a 3/16" facing, it can be reduced by 1/4" by switching to a 5/16" facing without any modifications to the wood rail. This adjustment will reduce a pro-cut 4 1/2" pocket to a 4 1/4" size while keeping similar pocket playability!"

That's why I'm looking to switch to the 5/16" facing, presumably they did the calculations on their rail lengths so that this particular facing size would result in a 4.25" pocket? The guy I spoke to mentioned that this same solution is what's being used for the tables being played upon at the US open now.
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I understand the math. Have you found 5/16" thick neoprene in the appropriate hardness? Again, I'd go 50 Durometer vs the standard 60. If you spoke to someone at Diamond and they provided you with the info, ask if they will sell you the 5/16" facings, either precut or the raw material.
 
Diamond has the 5/16 facings here but 60durometer. The ClassicBilliards one mentioned earlier below by garczar has the 50durometer, but only has the 3/8 option. If I only play 8b,9b etc. (not 1pocket) I think maybe it's not as a big of a deal? I don't recall the last time I aimed for a corner pocket nipple to play any sort of position
 
Janhaus said:
Diamond has the 5/16 facings here but 60durometer. The ClassicBilliards one mentioned earlier below by garczar has the 50durometer, but only has the 3/8 option. If I only play 8b,9b etc. (not 1pocket) I think maybe it's not as a big of a deal? I don't recall the last time I aimed for a corner pocket nipple to play any sort of position
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3/8" facings will yield 4.125" corners. My buddy's table has 4.25" corners. Mine has 4.125" corners. The difference is noticeable with my table being much tougher.
 
Janhaus said:
Diamond has the 5/16 facings here but 60durometer. The ClassicBilliards one mentioned earlier below by garczar has the 50durometer, but only has the 3/8 option. If I only play 8b,9b etc. (not 1pocket) I think maybe it's not as a big of a deal? I don't recall the last time I aimed for a corner pocket nipple to play any sort of position
Click to expand...
Not gonna be a big deal either way. No offense but you're way overthinking such a small diff. in pocket size.
 
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