diamond pro reconstruction

[Solartje]

Hi all,

i might be buying a old 9ft diamond proffesional that has taken alot of beating from ballbangers etc.

ps take into account i live in belgium / europe, and i cant just drive to a dealer or something. the table was imported by loontjes 10y ago.

so i have some questions:

- the right cussions for this table are artemis K66 right?

- the resin finish is really full of cuts and dents. Also i dont like the stain that the table has. how would u advice me to take the finish off, stain the woodparts, and refinish it. (wich type of stain or finish to use etc.). this a good idea?

- to make the pockets smaller permenantly (i cant just buy new subrails) could i add a small woodpiece to the subrail to make it longer, use a longer cussion, and this way i only use 1 facing. is this is a good idea?

- what are the specific things/problems of a diamond pro that i need to be aware off, before installing and recovering the table.

- where can i buy diamond table parts? (pockets, new rails in europe, or in the usa if not available)

- can i use any leather web pool pockets i can find online or are there different sizes (im just meaning the web u add to the corner)

 

[JPAlexis]

Diamond Rubber.

I bought 3 Diamonds over 10 years ago, and they came with Champion Fleetwood ruber cushions. That is a K-55 profile and not K-66. That ruber was real crap as it got hard after 3 years. I guess what they use now is the best stuff you can buy. Why don't you e-mail Diamond, I am sure they will tell you what you need.
JPA

 

[Dead Crab]

Making your own subrails is not impossible depending on what tools you have and your level of woodworking experience. Alternatively, you could go to a woodworking shop and have them milled for you. How difficult this is depends on the design of the current subrail.

A key question for you is whether you can find wood (preferably poplar) in the proper thickness to exactly match your current rails. The wood can be milled into a rail with 2 or 3 passes on a beveling table saw and 1 or 2 passes with a router. Alternatively, you can route the bevels, as I did, but I would think a table saw would be far easier and faster, and probably a lot safer for your fingers. The bevel angles must be very accurate, or your cushion height will not work.

In the US, the lumber can be bought for about $80-100. I would think 3-4 hours charge by the cabinet maker to be reasonable, about $200.

It sounds like you want new toprails as well. Figure $2-3 dollars a foot for oak. No tools beyond a miter saw and router needed.

 

[Solartje]

Making your own subrails is not impossible depending on what tools you have and your level of woodworking experience. Alternatively, you could go to a woodworking shop and have them milled for you. How difficult this is depends on the design of the current subrail.

A key question for you is whether you can find wood (preferably poplar) in the proper thickness to exactly match your current rails. The wood can be milled into a rail with 2 or 3 passes on a beveling table saw and 1 or 2 passes with a router. Alternatively, you can route the bevels, as I did, but I would think a table saw would be far easier and faster, and probably a lot safer for your fingers. The bevel angles must be very accurate, or your cushion height will not work.

In the US, the lumber can be bought for about $80-100. I would think 3-4 hours charge by the cabinet maker to be reasonable, about $200.

It sounds like you want new toprails as well. Figure $2-3 dollars a foot for oak. No tools beyond a miter saw and router needed.

mmm never thought about making them myself
i dont got the woodexperience i think with these big machines, but my friend the woodartist surely has more then enough. It just seems alot of work just to get the pockets that 1/4" smaller..

on the other hands, if im going to sand the table, stain it etc, might as well do it GOOD and make new subrails. Ive mailed my questions to diamond, and ill see what they have to say.

thx for the help for now guys still many questions to be answered.

 

[poolcuemaster]

Diamond sells the rubber cushion for 55 dollars a set and the thickest pocket facings they have are only 12 dollars and they made my Diamond Pros pockets where 2 balls will not go in and they play perfect. I don't think you need any subrail work but do order a set of feather strips wfrom Diamond when ordering the facings and cushions, they also have great prices on simonis cloth.--Leonard

 

[Solartje]

Diamond sells the rubber cushion for 55 dollars a set and the thickest pocket facings they have are only 12 dollars and they made my Diamond Pros pockets where 2 balls will not go in and they play perfect. I don't think you need any subrail work but do order a set of feather strips wfrom Diamond when ordering the facings and cushions, they also have great prices on simonis cloth.--Leonard

thats pritty cheap leonard. ill probably pay more for the shipping then for the facings etc. do you have a picture of your pockets perhaps? (maybe even before the cloth was putten on? ) im really getting exited for this small project.