DIY Cushion Repair?

M

Montalvo

Registered
I just noticed that the cushion at the end of my table has become detached and the ball doesn't bounce cleanly off it. It appears that the cushion is still attached at the ends but you can push down on the middle and see that it's become disattached. Must've been all those in-laws who visited last weekend.:angry:

I'm pretty handy and don't have much discretionary money for having it repaired professionally right now so I thought I'd find out if this is something I might be able to repair myself. If so, where do I start? Any special tools required? Do I have to replace the cushion's felt? What kind of adhesive is recommended? The table is a 9' Connelly San Carlos model.

Thanks for any advice you can offer.
 
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If you believe the cushion is still good and has just come unglued from the rail then you could fix it yourself. Remove the rail, turn it upside down and carefully pry all the staples up with a stiff blade scraper of some type and then pull all of the staples out with a pair of pliers. Pull the cloth back and tape it out of the way so you can work on the cushion. Do not pull the cloth from the wood featherstrip or the job will get tricky very quickly.

You may not have to remove the cushions and facings, thats your call. Use some type of contact cement and apply it to the subrail and the cushion,before you do make sure it fits tightly against the rail and that there is no debris between the cusion and subrail. Tape or ruberband the cushion to the rail to prevent any sagging of the cushion in case the cement isnt quite ready to set when you place the two together.

Give it 6 to 12 hrs to set up and then re-staple the cloth and re-install it on the table. Hope this helps.
 
Thanks for your guidance, mechanic/player. Unfortunately, I got stuck on your first instruction: "Remove the rail...". Am I correct in assuming that I remove the four bolts under the table directly below that end rail to remove it?
 
If I were doing it I would remove the bolts from the end rail, then loosen the railbolts on the left and right side rails that attach to the end rail. Looking up from underneath the table you should be able to see the 1/2 in bolts that hold the pockets on,remove the pocket bolts that are in the left and right side rails,you may have to bump the right/left side rails a bit to get to the bolts then simply slide/pull the end rail towards you to remove it.

You will have to remove the staples or screws from the straps of both the corner pockets first. If you have trouble call me tommorow at 434-906-5024. I will return your call a.s.a.p.
 
OK, mechanic/player, thanks to your expert guidance, I think I've reattached the cushion to the rail of my pool table. The glue is drying now and tomorrow I still have to staple the felt and reattach the rail to the table but I think it's going to work well.

I didn't have to un-staple the pockets because, after unbolting the adjacent rails, I was able to lift the corners just enough to get my 1/2 inch socket wrench onto the bolt holding the pockets to the rails. And after un-stapling the felt, I found that, as suspected, the cushion was disconnected only in the middle. But it appeared somewhat loose on one end and after pulling up that end, I felt it would be best to just remove the cushion altogether to 1) make it easier to clean the cushion and sub-rail and then apply the contact cement and 2) ensure that the entire cushion was secure. I used Goop, applying a coating to the top and bottom of both the sub-rail and the cushion. Per the directions, I let it set up for about five minutes and then pressed the cushion into place. I had to re-glue a piece of rubber at each corner where the pocket starts, too.

If you've got any suggestions on stapling the felt, I'm all ears. I'm not sure whether it's best to start in the middle and work toward each end or just work from one end to the other.

If nothing else, I've got new respect for pool table mechanics!
 
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Start at the ends, the cloth should have an imprint on both ends where it fits over the facings ,staple the ends first,pull the cloth away from the center while doing so, then go to the center and work back to each end of the rail working out the slack whichever way is easier.

After you re-install the end rail line up the L and R side rails with the oppisite R and L side rails. You may have to do that a few times to get them in line with each other as they will sometimes move slightly as you are tightening them down.

Enjoy your table this weekend!
 
I finally got around to completing the repair of my cushion. I didn't have 5/16" staples for my staple gun so once those were in hand, the stapling was fairly easy, following the above advice from mechanic/player. And the only problem I encountered in reassembing the table rails was starting the bolts that hold the rail to the pockets. I hadn't taken the staples out of the pocket and so I didn't have much latitude in lifting the rail to insert the bolt. It took about ten minutes and I found it easier to get one started without the socket attached and the other with the socket attached.

After putting all the rail bolts in place, I found I could shift the three-rail assembly (right, end and center rails) right or left prior to tightening the bolts. I figured it really needed to be squared up so I used a framing square to verify that I'd placed the rail assembly correctly.

It's all back together and plays like new! Unfortunately, I'm still a lousy pool player...

Thanks again for your help, mechanic/player. I saved some money and have a great sense of accomplishment.
 
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