Early 20c Brunswick Table Pockets Question

D

diderot

Member
A friend recently got this Brunswick table. Looks great but was assembled by the dealer when he was out of town. He plans on replacing the felt and cushions soon.

One thing we’ve noticed is that the pockets have a big tendency to spit balls out when hit in with any speed. The pocket shelf has an odd angle to it, unlike modern tables I’ve seen, and I’m wondering if this is the culprit.

Is this standard on older tables? Why did they design the pocket shelves this way? Curious to hear if anyone has any knowledge of Brunswick history
 

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diderot said:
A friend recently got this Brunswick table. Looks great but was assembled by the dealer when he was out of town. He plans on replacing the felt and cushions soon.

One thing we’ve noticed is that the pockets have a big tendency to spit balls out when hit in with any speed. The pocket shelf has an odd angle to it, unlike modern tables I’ve seen, and I’m wondering if this is the culprit.

Is this standard on older tables? Why did they design the pocket shelves this way? Curious to hear if anyone has any knowledge of Brunswick history
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I assume you are claiming the pocket facings are spitting balls out and not the actual leather pockets spitting them out?

Before your installer disassembles the rails and pockets to replace the cushions and facings, get him to check your pocket mouth measurements as well as your pocket facing angles. Tell him you’d like the corner pocket mouths no more than
4-3/4”-5” and the pocket facing angles no more than 140°-141°.

If he doesn’t understand what you are talking about or says he can’t do it, seek out a more experienced installer. He should be able to obtain those specs without having to extend your subrails. That, combined with the new cloth should result in considerably friendlier playing pockets.
 
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I see a scalloped facing. Wherever on that curve a ball hits will be the facing angle. The last inch or so is facing outside pocket.
 
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