Featherstrip problem on Connelley rails

Derek

Derek

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Is there any reason to believe on a 2 year old Connelley model that was releveled and recovered 1 year ago, that the cloth coming loose of the featherstrip would not be the installer's fault? The Simonis cloth has loosened up on my head rail coming out of the featherstrip groove. There is also inconsistency in the way the featherstrip feels from rail to rail, such as it's more of a step on some rails and maybe a little more flush on others. I seem to recall the installer making some off-comment about not quite having the right featherstrips or that Connelley makes their grooves slightly different.

In combination to that, the rails have started making some strange thunking noises. Keep in mind, new table so I have some doubts about the rubber even being close to dead. Although this "thunk" noise occurs, the ball still seems to play okay off of those areas. Maybe the height of the rail has adjusted somehow?

Basically, the installer is pitching that I purchase some new rail cloths and rubber before they come out to do their free relevel.
 
cloth

It sounds like the installer did not take the time to prper fit the feather strips for the rails. Keep in mind that Simonis is more slippery in the rail channel. I use a little silicone some times, if it is not as snug as i like it. I would check the rail bolts for the thinking noise.
Thanks, Ron
 
I guess another thing to ask is if the existing rail cloth can still be used to correct the problem? Or once it's been channelled in place and stapled down is there no hope to still use the cloth? I want to make sure I approach the installer with what I think they need to do when they come back out to correct the problem.

Thanks in advance.
 
Derek said:
Is there any reason to believe on a 2 year old Connelley model that was releveled and recovered 1 year ago, that the cloth coming loose of the featherstrip would not be the installer's fault? The Simonis cloth has loosened up on my head rail coming out of the featherstrip groove. There is also inconsistency in the way the featherstrip feels from rail to rail, such as it's more of a step on some rails and maybe a little more flush on others. I seem to recall the installer making some off-comment about not quite having the right featherstrips or that Connelley makes their grooves slightly different.

In combination to that, the rails have started making some strange thunking noises. Keep in mind, new table so I have some doubts about the rubber even being close to dead. Although this "thunk" noise occurs, the ball still seems to play okay off of those areas. Maybe the height of the rail has adjusted somehow?

Basically, the installer is pitching that I purchase some new rail cloths and rubber before they come out to do their free relevel.
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Sounds to me like if it took a year for this to happen, the rail bolts are loose, and the wood of the rails dried out to the point of some kind of shrinkage, causing the feather stips to come loose.

Glen
 
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realkingcobra said:
Sounds to me like if it took a year for this to happen, the rail bolts are loose, and the wood of the rails dried out to the point of some kind of shrinkage, causing the feather stips to come loose.

Glen
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There is a fireplace in the same room that the wife likes to run on cold days. The rail nearest the fireplace is the one with the cloth coming out. Being a hardwood rail -- maple -- I guess I wouldn't have thought of this. I didn't have this issue with the previous table of 5 years, but that was a cheaper table and I can't quite remember what the rails were made of.

So can the existing cloth still be used and just use a featherstrip that fits better, if some shrinkage did occur?
 
you will need new rail cloth it will be too hard to reuse. Sometimes sitting on the table will cause the cloth to come out if the featherstrip isn't the proper size. Also sitting on the rails could cause the cushion to come loose which may explain the sound your hearing. Usually mecanics will only guarantee their work for a year, we have to draw a line somewhere. If your mecanic is giving you bs about not having the right featherstrip, perhaps you should replace him. Keep in mind this industry is filled with low rate mecanics I like to call butchers or Hacks.
 
Derek said:
There is a fireplace in the same room that the wife likes to run on cold days. The rail nearest the fireplace is the one with the cloth coming out. Being a hardwood rail -- maple -- I guess I wouldn't have thought of this. I didn't have this issue with the previous table of 5 years, but that was a cheaper table and I can't quite remember what the rails were made of.

So can the existing cloth still be used and just use a featherstrip that fits better, if some shrinkage did occur?
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No, you have to replace the rail cloth.

Glen
 
Thanks for the comments. No sitting on my table if you want to keep your hide intact. I have a couple of boys but they know I'll come unglued if I find the table being abused.

New rail cloth being ordered . . .
 
Derek said:
In combination to that, the rails have started making some strange thunking noises. Keep in mind, new table so I have some doubts about the rubber even being close to dead. Although this "thunk" noise occurs, the ball still seems to play okay off of those areas. Maybe the height of the rail has adjusted somehow?
Click to expand...

In response to my original questions, the featherstrip issue was resolved by the installer. The original featherstrip did not fit properly and they were able to correct it. I lumped in this correction with their free releveling within a year's time.

As for the "thunking" noise, their opinion was the rails were going dead as all of the rail bolts were well-secured. They could feel some spots where the rubber felt like it was hardening -- I personally can't really tell one way or the other. I have three rails doing this along the center 1/3 of each rail and it probably takes a medium to hard rebound to make the noise.

I feel fairly comfortable with the installer, so I don't think they are trying to give me any runaround and I can't really see any installation problem that would cause the thunking noise. They said that sometimes the cushion rubber can just come from a bad batch. It's not top of the line rubber either, maybe something like K55 but not the K66 that Connelly offers as an upgrade.

So should I try to get Connelly to replace the rubber? The table is two years old and the warranty seems to state that they would replace the rubber if they find they are at fault. I would have to pay for shipping costs though and I'm not sure how much ground I have to stand on for new rail cloth and installation costs.

The ball seems to play off those areas fine as I don't notice it coming off dead. Is it worth pursuing this with Connelly? Am I better off upgrading to better rubber in the future? The rails seem to play fine now, but can I expect them to just deteriorate sooner than normal?

FYI - Connelly has been a real pain in the ass to deal with on this table between getting the right table and a bad first installation and a diamond sight mislocation on one rail. I will never buy a Connelly in the future, but it's what I got now.

Thanks for any opinions on this.
 
You could have loose rail rubber but not from itting on it some people or kids like to pull them selves up to see or while the walk buy lift up on the rail. I ve sen this to many times were the top of the rail is glued perfect but the bottom is all loose. If the bootom is loose and you shoot a hard firm shot it will make a thud sound.

One other are to look see if it isnt your blind rail slapping some blinds have only 2 anchor points and some use 3-4 anchor points. If someone leans against the table alot the small screws may have worked outallowing alittle play.

Only other thing I can think of I had an ohhausen table that just made a loud bong sond everytime I banked balls by the side pockets, It wasnt the rails or slates jacked up on shims. It turned out to be the body of the frame resonating or vibrating. I took a couple of 2x8 glued & screwed to the body then added some cross bracing no more thuding or bonging + for added measure since it was on hard wood floors I added carpet samples as a sound deadener also. Customer still love's the table play's great and the girlfriend doesnt complain about noise anymore...

Just a few simple ideas that you can check on or try without spending alot of money..

Craig
 
your installer may be right about the cushions. cushion now day suck, they go hard rather fast, in some case about a year. I'm not familiar with connelly that much, but I have recent replace cushions on a table that was only a few years old, and the cushion did get hard. some thing that make cushions harden in sunlight and temp. connelly wont replace your cushions no guarantee covers cushions and if they did it wouldn't cover labor which is about 4 times as much as materials. How old is this table?
 
not that I have seen. I replaced a set of J&J Rubber Black Rubber. but they advertise a Icon rubber that comes from Europe.
 
sdbilliards said:
How old is this table?
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2 years. It's a lifetime warranty on the table when I was looking at it last night, specifically the frame and slate. However, it appeared that cushions was part of the warranty also, just covered to a lesser degree.

Pretty sure it's not Championship rubber. The replacement rail I had sitting around not did have any name brands that I recognized, but I also don't recall what exactly the rubber was stamped with.
 
n10spool said:
You could have loose rail rubber but not from itting on it some people or kids like to pull them selves up to see or while the walk buy lift up on the rail. I ve sen this to many times were the top of the rail is glued perfect but the bottom is all loose. If the bootom is loose and you shoot a hard firm shot it will make a thud sound.
Click to expand...

I tried this just to check it out, but I also guard my table like a rabid dog. I have two teenage sons, but they know of the wrath that comes down if the table is dicked around with.

One other are to look see if it isnt your blind rail slapping some blinds have only 2 anchor points and some use 3-4 anchor points. If someone leans against the table alot the small screws may have worked outallowing alittle play.
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Not sure I know what you mean by "blind rail". Is that the portion of the rubber facing downwards? Each rail has four bolts in it and they are fairly secure.

Only other thing I can think of I had an ohhausen table that just made a loud bong sond everytime I banked balls by the side pockets, It wasnt the rails or slates jacked up on shims. It turned out to be the body of the frame resonating or vibrating. I took a couple of 2x8 glued & screwed to the body then added some cross bracing no more thuding or bonging + for added measure since it was on hard wood floors I added carpet samples as a sound deadener also. Customer still love's the table play's great and the girlfriend doesnt complain about noise anymore...
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Interesting, but the sound definitely comes from the rail/rubber. Thanks for the input.
 
In addition to the calamity of Connelly errors I have experienced, I just notice that my replacement rail has a different finish than my other five original rails. The color of the wood is fine, matches -- honey maple -- but the original five rails all have a gloss finish while the replacement rail is more like a finish after staining. They definitely won't get any recommendations from me to anyone. One of their slogans are "Without question, Connelly is America's best built billiard table." I would hate to see what the other tables look like.

I read the lifetime warranty again and it states, "Connelly will either repair or replace any and all parts which are proven, in Connelly's sole discretion, to be defective." From the way the rest of the warranty reads, rails should be covered. However, the table is now 27 months old and I'm sure they would put a spin on "sole discretion". Maybe I'll write them a Dear John letter.
 
n10spool said:
Here are some picture's of blind rails that I found real quick from a website.

1. Blind rails loose
http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/limcat/?action=view&current=blinds.gif

2. Blind rails installed
http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/limcat/?action=view&current=blinds_installed.gif

3. Completed rails installed
http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/limcat/?action=view&current=finished_me.gif

Hopefully this helps a little
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Thanks, that makes sense to me now. I'll have to say that's not it though after repeatedly knocking a ball against the rail. I secured a hand on the blind rail and it doesn't affect the "thunking" sound as it really seems to emanate from the rubber.
 
Then I would say that you have bad or loose rubber.

One other thing to check the rail bolts with a socket and wrench probably 1\2" or 9\16". The bolt should be around 18 ft lbs torque dont over tighten them but check them by hand. If they are tight the only other thing I can think of is on the bottom of the rail there are plates that are screwed in. Sometimes the plates are mounted in the railsto deep in a pocket, so when you over tighten the rails the plates pull out the rail which in turn gives you a dead rail sound or loose sound also.

Some mechanics dont put all the screws in the pockets so after a year or so they start to make a rattle noise when you bank balls. Also some people wont sit on the rails but will sit on the pockets which inlarge the pocket hole a little ..

Now you need to take your rail's off & look at them and check all screws and play in the rubber..

If this doesn't help locate and or fix it ,

Then I guess go "HOME DEPOT AND GET A BOX OF FIX-ALL" it fixes everything ..sorry could it resist...

Craig
 
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