Getting pockets tightened on New Table?

[SidePocketMike]

In the near future, I will be ordering an entry-level brunswick table. While at the showroom I asked the sales guy about having the pockets tightened when they come to install the table. He said it wasn't possible, and I didn't press him about it, figuring that I should really be asking the guys that do the installation.

Is this something that they would be willing/able to do, if I ask them when they arrive? How much extra should I expect to pay, if they can do this, above what the company charged for delivery/set-up?

Most of the entry-level tables have 5" caverns, and I'd like to get this down a bit, so I don't become over-confident in my game, if you know what I mean?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[A-1 billiards]

In the near future, I will be ordering an entry-level Brunswick table. While at the showroom I asked the sales guy about having the pockets tightened when they come to install the table. He said it wasn't possible, and I didn't press him about it, figuring that I should really be asking the guys that do the installation.

Is this something that they would be willing/able to do, if I ask them when they arrive? How much extra should I expect to pay, if they can do this, above what the company charged for delivery/set-up?

Most of the entry-level tables have 5" caverns, and I'd like to get this down a bit, so I don't become over-confident in my game, if you know what I mean?

Thanks,
Mike

Mike,

The problem is that your table will most likely be delivered with the rails covered with new cloth. That will make changing the facings impossible without recovering the rails. The basic solution is to change the factory 1/8 in facings to a 3/16 or 1/4 facing thereby reducing the pockets from 5 inch to 4 1/2 in the corners and 5 inch in the sides.

If the installers are not familiar with the process, ask for the rails uncovered and bring them to a qualified mechanic for installation. You may even want to have this mechanic cloth them as well.

Hope this helps.
Jay

 

[JimS]

I did what you are contemplating.... i.e. I bought a pretty table and just a few months later wished I had a players table... for lack of a better descriptive phrase.

I ended up selling my table and buying a Diamond Pro. When I got mine they were few and far between but now-a-days you can find a used one if you look around.

I suggest that contact realkingcobra. He's a traveling table mechanic who knows his stuff and if there is a Diamond for sale he'll most likely know about.

Adding facings will make the pockets play differently and ugly. That many layers of faciing make the table play funny. The subrails have to be extended in order to get the table to play really well.

Of course, the really smart move would be to call Diamond and order a table. Greg Sullivan is a great guy and he's the president/owner of the company.

I suggest you add your general location to your personal profie so that people can help you find what you want.

 

[Club Billiards]

I did what you are contemplating.... i.e. I bought a pretty table and just a few months later wished I had a players table... for lack of a better descriptive phrase.

I ended up selling my table and buying a Diamond Pro. When I got mine they were few and far between but now-a-days you can find a used one if you look around.

I suggest that contact realkingcobra. He's a traveling table mechanic who knows his stuff and if there is a Diamond for sale he'll most likely know about.

Adding facings will make the pockets play differently and ugly. That many layers of faciing make the table play funny. The subrails have to be extended in order to get the table to play really well.

Of course, the really smart move would be to call Diamond and order a table. Greg Sullivan is a great guy and he's the president/owner of the company.

I suggest you add your general location to your personal profie so that people can help you find what you want.

I might know where one could find a used 9' Diamond Pro for a great price. I might be persuaded to share that information if my arm was twisted enough.

 

[Dartman]

In the near future, I will be ordering an entry-level brunswick table. While at the showroom I asked the sales guy about having the pockets tightened when they come to install the table. He said it wasn't possible, and I didn't press him about it, figuring that I should really be asking the guys that do the installation.

Is this something that they would be willing/able to do, if I ask them when they arrive? How much extra should I expect to pay, if they can do this, above what the company charged for delivery/set-up?

Most of the entry-level tables have 5" caverns, and I'd like to get this down a bit, so I don't become over-confident in my game, if you know what I mean?

Thanks,
Mike

Rails are normally uncovered in a box until sold (pending selection of the cloth color). It's no major operation to remove the stock facings and replace them with 3/16 (preferred) or 1/4 before covering the rails prior to delivery/setup. Bypass the sales dude and goto the sales manager or owner. I doubt they would let installation of a $5 set of cushion facings stand in the way of a table sale (especially these days). Maybe an hours worth of work to replace them so I'd offer to pay their hourly labor rate. JMO.

 

[n10spool]

All good answers but were do you live one of us might know some one in the area that can help out maybe.

Craig

 

[A-1 billiards]

I did what you are contemplating.... i.e. I bought a pretty table and just a few months later wished I had a players table... for lack of a better descriptive phrase.

I ended up selling my table and buying a Diamond Pro. When I got mine they were few and far between but now-a-days you can find a used one if you look around.

I suggest that contact realkingcobra. He's a traveling table mechanic who knows his stuff and if there is a Diamond for sale he'll most likely know about.

Adding facings will make the pockets play differently and ugly. That many layers of faciing make the table play funny. The subrails have to be extended in order to get the table to play really well.

Of course, the really smart move would be to call Diamond and order a table. Greg Sullivan is a great guy and he's the president/owner of the company.

I suggest you add your general location to your personal profie so that people can help you find what you want.

For clarification, I was suggesting the REMOVAL of the factory facing then applying the exact same facing (3/16 or 1/4 in. neoprene) you have on your Diamond Pro. Rail extensions would require removal of the cushion and add several hundred dollars to the initial cost of a "basic model table"

Thicker facings installed properly can tighten up the play of a table without making it play "differently" or "ugly", Ask Glen I'm sure he would agree. I'm doing this same process for one of his customers in New Jersey next week.

Jay

 

[SidePocketMike]

I appreciate all the answers, thanks for the replies!

All good answers but were do you live one of us might know some one in the area that can help out maybe.

I live in Cornwall, Ontario, and will probably get my table from Palason in Montreal.

For clarification, I was suggesting the REMOVAL of the factory facing then applying the exact same facing (3/16 or 1/4 in. neoprene) you have on your Diamond Pro. Rail extensions would require removal of the cushion and add several hundred dollars to the initial cost of a "basic model table"

Thicker facings installed properly can tighten up the play of a table without making it play "differently" or "ugly", Ask Glen I'm sure he would agree. I'm doing this same process for one of his customers in New Jersey next week.

This is exactly what I was looking for! I will try and get more info the next time I get back to the store.

 

[realkingcobra]

For clarification, I was suggesting the REMOVAL of the factory facing then applying the exact same facing (3/16 or 1/4 in. neoprene) you have on your Diamond Pro. Rail extensions would require removal of the cushion and add several hundred dollars to the initial cost of a "basic model table"

Thicker facings installed properly can tighten up the play of a table without making it play "differently" or "ugly", Ask Glen I'm sure he would agree. I'm doing this same process for one of his customers in New Jersey next week.

Jay

I have to agree with Jay on this one, you can go up to 1/4" neoprene facings without effecting the play of the pockets, but as Jay mentioned, remove the old/new facings first, don't stack up the facings.

Glen