heated slate

mbippus said:
Maybe a dumb question, but why does heated slate make the table faster?

thx
matt
Click to expand...
If I were forced to guess, I'd guess that humidity makes the cloth swell up some and the heat drives out the humidity and the cloth gets thinner and harder.
 
The purpose of the heated slate is to standardize the resiliency of the cushions and the resulting banking angles. These items are directly affected by ambient humidity. If a tournament is held in a very humid environment the cushions will play very differently from a dry environment. Heating the table will result in the table playing the same in either environment. The speed of these tables is a result of the cloth used (usually Simonis 300 Rapide) and the very thick slate (2" to 2 3/8"). Dry cloth will roll a little faster too.
 
Paul8ball said:
The purpose of the heated slate is to standardize the resiliency of the cushions and the resulting banking angles. These items are directly affected by ambient humidity. If a tournament is held in a very humid environment the cushions will play very differently from a dry environment. Heating the table will result in the table playing the same in either environment. The speed of these tables is a result of the cloth used (usually Simonis 300 Rapide) and the very thick slate (2" to 2 3/8"). Dry cloth will roll a little faster too.
Click to expand...

Excellent observation. In Northern Europe humidity might be a big problem, but even in hot dry climates, keeping the cushions at a constant temperature is very important for consistency.

Mark
 
Trying to play 3 cushion on a 5x10 without heat is ridiculous! You can get maybe six rails and it really takes a hell of a stroke to get more. I played for 10minutes the other night and gave up. Gave the balls back to the owner and told him where to put them as I left! In fact the only place I have found in the Chicago area that heats there tables is Chris's on Milwaukee, about the only place I ever play any pool or 3 cushion. It amazes me that owners do so little to maintain equipment the already have!!
Dan
 
What!

quedup said:
Trying to play 3 cushion on a 5x10 without heat is ridiculous! You can get maybe six rails and it really takes a hell of a stroke to get more. I played for 10minutes the other night and gave up. Gave the balls back to the owner and told him where to put them as I left! In fact the only place I have found in the Chicago area that heats there tables is Chris's on Milwaukee, about the only place I ever play any pool or 3 cushion. It amazes me that owners do so little to maintain equipment the already have!!
Dan
Click to expand...

Hey Dan,
We have played billiards in America for over a hundred years without heated tables and the maximum number of cushions a player could hit has always been about twice the amount you could hit. Six and seven rail shots are very common in three cushion. The table you played on may need a serious overhaul.
 
Paul8ball said:
The purpose of the heated slate is to standardize the resiliency of the cushions and the resulting banking angles. These items are directly affected by ambient humidity. If a tournament is held in a very humid environment the cushions will play very differently from a dry environment. Heating the table will result in the table playing the same in either environment. The speed of these tables is a result of the cloth used (usually Simonis 300 Rapide) and the very thick slate (2" to 2 3/8"). Dry cloth will roll a little faster too.
Click to expand...
How does the thickness of the slate make the table faster ?
I've known about the humidity thing since I started playing fifty years ago. Humidity also effects the chalk and its properties.
 
table prices

We were having a discussion yesterday with the room owner about having a 3 cushion table installed. I have been trying to find some prices on the net and can't find any info. Any help out there?

Dave Nelson
 
APA sleeper said:
Hey Dan,
We have played billiards in America for over a hundred years without heated tables and the maximum number of cushions a player could hit has always been about twice the amount you could hit. Six and seven rail shots are very common in three cushion. The table you played on may need a serious overhaul.
Click to expand...
Yep, i agree. That table needs work.

I've seen 11 on an old Brunswick unheated. I get almost 10 on mine with the
heat turned off.
 
APA sleeper said:
How does the thickness of the slate make the table faster ?
I've known about the humidity thing since I started playing fifty years ago. Humidity also effects the chalk and its properties.
Click to expand...
My theory is simply the heavier the table the better chance of the rubber acting as it should. No effect/vibration when the ball hits and the rubber gives a full rebound.

A poor test or example but we've all played on a cheap pool table maybe even with folding legs. How was that speed?
 
mbvl

Thanks. that's what I was looking for. A lot less expensive than I would have guessed. I was thinking that a top quality table might run close to 50 thou. The mans next problem would be space and frankly I don't think he has enough for a real nice layout.

Dave
 
I know of a 10' Verhoeven in N. MD. Anybody interested can PM me and I will extend contact info.

I am not formally affiliated w/ seller, but I am sure he would be happy to deal on it.
 
I bought an Elitte Pro Spyder with 2 inch heated slates and heated rails with Granito M cloth.I live in Arizona were it is very dry most of the time.
I can't really see a longer roll but I do notice more lively cushions.
I got a really decent price on it at the BCA trade show last year in Las Vegas. See www.elittepro.com .It's fantastic.
 
The reason that thicker slates play faster is reduction in vibration. The force of striking a billiard ball starts a resonant vibration in the slate. That vibration measurably slows down the ball. Thicker slates dampen that vibration and therefore roll faster. Top quality carom table slates are 50 or 60mm (2" or 2 3/8") thick. This phenomenon was learned by setting up a billiard table in a university lab and installing strain gages on the slate (to measure vibration.) Another characteristic of slate is the thicker it is the bouncier it plays.Therefore, you use thick slates on carom tables and thinner slates on pool tables (1" to 1 1/4".)
 
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