Help with pool table installer

M

mattgold

New member
Hey guys,

Brand new pool table owner here and I'm touching in for some advice.

I moved into a new home and the previous owners left me a (disassembled) 1966 Brunswick VIP 9ft. It's nice enough so I decided to call a local professional to come by, move it, reassemble it, refelt it and level it.

They showed up, did their thing, and when they left I was happy. They moved it to where I wanted it, the new green felt looks great, and carpenters level on the surface looked spot on...... THEN I played.

The balls seems to 'wobble' a bit when making their way down the table, I've actually watched a ball roll away, then back, then settle to a stop, even wander almost 90 degrees into a pocket.

I assume this all points to it not being level. So I went up, grabbed my level, and low n behold, everything looks fine. So what's up? I assume there's pits or other abnormalities that (should have) need to be fixed.

Now, I'm in the situation - should I stop payment on the check then call him to come back out? Or should I give him the benefit of the doubt and hope he comes back?

Can the felt they put on by reused if they need to take it off to relevel it? Am I overreacting and should just understand a 1966 table is going to have some issues?

Thanks for any advice.
 
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Your level reads that the table is level side to side and up and down? New wool cloth will make the balls wooble rolling slow. The 90 degree roll into a pocket is something else. I have played on tables where the slate was filed down toward the pockets so that if a ball came close, it would roll to the pocket. Could be thats why he left you the table. A good table mech should have inspected all the parts before he put it together, but some dont! The cloth can be reused if the rails are taken off and the bed cloth taken loose, laid over on one side, relevel the slate, then re stretch the bed cloth.
Check the slate for any problems before going foward.
Good luck
 
The cloth weave, nap and how it was installed (not stretched correctly) could cause this problem, in combination with the installer using a carpenter level instead of a machinist level. Also if the table is on carpet it could have settled a bit and gotten out of level.

There are lots of factors, have them come back and relevel the table. If it is level and the problem still happens have them check the cloth.

If you want a dead level table a machinist level should be used (Starrett)


Hang out in the Mechanics forum it is a great resource.
 
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mattgold said:
Hey guys,

Brand new pool table owner here and I'm touching in for some advice.

I moved into a new home and the previous owners left me a (disassembled) 1966 Brunswick VIP 9ft. It's nice enough so I decided to call a local professional to come by, move it, reassemble it, refelt it and level it.

They showed up, did their thing, and when they left I was happy. They moved it to where I wanted it, the new green felt looks great, and carpenters level on the surface looked spot on...... THEN I played.

The balls seems to 'wobble' a bit when making their way down the table, I've actually watched a ball roll away, then back, then settle to a stop, even wander almost 90 degrees into a pocket.

I assume this all points to it not being level. So I went up, grabbed my level, and low n behold, everything looks fine. So what's up? I assume there's pits or other abnormalities that (should have) need to be fixed.

Now, I'm in the situation - should I stop payment on the check then call him to come back out? Or should I give him the benefit of the doubt and hope he comes back?

Can the felt they put on by reused if they need to take it off to relevel it? Am I overreacting and should just understand a 1966 table is going to have some issues?

Thanks for any advice.
Click to expand...
The fact that they used a carpenters level to level the slates is a red light:cool:
 
Pool Cues

Whenever you think of pool installation one thing which generally comes into our mind is the quality of service and the product. Now, if you make a good choice of installers then you don't have to worry. But what if you make a bad selection? Are you prepared for the consequences? As a friend, I would never want you to face it. So, take a chill pill. Think of a professional pool installation service.
 
Yep, a BIG RED FLAG.

Glenn what was it you told me nearly all of the problems that a pool table has are caused by who worked on it prior.

Something like that???
 
mattgold said:
Hey guys,

Brand new pool table owner here and I'm touching in for some advice.

I moved into a new home and the previous owners left me a (disassembled) 1966 Brunswick VIP 9ft. It's nice enough so I decided to call a local professional to come by, move it, reassemble it, refelt it and level it.

They showed up, did their thing, and when they left I was happy. They moved it to where I wanted it, the new green felt looks great, and carpenters level on the surface looked spot on...... THEN I played.

The balls seems to 'wobble' a bit when making their way down the table, I've actually watched a ball roll away, then back, then settle to a stop, even wander almost 90 degrees into a pocket.

I assume this all points to it not being level. So I went up, grabbed my level, and low n behold, everything looks fine. So what's up? I assume there's pits or other abnormalities that (should have) need to be fixed.

Now, I'm in the situation - should I stop payment on the check then call him to come back out? Or should I give him the benefit of the doubt and hope he comes back?

Can the felt they put on by reused if they need to take it off to relevel it? Am I overreacting and should just understand a 1966 table is going to have some issues?

Thanks for any advice.
Click to expand...

What city are you located in?
 
Thanks for the responses guys. I didn't realize there was a mechanics forum - if this thread should be moved - then by all means.

I'm in the Metro Detroit area (not bankrupt here). The installer has good reviews and when I talked to the guy on the phone - he sounded the part.

As for being level, yes - side to side and up and down it reads true - but as mentioned by others; with a carpenters level. Perhaps I shoulda known, but I didn't. :frown:

In any case, I called them just a couple minutes ago and left a message. Hopefully they call back.

Any tips on what to ask for / what to watch for if/when the call/come back? How should the slate be checked? Is there a way to separate felt problems from slate problems?

Thanks again guys... I really appreciate it.
 
mattgold said:
Thanks for the responses guys. I didn't realize there was a mechanics forum - if this thread should be moved - then by all means.

I'm in the Metro Detroit area (not bankrupt here). The installer has good reviews and when I talked to the guy on the phone - he sounded the part.

As for being level, yes - side to side and up and down it reads true - but as mentioned by others; with a carpenters level. Perhaps I shoulda known, but I didn't. :frown:

In any case, I called them just a couple minutes ago and left a message. Hopefully they call back.

Any tips on what to ask for / what to watch for if/when the call/come back? How should the slate be checked? Is there a way to separate felt problems from slate problems?

Thanks again guys... I really appreciate it.
Click to expand...

Well one biggy is to make sure they DON"T use a carpenters level, beyond that post your questions on the Mechanics forum you should be able to get the answers.
 
I'm a little confused....Did the installer use a carpenters level or did you check it with a carpenters level? Did you watch them level the frame and the slates? And if you did, what was the level?
 
Big difference between fresh felt and a 90 degree turn into a pocket. I'm sure a small portion of the wobble could be attributed to the new cloth but it sounds like you got bigger issues on that corner of the table.

You might want to take some time grooming the felt but again I think that's just a very small portion of the problem you're describing.
 
budonahog said:
I'm a little confused....Did the installer use a carpenters level or did you check it with a carpenters level? Did you watch them level the frame and the slates? And if you did, what was the level?
Click to expand...

I misread his post so don't know If the installer used a carpenter level.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk.
 
budonahog said:
I'm a little confused....Did the installer use a carpenters level or did you check it with a carpenters level? Did you watch them level the frame and the slates? And if you did, what was the level?
Click to expand...

The installed and myself both use carpenter levels at the different times. He showed me the level before he left and later on I checked with my own (thought his mighta' been off :)). As for watching them, no. I got them started, made sure it was placed where I wanted it, then let them do their thing. Didn't see it again until it was "done".


Bishop said:
Big difference between fresh felt and a 90 degree turn into a pocket. I'm sure a small portion of the wobble could be attributed to the new cloth but it sounds like you got bigger issues on that corner of the table.

You might want to take some time grooming the felt but again I think that's just a very small portion of the problem you're describing.
Click to expand...

I agree. I called the installer and he mentioned the same thing. "There could be some wobble from new felt" and "break it in and brush it often". However, I've played a few rounds with a buddy and some of the rolls are almost comical.


breakandrunrob said:
ok keeping with the K.I.S.S. method the balls could be a really cheap set. just throwing it out there.
Click to expand...

Installer also mentioned this. I already ordered a set of Brunswick Centennials so if that fixes it - I will be a happy camper. It's very possible these are original 1966 balls (I really have no idea). The chalk packs look about that old and the Minnesota Fats book that was with it has a 1964 publish date.


Thanks for all the input guys. I really do appreciate it.
 
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try to identify the areas where anomolies are happening. you could even use some (very) light chalk marks to keep track of them.

feel the questionable areas with yer fingers to check for the presence of grit, wood bits, slate crumbs, wax (bondo or plaster) bits etc under the cloth.

a slate slightly off level usually wont make the balls curve all crazy like...its typically a little more subtle.

is it happening specifically where the seams in the slate are?
at one end or on one side only?

all your old balls wont be defective, even if a few are. try different balls (and make sure they are clean)

the slate could be sagging, crowned, warped or bowed.
(considering the tables age, it wouldnt be surprising)
in some cases you can get a false level reading when spanning a sag or warp etc.
it works better with the cloth off, but you can run a string across the slates to check for inconsistent gaps.

stupid question - is the floor level?

do you hear noises in your closet at night?

and last but not least: is your home built on an old indian burial ground?
 
mattgold said:
Hey guys,

Brand new pool table owner here and I'm touching in for some advice.

I moved into a new home and the previous owners left me a (disassembled) 1966 Brunswick VIP 9ft. It's nice enough so I decided to call a local professional to come by, move it, reassemble it, refelt it and level it.

They showed up, did their thing, and when they left I was happy. They moved it to where I wanted it, the new green felt looks great, and carpenters level on the surface looked spot on...... THEN I played.

The balls seems to 'wobble' a bit when making their way down the table, I've actually watched a ball roll away, then back, then settle to a stop, even wander almost 90 degrees into a pocket.

I assume this all points to it not being level. So I went up, grabbed my level, and low n behold, everything looks fine. So what's up? I assume there's pits or other abnormalities that (should have) need to be fixed.

Now, I'm in the situation - should I stop payment on the check then call him to come back out? Or should I give him the benefit of the doubt and hope he comes back?

Can the felt they put on by reused if they need to take it off to relevel it? Am I overreacting and should just understand a 1966 table is going to have some issues?

Thanks for any advice.
Click to expand...

Here's the problem, if they were only skilled enough to use a carpenters level to level the frame and slates, and couldn't get it right the first time, then calling them back won't turn out any better because they don't have the needed skills to do the job right in the first place. My advice is to try and find someone else that knows what they're doing, ask them what kind of level they use to level the slates...any thing short of a machinist level, then go on to the next call.

Glen
 
breakandrunrob said:
ok keeping with the K.I.S.S. method the balls could be a really cheap set. just throwing it out there.
Click to expand...

If rewards are given out for the right answer... Give this man a trophy.

My new set of Brunswick Centennials showed up and have solved 90% (perhaps more) of my issues. It's amazing how bad a worn set of balls will play and the odd things they will do.

Sorry for the hassle guys - but thanks for the advice! :thumbup:
 
Felt Billiards in Englewood Colorado had all the Diamonds recovered on Saturday. It was an older man and women from Wichita Kansas. I did not get their name. Now that I remember it sure looked like a wooden carpenters level he was using.
I will not get to play on them until this Saturday.
 
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