How to test speed of a table

[hang-the-9]

What is "too fast" and "too slow" and how to measure. It's easy to say these things subjectively, but let's say you re-cloth a table, and want to make sure it plays the right speed, how do you test that it's not stretched too tight? I read a while back that a table should play like the cue-ball is rolling uphill at a 1-2% grade (maybe off on that stat though). How is that tested, if any way? Some tables just feel right to play on, on some you need to use a "fake" stroke to slow or speed the cue ball down to get position, figure some-one here may know what is the "correct" speed if there is any. Or even just a good range that a well-done table should be in.

This would probably fall into a rail bounce speed as well as cloth friction speed.

 

[matteroner]

What is "too fast" and "too slow" and how to measure. It's easy to say these things subjectively, but let's say you re-cloth a table, and want to make sure it plays the right speed, how do you test that it's not stretched too tight? I read a while back that a table should play like the cue-ball is rolling uphill at a 1-2% grade (maybe off on that stat though). How is that tested, if any way? Some tables just feel right to play on, on some you need to use a "fake" stroke to slow or speed the cue ball down to get position, figure some-one here may know what is the "correct" speed if there is any. Or even just a good range that a well-done table should be in.

This would probably fall into a rail bounce speed as well as cloth friction speed.

this is the best i have found on this subject ....

http://billiards.colostate.edu/PBReview/Stimpmeter1.htm

 

[jason777r]

this is the best i have found on this subject ....

http://billiards.colostate.edu/PBReview/Stimpmeter1.htm

That Stimpmeter in a need gadget.
I understand that many tables play different speeds and that's ok to me. What really ticks me off is playing in a tournament and all of the tables play totally different. I play in a Sunday night nine ball tournament here in Longview, TX at the only pool room in town. It is sad to say, but they don't give a hoot about the players or equipment. They only care about the sorry bands that play in there and they don't even attract a large croud. 4 out of the 6 tables we play the tournament on play like a nightmare. Dead rails, 3-4 inches of roll off and 2 of them are covered in some of the worst nap you could imagine. This makes all of us completely frustrated. That is why last week I told the manager I will not be playing in the tournaments anymore. She asked why and I told her that pool is supposed to be fun. I and most of the others get so frustrated with how little the equipment is cared about. She told me they are supposed to get the two slow tables recovered soon. I let her know that that is only a tease if you don't level and fix the dead rails. Oh well, hopefully she will getr dun.
Jason
P.S., sorry for the rant

 

[RiverCity]

One test Ive always used to somewhat test the cloth and rubber; stand at the head of the table. Using your hand throw/roll a ball hard (when I say this I mean within reason, youre not trying to damage the equipment) to the center diamond on the end rail so that it is zipping back and forth between the end rails. On most tables you should get about 4 and a half times up and down the table. Less, the combination is a little slower, more equals a little faster.
Not the most scientific approach, but something you can do without special tools.
Chuck

 

[realkingcobra]

That Stimpmeter in a need gadget.
I understand that many tables play different speeds and that's ok to me. What really ticks me off is playing in a tournament and all of the tables play totally different. I play in a Sunday night nine ball tournament here in Longview, TX at the only pool room in town. It is sad to say, but they don't give a hoot about the players or equipment. They only care about the sorry bands that play in there and they don't even attract a large croud. 4 out of the 6 tables we play the tournament on play like a nightmare. Dead rails, 3-4 inches of roll off and 2 of them are covered in some of the worst nap you could imagine. This makes all of us completely frustrated. That is why last week I told the manager I will not be playing in the tournaments anymore. She asked why and I told her that pool is supposed to be fun. I and most of the others get so frustrated with how little the equipment is cared about. She told me they are supposed to get the two slow tables recovered soon. I let her know that that is only a tease if you don't level and fix the dead rails. Oh well, hopefully she will getr dun.
Jason
P.S., sorry for the rant

What kind of pool tables are we talking about here?...It's always helpful to know something about the equipment...so we're not guessing as to what the problem(s) could be

Glen

 

[franko]

speed

A machinist in my area made what looks like a minature sliding board. It stands abt. 6 in. high and has a graduated curved track. He places the ball on the top and lets it roll the lenght of the table. This takes away artificial speed from your human control.It is also good at seeing how good ( level) the table is.Short rail to short rail or side rail to side rail.