Thats what I'm trying to figure out, what do YOU PEOPLE think the qualifications should be to be called a table mechanic????
In your opinion, what tasks should a "Pool Table Mechanic" be required to perform at a minimum to be considered a Table mechanic?
- Thread starter realkingcobra
- Start date
Some of the best technicians in alot of fields are a-holes, they are great at what the do but their people skills can be a little lacking.
I've also found that some people on the internet come off as a-holes but are genuine good people when on the phone or in person .
I'm not sure what the case is here but I know RKC has always been willing to answer questions and give opinions/help when needed.
Knows wtf they are doing. How to deliver without damage. Knows how to spell level and execute. Understands proper cloth installation. Can address factory imperfections. Does not go home with extra parts.
As for a Simonis cloth specialist… understands and can follow the proper installation guideline. That would be good beginning to describe a Table Mechanic
Proper Setup and Leveling of Tables (All Sizes)
Replacing bed and rail cloth (staple and glue; All Sizes)
Pool Table Cloth Knowledge (All Brands)
Rail Work including recalibrating subrails, subrail replacement, extending subrails, cutting proper pocket geometry
Proper Cushion Replacement
Cushion Knowledge (All profiles and brands)
General Cosmetic Restoration Knowledge/Skills
Proper Table Lighting Knowledge
Mechanical Problem Solving Skills
Being honesty the Mechanic should look at each job to see if it is in their relentless of expertise.
Physician s are specialized some Otho guy n gals on do hand surgery.
Medicine has become very specialized.
Think the basic table person should know how to level, and recover at minimum.
Rebuilding some clunker table is more specialized.
Physician s are specialized some Otho guy n gals on do hand surgery.
Medicine has become very specialized.
Think the basic table person should know how to level, and recover at minimum.
Rebuilding some clunker table is more specialized.
And what if you have a so called "table mechanic" that don't actually rebuild the rails, but in fact pays a third party to do all that work, would you still consider that so called "mechanic" a table mechanic? I'd consider that person a table flipper, because they're not actually doing ANY of the technical work!
If they farm the job and it’s up to standard that certainly counts. I commend them for not going over their head.
Even photography is specialized, friend was Food Photographer in SF.
Made $1,000.00, and was busy.
He was alway book out 3 months, and was one of best.
His overhead was high, but he live well.
Made $1,000.00, and was busy.
He was alway book out 3 months, and was one of best.
His overhead was high, but he live well.
This ^^^
If they are honest and up front about not being able to do certain jobs and farm it out to someone that is well qualified and does excellent work I'm not upset about that.
It does bother me when they claim they do all the work then farm it out to someone else then take the credit for someone else's work. Or they say they can do the job but have no experience doing it and screw it up.
That was my point, farming out the work to be done still don't make the person doing the farming out, a table mechanic, it just makes them a contactor!
All they are is a 3rd party booking agency, deceiving the public into believing they have certified mechanics working for them nationwide, when in fact, they don't!!
Exactly.
I can't remember who in this group used to have great things to say about that outfit.
Pat, Pooltables911
The mechanic farms the rails to Mark G. for example... The mechanic's final product is first class....the table meets your standard (or industry standards) when finished.
Yes they are a "qualified" mechanic. Yes they are "contractors". Farming the rails...they have to be handled properly...removed/transported/reinstalled. If we're talking about an all around 1 man show that would be a table builder.(I guess). How many competent mechanic's have the shop/knowledge to do full course rail work?
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I'd guess a little more than a handful.
Electricians in my neck of the woods can only be considered one with certification. I know this because I have to pay yearly renewal...lol
I agree... I can take on and farm out complete table overhauls. That doesn't qualify me as a mechanic. Just a dude that knows who to call and makes some margin.
I'm thinking that's the point. Really boils down to the definition of mechanic. Is an automechanic not one because he only replaces the gears in a transmission, rather cut new ones...?
Personally I think a "table mechanic" is someone who can handle any situation that may be encountered when overhauling a table to make it play correctly. That would include subrail adjustment for example, but not wood refinishing.
Interesting question to consider maintaining and passing on a culture of (important) tradition and skills for any "trade".
Not in most of NY state.
However, some jurisdictions and many cities require it.
In most jurisdictions the work does require a permit and inspection. But there is not a qualification on who does it.
I think that is enlightened.
In NYS i think it's only been since the 70's that you had to have a law school degree to practice as a lawyer, either. But you did have to have an apprenticeship, and pass the bar.
Apprenticeships, well programmed and monitored, could be an interesting solution, but the US does not much support that kind of rigorous hands-on training outside of unions. (AMA & ABA among many, are fundamentally unions)
It would be good to see some sort of realistic skills based certification program with standards just so people could research what the standards actually are & work to attain them. It would be a good resource and knowledge base. It won't please everyone, and no one should "have" to certify, but presumably it would be a professional resource and commercial advantage for those that do. I suspect the market is too small and fragmented to make it fly beyond non-profit and mostly volunteer organization. Go for it, though!
smt