K55 - Cushions. Superspeed Vrs ? Similar content

[PickPocket]

Hello, looking to tune up my OS 8ft Centurion. Currently has the Brunswick K55 Superspeed Cushions. I've enjoyed the way it plays, but it gets played a lot, thinking it might be time to replace/upgrade. Here's my question: Are these the best playing? is there a difference between the actual Brunswick SS's and other K55 Profile Cushions? Recommendations/Advice please. Also I would like to tighten up the pockets from 4.75" to 4.5", I'm assuming I would need to buy 9ft Rubber and have the mechanic modify/trim as needed?

Thank you in advance AZB!

 

[bradsh98]

Hello, looking to tune up my OS 8ft Centurion. Currently has the Brunswick K55 Superspeed Cushions. I've enjoyed the way it plays, but it gets played a lot, thinking it might be time to replace/upgrade. Here's my question: Are these the best playing? is there a difference between the actual Brunswick SS's and other K55 Profile Cushions? Recommendations/Advice please. Also I would like to tighten up the pockets from 4.75" to 4.5", I'm assuming I would need to buy 9ft Rubber and have the mechanic modify/trim as needed?

Thank you in advance AZB!

Brunswick Superspeed are a fantastic playing cushion. Diamond "black" K55 cushions are the same profile, and play very similarly, at around half the cost. However, the Diamond cushions have a strong rubber chemical odor. It may not be noticeable in your environment, but it could be a consideration, if your table is in your living space.

There are other companies that offer a K55 profile, but you have to be very careful. Diamond is the only profile that I have found to be a fairly exact match to Superspeed.
Championship (MBS) and others are not the same profile. In fact, if you install Championship K55 cushions on the same sub-rail, the nose height will be nearly 1/16" lower than that of Superspeed cushions. That's not a bad thing, if you like your table to play springy. However, there is a possibility that balls could hop on rebound, once the cloth gets dirty/worn in.

If you are hiring someone to do the work (recommended), DO NOT buy your own materials. Tell him what you want, and source everything through him. It will likely save you money. If he would prefer that you supply the materials, you should probably find a new guy, as he's not reputable enough to have a relationship with distributors.

 

[fastone371]

Brunswick Superspeed are a fantastic playing cushion. Diamond "black" K55 cushions are the same profile, and play very similarly, at around half the cost. However, the Diamond cushions have a strong rubber chemical odor. It may not be noticeable in your environment, but it could be a consideration, if your table is in your living space.

There are other companies that offer a K55 profile, but you have to be very careful. Diamond is the only profile that I have found to be a fairly exact match to Superspeed.
Championship (MBS) and others are not the same profile. In fact, if you install Championship K55 cushions on the same sub-rail, the nose height will be nearly 1/16" lower than that of Superspeed cushions. That's not a bad thing, if you like your table to play springy. However, there is a possibility that balls could hop on rebound, once the cloth gets dirty/worn in.

If you are hiring someone to do the work (recommended), DO NOT buy your own materials. Tell him what you want, and source everything through him. It will likely save you money. If he would prefer that you supply the materials, you should probably find a new guy, as he's not reputable enough to have a relationship with distributors.

I had my GCI sub-rails modified for Artemis Intercontinental K66's (I think cause Artemis labels K55 as IC K66, correct?) will I be able to glue on Superspeeds in the future if I choose to??

 

[TrxR]

Hello, looking to tune up my OS 8ft Centurion. Currently has the Brunswick K55 Superspeed Cushions. I've enjoyed the way it plays, but it gets played a lot, thinking it might be time to replace/upgrade. Here's my question: Are these the best playing? is there a difference between the actual Brunswick SS's and other K55 Profile Cushions? Recommendations/Advice please. Also I would like to tighten up the pockets from 4.75" to 4.5", I'm assuming I would need to buy 9ft Rubber and have the mechanic modify/trim as needed?

Thank you in advance AZB!

I don't think you can just use longer cushions to tighten up the pockets. Ai believe the subrails need modified

 

[PickPocket]

Brunswick Superspeed are a fantastic playing cushion. Diamond "black" K55 cushions are the same profile, and play very similarly, at around half the cost. However, the Diamond cushions have a strong rubber chemical odor. It may not be noticeable in your environment, but it could be a consideration, if your table is in your living space.

There are other companies that offer a K55 profile, but you have to be very careful. Diamond is the only profile that I have found to be a fairly exact match to Superspeed.
Championship (MBS) and others are not the same profile. In fact, if you install Championship K55 cushions on the same sub-rail, the nose height will be nearly 1/16" lower than that of Superspeed cushions. That's not a bad thing, if you like your table to play springy. However, there is a possibility that balls could hop on rebound, once the cloth gets dirty/worn in.

If you are hiring someone to do the work (recommended), DO NOT buy your own materials. Tell him what you want, and source everything through him. It will likely save you money. If he would prefer that you supply the materials, you should probably find a new guy, as he's not reputable enough to have a relationship with distributors.

Ok thank you!

 

[bradsh98]

I had my GCI sub-rails modified for Artemis Intercontinental K66's (I think cause Artemis labels K55 as IC K66, correct?) will I be able to glue on Superspeeds in the future if I choose to??

You should be able to, depending on where Josh set the nose height.

 

[fastone371]

You should be able to, depending on where Josh set the nose height.

So the nose height is slightly different between the Artemis and a Superspeed? So that must mean a K55 can vary in nose height depending on the manufacturer, I always thought that all K55's were the same. Or is it that the Artemis IC K66 is not an exact copy of a K55, and why would Artemis flop the 55 and 66 numbers around after putting "Intercontinental" before it?? Its all very confusing.

 

[bbb]

So the nose height is slightly different between the Artemis and a Superspeed? So that must mean a K55 can vary in nose height depending on the manufacturer, I always thought that all K55's were the same. Or is it that the Artemis IC K66 is not an exact copy of a K55, and why would Artemis flop the 55 and 66 numbers around after putting "Intercontinental" before it?? Its all very confusing.

from AI
hope this is helpful
...........................................
Artemis Intercontinental K-66 and Brunswick Superspeed cushions are designed to achieve the same standard nose height of 1 7/16" (approximately 1.44 inches) for tables using 2 1/4" balls.

However, there are key differences in their profile geometry and installation requirements:

• Profile Geometry: The Artemis Intercontinental K-66 (also known as K55 profile by Artemis) measures 1 1/4" across the top and 1 5/16" high at the back glue side. In contrast, the Brunswick Superspeed is a specific K55 profile variant. Older pre-1975 Brunswick K55 cushions had a different top measurement (1 1/8"), but modern Superspeeds align with the current K55 standard.
• Mounting Height Nuance: When installed on the same sub-rail, Championship K55 cushions (a direct competitor to Superspeed) sit nearly 1/16" lower in nose height than Superspeed cushions. While Superspeeds are often praised for a "springy" feel, some users note that lower nose heights (like those from K55 profiles) can help prevent balls from "hopping" on rebound, especially as cloth wears.
• Compatibility Warning: Installing K-66 profile cushions (standard for non-Brunswick tables) on a standard Brunswick rail (designed for K55) will result in the nose being 1/16" too high, making the table play "slow as mud." Conversely, Brunswick tables typically require K55 profile cushions to maintain the correct 1 7/16" nose height without sub-rail modification.

For optimal playability, ensure the cushion profile matches your table's rail specifications (K55 for Brunswick, K66 for most others) to maintain the correct 1 3/8" to 1 7/16" nose height range.

 

[bradsh98]

from AI
hope this is helpful
...........................................
Artemis Intercontinental K-66 and Brunswick Superspeed cushions are designed to achieve the same standard nose height of 1 7/16" (approximately 1.44 inches) for tables using 2 1/4" balls.

However, there are key differences in their profile geometry and installation requirements:

• Profile Geometry: The Artemis Intercontinental K-66 (also known as K55 profile by Artemis) measures 1 1/4" across the top and 1 5/16" high at the back glue side. In contrast, the Brunswick Superspeed is a specific K55 profile variant. Older pre-1975 Brunswick K55 cushions had a different top measurement (1 1/8"), but modern Superspeeds align with the current K55 standard.
• Mounting Height Nuance: When installed on the same sub-rail, Championship K55 cushions (a direct competitor to Superspeed) sit nearly 1/16" lower in nose height than Superspeed cushions. While Superspeeds are often praised for a "springy" feel, some users note that lower nose heights (like those from K55 profiles) can help prevent balls from "hopping" on rebound, especially as cloth wears.
• Compatibility Warning: Installing K-66 profile cushions (standard for non-Brunswick tables) on a standard Brunswick rail (designed for K55) will result in the nose being 1/16" too high, making the table play "slow as mud." Conversely, Brunswick tables typically require K55 profile cushions to maintain the correct 1 7/16" nose height without sub-rail modification.

For optimal playability, ensure the cushion profile matches your table's rail specifications (K55 for Brunswick, K66 for most others) to maintain the correct 1 3/8" to 1 7/16" nose height range.

Funny that AI pulled direct references from information that I have posted. However, much of this information is wildly incorrect.

 

[bradsh98]

So the nose height is slightly different between the Artemis and a Superspeed? So that must mean a K55 can vary in nose height depending on the manufacturer, I always thought that all K55's were the same. Or is it that the Artemis IC K66 is not an exact copy of a K55, and why would Artemis flop the 55 and 66 numbers around after putting "Intercontinental" before it?? Its all very confusing.

Not all K55 profiles are the same. Intercontinental 66 has a much larger nose radius than Superspeed. though, the nose height for Artemis Intercontinental 66 (K55) and Superspeed (K55) should be pretty close to the same, when installed on the same sub-rail.

It is important to note that Glen and Mark sparked the widespread desire for Brunswick sub-rail modification (or calibration, as some refer to it), approximately 17 years ago. At that time, Artemis Intercontinental 66 were the cushion of choice. Being a carom cushion with a large nose radius, they tend to bank fairly springy. Because of that, it is preferable to set the height just a touch higher than a standard cushion. Setting the nose height for an Intercontinental 66 at 1 29/64", with a sub-rail height of 1 11/16" makes it play pretty well. And so, the Blue Label Diamond specification was born.

But, where does that 1 29/64" nose height come from? From Brunswick. That was the original Brunswick specified nose height, using a 1 23/32" sub-rail height. The tolerance is +1/32"/-1/64". Often times, when we modify these Brunswick rails, that's the nose height target that most of us will shoot for, to maintain consistency with Glen and Mark, regardless of which cushion we use. When we modify these rails, we drop the height of the sub-rail to 1 11/16" (1/32" lower than the manufactured height). This is to provide a consistent height at the top of the sub-rail. Typically, when you lower the height of the sub-rail, It's most desirable to also reduce the nose height, to maintain consistent rebound speed and angle. In theory, the reduction in nose height should be about 36% of the reduction in sub-rail height. That said, a Brunswick Superspeed cushion, mounted on a 1 11/16" sub-rail, should have a nose height of 1.442" (1 7/16").

Because there are no agreed upon written standards, there are still a large number of people that believe that the nose height on a Gold Crown should measure in the range of 1.406-1.438". What is correct? Who knows... But, in order to maintain some sort of consistency, we should follow a standard. Since Glen and Mark have spoken the loudest, It's not a bad idea to follow their lead. Especially considering that Glen developed the rail specifications for the Blue Label Diamond and Mark developed the rail specifications for the Gold Crown VII.