Looking for a rack for a pool hall

[hang-the-9]

I have this one. I've used it for 9 years or so without any visible wear. Plenty of wood to enable a repair if it breaks. Little thick for straight pool, so I had a more conventional one for that.
http://www.muellers.com/Premium-Maple-Triangle,2328.html?b=d*375
I also used to fix Brunswick racks for a room near my old home in NJ. I used wipe-on polyurethane to seal any exposed wood to eliminate splinters. I cleaned them first to remove the residue build-up inside. Waxed them after paint was dry. The factory glued joints failed often (6 joints each rack). I cleaned the pieces up with a triangular file, used two part epoxy and clamped it with a window frame type strap clamp. I removed one of the metal brackets of course. The metal brackets hold the strap off the wood so the epoxy doesn't get on it. If anyone needs more info on this technique, please PM me. Every joint I repaired did not fail again, 3 years until room closed. Saved that owner a ton of money, because he kept buying Brunswick's new ones at first.

The ones in the link look good, I just got some from Amazon along with some computer parts to try out, Imperial brand https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005GVKZGW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 but these from Muellers look better built and colored.

No issues with gaps on those? I am not talking about brand new balls, but normal wear sets such as a pool room would have. We have Centennials but I am not sure of the age. They are in good shape though and clean.

 

[Bavafongoul]

I am not suggesting, nor implying, that my best friend,Tommy, should try to replace the racks at
Blue Fin Billiards with Delta racks, Elite or Select. That is an expense that's not warranted nor
necessary. I just wanted to get my own Delta Elite & I'd store it in my locker at Blue Fin Billiards.

I transport my own Brunswick Centennials to any pool hall I visit. Unless I am playing in a league
or tournament, I always play with Centennials. That is why I have 2 brand new sets of Centennials
sitting on my closet shelf plus the one I carry to play with. I like to play with the best equipment and
that's why I had custom cues made and started my small collection of pool cues. So it just falls in
line that I'd like to also use a better pool rack than the ones at most pool halls bit I do not see the
price justification for the Delta Elite racks at $200. It is absurd & I just refuse to overpay for anything.


Obladi Oblada....



Matt B.

 

[fastone371]

A problem with almost all of the plastic racks and some composite racks is that they are just too small. It seems like the manufacturer thought a small tight fitting rack would rack the best not realizing that you gotta get your fingers behind the balls. That would be the one concern I personally would have about ordering a dozen racks that you may be unfamiliar with.

 

[KMRUNOUT]

I remember a wooden rack with three metal feet that was the nuts back in the 90's. When racked it left a huge space on the back end inside the rack but always made it tight. Wonder if the same thing?

No. I'm describing a new product. Racks exceptionally tight. Imagine the rack sitting on the table is say 2 inches tall. Half of that height is a triangle like normal. The lower half of that height is 3 feet in the middle of each long section. The feet are the exact same wood as the rack...there are basically just some cutouts. Makes it easy to grab and remove the rack.

KMRUNOUT

 

[KMRUNOUT]

Delta 13 makes these leather inserts that go in the cutouts that quiet them a lot from what I understand. They're an expensive rack, but they are so nice to use and they will outlast a wood rack but a good margin!

I like the Diamond racks when new, but when they get old they start to leave little splinters all over the felt and don't always rack very well.

I agree the Delta 13 is the best. Plus, it spots other racks the 4 out in durability. However, it may be the case that the inserts are only available for the Elite model, which is about $130 and thus out of the OP's price range. Of course the other solution for the loudness is not being a moron, using your hands as sound dampers and not slamming balls around.

KMRUNOUT

 

[KMRUNOUT]

This is likely the top contender i think they are like 10-15 , as long as they don't leave gaps.

My pool hall has those racks. They are not the worst, but far from the best. The wooden Laser Racks I describes are uni ersally regarded in our pool hall as vastly better, at 20 bucks

KMRUNOUT

 

[WoodyMPW]

My pool hall has those racks. They are not the worst, but far from the best. The wooden Laser Racks I describes are uni ersally regarded in our pool hall as vastly better, at 20 bucks

KMRUNOUT

Got a link for these?

 

[hang-the-9]

My pool hall has those racks. They are not the worst, but far from the best. The wooden Laser Racks I describes are uni ersally regarded in our pool hall as vastly better, at 20 bucks

KMRUNOUT

I can't find those racks, only Laser Rack I can find is some rack with 3 lights to line up the rack.

By "our pool hall" you talking about Snookers, the Chinese place or Amazin LOL :wink:

 

[hang-the-9]

I agree the Delta 13 is the best. Plus, it spots other racks the 4 out in durability. However, it may be the case that the inserts are only available for the Elite model, which is about $130 and thus out of the OP's price range. Of course the other solution for the loudness is not being a moron, using your hands as sound dampers and not slamming balls around.

KMRUNOUT

I am planning on not having the bar staff have to explain to every college/army/business person that walks in on how to not rack like a moron LOL Although I think if they did, it would cut down by 95% on having to replace equipment due to spills, etc.. from people that treat a pool room like their own rec hall that their parents paid for.

 

[KMRUNOUT]

Got a link for these?

I wish I did. I'm working on it. I am pretty sure they only have email, but no website.

I'll get that and post it later.

KMRUNOUT

 

[KMRUNOUT]

I can't find those racks, only Laser Rack I can find is some rack with 3 lights to line up the rack.

By "our pool hall" you talking about Snookers, the Chinese place or Amazin LOL :wink:

I'm talking about Grand China. Snookers has those black plastic ones similar to a different post in this thread. When Tony Robles brought a house full of Delta racks for one of his events, everyone agreed that the Delta rack was night and day better. Currently Grand China has the exact same black plastic racks that Snookers has. I think Mazin's also has these racks. They are minimally acceptable, but not something I would call "good". The laminated wood ones I'm describing are significantly better.

KMRUNOUT

 

[EDRJR]

Tested

I have this one. I've used it for 9 years or so without any visible wear. Plenty of wood to enable a repair if it breaks. Little thick for straight pool, so I had a more conventional one for that.
http://www.muellers.com/Premium-Maple-Triangle,2328.html?b=d*375


I tried the rack at the pool hall yesterday. The apex ball was not pushed against the second row. The rest of the rack was tight. Nine year old Aramith Pro's, well maintained.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

Just food for thought for those looking for the perfect rack. If the balls aren't racking right, it's first important to determine if it's the rack or the balls. The primary problem with the Delta 13 rack is price. Even their cheapest model ($50) is significantly more than your average plastic triangle. The ones you see at tournaments usually go for around $150.

The problem is, no matter how much you spend on a triangle, you could still be racking with a mismatched set of balls from 1996. Balls wear and can be out-of-round. What's more, poolrooms are often replacing their 8balls due to theft so they're newer than the other balls. Sometimes, lazy room owners will use a cheaper brand when replacing a missing ball. If you're looking for the perfect rack, you first have to start with perfect balls. I would much rather see Super Aramiths and a hard plastic rack than an old and cheap set of balls and a Delta 13.

 

[Chops02]

having shot at zingales in tallahassee a few times (they have 20+ tables all with deltas) it's really not THAT loud in there as far as racking goes. and that's including nights where the room is mostly full of bangers. i mean it's loud, but no louder than someone slamming balls around in a wooden rack and talking as loudly as they normally would. i'll put it this way...the quality of the product is worth some clinking here and there if he can't afford to get the ones with the inserts.

 

[hang-the-9]

Just food for thought for those looking for the perfect rack. If the balls aren't racking right, it's first important to determine if it's the rack or the balls. The primary problem with the Delta 13 rack is price. Even their cheapest model ($50) is significantly more than your average plastic triangle. The ones you see at tournaments usually go for around $150.

The problem is, no matter how much you spend on a triangle, you could still be racking with a mismatched set of balls from 1996. Balls wear and can be out-of-round. What's more, poolrooms are often replacing their 8balls due to theft so they're newer than the other balls. Sometimes, lazy room owners will use a cheaper brand when replacing a missing ball. If you're looking for the perfect rack, you first have to start with perfect balls. I would much rather see Super Aramiths and a hard plastic rack than an old and cheap set of balls and a Delta 13.

When using a good racks at the room, they rack tight. You are correct about replacing 8 and 9 balls, there are a few replacements but even those racks well, as long as the better racks are used. I don't even know where he got the last couple of batches of racks, they are not just leaving one gap, most have 2-3 gaps and no amount of flipping the rack or moving balls gets rid of those. I'm talking about 1/8" or more gaps not something tiny.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

When using a good racks at the room, they rack tight. You are correct about replacing 8 and 9 balls, there are a few replacements but even those racks well, as long as the better racks are used. I don't even know where he got the last couple of batches of racks, they are not just leaving one gap, most have 2-3 gaps and no amount of flipping the rack or moving balls gets rid of those. I'm talking about 1/8" or more gaps not something tiny.

Sorry for sounding skeptical but, I'd like to know more about what makes the Delta 13 a better rack. Like, I get it. It's really really strong unlikely to ever bend or wear. But, if I'm using a Diamond rack or one of those hard plastic racks, what is the exact difference? Like, are the angles slightly askew or the size slightly off? Does wear in the inside corners prohibit the ability to tightly rack the balls? It would be nice to see a bake-off with a reliable third party.

 

[hang-the-9]

Sorry for sounding skeptical but, I'd like to know more about what makes the Delta 13 a better rack. Like, I get it. It's really really strong unlikely to ever bend or wear. But, if I'm using a Diamond rack or one of those hard plastic racks, what is the exact difference? Like, are the angles slightly askew or the size slightly off? Does wear in the inside corners prohibit the ability to tightly rack the balls? It would be nice to see a bake-off with a reliable third party.

Don't know why the Delta is good aside from the material, but we are going to have about 6 different racks to test pretty soon, I'll take some pics with different ball sets once we get the orders in. The pool room and my home table have almost new cloth on them so table variance with balls settling in should be minimal.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

Don't know why the Delta is good aside from the material, but we are going to have about 6 different racks to test pretty soon, I'll take some pics with different ball sets once we get the orders in. The pool room and my home table have almost new cloth on them so table variance with balls settling in should be minimal.

Awesome! I sorta throw this into the same category as chalk discussions. Everyone seems to gravitate to the most expensive option and once a degree of unbiased scrutiny is applied, the results can be surprising. I'm confident the Delta 13 is going to get a solid score but I'm curious to see how some of the cheaper triangles stack up.

 

[hang-the-9]

Awesome! I sorta throw this into the same category as chalk discussions. Everyone seems to gravitate to the most expensive option and once a degree of unbiased scrutiny is applied, the results can be surprising. I'm confident the Delta 13 is going to get a solid score but I'm curious to see how some of the cheaper triangles stack up.

One rack that I am a bit surprised I did not like too much was the Diamond one. It seems to want to grab the head ball and drag it with the rack instead of cleanly release it. And I tried it on several tables with known clean balls. If I left the rack loose, it was OK, but if I pushed the balls together, it's like the head ball got pushed into the wood/finish and then stuck.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

One rack that I am a bit surprised I did not like too much was the Diamond one. It seems to want to grab the head ball and drag it with the rack instead of cleanly release it. And I tried it on several tables with known clean balls. If I left the rack loose, it was OK, but if I pushed the balls together, it's like the head ball got pushed into the wood/finish and then stuck.

I know exactly what you speak of. I usually lift the back end of the rack first, then I move it forward. That usually eliminates the stick-factor. That said, I'm curious how a new Diamond rack performs versus one that's gotten some use.