Need help installing new rail rubber

[Coondogg]

Ok, I have a question and I think this might be the best place to find a reliable answer.

When installing new rail rubber, after the rubber has been glued to the rail, I need some advice on the best way to cut the rubber in order to ensure getting the exact angle that is appropriate for the pocket.

As I'm sure all of you are aware, the smallest variation in cutting one pocket to the next can result in a significant difference in the end result of the size of one pocket compared to the next on the table.

Also, what is the proper angle that the rubber should be cut in relation to the side rail?

I am asking this on behalf of a friend who is a skilled table mechanic, and is doing work for a very particular client. Also, any knowledge obtained will help him produce a more consistent product for all of his future work.

Thanks in advance to anyone and everyone who may have input....

David

 

[Newton]

Hi.

My experience is as follows:
BEFORE you remove any of the old rubber/cusions - make a paper tamplate.
This would help you drawing the aiming line when the new rubber is glued on.
You put you´re template on top, sentered around the pocket hole and draw with a pen.

Then I use a sligthly warmed/heated carpet cutter with the "knife" /blade - part fairly longe extended.
I then lay this parallel to the angle "described" by the actual tables wooden corner.
Start inside the corner, put the knife to parallel to to wood and cut along the
already drawn penn/pencil line achieved with the template continuing with the knife in the same
angle you adjusted to by the wooden part of the pocket.

If you´re friend has already ripped off the old cushions without making any template, then
you´re friend need to improvise and draw the guiding lines by following/extending the natural "opening"/lines
in the wooden part of the pocked.

This is just my personal experience so there would most likely be other solutions.
Hopefully this would help you.

N

 

[scaredbutwillin]

I'm just an amateur, but I just finished putting rubber on my table. After trying to be very precise with a wall-paper razor blade on my first facing, and finding that required far more skill than I would develop on this pool table, I pulled out my newly purchased bench-top sander. Making sure that the guide table angle on the sander was set properly, I just sanded the cushion end until my mark just disappeared. It was actually not that hard at all to control the rail during this operation, and the results were absolutely outstanding. Straight and crisp on the rubber, and perfectly flush and aligned on the subrail.

As far as angles go, there are lots of places to go for standard specifications.

 

[Dead Crab]

There is a "sticky" at the top of this section of the forum that gives all the angle specs.

You can use masking tape to extend the rail angles onto the cushion before cutting.

I am also an amateur, and used a sander to bring the cushions in-line with the rail bevel. Better to cut a little long than too short.