Placing the spot on a table

[Palmetto cue]

I've seen this done in the past by using fishing line, snapping a chalk line, and by laser. What is the best way to place a spot on new cloth? Thanks for any info you may offer... Mikey

 

[The Turk]

Any of the methods you have listed work well. It's the accuracy and care of the mechanic. I personally prefer lasers because I can place the spot quick and accurate working by myself. Good question, I am curious to see the different responses and methods.

 

[Crash]

I'm not a professional mechanic but I hang two weighted threads over the respective diamonds then use a combination square to find the vertical point on the cloth beneath the intersection of the threads to place the spot. For 14.1, I place the head ball while in the rack underneath the intersection then mark around my rack, making sure the bottom of the rack is parallel to foot rail.

 

[JZMechanix]

Snapping a chalk line? Lasers? These methods are overkill and unnecessary. If you think about what we're actually trying to accomplish here the best tools are a tape measure and a pencil! Never assume that the diamonds are perfectly aligned.
This has been said before but its worth repeating. First, measure the distance from the cushion nose from side to side. On an 8' table it should be 44", 9' should measure 50". Whatever the measurement is, just find the halfway point. Take that number and go up from the nose of the end cushion the same distance. For example, on a 9' table if the side to side distance is exactly 50", the center of the spot should be over 25" and up 25". Can't get any easier or more accurate than that!

 

[Palmetto cue]

Thanks

Snapping a chalk line? Lasers? These methods are overkill and unnecessary. If you think about what we're actually trying to accomplish here the best tools are a tape measure and a pencil! Never assume that the diamonds are perfectly aligned.
This has been said before but its worth repeating. First, measure the distance from the cushion nose from side to side. On an 8' table it should be 44", 9' should measure 50". Whatever the measurement is, just find the halfway point. Take that number and go up from the nose of the end cushion the same distance. For example, on a 9' table if the side to side distance is exactly 50", the center of the spot should be over 25" and up 25". Can't get any easier or more accurate than that!

Thanks! You make a very good point. Are we aligning the spot to the playing surface, or the diamonds? I hadn't thought about the diamonds being misaligned.I should have, because I once owned a table that the diamonds were a tad off on. I always get good info on A-Z! JZ, Thanks again!

 

[The Turk]

Snapping a chalk line? Lasers? These methods are overkill and unnecessary. If you think about what we're actually trying to accomplish here the best tools are a tape measure and a pencil! Never assume that the diamonds are perfectly aligned.
This has been said before but its worth repeating. First, measure the distance from the cushion nose from side to side. On an 8' table it should be 44", 9' should measure 50". Whatever the measurement is, just find the halfway point. Take that number and go up from the nose of the end cushion the same distance. For example, on a 9' table if the side to side distance is exactly 50", the center of the spot should be over 25" and up 25". Can't get any easier or more accurate than that!

The diamonds should be aligned properly and the top should be squared. I have measured with tapes and used lasers. The difference if any is statistically incidental.
A laser in theory works as well as a tape. Playing surface size can vary along the same opposing rails. A tape can overlook curves in the rails unless measurement is taken in three places and the difference calculated. Rails can be concave or convex. I have installed new GC V's with a playing surface that is over 50 x !00. A tape works fine so does a laser. You could use each on any table and the variable would be so small it's not worth the time to debate or a good enough reason to discount someone's method. Does the use of a chalk line or laser automatically mean that the mechanic skipped squaring the top? That's an assumption not a matter of fact. I would endorse the use of a measuring tape to anyone. I would not suggest that a step in the process has to be skipped or overlooked to utilize your method.

 

[JZMechanix]

The diamonds should be aligned properly and the top should be squared. I have measured with tapes and used lasers. The difference if any is statistically incidental.
A laser in theory works as well as a tape. Playing surface size can vary along the same opposing rails. A tape can overlook curves in the rails unless measurement is taken in three places and the difference calculated. Rails can be concave or convex. I have installed new GC V's with a playing surface that is over 50 x !00. A tape works fine so does a laser. You could use each on any table and the variable would be so small it's not worth the time to debate or a good enough reason to discount someone's method. Does the use of a chalk line or laser automatically mean that the mechanic skipped squaring the top? That's an assumption not a matter of fact. I would endorse the use of a measuring tape to anyone. I would not suggest that a step in the process has to be skipped or overlooked to utilize your method.

Bob,
I will agree that a laser works as well as a tape. I wasn't trying to disrespect that particular method, however you must admit that everybody has a tape measure lying around but only a small percentage has a laser either way, as you stated the statistical difference from one method to the next is miniscule. The important thing to remember is that measurements don't lie, but on some tables, diamonds do.

 

[The Turk]

I agree with you. I think most of us fine tune the method no matter which tool is used. I believe that all options have some merit if a good mechanic like yourself employ the method.