Plastic Pocket fitament

[Martman100]

I am brand new to this site from a posting standpoint. I have been reading and reading and reading and have learned a ton of information. I am in the process or recovering my table and have noticed something with my plastic drop pockets as I was dismantling for the cloth replacement.

I got a great deal on the table from a family member but it is far from a high quality table. It is a Steepleton (I believe playmate model) with 1 inch slate and serves the purpose for my home table at the time.

I had the table moved and setup in my basement by Steepleton. My problem is the plastic drop pockets were not set all the way back into the pocket. This causes a lip that the ball can hit and affect it's entrance to the pocket.

I have searched this site and the only thing I found was to trim the pockets. Is this what should be done to get the pockets to set back and fit more nicely?

I want a nicer table but that is not an option at the time $$$.

On a side note:
If anyone on here is affliated with Poolfelt.com you are awesome. I ordered felt on Sunday night and had it yesterday when I got home. And the Velocity Pro seems to be a decent felt for the money.

Thanks for all your help! I am taking pictures of my cloth replacement. It's my first time and I am hoping it turns out okay.

If you need pictures of the pockets as they were installed I have some at home and can post them this evening.

 

[scruffy1]

Yeah, we see this a lot. the pocket mnfr. usually make them a little bigger
because its much easier to to make a pocket smaller then bigger!
The pocket should begin at the back of the cushion facing.

if you follow the facing from the cushion into the pocket you will see where
it stops. yours are probaly overlapping the facing which causes it
to protrude and interfere with pocketing balls. Remove pockets
and with a razor knife trim a little at a time till the fit precisely.

Welcome to the forum!!

 

[Martman100]

Thanks, that sounds like a plan. I have begun my recovering tonight and have one side done. This table is a lower quality so the side rails are all one piece. It plays well but the cloth was getting really worn. I also had replaced the cushion facings due to the mfg grinding them at severe angles and causing the cloth to wear badly at ball impact. I have pictures but have not had a chance to get them off the camera.

This is my first experience ever working on a table and I can say it has been fun. I definitely give hats off to the techs, it seems to take me forever to get the rail done. I laid flooring for 3 years while in college so I have done upolestry work and these are about the same. I didn't invest in an air stapler or electric one and now wish I have.

Thanks again! I will work on those pockets when the cloth is done.

 

[iapoolguy]

another thought

Please make sure that the pocket is centered first before marking to cut..also cut all corners first ..that way if you make a mistake by cutting to much you can use it on a side pocket...they are much smaller

 

[Martman100]

Centering them and getting them marked may be the toughest part. I figure I will ask the better half to do the marking while I do the centering.

Thanks for all the help. I will put some pictures up of the recovering when I am done. Everyone can use them to say this is why you hire a professional . I hope it's not that bad but if it is so be it and we will do it again.

 

[Dartman]

Before you do any trimming on the pocket flaps test fit the pockets first after you reinstall the rails.
Hold the flaps where they need to be then check that the rest of the pocket fits correctly.
It's possible the installer did not have them seated correctly (too far forward).
The pocket top lip goes over the top of the rail and the back of the pocket should be flush against the vertical edge of the rail.
Before nailing the front flaps - if you push back on the back side of the pocket a bit that will draw the flaps back slightly give you a bit more clearance if you need it. If not, trim the flaps.

I would also check to assure you have the proper distance from rail to rail before tightening the rail bolts.

btw - thanks for the kudos for poolfelt.com - that be us

 

[Martman100]

Before I took them out I noticed they were not seated all the way but the basket was hitting the skirt and making it difficult to push back. Now that does not mean it can't be done, but simply means the installers were in a hurry and did not really care.

No problem on the kudos. It is great to have good service and a reputable seller. I had spoke with my local supply shop last week and the price he quoted me for the felt was ridiculous. I had to visit today to get some featherstrips since I forgot to order them and he tells me he could have beat whatever deal I got on the internet. I told him, "Then you should have beat it last week, the internet did not just come about yesterday".

Anyway I really appreciate the great service and the installation tips. Reading this forum gave me the confidence of attempting this myself. So far I am very pleased with the results on the rails. However, my hand is tired from the manual staple gun, should have invested in the air version to go with my portable compressor.

I will be recommending your site to anyone inquiring on felt and other billiard supplies.

I still have not decided on how I am going to stretch the bed cloth. So many different ways without knowing the pitfalls of each. I will figure it out and it will be done the best I feel it can be done even if I have to think about it for two hours before starting.