Pocket dimensions?

IamCalvin06

IamCalvin06

Yang "The Son of Pool"
Silver Member
Just a general question...

What are the dimensions of

Double shim

Triple shim

Quad shim

I just hear alot of ppl calling pockets by their size in inches and i don't have any idea how small they are bc I'm more used to hearing them referred to by shims.
 
I have never heard them called by shims. Hall I play in has 4", 4.25" and 4.5" pockets. One of the tables with 4.5" pockets, has shims, it must have come out with 5" pockets.
 
The size of a pocket after it is shimmed depends upon (1) the size before it is shimmed, (2) the number of shims used, and (3) the thickness of the shims. Since original pocket sizes vary among manufacturers, and even for a given manufacturer, a term like "double shimmed" does not necessarily equate to any particular pocket size.

Adding shims to a pocket is not the best way to make it tighter; lengthening the subrails and cushions is better, although that is more difficult.
 
All pockets have facings, which can also be shims. Double, triple shimmed is a general term that means the pockets are tighter than normal.

As a general rule to me, double shim is approx 4.5" and triple shim is 4.0"
 
Shim = Pocket Facing. Some people add them to make the pockets tighter. From my experience with double and triple shimmed tables, they play like crap and the ball will die out once it hits the facing.

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I guess I should have thought about the question before I asked it. All the tables where I play are sub railed but they are always referred to by being triple or quad shimmed. Why idk?

I guess a lot of old school thinking in my pool room. I actually know the table mechanic so I will text him. It was late last night and I had a question from an overseas player about equipment he plays on.

He said that in his country they are playing on 4-4.15 inch pockets? I just wanted to know where 4.15 inches was in comparison to our tables.

Thanks for the help guys
 
IamCalvin06 said:
I guess I should have thought about the question before I asked it. All the tables where I play are sub railed but they are always referred to by being triple or quad shimmed. Why idk?

I guess a lot of old school thinking in my pool room. I actually know the table mechanic so I will text him. It was late last night and I had a question from an overseas player about equipment he plays on.

He said that in his country they are playing on 4-4.15 inch pockets? I just wanted to know where 4.15 inches was in comparison to our tables.

Thanks for the help guys
Click to expand...

What make/model table do you play on? That may help us.

Your pocket could be a 4 1/2" pocket that was triple shimmed, which would be really small. It could possibly be a 5" pocket if it was quad shimmed.
 
realkingcobra said:
A lot of the AMF commercial 9fts had factory 5 1/2" corners and 6" sides pockets with 1/8" facings included, as well as wide miter angles to acheave those pocket openings.
Click to expand...

The thought of a 5 1/2" pocket with 4 shims stacked on either side to make a 4 1/2" pocket makes me cringe. That sounds like a terrible idea.

Especially if they are wide cut. I can only imagine how many balls will rattle.
 
DAVE_M said:
The thought of a 5 1/2" pocket with 4 shims stacked on either side to make a 4 1/2" pocket makes me cringe. That sounds like a terrible idea.

Especially if they are wide cut. I can only imagine how many balls will rattle.
Click to expand...

That almost closes up the throat of the pocket...LOL
 
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