Question about Simonis cloth

C

cosgus

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So Simonis 860 is 90% worsted wool and 10% Nylon.

Is there anything else special about this fabric? Why not buy a bolt of 90/10 from a fabric wholesaler and use it is pool table cloth?

Im asking cause I just scored a 8 foot American Heritage for $75 bucks. I've never bought a pool table cause I dont have room for it indoors. But for $75 bucks I'll stick this one outside and do my best to protect it from the elements. I figure I spend $75 bucks on pool in a week sometimes so as long as the table lasts that long I will have broken even.

That being said, I dont want to blow 300 bucks to put Simonis on a 75 dollar outdoor table that is going to sit outside.
 
Yeah, the "outside" part of your situation brings any expensive cloth into consideration.

I'm not familiar with cloth available at retail cloth outlets like Joanne Fabrics, etc. I'd just get as many specs as you can (weight, thread count, warp, etc.) and take it to a retail outlet and ask them. Usually they know their products backwards and forwards, at least at Joanne.

The main difference I see is that Simonis 860 isnt' really that thin until you stretch it; then it flattens out like a man's summer-weight suit wool material. If you tried to stretch a thin wool cloth you'd probably tear it.

Championship Cloth has gotten good reviews as another worsted wool that is less expensive than Simonis, but I don't know "how much" less.

In any case I'd make sure I used a napless, worsted wool instead of anything with a nap. When humidity gets into nap cloth it plays like shag carpeting.
 
Here's an idea. Get in contact with a billiard mechanic. After they recover a 9 footer, they probably throw the old cloth away. You might pick it up for free....or close to it. You will have to get the used cloth from a 9 foot because you will still be able the stretch an trim pockets.
 
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Definitely want napless! What I got now is very nappy and the humidity here in Miami will just make it worse I'm sure.

Buckshot, that's a great idea. Im going to try it out.
 
You have a valid point. What is your level of play, and expectation from the table.

Simonis 860 was developed for the game of 9-ball, so its a very fast cloth. As others pointed out, it has to be stretched to realize its full potential. Years ago, one of the local poolhalls invested in Simonis so they could attract more players. The installer wasn't familiar with Simonis, and the tables played no different from before. One analogy is putting high performance summer tires on a station to station commuter car that is never driven more than 60mph.

I'm not familiar with your table model, but perhaps a table mechanic can chime in whether its financially feasible to upgrade.
 
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Try sunbrella fabric. Used in boating and outdoor furniture, I think it is what they use on outdoor tables at resorts
 
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