Disclaimer: the 'Talk to a Mechanic' section seems dead lately. So I am posting this here.
In the past on my first table (Olhausen) I went the "extended subrail route but sold that table years back and now 10+ years later I am in the process of restoring/setting up a new table. What we didn't do on the Olhasen mostly because I didn't know about Diamondizing the pockets, so the pockets played like garbage. So now on my next table I decided to go the cheaper, easier route and go with 50A neoprene 3/8" (9.5mm) facings. I will also be cutting my pocket angles to more closely match Diamonds at 141° corners and 102° sides and 10-13° down (still haven't decided on those angles).
So my question is: My facings have a lot of curl to them (read on to know why), so will typical 3M Fast Bond/RKC or Barge cement hold them in place? I went with a bulk neoprene roll of 50A from Amazon rather then buy them pre-cut from Classic Billiards. It came rolled up and I just had to cut them myself. They now have a bit of a curve to them. I tried sandwiching them between two flat cookie sheets with 35lbs of weight then put it in the oven at 185F for 30 minutes and then let them cool. It took some of the curve out but I fear this curve in the rubber will pose an issue when gluing them on.
Should I do the oven thing again at a higher temp, for longer perhaps?
Also on a side note; would you do these for the side pockets too or 1/4 facings for them? I read some guys don't go as extreme for the sides.
Looking for advice.
Thanks.
Here is before I put them in the oven:
here is After (not much change:
In the past on my first table (Olhausen) I went the "extended subrail route but sold that table years back and now 10+ years later I am in the process of restoring/setting up a new table. What we didn't do on the Olhasen mostly because I didn't know about Diamondizing the pockets, so the pockets played like garbage. So now on my next table I decided to go the cheaper, easier route and go with 50A neoprene 3/8" (9.5mm) facings. I will also be cutting my pocket angles to more closely match Diamonds at 141° corners and 102° sides and 10-13° down (still haven't decided on those angles).
So my question is: My facings have a lot of curl to them (read on to know why), so will typical 3M Fast Bond/RKC or Barge cement hold them in place? I went with a bulk neoprene roll of 50A from Amazon rather then buy them pre-cut from Classic Billiards. It came rolled up and I just had to cut them myself. They now have a bit of a curve to them. I tried sandwiching them between two flat cookie sheets with 35lbs of weight then put it in the oven at 185F for 30 minutes and then let them cool. It took some of the curve out but I fear this curve in the rubber will pose an issue when gluing them on.
Should I do the oven thing again at a higher temp, for longer perhaps?
Also on a side note; would you do these for the side pockets too or 1/4 facings for them? I read some guys don't go as extreme for the sides.
Looking for advice.
Thanks.
Here is before I put them in the oven:
here is After (not much change:
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