Questions on table setup and Simonis break in

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scottjen26

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Simonis 860 break in period and table setup

A few questions on my newly installed Brunswick GC IV table:

1) Length of the table measures 100", but the width varies from 49 3/4" to 49 7/8", so it's just shy of 50". Is this just a matter of how the cushions are bolted to the castings? Maybe a little play in the screw holes and they need to be moved out a bit? I noticed when watching part of the install that there are many places on the table where the screw holes are pre-drilled and they go where they go, hard to get things flush that way...

2) How tight should the cloth be? If I apply pressure on the table and move my hands from the rails to the center, I can cause ripples in the cloth. But only if I apply pressure, in most areas on the table it's fine when sliding bridge hand forward etc. I've noticed the same thing on other commercial tables I play on regularly, both on the bed of the table and the cushions, something I guess I never did before I had a table

3) How long does it take for Simonis 860 to break in? The "grain tracking" has seemed to taper down, but the balls are still rolling farther than expected. I'm guessing since it can take a few weeks of play in a commercial room that it could take months to settle down to normal at home?


Being very picky about the table, questioning every little thing, I know most things can be fixed with time and money but would prefer not to have to spend any more for a while. Eventually would love to have Glen or Mark work on the table, but was hoping to just get it here, play with it for a year or so, then spend the extra to make it right so to speak.

First table, so just checking. Other than a small mark on one of the rails, and some hammer marks near the edges of the cushions where someone (previous installer) clearly didn't know what they were doing, table is in like new condition. But of course with my personality, that's all I focus on some days is the flaws and not the parts that are perfect.

Current installer is coming back in a week or two to check the level etc., as there has been some settling into the carpet, so just making sure I get everything taken care of at the same time.

Thanks,
Scott
 
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scottjen26 said:
A few questions on my newly installed Brunswick GC IV table:

1) Length of the table measures 100", but the width varies from 49 3/4" to 49 7/8", so it's just shy of 50". Is this just a matter of how the cushions are bolted to the castings? Maybe a little play in the screw holes and they need to be moved out a bit? I noticed when watching part of the install that there are many places on the table where the screw holes are pre-drilled and they go where they go, hard to get things flush that way...

First of all, there can be several reasons why the playing surface don't add up to 50" side to side, but one of the main reasons is because the rails bolted to the pocket castings are moved in to far causing the playing surface to be less than what it should be, another reason could be because the rails are not straight, meaning bowed in at the side pockets.
Without being right there looking at your table it's kind of really hard to say.

2) How tight should the cloth be? If I apply pressure on the table and move my hands from the rails to the center, I can cause ripples in the cloth. But only if I apply pressure, in most areas on the table it's fine when sliding bridge hand forward etc. I've noticed the same thing on other commercial tables I play on regularly, both on the bed of the table and the cushions, something I guess I never did before I had a table

No, the cloth shouldn't wrinkle up when you slide your hand across the playing surface in any direction, the only reason that happens is because the cloth is loose.

3) How long does it take for Simonis 860 to break in? The "grain tracking" has seemed to taper down, but the balls are still rolling farther than expected. I'm guessing since it can take a few weeks of play in a commercial room that it could take months to settle down to normal at home?

That all depends on how much time you play pool, but about 300 hours of play or there abouts, should eliminate the ball slide and grain roll quite of bit. As far as balls rolling further than you'd expect, it they seem to roll farther in the direction of the foot of the table than say the head, you may have some slate level issues, because even a slight amound of down hill roll will be noticed as traveling further than normal, especially if it's less of a roll going in the other direction. If you take the shafts of 2 cues, place them next to each other to create a ramp, then place them in the center of the end rail at the foot of the table, roll the cue ball down the shafts and mark how far out it rolls. Then try the same thing from the other end, see if the cue ball rolls more or less, then you'd have something to go by.

Being very picky about the table, questioning every little thing, I know most things can be fixed with time and money but would prefer not to have to spend any more for a while. Eventually would love to have Glen or Mark work on the table, but was hoping to just get it here, play with it for a year or so, then spend the extra to make it right so to speak.

First table, so just checking. Other than a small mark on one of the rails, and some hammer marks near the edges of the cushions where someone (previous installer) clearly didn't know what they were doing, table is in like new condition. But of course with my personality, that's all I focus on some days is the flaws and not the parts that are perfect.

Current installer is coming back in a week or two to check the level etc., as there has been some settling into the carpet, so just making sure I get everything taken care of at the same time.

Thanks,
Scott
Click to expand...

Does that help answer your questions?

Glen
 
It sounds like, if the cloth is in fact too loose, it could also be contributing to the funny rolls. As for the long rolls, I'd take a good hard look at your nose height all the way around.

There's no need to be unpleasant about it, but don't be afraid to scrutinize these things while your mechanic is there to discuss it with you.
 
Thanks Glen and Mr. Bond for the replies. Just trying to verify if I have issues or not before the guy comes back. As I said, I can be picky, and am a good player, so certainly in my home I expect the table to play well. Just don't want to make a big deal out of minor issues, or conversely overlook something.

I think the playing width is an issue with the rails being bolted together slightly off, thanks for confirming that as a possible reason.

I think the cloth is a bit too loose. Not bad, and I've certainly seen it like mine in rooms, or even worse, but I agree it should be tighter.

I'll check the roll issues per your suggestion Glen, thanks, and will have him address the level issues in general when he comes back.


Regarding the loose cloth, is that something he can do when he's here, basically unstaple and restretch the same cloth, or will that mess things up worse?

Thanks,
Scott
 
scottjen26 said:
Thanks Glen and Mr. Bond for the replies. Just trying to verify if I have issues or not before the guy comes back. As I said, I can be picky, and am a good player, so certainly in my home I expect the table to play well. Just don't want to make a big deal out of minor issues, or conversely overlook something.

I think the playing width is an issue with the rails being bolted together slightly off, thanks for confirming that as a possible reason.

I think the cloth is a bit too loose. Not bad, and I've certainly seen it like mine in rooms, or even worse, but I agree it should be tighter.

I'll check the roll issues per your suggestion Glen, thanks, and will have him address the level issues in general when he comes back.


Regarding the loose cloth, is that something he can do when he's here, basically unstaple and restretch the same cloth, or will that mess things up worse?

Thanks,
Scott
Click to expand...

Not without taking the whole table apart, if he can't get it right the first time, then he needs to get my DVDs to learn how to install it right the next time.
 
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