Refelting Gabriels Rails?

[CamposCues]

I recently bought a Gabriels table and am getting ready to set it up and put some new cloth on it. The side rails are all one piece. They don't come apart at the side pocket. How or what kind of stapler do you need to get staples in the side pocket folds. It's a pretty tight space. Any tips or suggested would sure be helpful.

 

[Poolschool]

I use a combination of Duofast and a Maestry (both electric)staple gun. The nose of the Duofast will help you force the staple into the sides without having the best line on staple drive. Sometimes a small tack hammer will help force the staples flush after they have been started by the staple gun. If you need a Maestry let me know I can get pretty good prices on them and staples too.

 

[CamposCues]

Staple Guns

I use a combination of Duofast and a Maestry (both electric)staple gun. The nose of the Duofast will help you force the staple into the sides without having the best line on staple drive. Sometimes a small tack hammer will help force the staples flush after they have been started by the staple gun. If you need a Maestry let me know I can get pretty good prices on them and staples too.

What are the main differences or pros and cons between the two guns?

 

[Poolschool]

This is a Duofast 5018A which is the appropriate gun for working with billiard cloth. It has a twin that is very popular in the carpet industry (no good for a general purpose stapler) It has a small crown and won't cover enough width to evenly distribute the stretch. I like Duofast guns because that's what I have always used and its comfortable for me to maneuver. They have been around along time but the quality has depreciated IMO. My old one finally shot after 8 years of moderate use. The new gun has been back in the shop twice and still misfires occasionally. Overall its my favorite despite the faults because my style adapted to it.
They run $200 and up...

ME50 Maestri
The Maestri gun is new to me but the company established itslef some time ago in the UK. There are some really important features on this gun that makes the design and patent hard to beat. The most important feature is the removable nose mount. Something that takes 45 minutes to fix with a Duofast can be fixed in a matter of seconds. It also has a much smaller drive nose then the duo-fast. I like the long drive nose on the duofast but you have to be careful not to rip the cloth. So I guess what I'm saying is... You don't have to have a feel for the Maestri like you do the Duofast. I think the spring looks kinda cheesy but I have had it for 8 months with no problems at all. I am using the Maestri today as a matter of fact. I'm learning to like this one better because its hassle free and the cords longer.

 

[realkingcobra]

I recently bought a Gabriels table and am getting ready to set it up and put some new cloth on it. The side rails are all one piece. They don't come apart at the side pocket. How or what kind of stapler do you need to get staples in the side pocket folds. It's a pretty tight space. Any tips or suggested would sure be helpful.

The side pockets are no different to staple in than a Diamond or Brunswick table. There's plenty of room to get a staple gun in there and get the job done.

Glen

 

[realkingcobra]

I always take the side skirts off when I'm recovering these kind of ring rails so to speak, for a couple of reasons, (1) the rails are lighter to handle, (2) the side skirts are out of the way. On Gold Crowns, I bolt a piece of flat bar across the side pockets from the closest two skirt bolt holes to give support to the side pocket castings so they don't bend right there as I turn the rails over.

Glen

 

[CamposCues]

Staple Gun

The side pockets are no different to staple in than a Diamond or Brunswick table. There's plenty of room to get a staple gun in there and get the job done.

Glen

Sounds like I need a new staple gun...dang. Mine is just a Royobi 18v and probably a lot more bulky than a duo-fast. I can't relly get it in there. It worked fine on my GC because I just took the rails apart. I was hoping to get by with it since I only have to refelt my table once in a blue moon. Thanks though.

 

[realkingcobra]

Sounds like I need a new staple gun...dang. Mine is just a Royobi 18v and probably a lot more bulky than a duo-fast. I can't relly get it in there. It worked fine on my GC because I just took the rails apart. I was hoping to get by with it since I only have to refelt my table once in a blue moon. Thanks though.

You don't have to get straight in, go in at an angle, shoot the staples in, you only need about 4 per side pocket in the pocket itself, then if necessary pound the staples in the rest of the way with a small hammer.
Glen