remove slate backing & replace?

D

deaden

Registered
I just bought a used 8 foot Gandy after looking at a lot of tables, very excited to get it set up.

The table is built strong and beautifully; entirely of hardwood (mostly oak, some poplar blocking), not a laminate or particle wood piece to be seen. Except for the backer on the slate, which is a remarkably crappy particle board.

Why Gandy why make such an excellent table and cheap out in that one spot?? When I took it apart, I could see that it had been recovered at least once, and that particle backer board isn't going to hold staples for the next felt easily if at all. Before reassembly, I need to remove the particle board and replace it with something better. I'm a fair woodworker with tools galore so I can handle it.

So help me out, I've got a few questions for people who know or who can suggest.

1. How do I remove the glued on particle board without damaging the slates? If all else fails, could I just water soak the particle board until it starts to crumble? Then use goo off and plastic scrapers or something for the remaining glue?

2. What would be best for new slate backer boards? Hardwood plywood? Just plain hardwood (would poplar do?)?

3. Any suggestions for glue? I'm assuming a high quality contact cement adhesive...

thanks all!
 
deaden said:
I just bought a used 8 foot Gandy after looking at a lot of tables, very excited to get it set up.

The table is built strong and beautifully; entirely of hardwood (mostly oak, some poplar blocking), not a laminate or particle wood piece to be seen. Except for the backer on the slate, which is a remarkably crappy particle board.

Why Gandy why make such an excellent table and cheap out in that one spot?? When I took it apart, I could see that it had been recovered at least once, and that particle backer board isn't going to hold staples for the next felt easily if at all. Before reassembly, I need to remove the particle board and replace it with something better. I'm a fair woodworker with tools galore so I can handle it.

So help me out, I've got a few questions for people who know or who can suggest.

1. How do I remove the glued on particle board without damaging the slates? If all else fails, could I just water soak the particle board until it starts to crumble? Then use goo off and plastic scrapers or something for the remaining glue?

2. What would be best for new slate backer boards? Hardwood plywood? Just plain hardwood (would poplar do?)?

3. Any suggestions for glue? I'm assuming a high quality contact cement adhesive...

thanks all!
Click to expand...

Glue the cloth and forget about the wood. You can get the simonis DVD that shows how to do it.
 
My cloth gluing system eliminates the need for any kind of backer boards, which is wny Diamonddropped the use of them enentirely:D
 
I hadn't thought about the possibility of gluing rather than staples. RealKingCobra you mentioned your method. Can you point me toward a link that explains?
 
deaden said:
I hadn't thought about the possibility of gluing rather than staples. RealKingCobra you mentioned your method. Can you point me toward a link that explains?
Click to expand...

Seybert's carries the DVD's I had a hand in making showing how to install the cloth, you can find them in the market place at the top of the AZ page.
 
I am likely to glue the felt as per RealKingCobra's suggestion. Still, the table is built in such a way that the drop pockets must be drilled into the slate backing. The particle board is pretty chewed up, so I'll have to replace the backing anyway.

What makes the best backing? Hardwood? Or a plywood of some sort?
 
deaden said:
I am likely to glue the felt as per RealKingCobra's suggestion. Still, the table is built in such a way that the drop pockets must be drilled into the slate backing. The particle board is pretty chewed up, so I'll have to replace the backing anyway.

What makes the best backing? Hardwood? Or a plywood of some sort?
Click to expand...

I've built removeable plywood plates that bolt through the top of the slate into t-nuts in the plywood, so that with all the backing removed under the pocket shelves, the pockets can be recoved by pulling the flaps down and under the pocket shelf, then held in place by the bolt on plate that the pockets are then attached to. If you search out some of my threads, you'll see what I'm talking about.

Glen
 
deaden said:
I am likely to glue the felt as per RealKingCobra's suggestion. Still, the table is built in such a way that the drop pockets must be drilled into the slate backing. The particle board is pretty chewed up, so I'll have to replace the backing anyway.

What makes the best backing? Hardwood? Or a plywood of some sort?
Click to expand...

Here, you can see what I'm talking about in this thread.
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=301075
 
To resurrect this thread... Glen if you are out there- you used a t nut and bolt through the slate to anchor in a plate underneath the pockets.

How did you recess the t nuts into the slate so they would not interfere with the rails? How close were the holes to the pockets? I'd love any advice you might have before I go and do this.

I will glue the felt as you've suggested, but I still have to attach the pockets and my particle board backer is dead. I think I'll use a router to remove the sections of particle board slate backing that I will replace with the new ply plates.
 
deaden said:
To resurrect this thread... Glen if you are out there- you used a t nut and bolt through the slate to anchor in a plate underneath the pockets.

How did you recess the t nuts into the slate so they would not interfere with the rails? How close were the holes to the pockets? I'd love any advice you might have before I go and do this.

I will glue the felt as you've suggested, but I still have to attach the pockets and my particle board backer is dead. I think I'll use a router to remove the sections of particle board slate backing that I will replace with the new ply plates.
Click to expand...

Call me and I'll explain 702-927-5689
 
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