Restretch Gorina Basalt (Loose) or replace with 860HR

tedantle

tedantle

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have Gorina Basalt installed on my GCIII and it is loose. When putting my bridge hand on the table, it often shifts. To me, that is too loose IMO. It was installed about a year ago. If it were stretched properly (or installed properly for that matter the freaking first time) wouldn't it be faster?

In addition:

I just picked up some 860HR. Should I bail on the Gorina and just install the 860HR? I just want to simulate competition environments. In a pool hall, felt with heavy use, seems to me, to be faster. For home use, getting that same result may take years with normal use at home on new felt.

===============================

So I'm looking to professionals for advice regarding felt speed. Any of you have any experience with Gorina Basalt? I know everyone has experience with 860HR, but me.

What would be faster, 860HR or Gorina Basalt properly stretched a little broke-in? This is a GCIII on a home table.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Lastly, money is really not a issue (don't tell my mechanic), I would have no problem getting the 760. I just got a great price on the 860HR. I can always sell the 860HR if needed. In looking for simulated competition environments, would the 760 make sense?

Thank you in advance for your advice.

Glen you out there?

Ted
 
Restretching Basalt

Hi, Ted.

I'm not a pro mechanic, but I like to work on tables. I put some Basalt on one of mine. It's about a year old, and you can push with your fingers as hard as you can, and the fibers do not move at all. I use a tool called a canvas stretcher. It is just a pair of pliers with gripping jaws that are about 2 1/2 inches wide. Anyone can get a sufficient stretch using this tool. I bought mine at Michael's craft store for about $25.00. You can get them cheaper on the internet, but I was in a big hurry.

Yes, a tight stretch greatly reduces friction and drag on rolling balls, resulting in "faster" playability.

Gorina Basalt with a proper stretch plays fantastic. Very fast when it's new. I wash mine regularly with a microfiber sponge, so it is a bit slower now, but still faster than the
tables at the local pool hall. I'm going to try Gorina Tournament 2000 on my other table. Unfortunately, it is on backorder.
Joe
 

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tedantle said:
I have Gorina Basalt installed on my GCIII and it is loose. When putting my bridge hand on the table, it often shifts. To me, that is too loose IMO. It was installed about a year ago. If it were stretched properly (or installed properly for that matter the freaking first time) wouldn't it be faster?

In addition:

I just picked up some 860HR. Should I bail on the Gorina and just install the 860HR? I just want to simulate competition environments. In a pool hall, felt with heavy use, seems to me, to be faster. For home use, getting that same result may take years with normal use at home on new felt.

===============================

So I'm looking to professionals for advice regarding felt speed. Any of you have any experience with Gorina Basalt? I know everyone has experience with 860HR, but me.

What would be faster, 860HR or Gorina Basalt properly stretched a little broke-in? This is a GCIII on a home table.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Lastly, money is really not a issue (don't tell my mechanic), I would have no problem getting the 760. I just got a great price on the 860HR. I can always sell the 860HR if needed. In looking for simulated competition environments, would the 760 make sense?

Thank you in advance for your advice.

Glen you out there?

Ted
Click to expand...

How are you cleaning the table?
 
tedantle said:
Brush, once or twice I used a damp cloth (DOH! did I say that? Please Glen don't hurt me.)
Click to expand...

The above statement together with my picture, is likely not a good combination. Let me just say that the damp cloth has not been used for like 5 month on the cloth. I saw it being done in a local pool hall... thought it would be good. (I know.. a no no)
 
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tedantle said:
The above statement together with my picture, is likely not a good combination. Let me just say that the damp cloth has not been used for like 5 month on the cloth. I saw it being done in a local pool hall... thought it would be good. (I know.. a no no)
Click to expand...

ummm ...hmmm
 
OK, now that you've cleaned it with a wet rag and caused the fibers of the cloth to slip and lose their tension stretch which is what caused it to relax a little. Get out the iron, set it on the wool setting, and steam iron the playing surface and the heat/steam will cause the wool/nylon to shrink and tighten up the cloth...but DON'T clean it that way again...LOL You won't hurt the cloth with the iron, unless you let it sit in one spot to long...LOL...just IRON the cloth like you'd iron a pair of pants, the rest will take care of it's self. You don't have wax in the seams, so nothings going to melt into the cloth.

Glen
 
Thank you Glen! Oh, and incredible memory on every detail, of even the OTHER mechanic's work on my table. I was hoping that "in a couple of weeks" you could come by, re-level my slates and put that tournament blue 860HR on. Got plenty of time, 2012, np. After I iron that cloth my guess it will tighten up AND be faster that hell!

Would enjoy seeing your smile'n face.

I could take you out for a real steak this time.

Let me know and safe journey sir.

Ted
 
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tedantle said:
Thank you Glen! Oh, and incredible memory on every detail, of even the OTHER mechanic's work on my table. I was hoping that "in a couple of weeks" you could come by, re-level my slates and put that tournament blue 860HR on. Got plenty of time, 2012, np. After I iron that cloth my guess it will tighten up AND be faster that hell!

Would enjoy seeing your smile'n face.

I could take you out for a real steak this time.

Let me know and safe journey sir.

Ted
Click to expand...

2012 might be pushing it as in a rush order, but I"ll see what I can do...LOL
 
I miss you Glen. Very serious about the install. If you get a chance and can do the work, let me know (give me a warning? lol)

Safe journeys.

Ted

OH! and thank you again for the advice and response.
 
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I'm no mechanic but I've done a lot of reading on different cloths lately so correct me if I'm wrong, but if this guy wants a fast table isn't 860hr the slowest of everything he's listed and not really in line at all with what he's asking for?

I've heard granito basalt is faster than regular 860, everyone knows 760 is much faster than 860 and I hear 860hr is the thickest and slowest of all these you mention, slower than 860, slower than basalt, a whole lot slower than 760.

I really don't think it's the right cloth for you, since you say you like a fast cloth.

I realize you got a good deal on it, but it won't be such a good deal if you pay to have it installed and then hate it.
 
Oregonmeds said:
I'm no mechanic but I've done a lot of reading on different cloths lately so correct me if I'm wrong, ...
Click to expand...

Don't know where you're doing this reading but you always get the right answers from the notable
mechanics in this section of the forum.

Simonis speed -
860 fast
860HR faster
760 fastest

And just a reminder when wiping down cloth with a damp rag -
make sure it's wrung out to be barely damp and not wet.
 
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Dartman said:
Don't know where you're doing this reading but you always get the right answers from the notable
mechanics in this section of the forum.

Simonis speed -
860 fast
860HR faster
760 fastest

And just a reminder when wiping down cloth with a damp rag -
make sure it's wrung out to be barely damp and not wet.
Click to expand...

Thank you Dartman! As always, I appreciate your support.
 
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