Slate Frame

T

The_Marvelous

Member
Hi, everyone. I would like to know how difficult to framed a 3 piece slate. I have a 9 foot table. The slate is unframed and just sitting on top of a particle board. Leveling is an issue since the partcle board is fixed to the frame. I'm looking to frame the slate with an MDF board. Is this is suitable? Also what kind of glue will i use? I really appreciate all your input. Many thanks.
 
The_Marvelous said:
Hi, everyone. I would like to know how difficult to framed a 3 piece slate. I have a 9 foot table. The slate is unframed and just sitting on top of a particle board. Leveling is an issue since the partcle board is fixed to the frame. I'm looking to frame the slate with an MDF board. Is this is suitable? Also what kind of glue will i use? I really appreciate all your input. Many thanks.
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Adding a backer to the slate is not going to solve your problem. I would replace the particle board bed liner with something stiffer and try to beef the frame up a little. If you want to then add a slate liner you can. As far as glue. I use contact adhesive. But I am sure you will get some more input from the other mechanics.:thumbup:
 
The_Marvelous said:
Hi, everyone. I would like to know how difficult to framed a 3 piece slate. I have a 9 foot table. The slate is unframed and just sitting on top of a particle board. Leveling is an issue since the partcle board is fixed to the frame. I'm looking to frame the slate with an MDF board. Is this is suitable? Also what kind of glue will i use? I really appreciate all your input. Many thanks.
Click to expand...

What 9ft table has particle board as a top liner? I agree no need for backing on the slate. If the particle board liner is secured well and doesn't have much give it is ok as well. The big problem you might encounter is the amount of sag a 9ft table has in the middle especially one with a particle board top liner. That means you will probably have slate screw issues. If there is no wood block secured under the particle board to catch the screws you will probably need to install some. And get longer screws.
 
Post us a few pictures of what ur working with..a name brand and model helps if u can not get pictures..
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Rob.M
 
My scenario right now as mentioned, there is a sag on the frame in the middle. So the three slates are wedge quite a bit in the middle say around 5 mm. This result a big gap between the slate and the liner. So how would i support the middle of the slate? That's why my route is to put a framed on the slate, so i can support the middle of the slate. What do you think guys?

I really do not know what brand of pool table is this. It could be locally made, but I'm sure it's a GC III copy. Hope this help.
 
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The_Marvelous said:
My scenario right now as mentioned, there is a sag on the frame in the middle. So the three slates are wedge quite a bit in the middle say around 5 mm. This result a big gap between the slate and the liner. So how would i support the middle of the slate? That's why my route is to put a framed on the slate, so i can support the middle of the slate. What do you think guys?
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With a slate backing or not your going to have the same sag. Once you get the slate level and the screws are secured tightly into the particle board. Glue angle shims on both sides of the cross beams so the middle of each seam is even. if your worried bout the space between slate and side pocket put shims there to just as extra support i wouldnt normally though.
 
Let say worst case scenario, I have a sag slate, how will i level the slate? I can't put shim between the liner and the slate. If is shim on the cross beam or horizontal that means only the liner move and not the slate.
 
table

So ur saying the wood liner is flexing down because of slate weight and not raising up when you tap the shim in?
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Rob.M
 
Basketcase repair

Hi Marv,
Just out of curiosity, what part of the country are you in? Depending on the make of the table and what thickness of slate, I can make some suggestions. Overall my first impression is that yo are focuses too much on the frame sag. Even very expensive tables will have some sag with a 4 leg table, the only ones I rarely see it on are the super thick antique frames. I have put slate liners on, had good experience using a general purpose construction adhesive. Again, depending on the frame my suggestion on this will vary. Overall the idea of MDF is great since it can be made to be constant thickness and compression, unfortunately it is horrible to staple into more than a couple of times. I generally run all my boards through a planer before cutting them to fit each other on the back of the slate. You can reply on here, or my cell 215-622-8899 or my work email at sales@table-tek.com. Good luck with your project.
Rob Kay
 
The_Marvelous said:
Let say worst case scenario, I have a sag slate, how will i level the slate? I can't put shim between the liner and the slate. If is shim on the cross beam or horizontal that means only the liner move and not the slate.
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Tables with slate liners you can't angle shim from outside the liner will bend down. So you must use angle shims on inside of table. I use flat shims by lifting slate and sliding them in from outside you can change the height very slightly depending on how far you push the stacked up flat shims in. You are saying only the crossbeam pushes down when putting the angle shim in at the center of the slate. well you need shims on outside for the support the middle ones are for extra support and to even the center of the slates out so there is no need to be putting that much pressure on the crossbeam. Lastily, calling a pro will help you the most;)
 
You also want to consider the problems adding a backing to the slate will cause.

1) You change the height of the play surface by the width of the backing. You may change it enough to not still be within spec for table height. You wouldn't think 3/4" would make much difference, but you might be surprised.

2) Your rails bolts may now be too short. Unless they had at least 3/4" of overkill, they won't go through the slate plus the backing. I worked for a dealer who sold some cheap cheap cheap Chinese tables to compete with another dealer who advertised tables for $888. Dealer tried to upgrade the slate to 1". Sounded great until the rail bolts weren't long enough to reach through the extra 1/4" and the 7 hardware stores locally had a combined total of 9 of the right sized metric bolts 3 days before Christmas. Kind of sucks when I'm the guy driving all over town to fix a manufacturer's and dealer's oversight, but I'm still the Grinch who stole Christmas.
 
dontlitethat said:
Hey pat, how is the weather up that way?
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Rob
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Hey Rob,
It sucks!!!! Going out to shovel now. I just heard on the news that we have set a record for the most snow in a year. I am not use to this shit...lol. Had to cancel two Simonis recovers today. Thanks for asking buddy. :thumbup:
 
snow

I see all over T.V and radio about I-80 having trucks and trailers wrecked for miles in PA Closing the interstate.
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We have had measureable snow and ice here in iowa most of the winter. I'm ready for warmer weather..
.Bare slate gets so cold that it burns your hand to touch it let alone pick it up n carry.
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Drive safe and keep warm,
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Rob.M
 
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