Is there a best Slate. Made by/From?
Slate
- Thread starter YubaCushion
- Start date
Post
Slate is sedimentary rock that is quarried from the earth, it's millions of years old so we all have slates older than the dinosaurs'
As to my knowledge the highest quality slate is had in vermont. Pool table slates are quarried in many countrys today. Italian slate is common on pool tables.
The quality of the slate depends on the make up on the "baisicly dust" and deposits to create the solid after a lot of heat and pressure.
Ives seen pool table slate in many different colors of grey to almost black as steel. I came across a 8' no name pool table with a purple slate and wish cell phone cameras was around back then.
If you dont mind me asking, what exactly are you after asking about slate?
Rob.M
Slate is sedimentary rock that is quarried from the earth, it's millions of years old so we all have slates older than the dinosaurs'
As to my knowledge the highest quality slate is had in vermont. Pool table slates are quarried in many countrys today. Italian slate is common on pool tables.
The quality of the slate depends on the make up on the "baisicly dust" and deposits to create the solid after a lot of heat and pressure.
Ives seen pool table slate in many different colors of grey to almost black as steel. I came across a 8' no name pool table with a purple slate and wish cell phone cameras was around back then.
If you dont mind me asking, what exactly are you after asking about slate?
Rob.M
Last edited:
Actually Slate is a metamorphic rock derived from the sedimentary rock, Shale.
I
I am looking into an older table and if I should need to get slate I,LL have some knowledge.
It's formed as a sedimentary rock, and then becomes slightly metamorphic, but just barely. (Low grade metamorphosis) If the pressure or heat were any more intense, slate would become something altogether different, like Mica. (True metamorphosis)
In fact, some "bad" slate has actually morphed too much and becomes brittle due to various mineral crystals that have formed amongst the layers.
To address the original post, I have read that Italian slate is "best" due to its resilience, and its ability to absorb and expel moisture efficiently. I have not tested this myself so I can't verify these claims.
For the most part, this is true. The main difference now has to do with the depths (or lack of) at which it is located, and mined.
The deeper the slate is mined means denser and more stable slate?
Is it cut like marble and ground flat?
Who are some of the people that sell slate for pool tables?
Last edited:
Table
There is far to many slate distribution centers to name.
You can get an idea of how it's done here
http://youtu.be/k717SV6ljBQ
Rob.M
There is far to many slate distribution centers to name.
You can get an idea of how it's done here
http://youtu.be/k717SV6ljBQ
Rob.M
Not exactly...
Let's talk about the Phyllosilicates, lepidoblastics and Fissility. :grin-square:
Just kidding...lol I dont want to put you to sleep.
Without getting all nerdy and going into the mineralogical context, it's safe to say that "deeper" mined slate, generally speaking, tends to have a slightly higher moisture content, is slightly softer, and is slightly more flexible. This is typical of Italian slate, although Italy is not the only place where slate is mined underground.
Mines located at or near the surface, generally speaking, tend to produce slate that has slightly less moisture, is slightly harder, and is slightly less flexible.
KEEP IN MIND that most people cannot tell the difference between them, and, more often than not, either type of slate will serve its purpose well with no problems at all.
For the 'perfection minded' (or anally retentive) folks out there - here are some additional things to consider:
- "Hard" slate conducts noise better. "Soft" slate absorbs noise better.
- "Hard" slate is stronger, but is also more brittle. Cracks/flakes more.
- "Soft" slate flexes when needed, but also when not needed. Cracks/flakes less
- "Hard" slate is more difficult to work with and is harder to split uniformly.
- "Soft" slate is easier to work with, splits easily and uniformly.
- "Hard" slate tends to have a higher rate of random unwanted mineral deposits (from secondary or plutonic induced metamorphism) leading to a larger amount of defective or unusable slate for pool table applications. (along with a more intensive inspection process)
As discussed above, slate from various regions of the world do have differing physical properties. However, most critical to the quality of play is the accuracy and sophistication of the honing process at the particular factory. The term 'diamond honed' simply refers to the industrial diamond tooling used to 'flatten' the slate in its final stage of machining.
Several factors impact the quality of the honing. The honing machine itself, and the supports for the slate, impact honing quality. The diameter of the diamond honing tool and how often the tools are rotated in and out if service impact surface quality. And some slates are simply softer than other slates, allowing for easier honing.
Italian slate was predominantly used by nearly all of the table manufacturers until the 1990's. Domestic slate production in the US ended by the 1960's. Brunswick developed a source in Brazil in the 1980's, and by the late 1990's, the Italian slate industry was decimated. Besides higher labor costs, and an unfavorable exchange rate, the Italian slate was mined, whereas Brazilian slate was quarried. Thus, the Brazilians had a significant cost advantage, and their slate was harder, and less prone to breakage. While the Italian slate was clearly superior from a machining standpoint, the Brazilians eventually caught up in quality terms. By the early 2000's, Brazilian slate probably had a minimum 75% share of the market.
Chinese slate began entering the market in the early 2000's. While they suffered the same quality issues as the early Brazilian producers, they eventually figured it out. Today, a majority of the home tables sold use Chinese slate.
And while the quality of the slate machining does indeed impact play, I'd take substandard slate any day of the week versus a poor mechanic and a horrible installation.
Several factors impact the quality of the honing. The honing machine itself, and the supports for the slate, impact honing quality. The diameter of the diamond honing tool and how often the tools are rotated in and out if service impact surface quality. And some slates are simply softer than other slates, allowing for easier honing.
Italian slate was predominantly used by nearly all of the table manufacturers until the 1990's. Domestic slate production in the US ended by the 1960's. Brunswick developed a source in Brazil in the 1980's, and by the late 1990's, the Italian slate industry was decimated. Besides higher labor costs, and an unfavorable exchange rate, the Italian slate was mined, whereas Brazilian slate was quarried. Thus, the Brazilians had a significant cost advantage, and their slate was harder, and less prone to breakage. While the Italian slate was clearly superior from a machining standpoint, the Brazilians eventually caught up in quality terms. By the early 2000's, Brazilian slate probably had a minimum 75% share of the market.
Chinese slate began entering the market in the early 2000's. While they suffered the same quality issues as the early Brazilian producers, they eventually figured it out. Today, a majority of the home tables sold use Chinese slate.
And while the quality of the slate machining does indeed impact play, I'd take substandard slate any day of the week versus a poor mechanic and a horrible installation.
Last edited: