Smaller Pockets Don’t Always Play Smaller … Dr. Dave Evaluates His New Rails and Pockets
- Thread starter dr_dave
- Start date
From the video's screenshot, the pocket facings appear to be almost parallel. That will throw the ball in the pocket more often than causing it to rattle. You only need to be accurate enough to hit just inside the point and it will drop, new cloth promotes that too.
So, I've lost track Dave.
Are your new pockets shimmed?
Are your new pockets shimmed?
That was my only hesitation before doing the modifications. It is no longer the same table as what I got from Byrne. I still think of it as his table, though.
Agreed. They are at 50 degrees instead of parallel (45 degrees), but they definitely help the balls in. That was actually part of my goal … to make the pockets look tougher without making them tougher. Although, they are tougher for many shots. It sure is nice to be able to fire the balls into the pockets now without them rattling out.
The problem with thicket facings, is while the corners still drop nicely, the sides are now near impossible at any steep angle. Shots that would typically fall in readily on a standard GC, are no longer even considered.
Nice video. I like the look of the table with the new rails. As a fan of professional pool, one thing I really don't like about the more parallel facings, is how there seems to be more balls hung up in the pocket than back when Gold Crowns were the standard. This makes the penalty for a miss even more severe. The incoming player shoots at a lot of hung balls in today's game. Is that a good thing? It keeps the game moving, but removes a bit of variety.
I wonder if buying new custom rails will become more of a thing. They really are the most important part of the table. I would consider some for mine.
Am I crazy, or do I correctly recall AZ's Neil (RIP), somehow extending the slate shelves on his table? That would be an interesting project to change the TDF of a table. Interesting for someone else that is.
I wonder if buying new custom rails will become more of a thing. They really are the most important part of the table. I would consider some for mine.
Am I crazy, or do I correctly recall AZ's Neil (RIP), somehow extending the slate shelves on his table? That would be an interesting project to change the TDF of a table. Interesting for someone else that is.
Good point. I’ve noticed this also. I’ve also noticed the “tight” pro tournament pockets playing much bigger than they look with the slick conditions.
I miss Neil. We had lots of good interactions over many years. RIP Neil! I remember his “bar box” having very tight pockets, but I don’t remember him extending the slate.
To me it's just the precision required of a small aperture. Standard pro cuts invite sloppiness. Hence 3.25 apertures with no jaws or shelf for me.
Actually, my memory was correct. In this thread Neil stated he extended the slate on his barbox:
Post in thread 'Make A Valley Play Very Close To A Diamond' https://forums.azbilliards.com/thre...y-very-close-to-a-diamond.312935/post-4079981
Post in thread 'Make A Valley Play Very Close To A Diamond' https://forums.azbilliards.com/thre...y-very-close-to-a-diamond.312935/post-4080813
Post in thread 'Make A Valley Play Very Close To A Diamond' https://forums.azbilliards.com/thre...y-very-close-to-a-diamond.312935/post-4082381
Do the new pocket liners get in the way?
They do stick up a little, but not as much as the previous leather pockets.
Must be an illusion then. The leather looked more flush.
I agree the leather looks more flush in many of the video views, but they stuck up quite a bit.
The new ones are plastic? The main thing is they don't bind.
Nope. 2 stacked facings it acts like you said, but softer, one thicker rubber it play good. I can demonstrate if need proof.
Anyways Dave, you got table I think you gonna enjoy a lot. I enjoy most tight tables that forces you aim better but they are fair. I think you got yourself on that kind of table!
No. The new black ones are leather also. They just don’t have the classic look of the original leather pockets.
I will certainly get less comments on YouTube about my pockets looking like gigantic buckets.
The main difference for me is when filming power shots down the rail, I won’t need to fear pocket rattle as much. Even though the original pockets were huge, they sure spit out fast balls easily.
Great to see this transformation. I was surprised the old rails/pocket setup was actually tougher. No doubt the old pockets appear more inviting and comfortable. I suppose it all comes dowm to perception.
I feel that pockets shouldn’t tighten much if balls and cloth are kept religiously clean. 6 years with the same 860HR and I don’t think it’s changed much at all. That, or I’m improving.
I feel that pockets shouldn’t tighten much if balls and cloth are kept religiously clean. 6 years with the same 860HR and I don’t think it’s changed much at all. That, or I’m improving.
It isn’t just “perception.” I did careful measurements. The old pockets were certainly “bigger” at some angles and speeds, but fast balls down the rail rattled out unless the hit was near perfect. If you barely caught the near point or hit a little too far out on the far facing, the ball got spit out.
I look forward to testing again in a few months after the cloth breaks in. Regardless, I already know from experience that clean, old cloth plays different than new, slick cloth. This is evident in pro tournaments also where balls go in easily in early rounds and tend to rattle more in later rounds.