So What Does One Do When They Don't Have a Decent Local Mechanic...?

T

The_JV

'AZB_Combat Certified'
So, I have a table, new 860, and replacement K55 rails. What I don't have is a mechanic even remotely close to me that can do anything more than haphazardly wrap new cloth on existing equipment.

My 4.5x9 table currently has dead rails, >5" pockets, and >15yr old cloth that I flipped upside down so the kids could be entertained during covid lockdowns. Fast forward 1 year and this thing is destroying my game. So since I can't have a table in my home and not hit balls on it. I decided to invest in reconditioning the table, and hopefully tweak it to a competitive level play wise.

There are a couple of guys locally that can stretch cloth, but that's about it, and based on the work I've seen of theirs I'd still be disappointed even if I got done for free.

If time wasn't an issue. Can someone that's pretty darn handy, with an arsenal of tools, rework their table from 'loose family fun' condition, to something more akin to pro difficulty...?

Thanks in advance for any advice.
 
The_JV said:
So, I have a table, new 860, and replacement K55 rails. What I don't have is a mechanic even remotely close to me that can do anything more than haphazardly wrap new cloth on existing equipment.

My 4.5x9 table currently has dead rails, >5" pockets, and >15yr old cloth that I flipped upside down so the kids could be entertained during covid lockdowns. Fast forward 1 year and this thing is destroying my game. So since I can't have a table in my home and not hit balls on it. I decided to invest in reconditioning the table, and hopefully tweak it to a competitive level play wise.

There are a couple of guys locally that can stretch cloth, but that's about it, and based on the work I've seen of theirs I'd still be disappointed even if I got done for free.

If time wasn't an issue. Can someone that's pretty darn handy, with an arsenal of tools, rework their table from 'loose family fun' condition, to something more akin to pro difficulty...?

Thanks in advance for any advice.
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There are mechanics you could send the rails to??

TFT
 
The_JV said:
So, I have a table, new 860, and replacement K55 rails. What I don't have is a mechanic even remotely close to me that can do anything more than haphazardly wrap new cloth on existing equipment.

My 4.5x9 table currently has dead rails, >5" pockets, and >15yr old cloth that I flipped upside down so the kids could be entertained during covid lockdowns. Fast forward 1 year and this thing is destroying my game. So since I can't have a table in my home and not hit balls on it. I decided to invest in reconditioning the table, and hopefully tweak it to a competitive level play wise.

There are a couple of guys locally that can stretch cloth, but that's about it, and based on the work I've seen of theirs I'd still be disappointed even if I got done for free.

If time wasn't an issue. Can someone that's pretty darn handy, with an arsenal of tools, rework their table from 'loose family fun' condition, to something more akin to pro difficulty...?

Thanks in advance for any advice.
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I think I've asked you before, but where do you live?
 
realkingcobra said:
I think I've asked you before, but where do you live?
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Barrie, Ontario
Canada

There is what most consider a good mechanic a few hours drive from me. I haven't seen any tables he's done wherein the pocket geometry has been changed notably though. The examples I've seen have the pockets cut the same as original and extra facing material added to tighten them 🤬

Not having any real clue myself, but from what I've read here leads me to believe that my sub rails may require rework to get me from >5" to 4.5 at the correct angle. It's this potential sub rail work that has me scratching my head for reputable options.
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trentfromtoledo said:
Great railwork by:

Jack Zimmerman

‪(812) 756-2899‬
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bignick31985 said:
Mark Gregory can rework them. I shipped my GC rails off to him and they came back perfect. I would not have let anyone local do that type of work.

www.perfectpocketz.com
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So I won't pretend to have any clue how this would work...lol

I send them my rails, with the desired pocket specs / rail height and they can reliably set them up to be installed on my table at a later date...? Certainly sounds like a slick option. Wondering if the 'international' shipping costs back and forth make it a difficult choice though.
 
At the distance it appears to be on the map, would it be cheaper to just drive them across the border?
 
The_JV said:
It's a "Canada Billiards, Celebrity". Cheaper version of the 'Black Crown'. Which is basically a subtle knock off of the Gold Crown.

3pc, 1" slate (not doweled). Hard drop pockets, K55 cushions.

Should play perfectly fine if the proper care is given to her.
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I would send the rails out to one of the aforementioned mechanics unless shipping is oost prohibitive. Both are extremely qualified and have many positive reviews here. Jack may be the better choice due to proximity. Good luck and keep us posted on the progress!
 
The_JV said:
It's a "Canada Billiards, Celebrity". Cheaper version of the 'Black Crown'. Which is basically a subtle knock off of the Gold Crown.

3pc, 1" slate (not doweled). Hard drop pockets, K55 cushions.

Should play perfectly fine if the proper care is given to her.
Click to expand...
I have done many sets of rails with Jack, he is an absolute gentleman, is on time and communicates very well! Wait, I forgot: its like artwork, the rails play awesome and it is my strong ass opinion that he is your guy!

TFT
 
rexus31 said:
I would send the rails out to one of the aforementioned mechanics unless shipping is oost prohibitive. Both are extremely qualified and have many positive reviews here. Jack may be the better choice due to proximity. Good luck and keep us posted on the progress!
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So I ran through the UPS shipping calculator some guessimated numbers using Jack's 812 area code, and here are the details..
  • Personal packaging in inches: 72x12x12 (I know I'm small)
  • Weight 75lbs max (entered 50)
  • longest delivery (5 days)
Cost one way in funny money is ~160cdn, or $320 round trip, pre tax and any melodrama at the border.

Relatively speaking... is $360 (including tax and assuming no drama) cost prohibitive..? I understand that what's 'prohibitive' is dependent on the person spending the money...lol. I can say that I can get one of the local hacks to perform all the work for $400.
 
The_JV said:
So I ran through the UPS shipping calculator some guessimated numbers using Jack's 812 area code, and here are the details..
  • Personal packaging in inches: 72x12x12 (I know I'm small)
  • Weight 75lbs max (entered 50)
  • longest delivery (5 days)
Cost one way in funny money is ~160cdn, or $320 round trip, pre tax and any melodrama at the border.

Relatively speaking... is $360 (including tax and assuming no drama) cost prohibitive..? I understand that what's 'prohibitive' is dependent on the person spending the money...lol. I can say that I can get one of the local hacks to perform all the work for $400.
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Or you can spend $400 and be worse off😅
 
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