Stretching Simonis

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DrCue'sProtege

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
was wondering how important it is to really stretch new Simonis 860 Cloth tight during installation?

which of the following is best:
1) not stretch very tight at all, leave it just a hair loose
2) stretch just tight enough to keep it from moving under your bridge hand
3) stretch and pull it as tight as you can get it

i have heard all 3 ideas, just wondering what you knowledgeable folks out there recommend?

regards,
DCP
 
I have only heard the last. You have to stretch the heck out of Simmonis 860. They put it on a couple of tables where I play the last time they redid them. They did not stretch the cloth enough and now there are wrinkles by all the side pockets.

Jim Eales
 
Stretch it as tight as possible.
All tables in the room I manage were recently done and the mechanic always does them right -- TIGHT.

Troy
DrCue'sProtege said:
was wondering how important it is to really stretch new Simonis 860 Cloth tight during installation?

which of the following is best:
1) not stretch very tight at all, leave it just a hair loose
2) stretch just tight enough to keep it from moving under your bridge hand
3) stretch and pull it as tight as you can get it

i have heard all 3 ideas, just wondering what you knowledgeable folks out there recommend?

regards,
DCP
Click to expand...
 
pull tight

When I Install Simonis, I stretch it as tight as I can get it. I've seen to many pool halls were the stuff loosens up 2 weeks after install. Plus it makes the table play ultra fast. Just remember to pull it evenly so not to get strange ball roll as it slows
 
I've always been told it's best to stretch the cloth tight then after a day or 2 come back and restretch it. Is that a good idea or just overkill?
 
I used to work for Marc Masden and we went around setting up tables in pool rooms everywhere. My take on 860 is you stretch it very tight but if you strectch it insanly tight it plays like 760 and well if you wanted 760 thats what you would buy. But keep in mind that most people cannot and will not stretch the cloth this tight. The reason I know this can happen is this: We went to JOBs (Nashville) and we accidently cut a extra rail cloth off a bedcloth (oops, lol) so the Rob had to stretch it enough to make it fit. Unbelievable he stretched it the extra distance to fit. But if any of you have been to JOBs and played on the 7 foot Diamond that is right there as you go into the room with the bar tables around 1998 you will know what I am talking about.

Crow

DrCue'sProtege said:
was wondering how important it is to really stretch new Simonis 860 Cloth tight during installation?

which of the following is best:
1) not stretch very tight at all, leave it just a hair loose
2) stretch just tight enough to keep it from moving under your bridge hand
3) stretch and pull it as tight as you can get it

i have heard all 3 ideas, just wondering what you knowledgeable folks out there recommend?

regards,
DCP
Click to expand...
 
That problem might lie with the type or size of staples they are using as well, or the backing being old or cheap, lots of different factors lie with that result.

Crow

NineBallNut said:
When I Install Simonis, I stretch it as tight as I can get it. I've seen to many pool halls were the stuff loosens up 2 weeks after install. Plus it makes the table play ultra fast. Just remember to pull it evenly so not to get strange ball roll as it slows
Click to expand...
 
One room I play in has 860 installed by the proprietors of the room. They stretch the cloth on the rails so tight, that there are pronounced ripples all along the length of the nose of the cushion. I asked the owner about them, and he said they will go away in a few weeks. And that when he doesn't stretch them as tight as he does now, in a few weeks time the cloth on the rails will be too loose. Sure enough, in about a months time, the ripples went away.

But another room I go to has 760 professionally installed and NEVER has that problem. The rails come out perfect every time, and don't loosen over time either. Both rooms use staples and not glue.
 
Its the application process. Simonis is tricky to do correctly but can be done. The rails are more difficult then the bed. I just got back from DCC and I have to say the majority of these tables looked like crap. Wrinkles in the rails and sloppy cuts around the pocket edges. I didnt look at the TV table but Im sure it was dont to perfection.
 
crow said:
I used to work for Marc Masden and we went around setting up tables in pool rooms everywhere. My take on 860 is you stretch it very tight but if you strectch it insanly tight it plays like 760 and well if you wanted 760 thats what you would buy. But keep in mind that most people cannot and will not stretch the cloth this tight. The reason I know this can happen is this: We went to JOBs (Nashville) and we accidently cut a extra rail cloth off a bedcloth (oops, lol) so the Rob had to stretch it enough to make it fit. Unbelievable he stretched it the extra distance to fit. But if any of you have been to JOBs and played on the 7 foot Diamond that is right there as you go into the room with the bar tables around 1998 you will know what I am talking about.

Crow
Click to expand...
Crow....whats up man??? I know you from Michaels in cincinnati. Im buddies with Justin Renner. My name is Jason Taylor you probably dont remember me by name but you have been to my house with Justin. I havent seen you in a while how the hell are you. I saw Marc in Louisville. He said he quit playing??? I doubt that. Im not sure that he was in action but Im pretty sure he was staking someone.
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
was wondering how important it is to really stretch new Simonis 860 Cloth tight during installation?

which of the following is best:
1) not stretch very tight at all, leave it just a hair loose
2) stretch just tight enough to keep it from moving under your bridge hand
3) stretch and pull it as tight as you can get it

i have heard all 3 ideas, just wondering what you knowledgeable folks out there recommend?

regards,
DCP
Click to expand...
If you go to thier web site www.iwansimonis.com they will send you or fax you installation instructions for thier cloth. If I recall correctly I think you're sopposed to pull it to 90 lbs.
 
It is also a good idea to dampen the cloth when stretching. Don't get it wet, but heavily mist with a spray bottle. Simonis is 90% wool & 10% nylon, so getting it a little wet before stretching will allow the cloth to tighten back up once dried and provide you with a real nice finish.


Get it wet- Pull it tight!


hmmm. :p
 
cloth

I have used this method for stretching cloth for years. While I took care of the pro tour, this is how I stretched the cloth.

I place the cloth on the slates, then using a chalk-line, [white chalk], snap two lines long ways 2" apart down the center of the bed cloth, then snap 3 lines cross ways, one at each end about 6" from the end of the slate, and one cross ways at the side pockets. This will allow you to stretch the cloth evenly by keeping the lines straight.

{{{{BYW, the reason for using two lines down the middle, is if you have several tables to do, and two or more mechanics, you can stretch the first cloth and then tell the other folks how much to stretch, by way of measuring the distance between the now stretched two lines}}}}.....All tables will play close to the same.

Now, on one end of the table, staple about 6", then go to the other end and stretch long ways, and staple about one foot, then go to the first end and stretch 4" per side of that and go to the other end and repeat untill both ends are stretched.

Now start at the side pocket and work it down to the end, go to the other side [straight across] and repeat, and then to the other ens side and repeat.
By maintaining the lines straight in both directions, the cloth wil be evenly stretched and have no, HOT SPOT, or slow spots and the balls will track straight.

Most mechanics stretch one end and then the other end. WRONG.
By stretching one end all the way across and then the other end, you NEVER get it stretched evenly, or tight on the first end..

For tools, you can purchase a couple pair of VICE-GRIPS, with wide flat plates for jaws, about 2 to 3" wide].. This works go, and allows you to really stretch the cloth...

Use a staple and make sure they are not to long, so they will come flat with the cloth and not be sticking up. They won't hold that way. Just make sure there flat after stapleing.

blud
 
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blud said:
I have used this method for stretching cloth for years. While I took care of the pro tour, this is how I stretched the cloth.

I place the cloth on the slates, then using a chalk-line, [white chalk], snap two lines long ways 2" apart down the center of the bed cloth, then snap 3 lines cross ways, one at each end about 6" from the end of the slate, and one cross ways at the side pockets. This will allow you to stretch the cloth evenly by keeping the lines straight.

{{{{BYW, the reason for using two lines down the middle, is if you have several tables to do, and two or more mechanics, you can stretch the first cloth and then tell the other folks how much to stretch, by way of measuring the distance between the now stretched two lines}}}}.....All tables will play close to the same.

Now, on one end of the table, staple about 6", then go to the other end and stretch long ways, and staple about one foot, then go to the first end and stretch 4" per side of that and go to the other end and repeat untill both ends are stretched.

Now start at the side pocket and work it down to the end, go to the other side [straight across] and repeat, and then to the other ens side and repeat.
By maintaining the lines straight in both directions, the cloth wil be evenly stretched and have no, HOT SPOT, or slow spots and the balls will track straight.

Most mechanics stretch one end and then the other end. WRONG.
By stretching one end all the way across and then the other end, you NEVER get it stretched evenly, or tight on the first end..

For tools, you can purchase a couple pair of VICE-GRIPS, with wide flat plates for jaws, about 2 to 3" wide].. This works go, and allows you to really stretch the cloth...

Use a staple and make sure they are not to long, so they will come flat with the cloth and not be sticking up. They won't hold that way. Just make sure there flat after stapleing.

blud
Click to expand...
Hey Blud, snapping lines on the cloth has to be the best idea I've ever heard. Now I'm glad I read this thread but mad 'cause I didn't think of it myself. thanks
 
crow said:
I used to work for Marc Masden and we went around setting up tables in pool rooms everywhere. My take on 860 is you stretch it very tight but if you strectch it insanly tight it plays like 760 and well if you wanted 760 thats what you would buy. But keep in mind that most people cannot and will not stretch the cloth this tight. The reason I know this can happen is this: We went to JOBs (Nashville) and we accidently cut a extra rail cloth off a bedcloth (oops, lol) so the Rob had to stretch it enough to make it fit. Unbelievable he stretched it the extra distance to fit. But if any of you have been to JOBs and played on the 7 foot Diamond that is right there as you go into the room with the bar tables around 1998 you will know what I am talking about.

Crow
Click to expand...



Watched Cory play the ghost on that table in 98 or 99 and rake mad cash. Nobody but me and a handful of others knew him. I made a little myself. I thought it played pretty fair. I guess you are talking about the one in the walkway by the bar.
 
Yes we set up the Diamond there, it is a 7' Diamond. Maybe it was 99, dunno. Most of my life then was a fog, lol.

Kevin

Ktown D said:
Watched Cory play the ghost on that table in 98 or 99 and rake mad cash. Nobody but me and a handful of others knew him. I made a little myself. I thought it played pretty fair. I guess you are talking about the one in the walkway by the bar.
Click to expand...
 
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