Stretching your own cloth?

mattman

mattman

Registered User
Silver Member
I had a professional show me how to stretch my own cloth and have done it 5 or 6 times now. My question in this though. I always used a pair of linesman pliers to pull it. I see that Meuller's sells pliers for stretching cloth for $25. Is there really a difference? What do you use to pull your cloth? I am getting ready to do mine again and will be clothing the table with Simonis 860.

Thanks
Matt
 
Pliers

I bought a real pair of fabric pullers, just because the grip about 3 inches of cloth, vs about 1/2" that linemans pliers do. Plus, they have a little nub on the back that acts as a folcrum, so you can lever the pliers and get better stretch. You could probably do the same with wide lock-jaw pliers. I think these might be referred to as "duck bill" pliers.

I have 860, too, and it has gotten a little loose. I installed my cloth, so i'll probably stretch it again. It's been on for about 2 years now. I recovered a table for a friend, and the pliers have already paid for themselves.

Brian
 
Glass pliers

I used to have a pliers that glass companies used to hold glass for carrying. It has very smooth flat jaws but it never slipped on the cloth and it pulled quite good. Try calling a glass installation company.
 
Rangercap said:
I bought a real pair of fabric pullers, just because the grip about 3 inches of cloth, vs about 1/2" that linemans pliers do.
Brian
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Thanks...that answered a big question I had. Where did you get the fabric pullers/pliers? I have seen the one muellers have, but they don't look anywhere near 3" wide (but they might be, not sure). I searched ebay and found nothing.
 
That tool that carpet installers use to pull carpet is the cat's meow. It sorta looks like the fabric stretcher thingy.:)
 
mattman said:
Thanks...that answered a big question I had. Where did you get the fabric pullers/pliers? I have seen the one muellers have, but they don't look anywhere near 3" wide (but they might be, not sure). I searched ebay and found nothing.
Click to expand...

I think I got them at Best Billiards. I was recovering a used table I bought, and got the whole deal from them (cloth, rails, wax, tools). The ones Meuller has listed are shown sideways. Here's a pick on mine. The jaws are 3 1/2" wide.

Brian

DSCF1137.jpg
 
no stretch

last year when the installers set up my brunswick highlander 4 by 8, i watched them put on the simonis. they did not stretch the cloth, they just spred the cloth on the table and pulled it firm with their hands. its still fast and showes little wear today.
 
I think often people overstretch and get the cloth *too* tight. I just watched some mechanics at my local hall recover 4 tables and they didn't use pliars either, just put it over the slate and got it tight by hand...
 
xidica said:
I think often people overstretch and get the cloth *too* tight. I just watched some mechanics at my local hall recover 4 tables and they didn't use pliars either, just put it over the slate and got it tight by hand...
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What are the ill-effects of stretching your cloth too tight? When I stretch my cloth I get it pretty damn snug, but it's not like I am putting my foot up against the frame and pulling it tight. I would think a loose cloth would give up cue ball "bite" on the cloth (less draw or follow) and maybe less "true" roll.

Just curious,
Matt
 
I use hands. Even on Simonis. If I'm having trouble getting a good grip my partner will pull on it and I'll put a few staples in.

I have seen other mechanics at various pool halls use the stretcher thingy. And I have seen them have loose cloth also.

I'm thinking it is from their technique. I wasn't real fond of how they pulled the cloth. Maybe with regular slow felt their method would be fine. But I didn't like it for Simonis or other low stretch cloth.
 
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