Table Lighting

[pip9ball]

i have a 9' gold crown 4 with a Diamond light over it, it is the Rolls Royce of liughting, nothing is better. period.

I too have a diamond light and although it is the best commercial light available, the custom light I made wins no question. It might have something to do with the size of bulbs used. I know my diamond uses T8, whereas the custom one I built uses T4 (i think...standard office size). Could be the diffusers as well.

All in all, Diamond makes a killer light and if money isn't a concern I would go this route. However, if money is tight, a light can be made that is just as good or even better than a Diamond for about $300.

-Phillip

 

[Dartman]

I tried a littlt experiment with aluminum foil on the inside of the outer shades- 100% improvment. I definatley need a different style light.

You might look into a set of metal shades as opposed to the glass. No light diffusion or loss. The metal shades are typically white inside to better reflect light down to the table. This would probably be the least expensive fix as opposed to buying a new light. Check with your dealer and see if they have them. Worth a try out.

 

[JimS]

You might look into a set of metal shades as opposed to the glass. No light diffusion or loss. The metal shades are typically white inside to better reflect light down to the table. This would probably be the least expensive fix as opposed to buying a new light. Check with your dealer and see if they have them. Worth a try out.

This is what I did until I got my Diamond table and then I had a light fixture built that is almost exactly like the one built a few posts back.

I started with a 9ft Brunswick table and had a 3 light incandescent fixture with green glass shades. Lousy lighting.

I switched to a 4 light w/green glass shades. Lousy lighting.

Switched to 4 metal shades with white lining and bingo. Good lighting.

Even w/only an 8 ft table I'd recommend a 4 fixture metal shade.

 

[Fatboy]

I too have a diamond light and although it is the best commercial light available, the custom light I made wins no question. It might have something to do with the size of bulbs used. I know my diamond uses T8, whereas the custom one I built uses T4 (i think...standard office size). Could be the diffusers as well.

All in all, Diamond makes a killer light and if money isn't a concern I would go this route. However, if money is tight, a light can be made that is just as good or even better than a Diamond for about $300.

-Phillip

i dont doubt you built a better light, personally i cant build anything so i'm at the mercey of whats avaliable commerically, and that being the case Diamond is it, i wish I could build things

 

[cuejoey]

i prefer flourscent lights ..i have a 9 ft.pool table with a pool table light that has 4 bulbs..i use 4 screw in 100 wt.flourscent bulbs..i recommend paying a few dollars more and getting the "full spectrum" or "natural light bulbs.

 

[poolnut]

Here is a couple of Pool Table Lights that I make.

The Oak Light is approximately 28 x 56 in size. It has 6 Sylvania DuLux lamps, plenty of light.

The mahogany is 20 by 67 & has 4 100-Watt bulbs.
I really enjoy making Pool Table Lights for my Customers. Giving the customer a range of choices, makes it easy for the customer to have a Pool table Light, that looks like it was made to match their Pool Table or the surroundings.

PM sent about the oak light.

 

[JimL]

Great idea Dartman. Will check it out.

 

[JimL]

Didn't get the pm poolnut. Maybe I don't have options configured correctly, I'll check.

 

[sjb]

I built the light shown in my avatar pic for less than $300. It has two tandem 8-foot flourescent fixtures in it (total of 8 4-foot bulbs). Lights the table really well. Here's a pic with it lit.

 

[scottycoyote]

im gonna try something with my new pool room, i hope it works, i havent seen it done here. Im going to install those little recessed spot lites into my ceiling and position them over my table........say 6 to 9 lights total.......maybe 1 over each pocket and 2 in the middle. I built this room strictly as a pool room, im hoping it will come out nice and clean--ill post up pics when im done.

 

[pip9ball]

im gonna try something with my new pool room, i hope it works, i havent seen it done here. Im going to install those little recessed spot lites into my ceiling and position them over my table........say 6 to 9 lights total.......maybe 1 over each pocket and 2 in the middle. I built this room strictly as a pool room, im hoping it will come out nice and clean--ill post up pics when im done.

My old poolroom remodelled a while back and their main table was setup this way. It turned out real nice, but make sure you install individual dimmer switches to control them to help fine tune. Good Luck and post pics!

-Phillip

 

[scottycoyote]

My old poolroom remodelled a while back and their main table was setup this way. It turned out real nice, but make sure you install individual dimmer switches to control them to help fine tune. Good Luck and post pics!

-Phillip

yeah im going to have all the lights wired into one central dimmer switch, ill post up the pics. Thanks for posting, ive never seen this done and i was a little worried, its good to hear that their setup worked out.

 

[alpine9430]

The grid is just plain old commercial light diffusers found in the lighting section at home depot. I needed a total of 4 of them for my light. I played around with white, gold, and chrome colors. I thought the chrome diffuser distributed the light the best so this is what I picked.

If you decide to make your own, I highly recommend the electronic ballasts over the magnetic ones. The magnetic ballasts are heavy and have an annoying buzz noise all the time. I soon swapped my ballasts out for electronic ones and all noise ceased. They are a tad bit more expensive but a must have in my opinion. All wood seen is poplar stained a cherry-oak color. The size of the grid pattern is exactly 50" x 100"...this might be overkill but it works awesome. Because of the wood, total weight is around 125lbs. Definitely needs to be secured to ceiling joists. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

-Phillip

Thanks again...
Will have to keep a note of that being that I am without a table presently but plan on getting one in the next home.

Myron

 

[asn130]

I built the light shown in my avatar pic for less than $300. It has two tandem 8-foot flourescent fixtures in it (total of 8 4-foot bulbs). Lights the table really well. Here's a pic with it lit.

Sweet. I'm building a light box right now with the same bulbs, same length. It won't be as pretty as yours or as wide (mine is 2ft wide) but i think it's gonna be the nutz.

I'm just gonna paint mine flat black.

 

[ceebee]

Thanks for the PMs folks... I am in the middle of a MOVE. My shop & my home were moved in December, but alas the move was due to duress (my home was sold, the new selected home had termites & I had 18 days to find a replacement). We are moving AGAIN.... ASAP.

My Pool Table Lights will be out shortly. I will definitely put them on the AZ Buy & Sell Forum. They are very nice, quality made & about 40% of a Diamond or Brunswick Light. They are lighter as well. Wish me LUCK.

 

[Dartman]

im gonna try something with my new pool room, i hope it works, i havent seen it done here. Im going to install those little recessed spot lites into my ceiling and position them over my table........say 6 to 9 lights total.......maybe 1 over each pocket and 2 in the middle. I built this room strictly as a pool room, im hoping it will come out nice and clean--ill post up pics when im done.

I don't think you will get sufficient light that way with the bulbs being in/on the ceiling. Call it to far from the table IMO. If you put the larger recessed cans in the ceiling that might be ok but you'd have to experiment with spot/flood bulbs. If you ever move the table the lights are then out of position. I like the idea - just don't know how good it could work. Maybe try to test it out somehow before popping holes in the ceiling.

 

[JimS]

im gonna try something with my new pool room, i hope it works, i havent seen it done here. Im going to install those little recessed spot lites into my ceiling and position them over my table........say 6 to 9 lights total.......maybe 1 over each pocket and 2 in the middle. I built this room strictly as a pool room, im hoping it will come out nice and clean--ill post up pics when im done.

My grandkids got a new 7ft table for Christmas and they used the ceiling lights that you described. Their recessed round ceiling llights (regular bulbs) do a fine job of lighting the table. I've been really surprised! The ceiling lights aren't even positioned for the table and don't have any special bulbs, just regular 100 watt incandescent bulbs but I've never noticed any need for any other lighting. Low ceiling basement... about 7 1/2 ft? Never measured. You might want to use flood bulbs instead of spots?

 

[3kushn]

You can do it the cheap and dirty (but effective) way. I used two 4', dual bulb flourescent lights hung with simple chain. It works great for minimal money. I used plastic tubes you can get at the hardware store to protect the flourescent tubes so if I drop one or hit one, the debris will be contained.

Double up on this one and you'll be fine. I'd use 2 - 8' fixtures (more power). If you want to make it look better just build a box with some nice wook and put in egg crate reflectors in the top and a honey comb cover on the bottom.