table mechs: need further advice

J

jwhitley

Registered
I didn't find quite what I was looking for in searches, so I decided to ask directly. Yesterday I went to a local table dealer and checked out the AMF tables. I'm looking at the 9 foot AMF Oxford Playmaster. Here is a link:

http://amfbilliards.com/displayTable.asp?table=71

So we start talking features and he shows me two tables set up side by side without the slate or rails on them. The AMF had crossbeams and everything was bolted down in place. Then the Gold West table he showed me had no crossbeams and he claimed it was glued/nailed in place, which was not as sturdy.

Then I asked about cushions. He said most tables come with the K-66 but his store carried a modified version of the AMF tables that used a "Touring" bumper that is more accurate. He claimed the K-66 bumpers were only 73% accurate. Any truth to that?

Next I asked about cloth and he said their standard upgrade is to Simonis 760. I asked if they offered 860 and he said they did, but I would not notice a difference between the 760 and the 860. Is this true? I think I'm hitting the pool hall today and I'm going to ask them what speed is on their tables.

Then I asked about slate. He said that the thickness of the slate doesn't matter. He explained that older pool tables used 1&1/2" slate where as today's tables use 1". However, he did say that the slate would be guaranteed for life. So, is there any difference in how the table plays depending on the thickness of the slate?

Lastly, he gave me a rack of balls and a cue and let me shoot around on an 8ft. table they had the standard cloth on. The table seemed to play great in the 5 minutes I had with it, but I'm worried about the things I couldn't see. If I'm going to drop this much money on a table, I just want to make sure I'm getting a decent product.

Any info I could get would be great. Thanks. :)
 
I can't answer any of your other questions, but i do notice quite a difference between 860 and 760 simonis. 860 is a little thicker and slower. I have 860 on my table and a friend of mine has 760. Next time i replace my cloth its gonna be 760, i like it fast. The only reason i could see getting 860 is if your not such a great jumper. I can jump a little easier on 860. Anyone else got opinions on the differences between 860 and 760?
 
Ahhh. I was under the impression that 860 cloth was faster than 760. Now this is making more sense. I like the really fast cloth myself, and I don't do much jumping. So I guess 760 would be the better choice then. Thanks. ;)
 
I'd be careful about going with the 760 cloth. I had 760 and switched to 860. I like a fast cloth, but the 760 is really fast. I was a little more work to adjust to most other tables. Most pool rooms that use simonis use 860.

-dingle
 
760 is like playing on glass.

I'm positive that 860 will be more than fast enough for you.

-Roger
 
aahh

jwhitley said:
I didn't find quite what I was looking for in searches, so I decided to ask directly. Yesterday I went to a local table dealer and checked out the AMF tables. I'm looking at the 9 foot AMF Oxford Playmaster. Here is a link:

http://amfbilliards.com/displayTable.asp?table=71

So we start talking features and he shows me two tables set up side by side without the slate or rails on them. The AMF had crossbeams and everything was bolted down in place. Then the Gold West table he showed me had no crossbeams and he claimed it was glued/nailed in place, which was not as sturdy.

Then I asked about cushions. He said most tables come with the K-66 but his store carried a modified version of the AMF tables that used a "Touring" bumper that is more accurate. He claimed the K-66 bumpers were only 73% accurate. Any truth to that?

Next I asked about cloth and he said their standard upgrade is to Simonis 760. I asked if they offered 860 and he said they did, but I would not notice a difference between the 760 and the 860. Is this true? I think I'm hitting the pool hall today and I'm going to ask them what speed is on their tables.

Then I asked about slate. He said that the thickness of the slate doesn't matter. He explained that older pool tables used 1&1/2" slate where as today's tables use 1". However, he did say that the slate would be guaranteed for life. So, is there any difference in how the table plays depending on the thickness of the slate?

Lastly, he gave me a rack of balls and a cue and let me shoot around on an 8ft. table they had the standard cloth on. The table seemed to play great in the 5 minutes I had with it, but I'm worried about the things I couldn't see. If I'm going to drop this much money on a table, I just want to make sure I'm getting a decent product.

Any info I could get would be great. Thanks. :)
Click to expand...
go with the 860, 3/4 or bigger slate does not make a diff., k-66 will be stiffer in the corners, less forgiving if you shot to hard.p.s. I have 6 amf tables they are a fine table.
 
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