Tightening pockets

[nelldrake]

I have an old Gandy Big G with pockets that will accept a small bowling ball. I would like to tighten these pockets a lot. I have been told that it is possible to stretch the rubber rails and make them longer. Then I can reattach the rails and recover them. Will that work? Can a dumb blonde do it herself (not really blonde but you get my drift)? Or would I be better off buying new rails and cutting the angle to make the pockets tighter? I really don't want to spend a great deal of money on this project.

 

[Club Billiards]

I have an old Gandy Big G with pockets that will accept a small bowling ball. I would like to tighten these pockets a lot. I have been told that it is possible to stretch the rubber rails and make them longer. Then I can reattach the rails and recover them. Will that work? Can a dumb blonde do it herself (not really blonde but you get my drift)? Or would I be better off buying new rails and cutting the angle to make the pockets tighter? I really don't want to spend a great deal of money on this project.

Subrail extensions are the way to go. Unless you've done table work before, I think rubber work is one of the tougher aspects of the job, so I don't know that it's something you'll be able to do yourself and get good results.

What area are you in? Maybe we can recommend someone qualified in your area.

 

[nelldrake]

I am East Central Alabama (about 2.5 - 3 hours from Atlanta, GA). I would really like to have a Diamond and would do a trade or try to sell my Gandy (9 ft.) and buy a used 9 ft. Diamond in good condition with Simonis 860.
nelldrake@lakemartin.net

 

[matteroner]

I have an old Gandy Big G with pockets that will accept a small bowling ball. I would like to tighten these pockets a lot. I have been told that it is possible to stretch the rubber rails and make them longer. I really don't want to spend a great deal of money on this project.

stretch the rubber? ...who told you this?.....the only way you can do this on the cheap is to add thicker facings ....which are unlikely to tighten the pockets as much as you want ....so subrail extensions have to happen, then new rubber then new cloth ....= expensive .....

but i would like to see this rubber stretching in action .....I could just see two people leaning back playing tug of war on a piece of rubber loaded with glue as they keep it at maximum stretch and lay it down ....but then what ...the subrail is still the same length so you have to cut the rubber back to get it to the original length...and back to square one ....

you can't change the angle of the rubber either if that's what your thinking .....a steeper cut will play very wrong because it has to match the subrail angle.

 

[Club Billiards]

stretch the rubber? ...who told you this?.....the only way you can do this on the cheap is to add thicker facings ....which are unlikely to tighten the pockets as much as you want ....so subrail extensions have to happen, then new rubber then new cloth ....= expensive .....

but i would like to see this rubber stretching in action .....I could just see two people leaning back playing tug of war on a piece of rubber loaded with glue as they keep it at maximum stretch and lay it down ....but then what ...the subrail is still the same length so you have to cut the rubber back to get it to the original length...and back to square one ....

you can't change the angle of the rubber either if that's what your thinking .....a steeper cut will play very wrong because it has to match the subrail angle.

You actually can stretch the rubber a little bit, but without subrail extension behind them it will do you no good. It all depends on how much you want to tighten the pockets. Changes are, you have 1/8" facings on the ends of the rails now. You could put thicker facings in, but I wouldn't go any bigger than 1/4". That only gains you 1/4" in each pocket. If you want to tighten them more than that, you really need subrail extensions built. Get a pro to do it. They will let you know if your existing rubber can be re-installed with a light stretch to get the extra length, or if the rails are being extended enough that you have to replace the rubber as well.

Changing the pocket angles will not tighten the pockets at all. They may make it play easier or tougher by changing how they accept/reject balls, but there's no way to reduce the size of your target just by changing the angle without extending the rail.

In your area, I would contact Mark Gregory. He is extremely knowledgeable on rail dynamics and if he doesn't travel to your area, may be able to make a recommendation for you.

Any other questions, let us know!

 

[matteroner]

You actually can stretch the rubber a little bit, but without subrail extension behind them it will do you no good.

I thought stretching rubber was not a good thing to do? ....I think I read that you are just supposed to lay it on as is with no stretch? ...and If the rubber is backed how do you stretch the backed part the same as the unbacked parts? ....

 

[JZMechanix]

In some cases it can be stretched to accomodate subrail extensions, sometimes not. Obviously you're not pulling on it with all your might but if you need to get an extra 3/8" or so it is doable.

 

[Club Billiards]

In some cases it can be stretched to accomodate subrail extensions, sometimes not. Obviously you're not pulling on it with all your might but if you need to get an extra 3/8" or so it is doable.

Right. Now depending on the OP's definition of "a lot" the rubber may need replaced to get the length. Either way, it sounds like subrail extensions are going to be the answer.