Tips on installing new billiard cloth

[Dartman]

Are you a DIYer planning to recover your table?
When you buy precut cloth here's a few tips to prevent aggravation.

1. Read the label on the package. It should state the brand/style/size/color of the cloth.
If something is not correct contact the seller asap to remedy the fault.
In some instances you may have the correct cloth but the label is wrong.
Communicating with the seller should determine if the cloth or label is wrong.

2. If the label is correct then layout the bed cloth to confirm the correct size for the table.
Make sure 6 rail pieces are present and are long enough for each of the rails.
Check the cloth for visable defects.
Do this FIRST before taking the old cloth off.
The label may be right but the cloth is the wrong size or defective (it happens).
Again, contact the seller if the cloth is not right.

3. Verify which side of the cloth is the UP side. The cloth may have some stickers to indicate this.
If not then typically the smoother / brighter side is the up side.
Some brands will have edge marking (i.e. Simonis) on the up side.

4. Once you confirm these points you should have confidence that the cloth is a go for the table.

Once cloth is cut, glued or stapled you'll fight a losing battle on returning it so take the few minutes to make sure it's right.

 

[n10spool]

I find that not the size is wrong but lack of rail cloth most prepacks are generaly missing 1-2 pieces of rails. If you know wat your doing you can get extra off the bed cloth if you start your stretch right.

Another good way to avoid wrong size is measure the table then order by the yard its cheaper and cuts down on wrong sizes + if you are using a weird color you can add alittle more length for extra rail cloth to cover mistakes incase it's a pro 8 instead of an 8 footer or a 3 hr drive and dont want to go back for being shorted 1 rail cloth.

Just some basic inputs....

Craig

 

[Dartman]

Another good way to avoid wrong size is measure the table then order by the yard its cheaper and cuts down on wrong sizes + if you are using a weird color you can add alittle more length for extra rail cloth to cover mistakes incase it's a pro 8 instead of an 8 footer or a 3 hr drive and dont want to go back for being shorted 1 rail cloth.
Just some basic inputs....Craig

My post was aimed at DIYers so I edited the post to state that.
Many of these DIY folks buy cloth online - greater selection and usually cheaper then the billiard store.
Plus - buying a precut eliminates mistakes getting rails from straight yardage.
Wrong size means either the customer ordered wrong or we shipped the wrong size.
We're all human and make mistakes at times.
The whole point is to check the cloth Before tearing into a recovering job.

 

[n10spool]

I agree with you on your post I probsbly typed faster then I was thinking I was saying, I just find less mistakes when you buy from a legit business then from a nobody for first time installers \ dyi's. If installers were finding that they were short cloth on some jobs or wernt sure of what size table then buy it larger then expected or by the yard to cut down on mistakes.....

sorry if it came off course...

Craig