A question for the mechanics: If you want a table to have corner pockets of a particular size - say 4 and a half inches - where on the pocket do you make the measurement. I always thought that the measurement was taken from one inside point to the other inside point. Inside point meaning -- where the rail cushion starts it's change of angle to go into the pocket. Watching a recent CJ Wiley video post to AZ - he had 2 balls sitting in the pocket just about touching the inside points - meaning to me that the pocket width was just over 4 and one-half inches - but he used a ruler and measured about half way back on the cushion into the pocket and said the pockets were "just over 4 inches wide". I believe the official BCA rules state to measure from point to point. BTW - I know that other factors are in play as to how tight the pocket really plays - such as angle of opening and depth of the shelf. Any opinions or comments on the correct measurement location?
Where to measure pocket width
- Thread starter fiftyyardline
- Start date
Typically the number people are referring to is the "mouth" at the tips of the angle between rail and pocket. Sometimes people will refer to the measurement at the "throat" which is in the back of the pocket. In most cases, the throat of the pocket will be narrower than the mouth.
If the pockets are called "pro cut" - typically meaning the corner pockets are 4 and one-half inches - it means nothing if there is not a standard place where this measurement should be taken.
I'm not a mechanic, and don't play one at work, but point to point is where I've always seem them measured.
Put it this way, when Diamond says their pro-cut pocket is 4 1/2 inches they are referring to the measurement at the mouth, not the throat.
I'm not a mechanic but I'm pretty sure of this one. Besides, I hadn't ralized this was in the mechanics section before answering.:embarrassed2:
I'm not a mechanic but I'm pretty sure of this one. Besides, I hadn't ralized this was in the mechanics section before answering.:embarrassed2:
Thanks everyone - you have verified what I thought to be true. Just did not understand why CJ - and I have great respect for his knowledge and skill - would take a ruler and measure his pockets as just over 4" when - with two balls sitting in the pocket - they are really 4 and one-half inches. ( beginning of his video on main forum about running 29 balls in 1P).
Perhaps because he wanted his exercise to seem even more difficult? 
I've always been told to measure at the mouth, point to point, and on a true 4 1/2" pocket if the middle of the balls are at the points 2 balls should just barely fit with a very slight gap between them, because part of the ball's circumference actually sits slightly under the nose. And typically from this position, depending on the shelf and how quickly the pocket narrows, you wouldn't be able to push those two balls into the pocket side by side.
Scott
I've always been told to measure at the mouth, point to point, and on a true 4 1/2" pocket if the middle of the balls are at the points 2 balls should just barely fit with a very slight gap between them, because part of the ball's circumference actually sits slightly under the nose. And typically from this position, depending on the shelf and how quickly the pocket narrows, you wouldn't be able to push those two balls into the pocket side by side.
Scott