Why do tables play different?

[boogieman]

Unless the home table was a 3 piece slate, it got delivered with the bed cloth already installed, and rails bolted to the table by diamond factory. And the rail cloth would have been installed in either case of 1 vs 3 piece slate. You’re reaching.

A well trained factory diamond installer is a bit better than joe schmoe amusement company level installers, or the pool hall guy who "knows his shit." I knew you wouldn't buy anything I said and that's OK. I understand this bias you have. It's kind of like arguing politics, once someone's mind is made up they will believe the sky is green. But really, it's a personal preference so it's whatever. I like mustard on my hot dogs. I won't spit in your face if you prefer ketchup.

In the end if you can't easily adapt to "different" diamonds then you've sharked yourself. Either "suck it up buttercup" or don't play on them. We get it, you have some super sensitive super power to spot flaws in diamonds. Yet I call BS if you can't see the same differences on a GC or whatever your favorite flavor of table is. ALL TABLES PLAY DIFFERENTLY. The diamonds are usually more consistent amongst the ones out in the wild. At least it's not a valley with 6 mismatched cushions. The main thing is leveling, cloth installation and torque on the rail bolts. That's the only thing someone can screw up... and guess what!? They do that all the time.

Had a situation on my Diamond professional awhile back where it was much harder to pocket balls than our leagues Diamond tables were.
Rail bolts were where they were suppised to be tightened to, the balls just seemed to rattle more. Checked a bunch of stuff, and finally I could see a slight buildup in yhe corners from cleaning the balls over the last 4 years plus. Wasn't much as I use very little cleaner, but was somewhat noticeable.
Got some of this cleaner from my wifes friend and cleaned them up. Big difference in the playability. Still not like new cloth, but plays fair nowView attachment 782715View attachment 782716

I like to take a clean microfiber towel and just wipe the piss out of the facings every few months. Get enough friction and any residual wax or chalk (even a minuscule amount) seems to lift into the microfiber. It's almost like burnishing in a way.

 

[iusedtoberich]

@boogieman you missed the whole point. In THIS case, the OP was comparing brand new tables. One at his buddies house, the others at the pool room. I'm assuming the pool hall ones and the home one were all 1 piece slate. If that is true, there is ZERO install by the local mechanic other than screwing the legs on and final leveling at the legs. The rest of the table is completely assembled at the Diamond factory. The local mechanic has ZERO to do with how the rails play. So half the reasons you gave don't apply, in THIS case.

 

[boogieman]

@boogieman you missed the whole point. In THIS case, the OP was comparing brand new tables. One at his buddies house, the others at the pool room. I'm assuming the pool hall ones and the home one were all 1 piece slate. If that is true, there is ZERO install by the local mechanic other than screwing the legs on and final leveling at the legs. The rest of the table is completely assembled at the Diamond factory. The local mechanic has ZERO to do with how the rails play. So half the reasons you gave don't apply, in THIS case.

Fair enough but if a local mechanic doesn't check the torque they aren't worth a damn. It's wood. It settles of compresses and you do have to re-torque periodically. Who knows what the table's journey was through shipping. Who knows maybe the table was finished on a Friday and the assembler didn't torque it right. Also the levelers should be leveled, no matter what they do at the factory, slate is a natural material and it does shift.

So yes, it is a new table straight from the factory, but it's still a table with natural materials that has specs that should be checked by the mechanic. It's not as easy as set it off the truck and it's good to go, at least if you want it to play consistently.

 

[easy-e]

All of the above, but a silly question. Are we sure that the cloth is identical?

860 vs 860 HR would make a big difference...

You could be onto something. I'll try to find out.

 

[easy-e]

Fair enough but if a local mechanic doesn't check the torque they aren't worth a damn. It's wood. It settles of compresses and you do have to re-torque periodically. Who knows what the table's journey was through shipping. Who knows maybe the table was finished on a Friday and the assembler didn't torque it right. Also the levelers should be leveled, no matter what they do at the factory, slate is a natural material and it does shift.

So yes, it is a new table straight from the factory, but it's still a table with natural materials that has specs that should be checked by the mechanic. It's not as easy as set it off the truck and it's good to go, at least if you want it to play consistently.

I can tell you that the same table guy installed both of these tables.

 

[TrxR]

I'm hoping someone knows the actual answer to my question and not just what they have heard...

My buddy bought a 9' diamond for his living room. At the same time, the newer pool room in my area installed all new 9' Diamonds. Within a week, the tables at the pool room already played different. The rails are super grippy and the table plays faster than my buddy's. His table after a few months is still slick and the balls react differently off the rails. What causes this?

I was thinking its temperature/humidity related but I'm searching for some knowledge. Would like to get his table playing like the ones at the pool hall if we can.

A week of play in a pool room could be a fair bit of wear depending on how busy they are. Can also be alot dirtier than a home table as well, not just the table but the balls as well.

We're the balls all new at the same time as well? Are they the same quality of balls?