Pool Table Repair

[OverkillYJ]

I know this is an off the wall subject, but I am sure I am not the only one with a pool table in my garage. I just redid the felt on my table (flipped the old felt). I found two small rips, or cuts in it. I have no idea how to smooth them out and stop them from ripping anymore. Anyone know what I should do?

That is chalk next to the rips just for a reference as to how small they are.

 

[True North]

Forget about them!

 

[ilovevocs]

Could you flock them?

 

[kkroger]

About ALL you CAN do is replace the cloth. Usually around $250 for a Cloth Kit.
IF you have "cheaper" Cloth (Champion) you CAN sorta patch it... i.e. shave some fuzz off a spot under the rail and use some glue and patch in the hole... but that usually *****.

Started life as a craptastically UGLY black table with a BROWN and CREME cloth compliment With pieces of Skirting missing...

But it is an AMF Playmaster table with 3 piece Slate. I put MDF backing on it myself.
Had Steve Stokes set it up and re-cloth it. The Slate that was on the table was not the original, it had screw holes that did not line up with the frame.... Steve fixed it up. He is a well known local Table Mechanic
I made new skirting for it "Stainless Steel" To match the Air Hockey Table. I got Chrome Corners from Mueller and made the skirting with MDF then covered it in Brushed Stainless Cladding.

After re-aligning the air hockey table....

 

[jayoldschool]

If you're not changing the cloth, use a little super glue on the cut to glue it right to the slate. New cloth isn't really expensive, though, especially if you know how to change it. I use Simonis, and it is not only great playing, but much more durable than low end blended cloth. I spent ten years selling tables...

 

[Vermaraj]

If you're not changing the cloth, use a little super glue on the cut to glue it right to the slate. New cloth isn't really expensive, though, especially if you know how to change it. I use Simonis, and it is not only great playing, but much more durable than low end blended cloth. I spent ten years selling tables...

A little off topic, but I am curious:

Can the slate be bought independent of the table? I have always wanted to build a custom table.

 

[kkroger]

A little off topic, but I am curious:

Can the slate be bought independent of the table? I have always wanted to build a custom table.

You bet, go ahead and cruise craigslist. you can get a 3 piece slate top for CHEAP on there...

NEW costs you a fortune.
My table cost me $200. the Slate was worth more than that. I see tables all the time for "Haul it Off" price Or a complete disassembled table for $100 or less.
Here is a slate available in this area
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/for/4040738144.html
There are several Slate Tables available for $200 even and one for $150

 

[OverkillYJ]

Yeah I only paid $100 for mine and it is a one piece slate bar table. I only flipped the felt. I knew I could actually get some super cheap on Ebay or Amazon, but people say it is slow play on that cloth. I guess I will look into what is recommended. Right now it does not affect play at all. I will just wait for it to get worse before swapping it. I need to refinish the entire table anyway. I just got this garage and wont be moving it anymore so I can finally do it.

 

[mayday0017]

There is really really good felt out there for $100 just FYI. I played league for many years and have 1,000's of hours ******* in pool halls. I can't remember the brand I bought 5 years ago but do some searching and reading. The cloth I got is not slow in any way and is honestly some of the fastest best playing cloth I have ever played on.

Search online and buy, there is good cloth out there. If you take care of it, it will last you many many years of playing.

 

[kkroger]

Here is where I get my Billiard Supplies.
Muellers Usually get my orders within 3 days.

this is the "Cloth" page, it isn't REALLY felt it is Worsted cloth. with a NAP.
Flipping the cloth isn't REALLY correct. both sides are different in texture.
there is a TOP and a BOTTOM on the cloth.

They carry Gorina and Mali cloth at Muellers, A local shop here Arts sells Simonis.

http://www.muellers.com/Pool-Table-Cloth.html

 

[jayoldschool]

Once you play Simonis, you'll never play anything else.

 

[fastbroshi]

Once you play Simonis, you'll never play anything else.

That stuff is the best; the price reflects it too. Previous comments about the cloth having a top and bottom are spot on. The cloth will play much different if you flip it, at least to someone that plays a lot. If you just play for fun, no big deal, you probably won't notice.

But to the original poster, those little slices will cause the ball to jump or swerve. A note about "flipping" the old cloth. Brand new cloth is stretched very taut and stapled down to base under the slates usually. Given how long tables usually spend setup, they often go years inbetween disassebly. The cloth stretches a bit during this time. If you go to flip it, you just stretching it even further, exaggerating any inconsistencies in the weave or nap brought up over the years.

Again, no big deal if you're not playing for money

 

[Lippyp]

A little off topic, but I am curious:

Can the slate be bought independent of the table? I have always wanted to build a custom table.

Do you get the TV series "James Mays Man Lab" over there at all? Its James May from Top Gear attempting to bring back all the man skills todays metrosexuals have lost. Its absolutely hilarious and I'm frequently found by my wife clutching my ribs and crying with laughter. One episode they actually made a pool table from scratch including going to the slate quarry.

 

[spclk]

Once you play Simonis, you'll never play anything else.

I know it's already been said, but +1 (*10*10*10) - it really is that good (even if you're just 'OK')

 

[OverkillYJ]

I will say that I flipped it about a year ago. I probably only have about 100 games in it, but no one has ever said anything. Since it was stretch for years, and then I flipped it and stretched it tight again it is probably one of the best surfaces I have played on. It is almost rock hard, but has that fuzz to it still. The holes arent too bad, and no one has noticed them yet because of how tiny they are. I have rolled the ball and hit it across them without any difference. I guess I will be looking for some good cloth that isn't over $100 when it rips more. I would spend more, but since I have to cut and stretch it from scratch, until I have done it before I am not going to invest $200 or more. Flipping an already cut felt is different then cuttig and stretching a new one.

 

[jayoldschool]

Just make sure you brush it in one direction. Head to foot (where you break from to where you rack). Vacuum sparingly with an upholstery attachment.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I never would have thought there were guys here that knew so much about pool tables. Not only did I learn that but I never realized there are some many tables cheap on CL.


No wonder I love this place so much.