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Information Request Search FAQ:       Ask Question Record Count: 111  Question When moving a pool table from one room to another, is it possible to reuse the same felt a second time, or is it a must to place a new felt. Answer Previously used cloth CAN be reused again. However, you have to replace it in the exact same spot you removed it because the cloth will have faded, stretched etc. It will not be as tight as a new piece of cloth would be. Ideally, new cloth would be best because you can stretch it real tight, but you can reuse the cloth you already have. Question Here in Brazil we only use the term snooker. What is tha diference between snooker an pool table? Answer A snooker table has a pocket opening that is narrower and has rounded rails leading into the pocket. A pool table has wider pocket openings and the rails lead into pocket on an angle instead of a dome shape. Question When buying a cue, the choices of tip size is my question. I am getting back in the game, Its been 25 years. The size of the tip is my concern. Is there a chart as to the reasons for the different tip sizes. Thanks Mike Sasso Answer The average tip size is 13 mm. The ball size has to do a lot with what size tip you should use. The smaller the ball, the smaller the tip. There really is not a way to determine what size tip to use other than personal preference. Question I have just recently purchased a Harvard pool table from an estate sale. I am not sure if it is a slate pool table or non-slate. The table is very old and is very heavy. It took 4 people to move it. The sides are made of laminate, it has drop pockets and two pedistal legs. The table is level, although the felt needs to be replaced. Can someone tell how I can tell if it is a slate table are not? Answer If the table is really heavy, taking many men to move, it is more than likely a slate top billiard table. Slatron will not be very heavy because it is just compressed cardboard. Question Can you tell me the height of the bumper, from the point of the bumper to the covered surface of the slate, for a standard 2 1/4 inch billiard ball. Answer It is approximately 1 13/32 of an inch. Question I own a Murrey Pro Series table which measures approx. 105"" outside length. I need a quality cover but a standard 8' is too short. Is this table concidered to be 8 1/2'? Answer We recommend picking the closest match to what you have and then just send the dimensions in the comments section when ordering. We will make sure you get the right size. Question I was thinking of building a table this winter already have the slate but need eveything else , I was just wondering if you ship to Canada or not Thanks Answer Yes, we ship to Canada. Shipping prices are about the same as the U.S. Question I have a Valley coin op table, 6ft long. I want to recover it and replace the cushions. Will the cushions in your kit work on this table? Also, do you sell replacement rails. Thank You, Florian Polasik Answer Yes, most valley coin tables take K66 cushions, which is in the kit. However you can modify the kit any way you like. You won't need some items in the kit for a coin table (wax,shims,feather stripping). Just mention the changes in the comments section when ordering. We also sell full rail assemblies for coin tables but they are only available for 7ft and 8ft tables Question Is 3/4" slate (as oppose to 1") adequate enough for recreational use. Answer 3/4" slate works very well on pool tables. Unless you play a lot of pool, it's hard to tell what is under the cloth. Question How do you determine which is the top side of Simonis 860 cloth? Answer The smooth side is up. Question I need to replace the Sub Rails, Bumpers and blinds on a 8 foot slate table. Is it possible to order a Kit with all of the above including the nuts and bolts? Answer We mainly focus on the "hard-to-get" parts. We carry the sub rails, cushions, under-rail plates and dome slate washers. The blinds are generally specific to the table and therefore need to be made to match the table. The bolts are also standard and can picked up at a local hardware store. Question When melting the bee's wax into the seems do you use the torch you mentioned or will a lighter work? If you use a torch then how do you keep from burning your hand? Answer We recommend using a torch. A lighter will not generate enough heat to spread the wax on the table. If your wax is to short to hold with your hand, you can use a screwdriver or something similar to stick into the end of the wax. Question The slate that you offer - is it Italian, Brazilian, domestic, or do you obtain it from all of these sources? If I purchased slate from you, could I, for example, specify Brazilian slate? Answer The slate listed is Brazilian. We could get Italian, but it cost much more and we don't feel that it is any better. Question where can i find directions to refelt my pool table? Answer www.bestbilliards.com/recover/ Question In answering another question, you stated that you recommended the Harvard table with "Slatron" only if there are kids playing on the table. We have a 9-year-old who is the primary motivation for us thinking about purchasing a table, but my wife and I want to enjoy it, too. Is the Slatron surface actually better than slate for kids, or is it just a matter of cost vs. likelihood of careless behavior? Would we be better off stretching our budget for, say, the Eliminator? Thanks! Answer A true slate table will play much better than slatron. The Eliminator table would be a better choice especially considering the cost difference of only a few hundred dollars. Question are there any pictures or videos that will help me to put felt on my pool table Answer Our recovering instructions have small video clips and a lot of pictures to help you with this type of job. www.bestbilliards.com Question I bought a pool table on ebay and it didn't come with instructions. I wish to know how to stretch the felt. Thank you. Answer Our recovering instructions cover A to Z on how to refelt a pool table. www.bestbilliards.com Question i recently was given an 8ft table from sears that has a slatron bed and is only 2 or 3 years old. The playing surface seems warped and i am not sure what to do. I was wondering if their is a way to relevel it? Or even replace the slatron with slate? Any information on this topic would be extremely helpful. Thank you. Answer I would probably replace the slatron. The frame is not built for slate, it would be to heavy. We can get replacement slatron, but you will need to call. Its not on our online catalog. Question Im looking for some small aramith billiard balls,1 1/2 to 1 3/4 can you tell where I can find them? Thanks Joe Answer We can get them, but you will have to call, they are not on our online catalog. Question I need to seal the slate on my new table. What other products can I use to seal the slate besides wax. I have a concern the heat may cause the wax to cause a spotting problem on my felt. Answer Wax is the best method for sealing seams. It gets very hard and will not melt or stain your cloth. Plaster is the next best option, but it is more brittle and hard to clean when you recover your table in the future. Question I purchased a Brunswick Gold Crown 10' snooker table. One of the slate sections are broken. Can this be glued back together? If not can I replace just one section. Other than the slate the table looks to be in perfect condition. I looked but I could not find your slate glue in your catalog. Thank You Mark Answer Slate can only be purchased in sets. That is because slate sets are cut from a single piece or rock. We can get the glue, but you will need to call us. Question Why are there different types of cushions? Does it really matter what type of cushion you put on your pool table? If the height of the cushion is relatively the same as your old one, can you buy which ever cushion you want? Answer The height is crucial. If its too high or low, then the ball may die or jump off the table. If you can match relatively close then that would probably be okay. Question I have recently bought a used pool table for my son and we are thinking of buying your recovering kit to recover it. We would like to have the felt for the bed a different color than the felt for the rails. Can we get two different colors in the same kit? Answer Yes, you can have different colors. However, our online catalog does not allow for this type of senario. Add a recovering kit to the cart, then specify the rail color in the comments section when completing the order. We will make the adjustment on our end. Question I have a new standard 8' antique style (leather #6 pocket) table with outside dimentions of 99.5" x 55.5". I would like to order the fitted Naugahide cover. My problem is that you don't list 8A1 prices in your price list. Or should I order the 8M size? I am also going to order the separate dining table inserts if I can still get them on sale. Do you need measurements closer than 44" X 88" for the inserts? An answer would be appreciated. Answer If you provide the outside and inside dimensions of your table, we will make sure you get the right size. Put these dimensions in the comments box when ordering. Also, just make your best guess on the size to order, we will adjust it if necessary. Question How far should the pool table light be from the pool table. Answer About 30 inches is the average distance. Another rule of thumb is to lower the light so that the edge of the light meets the edge of the table. Question I am in the market for buying a pool table, but have limited funds to do so. I notice that the tables that use slatron are usually more inexpensive. In particular I am interested in the Harvard Oakwood table in your catalogue. How is the quality? How does the slatron play compared to slate? Would be worth while to wait a little longer and get the Imperial Eliminator? Thanks!! PS. Your site is probably the best billiards site I have found!! Answer Slatron won't play nearly as well as real slate. We only recommend the Harvard table if you have kids that like to play. The Player or Eliminator will be a much better table for adults. Question What is the price range for a professional to come in my home and refelt my pool table? The table is a 4 by 8. Shelia Answer Usually $200 to $400 depending on where you live. Question I am interested in having a pool table in my office. I would like to also use it as a conference table. Can you recommend a "hard" top or cover? Answer Any of the hard top covers on our online catalog would work. Keep in mind that there is not much room underneath the table for your legs etc. The body of the pool table generally gets in the way. Plus a pool table will sit higher than a conventional table. Question do your leather pockets come with the irons and nets or are they sold in parts, do you sell the cloth in bolts, Answer We sell the pockets in complete sets of six (irons, nets etc.) We also sell individual parts. Cloth is also available in bolts with a 10% discount. Question i'm interested in your affiliate program, my question is am i going to use all your catalog as is or do i make my own, if a customer orders a pool table do you take care all the aragements for delivery, my site just advertizes your products along with my products,charlie Answer That is correct, you really do not have to do anything but post the link on your site, we will do the rest. Question So I decided I do not like to pay $300.- or so to take down, move and re-setup a pool table and I'll do it myself and re-felt & re-bumper it while I am at it. I understand in your recovery kit are instructions to do so included. Are there any instructions for step one, which is how to best take the table apart prior to moving? Or am I alone in my quest to want to know what I am doing before I try to do so? Can you help? Answer We do not explain how to take a table apart in the instructions, but it usually pretty straight forward. Basically start with the top and move down. ie. Remove the rails first, then the bed cloth, then the slate etc. A general rule of thumb is to take the table completely apart. Do not try and move the frame partially assembled. Original parts are generally hard to replace. Question Can I iron some creases out of the new cloth before strething the bed cloth? I am worried that I will stretch it too much one way. Any ideas? Answer There is no need to iron cloth. Stretching it will take out all the creases. Question How big does a room have to be to purchase a new billiard table and not have a player touch the wall with a cue stick? Answer Refer to our resource center to answer this question: http://www.bestbilliard.com/resources/dimensions.htm Question I know that best billiards sells sub-rails.Do you also sell complete pre fabricated rails. If not, who would? Answer You can find them under recover and repair on our online catalog. Question I am currently rebuilding a pool table and was wondering what is the best way to heat the bee's wax for sealing the seams in the slate? Your instructions say to heat the seams, but doesn't mention how to heat the bees wax itself. Thanks in advance. Answer Use the torch to melt the wax on the seam. Hold it about 5 inches over the seam and let it drip onto the table seam. Question Thinking of buying a table that has 1/2 slate on it. Is this ok or should I pass. It is to be used just for fun in the basement. Answer I have never seen 1/2 inch slate. 3/4 is the smallest we sell. If its just for family fun, then it would probably be okay. Question I am having trouble replacing the spots on my pool table, they are not sticking to the table. What is the best way to replace them? Answer Use 3M Super 77 spray adhesive on the bottom of the spot. Question I am making a pool table and was wondering if you could help with the sub rails. Can you tell me how I can make them myself. Thanks Answer There is a spec for the sub rails on our online catalog. Sub rails are located in the "Recover and Repair" section. Keep in mind that it actually cost more to make the sub rail than it does to purchase it. You could potentially spend a lot of time on a pool table part that is not even visible in the end. Question I have recieved your kit for recovering my pool table. I also ordered slate patch. Since I am assembling this table after having moved it I also need to fill the holes above the screws which hold the slate down. You mention bees wax to use at the seams, but after reading you questions and answers I am confused as to what to use to fill the screw holes and seems. Should I use the ordinary bees wax for the seams and holes or do I need a special bees wax? Or is there a filler I can purchase locally for the screw holes? Answer Generally the screw holes around the edge of the table do not need to be filled. Only holes on the actual playing surface. Use wax for small cracks, seams etc. Use slate patch for larger holes, chips etc. Keep in mind that regular wax is not sufficient for sealing seams. The was we use has a resin in it that makes it extremely hard and durable. Question Which balls do you think are best: Super Aramith Pros or Brunswick Centennials? Answer They both come from the same factory. One has a brand name on it. The other one was probably introduced to compete with the brand name. Take your pick. Question I bought a used table. the side rails are in bad condition due to neglect. I would like to replace them. Do you know where I could order a set? Answer www.bestbilliard.com/catalog/ section: Recover and Repair Question Dear Sir's, I am restoring an antique table which has badly dry rotted bumpers. the rubber is hard as a rock! I belive I will need to replace the bumpers but due to the age of the table (90+) I wiash to do it corectly. Can you help in locating a supplier for the bumpers? The table is the standard 8'X4' and the bumpers can be provided for matching. thanks, Jeff Answer You can find a variety of bumpers on our online catalog under "recover and Repair". We recommend that you measure the width and height of your exsting cushion and match it to a profile on our catalog. www.bestbilliard.com/catalog/ Question We are seriously considering building a table can you tell me where i can buy the slate? Answer We have a variety of slate sizes on our online catalog. We recommend that slate be the first item purchased when building a pool table. Everything revolves around the slate. Question what are the correct measurements for the playing field of a 7ft table....am in the process of rebuilding an old coin op.... Answer A seven foot playing field is 39" x 78" Question I recently reclothed a Billiard table it was 9' x 5'....the table was bought dismantled so there was no cloth...i am unsure of where to mark the lines and put the spots on it...can you help please? Answer Measure half the width and use that same distance from the end. If the width is 50", then measure 25" from the sides and 25" from the end. That's the spot. Question With the myriad of tables and table manufacturers on the market today, how does one differentiate between quality residential tables in the $1800 to $2700 tange. I'm interested in a Brunswick, but when I read about specs to look for in a quality table, a center beam in the frame is consistently mentioned. Brunswicks have cross members, but not a center beam. Your thoughts. Answer Personally, I think the center beam is useless. I have never set up table where the slate actually rests on the center beam. You have to shim slate to level a table and almost all table require shimming. That means that the slate will be up off the actual beam. The primary support is on the outsider perimeter and on the two cross beams underneath the slate seams. A good solid frame is the most important thing to look for and the truth is, most table manufacturers make a good frame. Prices also hinge on type of wood and design, but that has little to do with the way the table plays. Question I'm seriously considering purchasing a pool table in the very near future. Unfortunately, the only "room" large enough in my home for a table is the garage. Would the cold and/or possibly damp atmosphere of the garage effect a pool table in any way? Answer We have seen many tables in garages. They seem to do just fine. Just try to keep it well covered when not in use. Question I need to recover my table. the only info on the table is:Ebonite Billards, Fuqua Company. I would like to know more about the table. Its not old and it is not fancy. I believe it is an 8' table w/o rails. the cushions seem to be responsive so maybe I only need the cloth rather than a complete kit. would you please suggest some options. Answer We would suggest ordering the kit, but taking out the items you do not want. Simply mention in the comments section, when ordering, the items you want taken out. In this case it sounds like you would not need the cushions or the contact adhesive. This way you will still get the 3% discount. Question I am currently interested in purchasing your Cape Town series table.Unfortunatly I am lost when it comes to room size requirements.Simply put,would a 15ft x 15ft area be sufficient for the Cape Town or any other 8 ft table.Thx Answer The length is a little short. You need 17 feet for an 8ft table. Refer to the following link for room sizing. http://www.bestbilliard.com/resources/dimensions.htm Question upon ordering a pool table, does the accessories come along with the order or must they be purchased separately?in addition to this, will the tables be assembled for me or must i do it myself? Answer The accessory kit comes with the table. We do not do the setup, but we can help you find a professional installer. The cost is usually between $150 and $300. We can also provide instructions and supplies so that you can do it yourself. Question I am thinking of setting up a pool parlour.what are the tables which have the best value for money and what is the best way to go about setting it up? Answer The Black Widow is the best table for the money. It also has a commercial style look which is good for a pool hall. Generally finding a person who recovers/refelts tables for other pool halls is the safest and best option for setup. Question I am looking for a very short cue in order to shoot next to an obstruction". Answer The shortest cue we have is 36". Question I've recently purchased a home and am buying furniture as needed. I'm a bachelor and had wanted to put a pool table in a guest room but came to the conclusion the room is too small. I've been debating on what to get for a dining room table and would have enough room for a pool table in the dining room area instead. I'm wondering if there is a pool table cover that can turn your pool table into a dining room table or if there are reasons your aware of why this would not work? What would you recommend? Answer Hard Top Naugahyde covers are specifically made for this type of thing. They create a solid flat surface across the whole table, plus they protect the table from scratches and spills. The only disadvantage to using a pool table for a dining table is the pool table will sit slightly higher and the body of the frame sometimes gets in the way of your legs. Question Can I use double back tape on my felt since the slate has no wood backing? Thanks, Vic Answer I wouldn't recommend it. Use glue or staples and only attach the edges. You will want the center of the cloth to float. Question My son is asking for a pool table for Christmas and I don't know which size to get. He is asking for a "regulation" sized pool table, and I get conflicting answers as to what size to buy. Some people say the correct size is 8ft. others say 9ft. Please help. Thank you. Answer A 9ft table is a tournament table which all pros play on. This is generally what people are referring to. However, I would consider its size. It takes a big room and it more difficult to play on, mainly because there is so much surface area to deal with. 8ft tables are the most common for homes and they are good size for playing. Question We recently purchased a pool table. In the process of moving it, I believe the wax on the seam of the slate broke loose a little leaving some small bumbs under the cloth. The cloth is brand new, so we do not want to purchase new cloth and totally recover the table. Do you have any suggestions for smoothing this? Answer There is little trick that may work. Take a small hammer and just lightly pound the bumps. Question I have a 54"X29" home pool table that has a 1 cm (less than 1/2 inch) hole in the table top felt. What is the best way to repair the hole? Thanks. Answer Use slate patch available on our online catalog. Its the best product for filling holes. It's a type of plaster, but it does not shrink and its harder than a rock. Question I am interested in your Cape Town model table. Reviewing your resource center I came across ten questions to ask before buying. Of the ten ?'s how many yes answers would I get if I purchased the Cape town. Which ?'s have no answers. Answer This could be a long answer. In short, we can answer yes to all of the questions. This table does have a mix of hardwood and plywood, but that is common for tables under 2k. Its a very rigid table with a 3pc slate, k66 master speed cushions and hardwood rails. Question Is there a difference in the way the Premier balls and the Standard balls play? Also what is the difference between the two piece eliminator house stick and the dufferin sneaky pete? Answer There is no differnce in the way standards and premiers play. The only differnce is where the number is located on the striped balls. For the standards they are on the white field, for the premiers, they are on the stripe. There really is not much difference in the two house cues. The Dufferin looks slightly better because of an extra coat of laquer, it also has a brand logo. Question For the Player or Eliminator tables, for example, I know it is shipped in several boxes. Can you tell me the size of the largest box and about how much the heaviest box weighs. How heavy is one section of the slate? Also, how difficult would you rate putting it together for someone with good mechanical skill? How many hours for the job, approximately? Answer The largest box is contains the frame. It is 8ft long and 14" wide by 12" tall. It probably weighs around 75 lbs. Onc section of slate is about 150 lbs. A setup job takes between 3 and 6 hours. It is not that difficult and can be done by a mechanically inclined person. We also provide supplies and instructions for setup. Question I have a 9 ft. snooker table and want to convert it to a pool table (tight pockets).Do I just need to buy new rails and what else? Do you have the parts I need? Answer New cushions and facings would do the job. Question We have an older Murray bumper pool table, the pocket liners (these are plastic), are cracked and broken. Do you supply these? Answer We have 3" and 4" plastic liners on our online catalog under "pockets" Question How is the Player Table - 7ft (#10690) Shipped? Does it require setup? Answer Pool tables are shipped via Freight Truck. Setup is required. The tables come in boxes. You can set up the table yourself or we can assist in finding a professional installer to do the job. Cost is usually between and $150 and $250. Question I have a Brunswick table made about 1918. Would it be more appropriate to use the K66 cushions or the centennial and do you really determine when to replace the cushions. I currently have a simonis 300 rapid cloth on my table so the balls really move but the cusions don't seem as lively as the cushions a friends table. Thanks Answer The cushions you need are slighter larger than the k66 profile. There are two types available. Brunswick Superspeeds or Championship Fleetwoods. The Fleetwoods are less than half the price and will play just the same. You may need to call us for Fleetwoods. I don't think we have them on the online catalog at this time. Question I would like to order a billiard table cover but need to match the color first with the other decorations in the room - I am looking for a specific shade of dark green Can you send me color swatches of your greens? Answer Unfortunately we do not have swatches available in naugahyde. Try to use the color charts available online and also feel free to call us if you have further questions. Question I have an old table that I was planning on rebuilding and/or replacing all the wood around it. I wanted to change the ball guides to leather pockets with medium shields and replace the cushions, etc. One thing that I wasn't sure about is the size of the slate top I have. It's 91 5/8" x 47 9/16", is this a normal size? Answer Yes, this size slate is still made today. Question Do you have a set of pool table instructions on how to build a pool table Answer Unfortunately, we don't have instructions on building a table, but we soon plan to offer information on supplies and parts needed for the job. Question I just got an old bar style pool table w/ ball return. From the edge to edge its roughly 6.5"X3.5" and the slate surface would be about 1" shorter all around. The bumpers need new felt and the slate needs new felt. It also needs new pockets. Is there a kit for all the felt, and is there instructions? How do i measure the pockets, and do you sell pockets? Answer The seven foot recovering kit will work for this table. Since it is a coin table, you won't need the feather stripping, wax or shims. Simply mention you want these items taken out in the comments section when ordering. This way you can still get the 3% discount. The 4 inch pocket liners should also work for this table. Recovering instructions come with this kit. Question I am looking for a wrench to remove siderails from my antique table. The bolt head is round with two holes about one inch apart. Answer There is a special tool used with these type of bolts. The tool is $15, but is not on our online catalog. You must call us to order. Question Do you have catalogs you sen out? Answer No, we only offer the online catalog at this time. You can also view the quick index from our online catalog to get a complete listing of products. Question I am looking for NHL pool balls. I have seen NFL balls, but never NHL. Any idea where I can find them? Answer Sorry, only NFL balls are available at this time. Question i want to make a pool table and was wondering if i could use something else besides slate for my playing surface? Answer You could use something else like plywood or some type of veneer surface, but we wouldn't recommend it. Slate is the ultimate material to play on. Nothing will level or feel like slate on a pool table. Question Where can I could find plans to build a pool table of very good quality. Answer Pool table plans are very hard to come by. There is a site called pooltableplans.com that offers a book on how to build a pool table. Question How much is S&H for the refelting kit? Answer Kits usually run $8 to $14 depending on location. Question How is the felt applied to the rails, especially in the corners where the pockets are? Answer This is big question that I am not able to answer in an email. We do have a complete set of pictures and instructions on recovering rails in our Recovering Instructions that is available with a purchase. Question I want to replace the felt on my pool table. How do I fasten it down? Answer Staples are the preferred method, but you need have a wood backing. Glue is the other alternative that will work just as well. Question I just purchased a slate top pool table and in the moving we broke it. It is on the side and it is broke and chipped. What kind of filler can I use to repair it myself? Answer If the break is on the side, you may be able to just leave it. If it is under the rails it will not affect the playing surface. There is slate glue available on our catalog will repair breaks. Slate patch is also available for chips on the surface. Slate patch is nice because it does not shrink when drying. Question what is the best level to use for leveling a pool table and what is the best method? Answer Any level will work. We generally use a 2.5 ft level for the job. Question I have a friend that's looking to find info. on repairing pool tables. Can you tell me where I can get my hands on this type of info. Answer We have a resource center on our site with lots of good information. We also have recovering instructions available with a purchase. Question I have a small 1/4" long slit in the felt on the top surface of a bumper on my pool table. It looks like the cut goes all the way through the felt. I was wondering if there was anything i could do to repair the felt, or seal the cut to keep the fabric from fraying. The location does not affect play, only looks. Thank you for your time - Great Site! Sincerely, Daniel Wegner rengewnad@excite.com Answer You can sew the cloth or use fabric glue available at any fabric store. Question I have moved my 1" slate table, and the cushions seem to be a little dead. How tight (i.e. how much torque) do I need to apply to the bolts holding the rails? There is a threaded nut embedded in the rails themselves, and a 2" long nut with a star washer that directly contacts the slate. I don't want to crack the slate, but the table seems to play slow off the cushions. Thanks in advance for your help Answer It sounds like your rails need to be replaced. You should only tighten rails with a light to medium torque. There is no actual spec. If you hear wood cracking then its too tight. Question we have an old billiard table 39" by 78",the problem is the spots have worn off. where can we find information on how to respot the table. we play both snooker and pool, and are not sure on the size of the D, etc. If you could help it would be most appreciated, thankyou. Answer Measure half the distance (width) on the playing surface, use that same half distance to measure from the end. That is the spot. Question I just inherited a pool table that is about 40-50 years old. What's the best way to determine how to take it apart and move it? What's the best way to determine if the cushions need replacing? Answer All pool tables are fairly similar in the way they are put together. It is always good practice to take the table completly apart before moving. Otherwise you take the chance of breaking the slate or frame. If cushions are dry or hard, then it is usually a good idea to replace them. Another general rule is if the cushion is more than 5 years old then replace it. Its always easier to replace the cushions when recovering or moving a table. An extra hour or two of labor is well worth the effort. Question What do I use to seal the joints between the slate in my table. I have found two different methods, one using plaster of paris, and the other using wax. I am hesitant when considering using wax because I would think that it will seep through the cloth and make a line. However, I want to use the best method! Answer We always use wax. Its fast, clean and it does the best job. Use a paint scraper to scrape the wax off. When you finish there is virtually no wax left on the table except for the wax right in the seam. Wax will also move with the table which will keep your seam sealed longer. Also, I would suggest using wax that is designed for this purpose. Its much harder than normal bees wax. Question What is the difference between Forstmann Cloth and Simonis Cloth? Answer If you were to shoot two balls at the same speed, one on Forstmann and one on Simonis, the ball on the Simonis would go one and a half times further. Simonis is a 100% worsted wool cloth, which makes it very responsive. The down side is the price and its durability. However, advanced players usually willing to these two factors for its excellent playability and feel. Question What is the difference between the Championship K66 cushion and the Brunswick Super Speed cushion? Answer Both cushions are a high quality rubber. If you play a lot of pool you may be able to recognize the difference between the two. Brunswick Superspeeds are obviously a brand name so the cost is higher. They are also slightly softer which will give them a better response. Superspeeds are also slightly fatter, so check the dimesions before purchasing. Overall we like the Championship K66 cushion for its performance and price, but if you want the very best, go with the Superspeeds. Question How do I know which type of rubber cushion to get for my pool table? Answer 95% of all tables use the K66 profile cushion. The U23 profile cushion is slightly smaller. You can find the exact dimensions on the online catalog under table supplies. Question I am recovering a 7 foot table. Can I use the K66 8 foot championship cushions or do I have to order a different brand? Thanks P.S. Great site! Answer K66 is the profile of the cushion and the most important part to match when replacing them. It doesn't matter how long they are because you will be cutting them down anyway so the 8ft cushion easily work. The cushions we have listed on our catalog are an excellent grade cushion and should work fine your recover. Question I would like to know what I have to do to purchase a password for your recovering instructions. Answer Its listed as a product on our online catalog under "Recover and Repair". http://www.bestbilliard.com/catalog/1005.cfm?Prod_ID=420 Question when you get your pool table refelted do you have to stay off it for a period of time or is it playable immediately? Answer You can play on it immediately. Question I recently acquired an older used table (1965). The name brand is 'All-Tech Industries'. It is a 7 foot coin-op table, and its construction is very unique. The table itself is fully assembled,gullied, with no visible bolts or screws. It is very sturdy. The slate is 3/4 inch and in okay shape. The legs will be replaced. My question concerns the slate. It has no screw or bolt holes whatsoever, and there are none in the table assembly itself, which leads me to believe that the slate simply rests inside the table. The rails are not removeable, so the slate would be secure. I have researched this type of table online, and have found nothing like it. Needless to say, recovering the slate will be tricky, and I would appreciate any tips you might have for me. The cushions are simple enough, 5 screws each from the outside. As I've said, the slate appears to just rest in the table housing with no fastening. Will I have to apply the felt to the slate before setting it in the housing? Have you any experience with this type of table? Any source material you could provide would be appreciated. Any recommendations? Thank you for your time. Answer Usually on coin tables, you can lift the slate out of the housing. Put a couple 2x4's under it while you apply the cloth. The instructions should help. Coin tables are very similar to drop pocket tables with a few minor exceptions. If the instructions do not help we will refund your money. Question What is the regulation height of a pool table someone gave us the slate and rails but we have to build a base and need to know the height. Answer Refer to the BCA specs for table specifications. We have the specs listed on our website under the resource section. Question I purchased a used pool table that was made for a pool hall, very plain but functional. I'm putting it together and I've waxed the seams. Do I wax the bolt holes or plaster them? Also, the felt has a separate cloth backing. Everything that I have seen on the web states that the cloth gets "glued" down and doesn't seem to have backing. Mine was stapled only. Which way is right? Answer There is usually no need to fill the bolt holes. They only need to be filled if the ball path passes over the hole, which is very rare. Also backed cloth is generally used for commerical establishments. Its very durable and will last longer, but playability goes way down. It makes the ball roll slower than normal. Question Can you give me an exact layout of an 8ft slate with pocket cut out dimensions and rail bolt hole location and size? Answer http://www.bestbilliard.com/catalog/1005.cfm?Prod_ID=165 Question I just received the recovering kit and want to know about installing the new K66 Cushions. The new K66 Cushions have a cloth covering on the back AND one side. (One side is the rubber surface with NO covering.) When I install the new K66 Cushion, does the side without the cloth covering face "UP" or does it face "DOWN" toward the playing surface? Thanks for your help with this. George Answer The cloth side should face up. Question I have an 8'Olhausen table I need to set up and refelt. First question is: do you have any hints for leveling the 3 piece slate? Next question is: I would like to know what adhesive you use to install the feather stripping? I would get the kit but I don't need new cushions, mine are in good shape. Last, do I need to replace the rubber facings on the rails before I refelt the rails? They are still on secure and in good shape. Thank You Answer Our recovering instructions cover all facets of setting up and recovering a pool table. You shouldn't need adhesive to apply feather stripping. On the kit request the cushions be left out. We are flexible with the kit. Just mention it in comments section when ordering. Always replace facings when recovering a table. Question In the section on building a table, Justin says that you can buy pre-cut sub-rails. Where can I buy sub-rails for a 9' table? Answer www.bestbilliards.com under repair Question What cushion will fit on a Brunswick Bristol pool table. Answer The century profile cushion. Question I am replacing the rail cushions on a Brunswick Ambassador model EH table. What glue do I use? Also the replacement cushions I purchased have a fabric on one side, does the fabric side go up or down toward the table? In addition is a utility knife the best instrument to use to trim the rubber cushions to size? Thankyou. Answer We recommend 3M 1357. Its a commericial grade glue. Its available on our online catalog. The cloth side is up and a knife with a long thin blade works best for cutting. Question Do you have tables with 1 inch slate that come in one piece? A friend’s mom has one for sale. Does one piece slate make it worth more? Or is there no difference. Thanks. Answer It actually makes it worth less, much less. Moving a one piece slate is not desired by anyone. We do not sell one-pc slate because of its size and the risk involved when moving such a big piece of rock. Three piece slate is the way to go these days and its much more rigid and levels much better than a one piece. Question We just bought a new pool table and order the cloth in black. My son saids that black is the worst color for a pool table and the sale person probably had a bunch of that color so that is why she sold that color to us. I would like to know what is the best color for a pool table because I can still change the color if it is not the best. Answer Standard Green is the best color hands down. However, Standard Green does not always go with the furniture. Some close alternatives are Dark Green and Burgundy. Question What do you recommend to remove a small water stain from my dark green cloth? Answer Billiard cloth cleaner generally works for that type of thing. Question We have recently been given an old pool table. It does not have a slate bed and I understand that slate makes for a better playing area. We have to recover it. How can I tell if the rails and bumpers need to be replaced? Can slate be used to replace the wood bed? If so, where can I purchase the slate and would it be worth the extra expense? Thanks Answer If the table is over 5 years old, we usually replace the rails. Its really hard to tell just by looking a the cushion if it needs to be replaced. You usually don't realize it you start playing. We carry slate, but if the table if the table does not have it to begin with, it could be a tough conversion, lining up the holes etc. Question Iam wanting to buy a pool table within the next few weeks but I can only put it in the garage because that is the only room big enough to hold it. Will the cold temperature in the winter or the hot humidity in the summer hurt the table in any way? Thanks. Answer No, it should be fine. Question Do you have any tips or tricks for leveling a pool table? Answer This information is in our recovering instructions. www.bestbilliards.com/recover/ Question I need to know the size of your Antique Brunswick Rail Bolts. I'm looking for 8 or 9 bolts that are 4 1/2" x 3/8" with 14 threads per inch. I have a really old pool table and will need these bolts to complete our restoration. Please advise me if the bolts you offer would fit this description. If the antique rail bolts you offer are not the required size, would you know somewhere else I might try? Please respond ASAP. I had already sent you an e-mail on Sunday, with no response. Answer We can get these bolts from one supplier, but they have had to start machining the bolts themselves. Mostly because Brunswick has stopped making them. The only difference with these bolts is they do not have the round head. Its a hex head, but everything else is the same. Question I was recently given a pool table and would like to purchase a kit to recover the table and fix the seams. However, I still need to level the table. What is the best way to level the table and can I purchase all products necessary to recover the table from you including whatever is required to fix the seams? Answer Instructions are included with a recovering kit and will explain how to relevel a table. Question I bought a used pool table and two of the cushions are hard and need replaced. The felt on the table is like new can I just replace the cushions and use the same felt thats on it? Answer Its difficult to use the same felt because the excess cloth has been trimmed away. We would recommend replacing the felt also. Question I have a thirty year old table to recover and cushion. do your instrutions lead me in how to remove old glue and install the new cushions perfectly straight? my rails are constructed of medium density fiberboard. thank you in advance. Answer Just use Gunk Off to remove old glue from your rails. The recovering instructions cover A to Z on refelting a pool table, including cushions. Question I am planning on building a pool table. On a standard 8 foot table the playing surface size is 88in x 44in. Are the rails/sub rails/cushions inside or outside the 88x44 area? Also, your site mentions that the surface heighth should be between 29 1/4 in and 30 1/4 in. Is there a standard height or preference? thanx u for your help Answer The 44x88 is the nose to nose measurement of the bumpers, so the sub rails would be on the outside of that. The 29" height is standard set by the BCA. You can find their full specs under the resource center from our main page. Question How do you specify a cue weight on the Dufferin House cues? It seems that the only option is length and type, no weight is asked for. Answer Specify weight in the comment section when ordering.