Pool Table

Quality pool tables are always made with slate

Flat slabs of polished slate provide the best playing surface for any table. Brazil, China and India are major suppliers of slate, with slate from northern Italy preferred because of its high quality. Slate is normally ¾” to 1-inch thick and adds substantially to costs. Instead of a single slab that can easily fracture during shipping, most tables are made of three oversized slabs fitted together with a wood backing glued to one side to which the felt cloth is glued. The slate extends slightly larger than the playing surfaces to add strength to the rails. The slabs are drilled and bolted to the table frame.

Cheaper pool tables are made with Slatron synthetic plastics layered onto particle board, and Permaslate, honeycombed plastics set between two plastic sheets of plastic and Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) commonly used in construction. These materials warp easily, and don’t maintain perfectly flat playing surfaces.

Solid foundations

Pool tables are framed with mahogany hardwood planks and corner wood glue blocks rather than metal brackets. The number of legs, from 4-8 depends upon the table’s size. Solid legs extending to the underside of the slate layer are preferred because they don’t wobble.

Table cabinets are made with several materials. MDF and paper or plastic laminates can be found on cheaper models. Wood veneer is found on moderately priced units. Hardwood laminates are found on better quality tables and the best and most expensive tables are made with solid hardwood.

Rails are part of the details

Most tables have drop pockets made of some type of netting to catch the sunk balls. These sit in rails anywhere from 21/2” to 31/2” thick attached around the perimeter of the table surface made of hardwood or other matching cabinet material glued to a piece of wood or MDF to which the cloth is stapled and stretched over a cushion.

The hard rubber cushion is wedge-shaped and glued to the sides of the rail, covered with the same felt cloth covering the table. Cushions provide a consistent rebound to ball strikes. The better tables have K-66 cushions.

On the outside of the rail is the apron or blind, a matching wood strip that hides the outside rail edge.

Atop all is the cloth, tightly-woven wool and synthetic nylon added for durability. The cloth often referred to as felt.

Before you shop, do this

• Measure your available space to determine the size of your table and add about six feet playing clearance around the table's perimeter. Most pool tables average 7-10 feet long with widths about half the length.

• Some house construction will require internal assembly especially if the table must be hauled up stairway to a second floor.

• Budget for the table beforehand. Quality tables run from $500 to $5000 or more

• Decide what accessories you want: balls, pool cues, a rack bridge and cover can add up quickly

• Buy a brand-name table

• Figure on professional installation. Hire a company-authorized installer

When shopping for a pool table, check the quality

Armed with information about how table are constructed, you can check the quality of the tables you want to buy.

• Check that the table surface is clean and free of bumps, tears and scratches, taut and smooth

• Bump the table. It shouldn't shake or move

• Check the frame manufacture for wooden glue blocks or metal connectors

• Check the table’s surface by hitting some balls. Felt surfaces play differently. Professional felt surfaces can be slower balls.

Where to buy pool tables

ProLine Billiard Tables Provides pricing and dealer locators.

KGI Billiards Offers free shipping on all purchases shipped within the continental United States.

Triangle Billiards - Triangle, AMF Renaissance, PlayMaster and Brunswick billiard tables

Mercantila

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