Pool Table Types
There are a variety
of different types of pool tables dependant upon which
game is being played on it ( Snooker, Eight Ball etc.) and
where it is located ( home, saloons, pool halls) and how
expensive it is.
You get what you pay for? This is a phrase that always seems
to comes up when purchasing a new pool table. This can be
true in most cases but sometimes you are paying a premium
for a great looking pool table that plays terrible
or vice versa.
The ideal pool table is one that looks great
and plays great. But, with that said, if your main objective
is to have a table that plays great, you don't have to
pay extra for an expensive hardwood finish.
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A Pool Table is piece of furniture
A pool table (Billiard table) is a piece of furniture, it should
fit in with the decor of your room whether you have it in a basement
recreation room or in your living room, it should look like it
belongs there. When purchasing a new or used pool table, look
for a pool table like you would look for a new sofa or dinning
room table. So when purchasing a new pool table, think about
how it would look in the room that it will be put in.
What's under the hood of a pool table?
Quality construction, slate, cloth, cushions, and installation
are the main factors in getting a pool table that plays well.
- Quality
construction
A lot of pool tables use veneer to provide a desirable cosmetic
appeal. Veneer provides a the grain pattern, while other
wood materials provide the strength and structure. It is
a good idea to find out what wood material is under the veneer.
The
design of quality crafted billiard legs are designed to enhance the overall  look of the pool table more than just
providing support.
Strength is provided by selecting hardwoods that are bonded
grain against grain for maximum strength.
With a solid carved pool table leg, a machine bolt is dropped deep into the center
of the leg where it is thread into a sunken anchor.
Hollow legs use a shorter bolts that are fastened by a threaded metal bracket.
A pool table's weight varies from manufacture to manufacture , and the style
and the thickness of slate, but an average weight would be around 500 - 1000
pounds.
A chain is only as strong
as it's weakest link, so the bolt that holds the legs on should also be of top
quality.
- Pool Table Playing Surface - Slate
 The material that lies underneath the pool table cloth of
a well constructed pool table is what will make the difference
in the playability and precision of your game and the life
span of your pool table. When pool tables(
billiard tables) were first built the playing surfaces were made of wood, but
because wood has a tendency to warp easily, good pool tables were eventually
built using slate for the playing surface. Be aware of really inexpensive pool
tables as they probably are built with particle board instead of slate. Pool
tables can come with one piece slate beds or they can be made of three pieces
of billiard slate. The thickness of the pool table slate is usually between ¾ and
1 inch.
- Pool Table Cloth
Pool table felt most commonly is a 75% wool
/ 25% very fine cotton blend to allow the balls to roll smoothly.
The higher the thread count the better the felt is for your pool
table. Replacing your felt can be very expensive as it is generally
considered a job that should be done by a professional.
Pool table felt comes in a variety of colors, so make sure that
the color you choose when buying a new pool table, is one that
works well in your gaming room, as the cloth on a new pool table
should last for years. Be careful with the low english on the
cue ball because rips in the felt are the number reason that
people have for replacing pool table felt.
- .Pool Table Cushions( Rails
)
Full profile K-66 cushion is BCA approved cushion is considered the industry
standard which are used in 75% of home recreational pool tables .
Full profile means that it is a full
size cushion.
The K-55 profile rail cushion has the same
general profile shape of the K-66 cushions but in a larger size and is used
mostly in commercial coin operated tables.
Pool table cushions should be of
the highest quality pure gum rubber with canvas on the top and back of the
cushion. The canvas on the top of the cushion controls the action of the rubber
for more accuracy and consistency in play. It will not separate
and come loose because the canvas on the back of the rubber
allows the cushion to bond tightly.
- Pool Table Installation
Pool tables should always be installed by a professional. A
level playing surface is key to playing the game of pool. Pool
tables are always shipped with the slate separately so that it
can be lifted into place. So, do your back a favor and always
leave the moving and installation of a pool table to a professional.
Pool Table Sizes
Pool table sizes are determined by the measurement of the inside
playing surface of the pool table from the cloth covered nose of
the cushion rubber to the opposite cushion rubber. The length
is generally always twice the width.
Some of the most common sizes are
- Bar Table - Coin Operated Pool
Table:
7 foot table
playing area -
76" x 38"
- Standard Home Size Pool Table:
8 foot table
playing area -
88" x 44"
- Tournament
Size Pool Table:
9 foot table
playing area -
100" x 50"
- Snooker table sizes:
10
foot table
playing area -
112" x 56"
12 foot table
playing area -
124" x 62"
Room Sizes for your pool table
The average pool cue is 57 inches long and you need to be able
to feather the cue ( line up your shot and move the cue backwards
and forwards), so add at least 3 inches. This means that you would
have to add 60 inches all the way around a pool table to get a
comfortable shot from any angle. So, your pool table gaming room
should be at least 120 inches larger in width and 120 inches larger
in length than your pool table.
Using the above dimensions an
eight foot table with a playing surface of
88" x 44" would need a room 208" x 164" or
17 foot 4 inches x 13 foot 8 inches.
Don't buy a small pool table if your room size is just a little
bit small, there are always shorter cues. |
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