36 | OHCC LIVING | APRIL 2022 |
Pool Tables Renewed
Real craftsmanship is required to get it right.
All six of the nine-foot pool tables in our Billiard Room were
recovered and balanced in February by Brian Esparza and his crew.
The new cloth is by Simonis, who have been making billiard cloth
at their factory in Belgium for over 300 years! It is worsted wool,
much the same as found in fine men's suits. It is definitely not "felt,"
which is found on only the cheapest tables.
The Billiard Club's in-house engineer, Cal Smith, documented the
process. Here's his report.
1. The rail assembly was lifted off the table and the old Simonis
cloth was removed. Brian reported that the old cloth was installed
too loosely, and that the fabric weave was not well aligned.
2. New fabric was pulled snug on the rails and then secured with
staples.
3. The slates were smoothed and then bonded together with
super glue. The remaining gaps and fastener holes were filled with
paraffin wax. After the wax was hard, the excess wax was scrapped
off, resulting in a super smooth surface.
4. The slates were leveled with the skillful application of a hammer
to tiny wooden wedges under their sides. The center slate was done
first, then the two end slates. A single sheet of paper under one leg
helped bring it all into balance, as measured by six precision levels.
5. The cloth on the table was stretched, bonded, and stapled to one
side so that the fabric weave was uniform. Then, from the opposite
side, the fabric was stretched as tight as a man could pull, wrapped
around the slate edge while keeping a uniform weave pattern, and
stapled. The pocket cutouts were formed, and the excess fabric
trimmed.
6. The completed rail assembly was replaced.
7. Two lasers were used to position the foot spot.
8. This was a talented crew that took pride in their work. Our
tables have never been so level!
See the pictures on page 11 of this issue of OHCC Living.
Billiards
