What is slate pool table

A few manufacturers use a single, large piece of slate instead of three pieces, but the three-slab method is generally preferred. Ideally, the slate should be oversized. This means that the slate is slightly larger that the actual playing surface so that it extends beneath the rails of the table, providing additional strength to the rails. Most quality tables have the slate framed as well, with a wood backing glued to the underside of the slate. The felt cloth that is stretched over the slate is stapled or tacked to the frame.

Without the frame, the cloth would have to glued directly to the underside of the slate. The slate is carved out around the edges where the pockets will go. Also, holes are drilled along the edge so that the slate can be bolted to the top of the table frame.

The biggest problem with non-slate surfaces is that they warp easily and don't have the durability to maintain a perfectly flat playing surface for any length of time. The quality of the playing surface doesn't matter unless it has a solid foundation to support it. In the next section, we will look at the construction of the table itself. Sign up for our Newsletter! Slate tables, therefore, are extremely heavy--especially three-piece slate tables, which are used in professional settings bars have single-piece slate tables.

Alternatives, the non-slate tables, are generally cheaper, lighter or both. Unlike slate, all of the alternative materials cannot be leveled to precision. This means they may look flat, but are not necessarily precisely flat. There is a possibility that a ball will roll the wrong direction, or it may not be completely level. The other reason players prefer slate to alternatives is the durability: These alternative materials will chip and wear over time.

Vacuum dust and other things off the table periodically, and cover the table with a decent, well-fitting cover when not in use. These precautions will help keep the pool table in good condition regardless of the type you choose.

The only real drawback of an MDF table is in its performance. The biggest single benefit of a slate bed is performance. All professional pool and snooker tournament tables around the world use slate beds, as the ball roll is considered to be perfectly true.

As slate bed tables are real sports equipment, the components will be of the highest quality. Cushions will be tournament-grade for the best rebound response, and the cloths will be top-quality materials from the likes of Hainsworth or Strachan.

The thing to remember is that slate tables basically all offer a similar game quality, so your big decisions should be based on what you like the look of. The Houdini luxury slate bed pool table. Slate bed tables are heavy. Even British 6-foot tables, the smallest slate beds, can weigh kg. MDF bed tables, whilst not able to compete with slate beds in terms of absolute performance, offer the best value route to owning your own pool table.

Slate bed tables offer the absolute pinnacle in game performance. But this performance comes at a price; not only in the purchase cost, but also in their inflexibility. If you have the space for a permanent table and you really do want the best tournament-standard gameplay, then only a slate bed will do. View our full range of slate and MDF tables here. Email: enquiries libertygames. Commercial Buyers Guide.

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