subject: The Ingredients Of A Pool Table [print this page] The popularity of billiards is growingThe popularity of billiards is growing. More and more people own tables of their own to play and practice at home.
We are going to talk about the slate that is used to make a billiard table. Billiards defines any game played on a table with a cue and balls.
Billiards is a game that relies on the fundamentals of physics and geometry, and becoming an expert in billiards requires skillful mastery of the game's equipment. This equipment includes:
Balls - Although each variation of billiards has different rules, the goal is always to strike a ball and move it in some fashion.
Cue - A long, tapered rod that has a cushioned tip on the narrow end for striking the balls.
Table - The playing surface that the balls travel on. Depending on the game it is designed for, the table may or may not have pockets (holes) for the balls to fall into.
Games played on tables with pockets are often referred to as pool or snooker, while the most common pocketless table game is called carom.
The Slate of the Table
The playing surface of a billiard table has traditionally been made using a large slab of slate. Slate is a bluish-gray rock that cleaves (splits naturally) in broad, flat segments.
Mainly composed of chlorite, mica and quartz, slate is formed when layers of clay sediment with large concentrations of these minerals are compressed into sedimentary rock. The sediment hardens in thin layers as it compresses, creating a very hard rock with hundreds of naturally flat layers.
Slate can be ground and polished into a perfectly flat surface fairly easily, which is why it is sought after for billiard tables. Slate can be found all over the world, but major exporters include Italy, Brazil, China and India.
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 be 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.
Foundation of a Pool Table
The table cabinet starts with a large, rectangular, wooden frame, typically made of thick hardwood planks. Usually, there are one or more cross beams, along with a center beam, to provide additional support to the slate.
The frame is connected at the corners either with metal brackets or wooden blocks. The metal brackets or wooden blocks are placed in each corner and bolted to the planks, forming a very solid frame.
Depending on the size of the table, and the thickness and weight of the slate, there will be four, six or eight legs supporting the table. Some designer tables replace the legs with a large pedestal base.
Table legs can be hollow or solid, although solid legs are the preferred choice. While the legs may just go to the bottom of the frame, most experts agree that solid legs that extend to the underside of the slate provide the best support.
There is obviously more that goes into the making of a pool table but this gives you the knowledge of what a pool table's core ingredients are made of.
There are tables of different sizes, styles and colors. When choosing a table to own for yourself, research what kind of table would best fit your needs and ask a salesperson lots of questions before purchasing.
