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                                                    Serving all of New England and Beyond
617-625-2718
FAQ'S
 Located in Somerville, MA
617-625-2718
Located in Somerville, MA
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Pool Table Tips and FAQ's

What size room do I need for my 9’ pool table?

The playing surface of a 9’ pool table is 50”x100”. A standard size cue stick is 57" long. The width of the room should be large enough to accommodate the length of the cue stick on either side of the table plus the 50” of the playing surface. That totals 164” or 13’ 8”. The length of the room must accommodate the cue stick length on either side as well as the 100” of playing surface. That totals 214” or 17’ 10”.
 There are different size tables and different length cue sticks. Use the chart below to figure out what size room you need.
Table Size
4 1/2' x 9' 4' x 8' Reg. 4' x 8' Home 3 1/2' x 7'
Cue Size
57" 13'8" x 17'10" 13'4" x 17'2" 13'2" x 16'10" 12'8" x 15'10"
52" 13'17" 12'6" x 16'4" 12'4" x 16" 11'10" x 15'
48" 12'2" x 16'4" 11'10" x 15'8" 11'8" x 15'4" 11'2" x 14'4"

What should I look for when buying a pool table?

This is a difficult question to answer in a paragraph or two. There are a few basics that you should not compromise on. The slate bed should be 3 pieces and at least 1” thick. The slates should have individual frames attached directly to each slate. The slate frames should not be attached to the frame of the table. The slate should be “oversized” which will allow the bolts that secure the rails to the table to be attached to the slate for maximum rebound. If the rails are attached to the frame of the table, the ball will not rebound nearly as well.

All of the components of the table including the structural frame should be made from solid wood. Plywood and particle board just will not stand the test of time. Make sure that the stretcher bars that support the slate out in the field are solid wood and permanently held in place. This will allow you to level the slate properly in the middle of the table.

Of course, your installer is just as important as everything mentioned above. You can buy the best pool table made but you are wasting your money if it is not installed properly. Boston Billiards installs every pool table that it sells. We do not subcontract our work. 

There are many other things that are important to look for. We can explain more when you visit 
our showroom.

How far do you travel when delivering a pool table?

While most of our work is done in New England, we have delivered pool tables all over the United States and parts of Canada.

I have a very old table that is missing a part. Can you help? 

In most cases, we can. We keep a good inventory of old pool table and billiard table parts in stock. We can also fabricate parts for almost any table. If it is made of wood or metal, we should be able to reproduce it.

What will it cost to move my pool table?

The cost is based on several things. The manufacturer and model of your table, the distance traveled, and flights of stairs are just some of the factors. You really need to call us so that we can identify the extent of labor required to do your move. Please tell us as much information about the move that you have, and we will be able to give you an estimate.

Will I need to replace the cloth on my table when we move?

In most cases, we are able to remove the old cloth and re-stretch it back in place at the new location. There are, however, some things that will prevent us from doing this. If your cloth is more than 15 years old, it probably will not be able to be stretched. If your cloth shows excessive wear, especially around the pockets, it may not be able to be saved. If your cloth has a backing attached to the underside and it has become loose or the glue between the cloth and backing has become stiff, it will not be able to be saved.

I spilled a drink, how do I remove the stain?

If you have an older cloth, unfortunately you will not be able to. You should try to clean up the spill as soon as possible. Sop up the liquid with a sponge or rag. After it is all up, take a clean damp sponge and wash the area where the spill was. Dry it again with a rag or paper towels. Then you could use a hair dryer to fully dry the cloth. When it is dry, you should brush the table so that the nap stands up uniformly. 

We now carry a line of cloth that is bathed in Teflon so that the spill will bead up and be able to be cleaned up without staining the cloth. Not all brands of cloth are available with the Teflon.  

My rubber cushions seem "dead," do I need new rubber?

There are several reasons that your cushions may not rebound as good as they should. Their age is the main reason. When they get old, they dry out and get hard. It happens gradually and may not happen to all six rails at the same time. Once it starts, it is time to replace all six. 

The cushions can become separated from the rail liners. This can usually be fixed. 
The bolts that hold the rails on the table may be loose or damaged. This can usually be repaired.

My pool table played perfectly but now I notice that there is a ridge where the slates join. What caused this to happen?

This is not uncommon. In most cases it is caused by expansion and contraction of the wood with the change in seasons. When we get those hot humid days in the summer, the air is saturated with moisture. Wood will absorb the moisture in the air causing it to swell or expand. When it starts to get cold outside and you turn on the furnace, the air gets very dry. The moisture will leave the wood causing it to shrink or contract. Because your slate is screwed to the wooden structural frame of the table, this movement of the wood will force the slate to move along with it. As the slate moves back and forth ever so slightly, it can be forced out of alignment. 

The only way to prevent this from happening is to keep the humidity level in the room uniform throughout the year. The more extreme the differences in humidity are from season to season, the more the slate will go out of alignment.
The slates can also be knocked out of alignment if the pool table gets picked up or moved.

Can I vacuum the cloth on my pool table?

You can but only if your installer sealed the slates with bee’s wax. Wax will stay in place while vacuuming. Other materials like plaster or Epoxy will come loose and be redistributed randomly under your cloth. Vacuuming your table should be done once a month or so depending on use. You will remove all of the chalk dust that gets built up under the cloth when you vacuum the table. This will keep the ball rolling true.

Make sure that you use a vacuum that uses only suction like on an upholstery attachment. You do not want to use a vacuum with rotating bristles because they will wear the cloth down quickly.

What will it cost to level my pool table?

It can be a very simple repair that is done by placing shims under the legs. This is relatively inexpensive to do. 

It can also be a very involved repair if the slate is out of alignment. It will require taking the table apart adjusting and sealing the slate to repair it. This can be costly. Of course, the prices will vary based on the travel time and the make and model of your table. 

Please feel free to contact Boston Billiard Emporium with any other questions you may have.
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