Riley Aristocrat Tournament Champion v Burroughes and Watts table

[Cue crafty]

Always thought from old photo's in the slate quarries of wales ( not Italy ) that the slate is cut in sections from a solid block not one length , then the underside side it roughly leveled before they cut each to the same size to form 5 equal parts then doweled jointed .
then diamond honed level , if they are for match tables they should then be Hand floated to get the tolerance and diamond circular honing marks out required for a precise level .
I would suggest that the slate even form Italy is hard to get now , so you have a choice to import slate beds for snooker and pool tables , Brazil or China are I am informed the latest suppliers .
now I do not import tables or slate but I have noticed more and more tables manufactured since the 1980's on wards have very soft slate beds now .
for £13k or there about I would have thought Riley's would us the best slate available and that is Welsh slate .

A table selling for that amount with soft slate on , is I would say just not up to standard or build quality but hen again even Star tables are not up to it , I have seen many tables with bad slates on them over the years many built around the 1980's onward's
I will say most Match Quality Riley Aristocrats have good slate's on them for level from New , but are still manufactured out of the softer slate , This baffles me when they can give a 25 year warranty on the slate bed
they should all have adjustable slate bearers on them to stop sagging , but if I could give you any advice on this soft slate it is , DO NOT PUT HEAT UNDER THEM . short term it is ok , but years of heating will warp the slate and that's form over 40 years of experience fitting .

the sooner we take control of quality and start manufacturing a table back here in the UK out of UK sourced slate beds the better .


just my view

Here here Geoff!

[Mark1]

Thank you Cue Crafty that's exactly it. I have always practiced on a match table it's just whatever you get used to.

[Mark1]

Thanks Geoff, I'll keep an eye out for the slate warping. If it does, then I'll get it replaced with the 25 year guarantee.

[Geoff Large]

They say when you want a bus none come , then when you do not two come along at the same time .

as most of you know i do not get involved in buying and selling tables but i do get a lot of private people phoning up to dispose or sell tables as Private sales .

I have a enough of my time taken up with moving these tables and maintaining tables to get involved with selling them .

but I have two people who have contacted me this last few days selling their Riley Aristocrat steel cushioned tables , one is now up with photo's on my web site as a Private sale .
the sale has nothing to do with GCL billiards , it is just me helping along a private seller in finding a buyer for them , of course if they wish to employ a fitter to dismantle and relocate the table then I could offer my services for this .

anyway here is the Private sale table which is in Wolverhampton http://gclbilliards.com/full-size-ri...wolverhampton/

[Stevie1]

I woud love a job fitting tables i whish i coud work with a table fitter for a day free of charge

[Shockerz]

I woud love a job fitting tables i whish i coud work with a table fitter for a day free of charge

I did this last year for a couple of days to recover 2 tables.

Got to say I really enjoyed it and learned a lot. Seeing how the table is constructed and being able to do part of the work shows you that it certainly looks a lot easier than it is.

You've also got to remember that there are lots of different table, cushion and cloth types out there as well!

[philip in china]

Geoff and other fitters tell you it's difficult. I assembled a table and 4 chairs from IKEA once and it wasn't too hard. It's all the same principle.

[Stevie1]

Lol yes it would be good to try it

[Geoff Large]

2nd Riley Private sale Genuine Match play Aristocrat has come up for Offers

http://gclbilliards.com/genuine-rile...teel-cushions/

[jonny66]

Geoff and other fitters tell you it's difficult. I assembled a table and 4 chairs from IKEA once and it wasn't too hard. It's all the same principle.

Make sure you don't lose the allen key though.

[Ringo147]

do you have any BCE westbury steel block cushions Geoff ?

[toni]

Hi Maryfield,
I would like to get a Riley Aristocrat Tournament Champion Snooker Table in my home and am looking into costs.
Do you still supply and fit - do you have access to any at the moment, and how much would it cost? Do you have a website?
Best wishes,
toni

[maryfield]

Did you message me yesterday ? I do have one available. Give me a call 07737530727