Good evening everyone

[Paz369]

Can you let me know if that's better please

[DeanH]

can see these now

[mikee]

I don’t think it’s a Riley and it looks like standard wood cushions ,there was a time when on odd tables the steel was incorporated in to the cushions ,but I think this one is standard wood .Thurston did supply tables on occasions for odd comps and I belive this tournament was more of a less serious invite comp .The wood seems like decent Mahogonay ,more than likely Brazilian .How many muntins are there under the table ,they are the slate bearers that run the length of the table , I would say there will be at least two rows ,when the table is erected I would fit adjustable bearers that you offer up to fit tight up to the slates .( easy mod to do ) Also get your tape measure out and check the depth of the slate ,if it’s 2 inch thick it will be Welsh ,if 1 .75 inch ,probably Italian .The time frame of your table would be right at the changing point to the thinner Italian slate and single adjustable muntins.By the looks of it your table is the older higher quality type ,you may even find on the inner frame somewhere a serial number which could help identify more detail .You will need a new cloth for sure and maybe a re rubber ,rubber lasts between 10 and 20 years depending on the temperature it’s been kept in ,if it’s black Northen rubber it will be dated .There is no other rubber to fit then northern ,the other stuff is all rubbish and not even worth considering .The only other thing to check is the cushion bolts ,all post 1980 tables had 6 slate bolt holes on every cushion ,older tables had 5 on the sides and 6 on the top and bottom .it does look a nice table and the condition looks very good ,a couple of days hitting it with some paste wax or bees wax will really make it look nice and bring out the natural grain .Stick a new set of pocket leathers and nets all round and it will look even better .Very nice table

[John Flaf]

Wow Mikee, you know your stuff, are you a fitter? your table knowledge is encyclopedic, I'm sure Paz will appreciate it.

[mikee]

Wow Mikee, you know your stuff, are you a fitter? your table knowledge is encyclopedic, I'm sure Paz will appreciate it.

No I wish I could fit tables though ,I have had all cushions of tables before and fitted cushion cloth ,basic stuff like fitting new nets and leathers .I’ve known Geoff Large for quite some time and he knows nearly everything and I find it very interesting with the history of the game and tables used over the years .One Of my mates is a joiner and knows tons about quality wood and my other mate I play snooker with for nearly 30 years is Dave Coutts who is a cue maker and he really knows his stuff on quality polishes and woods .

[Cue crafty]

No I wish I could fit tables though ,I have had all cushions of tables before and fitted cushion cloth ,basic stuff like fitting new nets and leathers .I’ve known Geoff Large for quite some time and he knows nearly everything and I find it very interesting with the history of the game and tables used over the years .One Of my mates is a joiner and knows tons about quality wood and my other mate I play snooker with for nearly 30 years is Dave Coutts who is a cue maker and he really knows his stuff on quality polishes and woods .

Your mate Dave made some lovely cues in his time Mikee, a real craftsman. See this one on eBay for a pretty price tag. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124751202...kAAOSwakBgt08N

[Paz369]

Mikee I'm absolutely astounded by your knowledge and yes I truly appreciate it, I'll hopefully pick up the table this week or next depending on when I can I hire a van and will have a look at how muntins there are (another new word learnt) and look for a serial number, will probably take pics of dismantling process. Would be nice to know exactly who made the table so maybe with a bit more info we can solve the mystery. When I say we I really mean you clever bunch
With regards to the cloth is there recommendations?

[Danger Steve]

Mikee I'm absolutely astounded by your knowledge and yes I truly appreciate it, I'll hopefully pick up the table this week or next depending on when I can I hire a van and will have a look at how muntins there are (another new word learnt) and look for a serial number, will probably take pics of dismantling process. Would be nice to know exactly who made the table so maybe with a bit more info we can solve the mystery. When I say we I really mean you clever bunch
With regards to the cloth is there recommendations?

6811 Tournament 29oz or 30oz by Strachan is good and affordable. Hainsworth cloths apparently work better in humid conditions. Strachan Superfine is the new cloth on the block and is getting good reviews, no.10 is the most expensive and is the cloth used on the pro tour.

[AndyWhite]

Hello Paz! Welcome
That's a great story you've shared

btw, Im also new here

[Paz369]

Thanks Steve, will go with the 6811 I think, any thoughts on heating? Pros and cons of under table heating?
Hi Andy welcome aboard

[Danger Steve]

Thanks Steve, will go with the 6811 I think, any thoughts on heating? Pros and cons of under table heating?
Hi Andy welcome aboard

Any of those would have been a good choice, all depends on budget I suppose. If your going with the tournament cloth 29 or 30oz bed and cushion will be fine. Even the pro tables with their No.10 bed cloth still use the tournament on the cushions because it lasts a little longer.

I can’t really think of any cons to ‘proper’ under table heating, don’t use these stand alone oil heaters or the greenhouse heaters, things have moved on now from the dark ages! You’ll be better off with a system like I have used, 25mm insulation boards with carbon heat mats fitted to them. Much more efficient and cost effective, I also added a thermostatic WiFi controller so I can turn the table heating on about an hour before I play, I usually set it off while I’m still at work. Two options, you can source the parts and build the panels yourself. Or contact Justin at Hotwire he has been fitting similar systems to tables for years. Again it depends on your budget and if you like to get your hands dirty! Hotwire cost around ?350-?400 fitted, but comes with a standard thermostat. Or DIY about ?260 all in with WiFi stat, but obviously you’ll need some basic electrical skills to build the panels. It took me about 4-5 hours to build and install. Another tip would be if you can, to fit a plug socket beneath your table!

[Paz369]

Hi Steve, do you think it's essential if I have radiators keeping it at an average temperature? Do you think it makes much of difference playable wise? Think I'll definitely have a plug socket fitted under the table anyway, it's there if I need it then

[mikee]

I would add that 6811 is a great cloth once it’s had its stretch after a few months ,it can be a little slow before then ,but afterwards it plays as fast as no 10 ,I’ve used both but prefer 6811 now .As Steve says a good under table heating system is great in a build that is separate from the house ,you really don’t need much heat under the slates and that will help keep your heating bills down as you won’t need to have the room heaters on full blast .I’m lucky I don’t need table heating on mine as the room is part of the house and is a brick build kept at a steady 21 degrees ,but I would use it if I was doing a separate build away from the house ,as Steve says there are better options now than the old green house type heaters ,I’ve seen two tables cooked to death with those ,be a bit like fitting a cue rack above a radiator ,it won’t end well long term .

[mikee]

Your mate Dave made some lovely cues in his time Mikee, a real craftsman. See this one on eBay for a pretty price tag. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124751202...kAAOSwakBgt08N

Yes he does , Dave is very old school ,all his cues that say built by Dave Coutts are built just by him ,he built my cue 20 years ago ,Ash with full snake wood butt ,it’s been my only cue since .

[Neil Taperell]

Pics of cue please ……snakewood is my favourite