Monthly Archives: September 2023

Just a little gadget we use to test the rebound value of Cushion rubber by ball distance roll , and also speed of cloth .

Made by the Late Dave Gibson for use in his own billiard hall in Beeston Nottingham to inform him of the state of his tables speed and cushion life .

I purchased it 10 years ago with some other bits and bob’s on the close down of the billiard hall , from his widow Kathy , and she was pleased it was still going to be used .

The ball is placed on the ramp and is clasped into place and held by a spring loaded lever , press to release and the ball rolls down at its own release pace not assisted , it hits the end cushion from its baulk line start line , and you measure the return travel of the ball to access the condition of the rubber .

It is the same with cloth speed , you can see if you think you need your cloth re-stretching , or compare a fast paced match or ultra fine cloth speed on on one table, to say the slowness of thick heavy club cloths .

a usefull tool and I was delighted to own it .

and still put to the use it was intended for , more so with me as a fitter , than with a 10 table billiard hall , it is now used on hundreds of tables , to show clients the state of play on their tables

Phone Karen on club phone 01530 412438 to book or reseve your ticket …only two days to go

I have just spent 4 days this week re-furbishing the playing surface and pockets on 5 full size Riley Snooker tables at the Ivanhoe social club at Ashby de la Zouch LE65 2GW .
TOM FORD The Professional Snooker player ranked 24th in the world will be playing on Table 2 this Saturday , playing against local club members , meet and great autograph signing and photo opertunity , exhibition shots , and a prize Hand spliced Britannia Cue raffle
The ivanhoe club has many of these professional players attend for exhibition nights , they have had some great professional exhibition players in the past , and few of the locals are tasty players too .
the tables are always busy in this club .
And they have their own room , sepperate from the main bar area , with sliding bifolds to close it off completley if required .
The 5 full size Imperial model tables circa 1930s / 60s upgraded by Riley Leisure to modern arsitocrat cushion just over 20 years ago .the club have the tables re-clothed every 18 to 24 months depending on use and wear .
I used to do the maintenance on the 5 tables for the firm I worked for before I went self employed in May 2012 .
and I have a very good relationship with the Club , in fact they where the very first Job that I took on as a self employed Billiards fitter .
A few Photos showing the great expense this club goes to , to provide decent playing conditions of the Snooker tables .
All work useing UK made products , re-clothed in strachan 6811 tournament 100% pure new wool cloth 30 oz weight , and Peradon high quality thick leathers and nets used .
The club have a high care of maintance and the tables are visited most days for , Brushing and ironing .
New modern lighting was fitted around 7 years ago , to replace the old fashioned coffin shaped bulb lighting .
***Modern cushions and pockets on better Welsh slate , with modern lighting , this is the best combination .
Welsh slate is far superior than the soft slate they use on modern tables of today , in fact I have seen some shocking Italian / Brazialian and Chinese sourced slate which is realy soft and powdery to the touch .
You cannot get good old hard blue Welsh slate anymore , where many would have replaced the whole table , the fitting of modern cushions and pockets to the high quality welsh slate was the way to go .
I know of no better quality slate than Welsh and Irish slate .
It is a pity Billiard slates are too expensive to produce in Wales anymore .