"Shimmed"?

[gulfportdoc]

What does "double shimmed" and "triple shimmed" actually mean? Does a "shim" correspond to an exact width of an added pocket facing, or is it just a general expression meant to indicate that the pocket sizes have been narrowed?

How wide is a shim? Does double shimmed mean one on each side of the pocket, or two?

I've heard these expressions for years, but never knew precisely what measurement they meant.

Doc

[100andout]

It means all kinds of things with no real perfect scale Doc. Tables that have had new longer rails ordered to avoid shims (which is the right way to do it to avoid funky areas around the pocket points) are even wrongly refered to as "shimmed" "jammedup" "wedged" whatever you like to call it.

on average I have found (on a Gold Crown)

single shim is around 4-3/4" and the average good pool room pocket. 2 balls go through the pocket with about a 1/4" gap between them.

double shim is around 4-3/8" and plays snug with 2 balls maybe just getting through......I know I know the balls are 2-1/4" thats why I said "about" :)

triple shim is what I like for 1 pocket and is around 4 to 4-1/4" with 2 balls stopping around the points.

hope that helps....

Gerry

[NH Steve]

As far as I know -- but I am not a table mechanic -- every cushion has one "shim", actually called a "pocket facing", which is about a scant 1/16" thick layer of reinforced rubber, glued to each end of the angled cut of the rubber that forms the pocket opening. That's why you don't hear the expression "single shimmed". If you want to quickly & easily make your pockets smaller next time you recover the rails (because these shims are under the cloth!), then they just add a second (or third) layer of this pocket facing -- hence double or triple shimmed. It shrinks the pocket opening, but also does create a little extra bump at the pocket corner because the shim rubber is harder than the cushion rubber itself.

The nicest way to shrink the pockets is to actually have extra long rails made for the table, so you do not have the 'bump' created by the multiple layers of table facing. Also, real high art table guys want to strictly engineer the actual angle of the final pocket opening to the narrower width (rather than just shim in in the parallel fashion with extra pocket facings). Consequently a true tight pocket table with long rails plays a little better around the pockets than a 'shimmed' table.

[Cal]

These double shimmed tables are a "NIGHTMARE" ask some of the players in Pittsburgh, thank goodness they have changed and playing is more exceptable. Having the rails to make the size of the pockets is the best way.

[gulfportdoc]

I appreciate the replies. So, although longer rails rather than shimmed rails are preferable, the average table has rails which are already shimmed. Double shimmed would mean 1 extra set of pocket facings, and Triple shimmed would mean 2 extra sets.

I suppose manufacturers design their rails with the beginner to average player in mind, with the idea that extra shims can be added for those who want tighter pockets.

Doc

[gulfportdoc]

These double shimmed tables are a "NIGHTMARE" ask some of the players in Pittsburgh, thank goodness they have changed and playing is more exceptable. Having the rails to make the size of the pockets is the best way.
Hey Cal-- Where's all the action these days in Pgh? Is it all at Marino's in Bridgeville, or is there a good room downtown? I loved the old downtown rooms, but most rooms have moved to the suburbs these days.

Are you planning on attending the "olympics" in Louisville in November? Lord willing, I'm going to try to make it for the one-pocket.

Doc