| There are many factors to consider when buying | | | | heavy and they can be very difficult to move so |
| a pool table, whether you’re buying for the | | | | if you intend to move house or change rooms |
| home or buying for a bar or other venue. As well | | | | around in the near future you might want to |
| as deciding on the most appropriate design, the | | | | consider waiting before purchasing a slate bed |
| right frame material, and even the colour of the | | | | billiard table. However, it is this weight that in part |
| felt that you wish to use, you will also need to | | | | gives the slate its strength. |
| determine whether you want a slate pool table or | | | | Long Life |
| one using an alternative material. Regulation and | | | | The natural slate that is used in pool table |
| professional tables all use slate beds because of | | | | construction has a very long life and as a result |
| the quality but is it a feasible option for the home | | | | this means that slate pool tables typically enjoy a |
| buyer? | | | | much longer life than wooden or synthetic based |
| No Question | | | | pool tables. What’s more, the qualities of the |
| The pool playing purist will tell you that there is no | | | | slate mean that throughout its life, the slate bed |
| other option except to buy a slate bed pool table | | | | will continue to provide a flat and true playing |
| and in many respects they would be correct. The | | | | surface. |
| fact is that slate is used primarily because of how | | | | Difficult To Damage |
| flat and strong it is. Even though the slate is often | | | | A slate bed does not chip, break, or splinter easily |
| constructed in three parts, a good slate bed will | | | | and it will certainly withstand normal and use and |
| run true and will withstand any use and virtually | | | | even some abnormal use. Liquid spills on a wooden |
| any abuse you can throw at it. If you consider | | | | table can be devastatingly damaging, leading to |
| the fact that pool tables often have people laid | | | | warping of the bed and eventually to an |
| out across them to take long shots it is | | | | unplayable surface. With slate this is considerably |
| understandable that manufacturers and users | | | | less of a problem; although you should dry the spill |
| continue to rely on slate. | | | | as quickly as possible to prevent too much |
| Added Strength | | | | damage to the felt or the wooden frame. |
| The strength of slate can’t be exaggerated in | | | | The Ultimate Quality Pool Table Bed |
| the case of pool table design. Traditional, old pool | | | | The main reason that players choose slate bed |
| tables used slabs of slate as thick as 2” or | | | | pool tables is the quality, uniformity, and |
| even 3” thick but this is now considered to be | | | | consistency that it offers. Every shot you play will |
| overkill. 1” thick slate is more than ample for | | | | be smooth and exactly as you play it. The ball |
| the job in hand and by reducing the amount of | | | | won’t deviate from its line and you will get a |
| slate used by half or more it reduces costs and, | | | | longer run on the balls. If you’ve ever played |
| equally as importantly, it reduces the weight of | | | | on a wooden table and a slate table then you will |
| the table too. | | | | undoubtedly appreciate the discernible differences |
| Weight | | | | between the two styles of pool table. |
| Pool tables made from hardwood and slate are | | | | |