The frame of the table is itself is very solid and very heavy.
It needs to be to hold five slates, each 3 inches thick and needing four people to lift and stack them.
It also needs to be level and most of the levelling is done at this stage.
The slates are fitted together with pre-formed joints.
They are perfectly matched to each other to minimise the gap in between each one.
The gaps in between each slate are filled in, if necessary with plaster of Paris, but only a very small amount is needed to create a perfectly flat surface.
Once the slates are on. some strange pits of wood of all shapes and sizes come from various bags and haversacks....all have their own special place as the table is built to a finish.
Only specialists should be anywhere near a snooker table as it being installed.
We have used GR Billiards for a while now and they provide an excellent service.
Father and son, Graham and Billy are smiling because the heavy work is done.
But now the real specialist work starts - cushions, rails, pockets, cloth, hundreds of tacks, nuts and bolts all have to be put somewhere to get the finished article
And this is the finished article.
A beautiful piece of kit that should last for years and years.
We brush and nap our tables on a regular basis, and iron them too, but less frequently.
This one replaced our table number III in September this year.
We have three reaaly great snooker tables and our members are delighted with them.
The professionals always compliment us on the condition our tables are in whenever we have exhibitions, which makes all the hard work that goes into keeping them in good condition really worthwhile.