Wood tends to warp and bend over time, but the slate will retain its shape for much longer. This means the playing surface will be nearly perfect.Īnother natural advantage of slate is how durable it is. Slate is also very smooth, and like most rocks it is easy to smooth it further. Tables can be mass-produced with slate, the problem is the time it takes to achieve the flatness desired. The material is really inexpensive, and it’s super easy to work with. There are a couple big reasons why people use slate to construct a pool table. Why is Slate Good for Pool Table Construction? For example, Brazilian slate is more durable and Italian slate is softer and easier to work with. If you see a marking on your table that says “OIS”, good news! It means it’s Original Italian Slate.Īs odd as it might sound, the slate that comes from each country actually differs in material composition. The top four exporters of slate are Brazil, China, India, and Italy.įor slate snobs, the Italian-produced slate is considered the highest quality. A few countries have a much larger supply of slate and are the top exporters of this material. Since slate is a naturally-occuring mineral, it comes from the great outdoors. Where Does the Slate Come From? SMcCandlish / CC BY-SA The manufacturer will stretch felt along the top of the slate and staple it to the wood backing. There is a wood backing that goes under the slate. Other holes are drilled through the slate which will help in final assembly to the table framework.ĭue to the size and weight of the slate, some manufacturers will opt to break the slate into three pieces so it’s easier to ship around the world. Holes will be drilled in the corners and on the sides for where the pool table pockets will be. Next, they’ll polish and grind the slate so it’s square, smooth, and flat. Rough cuts are quick and work to reduce the overall size and weight.Īfter that, the manufacturer will cut it to the correct dimensions. A rough cut is when you cut a piece into roughly the final dimensions.įor example, for a pool table that’s 88 inches long by 44 inches wide, the manufacturer might rough cut it to 96 inches long by 58 inches wide. The manufacturer will first take a chunk of slate and do a “rough cut”. The slate naturally breaks into big chunks. How is it Made? Image by PIRO4D from Pixabay There’s much more to know about how these tables are made, why slate is the preferred material of construction (and why it’s better than other, cheaper materials), and other considerations, so let’s dive in to the details. A pool table is, obviously, the table you play billiards, or pool, on. It’s a bluish-gray rock that’s found in nature. The logical first question, what is a slate pool table? If you didn’t know, “slate” is the type of material that is used to make the pool table. Also for your considerationīilliard Shop’s Gemstone range of pool tables for sale also includes the Opal and the Opal Square Leg.3.5 Slate Pool Table Prices What is a Slate Pool Table? The Sapphire Slate Pool Table comes with a 10-year warranty on the frame and a lifetime warranty on the slate. Other timber colours are available upon request, however surcharges may apply. The Sapphire Slate Pool Table is available, as standard, in teak or walnut with a semi-gloss finish. Please note: Due to monitor capabilities, colours depicted may vary from the final product. Various cloth colours are available for the Sapphire Slate Pool Table, although a surcharge may apply for some. With adjustable feet making it easy to level the table, the Sapphire’s availability in three lengths – 7-foot, 8-foot or 9-foot – also provides you wish plenty of choice in terms of ensuring sufficient space for proper stroke play in your home. Solid 2.5-inch plantation hardwood timber rails are combined with precision-milled one-piece Brazilian slate that meets the minimum international standard of ¾-inch thickness and a top-grade English directional cloth for durable wear and precise play.Īlthough traditionally sourced from Italy, slate exported from Brazil is now widely used by some of the largest and best billiards manufacturers in the world as it offers greater abrasive resistance allowing for a better finish.

There is no compromise on quality in the box-frame construction of this pool table, with no MDF used whatsoever.

The most aesthetically-pleasing table within the Gemstone pool table range, the Sapphire’s popularity is easily understood as it has redefined build quality with superbly-molded pocket leathers selected from hide leather wrapped over the elegant bolt-on chrome brackets. The Sapphire Slate Pool Table is a Billiard Shop best-seller due to the combination of elegant styling, the highest level of pliability and price.

Pool table slate