Most frequently asked questions.
Here are some commonly asked questions that Lion's Den receives. Please contact us if your question is not answered here, or if you require clarification.Common Questions:
(a) What size room do I need for a pool table?(b) What is the best lighting for a pool table?
(c) Do you deliver and set up the tables?
(d) What kind of wood do you use?
(e) What kind of warranty do you give?
(f) How thick of slate do you use?
(g) Can I choose a cloth colour? And what colour is best to use?
(h) What is the standard size for a pool table?
(a) What size room do I need for a pool table?
If you want a 4x8 table all you do is add 9 ½ to 10 feet to the table size, for example an 8 foot would need 13’2"x 16’10". This would give you room around a table for a cue. Usually the rule of thumb is cue length 57" from the playing area to the wall and 48" from the outside of the table to any furniture as long as it is lower than 36" high. If you have a room that has an obstacle within 57" of the playing area, we can supply a short cue. Short cues range from 36" to 52" and every 6" increments.
Depending on obstacles and room size it is best to consult an installer before deciding on the right size of table to purchase.
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(b) What is the best lighting for a pool table?
Brighter is better for either the cloth or the wattage. Most traditional lights are designed to disperse an equal amount of light on the whole table surface. When using any hanging fixture always use a frosted type bulb not clear bulbs, any clear bulbs will cast shadows around the balls. It is recommended to use a max. of 3- 60 watt light bulbs over an 8’ or 9’ table. Spot lights are not the best lights unless they are mounted at least 10’ to 15’ above the table.
With a darker colour cloth you might feel you need a brighter light above the table, with a light colour cloth such as tan you might only need 3- 40 watt lights. On hanging light fixtures you should have bottom edge of the shade approximately 29" to 35" off the surface of the table or around eye level.
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(c) Do you deliver and set up the tables?
We include delivery in the price of the table, as long as it’s within an hours drive time. Any distance beyond that we only charge an hourly rate. Most retailers can’t afford to include delivery because they have to contract it out to someone like us. They could charge you an extra $500 in some cases. As a manufacturer that also delivers and installs the tables, our priority is make sure our tables are set up the way they are designed to.
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(d) What kind of wood do you use?
We use most hardwoods available, the most common woods we use are Maple, Oak, Mahogany, Alder, Cherry, Walnut and sometimes exotic woods like Paduak, Purple heart and Figured Maple.
Being a company that makes all the parts we can use almost any wood. Some tables have plywood and particle board, this is a common practice and in some cases can be better than solid wood except when it comes to the rails. My belief is they should always be made from a solid board not laminated or any manufactured wood. This will change the bounce and the longevity of the table.
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(e) What kind of warranty do you give?
We give a life time warranty on any table made from solid wood, this covers anything but wearable parts ( cloth, rubber and pockets ) We give a 25 year on any other table. We also give an install warranty on any table we install for any brand. Because we manufacture the tables here on Vancouver Island we can if needed to service our tables promptly. Most tables on the market are made off shore ( Asia ) this means when you buy a Brunswick table " and many more are now made in China" it is hard to get a manufacture warranty on these table.
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(f) How thick of slate do you use?
We always use 1" slate on our home tables unless the design calls for something different, or unless the table is a 6x12 it is 1 ½ " thick. There is ¾" slate available and used by other manufactures but the table can easily go out of level and will not be as heavy. Weight is needed for a better playing table. Just remember if is not slate it’s not a pool table.
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(g) Can I choose a cloth colour? And what colour is best to use?
Yes we offer as many as 38 different colours of cloth to help match your décor, even our tables on the floor can be changed without extra charge.
The natural colour of the fabric used to make most billiard cloth is tan, with this in mind any of the tans and gold colours will not show as much ware and looks like it lasts longer. The dark pigment colours not only show the wear sooner but require more light above them. Don’t worry about the chalk, there is a chalk colour suitable for every colour of cloth.
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(h) What is the standard size for a pool table?
There are 5 sizes of pool tables available, 7’- 8’- 9’- 10’and 12’. a 6x12 is called the full size snooker table. The 5x10 is called a ¾ size snooker. The 4 ½ x 9 is a pool table and is most commonly used for playing 9 ball and 8 ball, but is a comfortable size table to play snooker on. Most people go with a 7’ or an 8’ table because of room size. Most pubs and bars use these two table as coin-op tables. Keep in mind if you want a snooker table but you only have room for an 8’ table we can make it a snooker table for you.
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After 14 years of working, building and playing on pool tables of all sizes, makes and models, I think this info is important to anyone thinking of purchasing a pool table.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. As consumers the best thing we can do is educate ourselves about the product we purchase, only then we will make the right decisions,
Kevin deLeeuw
www.lionsdengamesroom.com