u/theycallmemrtibbles

I need some help identifying and fixing an issue I’ve been having with my table where balls consistently drift away from the rails, sometimes by up to ~1” along the length of the short side of the table, and even more along the long side. This only happens near the rails, and on all sides. The table is otherwise dead level and shooting anywhere else on it the balls track very true.

Felt is Simmonis and maybe 4 years old. I’ve already tried aggressively cleaning the felt.

The table technician I had come to check it out couldn’t fix it. My theory is maybe the cloth is tighter closer to the edges as it wraps around the slate, causing rolling friction to be lower on the rail-side and higher on the opposite side, in turn causing the inside of the ball to slow more quickly than the outside and making it turn inward.

What do people think? Video included for reference.

Sharing my route for a 2-day trip I recently took around northern CT and the Southern Berkshires with an overnight stay in New Hartford. Practically zero highways and loads of scenic roads and twisties. ~800 miles with some detours, and would probably have split the 2nd day into two days to spend some extra time in the Berkshires if time permitted.

Recommended stops at the Sharon Audobon Society to see some awesome birbs, hiking the Pine Knob Loop around Housatonic Park, Barkhamsted Reservoir, and Chris & MJ's for food in Sheffield MA. Plus a HIGHLY recommended detour near Pittsfield to Pittsfield State Forest to do the Berry Pond loop up the mountain for a stunning view that you can ride directly to.

GPX files are here for download if anybody wants: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1l_FnKm-F6gji69mUNhsf_szgtC8zmv6W

Confirmed sufficient size for one cat, in case anyone was wondering (no, I don’t put the cat in it while on the bike I’m not a monster).