Topic: A few questions about improving my table

[chex]

Hey everyone, I'm new here but I'd like to think of myself as a decent foosball player.  I recently acquired a second-hand Garlando table since it's the only table used here in Montreal (I included a pic at the bottom), and I have a few questions about improving my table, if you guys don't mind helping me out.  I ran a few searches but a lot of the threads were from a few years ago... so maybe things have changed since then!

Firstly, the rods on my table are telescopic, so should I lubricate only the part of the rod that goes in and out and touches the bearings, or only the part that gets overlapped when the rods are pushed in completely, or both?  This brings me to my second question which is what cans of silicone are popular?  Should I order the super-lube from this site's online shop?  I've personally never seen anyone use silicone on Garlando tables...  many people here use the oil made for sewing machines, which leaves a black residue... 

Secondly, I'm having trouble with my pull snake because I can't seem to grip the handle well enough which makes me want to purchase wraps.  There are so many choices in the online shop, so which ones are the most popular/best?

And lastly, my table does not have leg levellers, and it's not perfectly level... is my only option sticking newspaper underneath some legs to balance it out?

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[papafoos]

Try your question at the British forum.  www.britfoos.com/phpBB2/index.php   Boris is pretty helpful there. 
Good chance your question has already been addressed if you've got lots of time to dig for it.

Alan might be able to shed some light for you here.

[EDGEER]

The Tornado silicon available from this site is the best. You will definately notice the difference.  If you are handy with a drill you can buy levelers and T-nuts at your local hardware store.  Finally, TTR masterwraps are excellent and will make shooting a snake much easier.  Good Luck.

[PatRyan]

SuperLube is a great choice for the rods (it is a slightly more viscous fluid than the Tornado silicone, which is a little more desirable for the inner rods, less chance to drip on the playing surface).  You want to lubricate both the inner and outer rods.  Wipe the rods off first, then use a couple droplets on the inner rod and a couple droplets on the outer rods.  Make sure you wipe the rods clean first.  As Ed says, Masterwraps are the most popular and the most durable.  but many people have personal preferences for other wrap brands as well.  But Master wraps should serve as a good starting point.  As far as leveling the table with no levelers, newspapers would work, but are not very durable, installing levelers will change the play height of the table unless you cut off part of the legs.  You could hit up your local tavern for some drink coasters,  they are a little more durable than newspaper and are already cut into small squaresor cirles that will fit right under the legs.

Also, you might want to check the width of the springs on the rods, the springs were changed a couple of years ago because they were too large and made it impossible to stop a good wall pass (especially the chip bank pass, deadly!!!).  But that may be for a little bit farther down the road. 


Pat Ryan

[JimWaterman]

Hey Chex... Sharp looking table...
Since the table is the most important item in the room , you could ditch the carpet and just carve out some holes in the hardwood floor to lower the legs you need to  .... or if the misses "really" likes the carpet, then stick with the newspaper... but when you get the right number of pages beneath the legs, then stick them between the carpet and hardwood floor.  They'll stay out of sight and the carpet should hold them in place.

[chex]

Thanks for the advice guys.  I took a closer look at the online shop and found these wrist guards (although out of stock)  http://foosdirect-store.stores.yahoo.net/wristpad.html .  Has anyone had any experience with them?  If I think about it, this would be my ideal solution because I wouldn't need a wrap which would affect my regular shots, my wrists would be protected, and I could just slip the guard on and off.  If you guys don't recommend it, should I get the thicker TTR wraps or the thinner ones?  Or would I be better off with the tackiest wrap (forten or foosball.com extra tacky)?  I can snake pretty well after my friend with the sweaty hands plays offence first, since his sweat provides a good grip.

Concerning the superlube/tornado silicon, how long will 1 tube last me?  And as for application, should I spread the droplets out with a cloth or just spin the rods a couple of times?

As for levelling my table, I'll try to get some coasters since I didn't realize that levellers would make the table higher.  As for the carpet, it's actually there because I stuck the table next to my dining table, so it gets pushed towards the wall when not in use and pulled out when people play.

[bbtuna]

TTR thin are tackier than those others...you should try a couple of thick and a couple of thin TTR...thin Yellow, Lt Blue, and White a very close except I think the yellow is a little tackier and stays tackie longer...the thin red are the tackiest by far but don't last as long...I have tried a bunch of the thicker ones and they aren't my style but many people like them so you should try both

also, try 2 or 3 of other brands as well so you can create an informed decision about what works for you...I have tried many many different kinds and have settled on the TTR Yellow thin but that is just me

you may even want to try a tube if your hands don't get real sweaty and if they do, that also will drive your decision

hey, $1-to $2 a peice and you can have some fun discovering the varieties that are out there...

one thing not up for debate, and that is Wraps with the same name but are different colors do not feel/play/wear the same...apparently the dye makes a big difference

after trying dozens of differnt things (including a glove like i used in the old days) but before I discovered TTR, I settled on Wilson Overgrips in White...I could get them for $1 a piece and they were a good mix..stickie but not to thin but then I discovered the TTR, which are expensive for wraps at $2, but they were stickier (the thins) and last much more than twice as long so they ended up for me a much better deal

have fun

[chance37]

ttr are the way to go.....ive got red and yellows......I actually think the red play as good...but will be able to say more later ive only had them for a short while......Personally I hate the Forten wraps...they dont last....the extra 50 cent is worth it get ttr

[chex]

Thanks guys.  Any experience with those wrist guards?