National Shuffleboard & Billiards Coin-Op Pool Table Cue Ball Return Issue
9/24/2023 12:24:42 PM
National Shuffleboard & Billiards Coin-Op Pool Table Cue Ball Return Issue
I have a 1940s to 1950s 9-foot National Shuffleboard & Billiards Co. coin-operated pool table.
I would like to know if, and where, I can get a diagram, drawing, or schematic of the cue ball return mechanism.
It has a cue ball return that should return the cue ball to kitchen end of the pool table, but it does not. The ball simply goes to the where the other numbered balls go.
My local pool equipment dealer advised me that it needs a magnetic cue ball, so I purchased a magnetic cue ball but that did not fix the problem. The cue ball still returns to where the numbered balls return. Instead, it should return to the kitchen end of the pool table.
Any information on how I can fix this issue would be greatly appreciated.
National Shuffleboard & Billiards Coin-Op Pool Table Cue Ball Return Issue
Replies & Comments
billiardsforum on 9/26/2023 12:50:00 PMI don't have any repair manuals or schematics in our archives. The only thing I have which might be of use to you is an old National Shuffleboard & Billiard Co. brochure for their "Coronet" coin-op model.
That states that the cue ball size is 2 5/16 - so if that is the model you have, perhaps check that size against the new one you purchased.
National Billiard Co Table Owner on 11/6/2023 6:17:49 PM
I have been searching for a part for the ball return mechanism on my National Shuffleboard & Billiards Co. pool table and ran across this question.
The one I have uses an oversized cue ball and has a metal diverter to send the cue ball away from the rest of the balls.
I am trying to find said diverter but alas am running into dead ends (like the company unfortunately).
There are Valley diverters and other diverters but they run horizontally along the track. On my table it runs vertically over top of the chute but has been bent beyond repair.
You can buy the larger diameter balls on Amazon.
If you have the sliding plexiglass on your pool table like mine you can open that up and shine a light in there to see the diverter if it uses one.
goodnight38363836 on 11/8/2023 4:45:34 AM
Thank you for your reply!
My pool table was made between 1940 and 1950. It was originally a coin-operated version, but the coin mechanism was disabled long ago. It does have a sliding glass panel.
You said something about the diverter on your table hanging down from above. I've got a metal ring but there's nothing attached to that metal ring. Do you have the diverter piece that hangs on that ring? If so, could you give me some dimensions, and if possible, could you take a picture of your cue ball return?
I can post a picture for you as well.
All of the numbered balls I have measure 2 inches in diameter. The cue ball measures 2-5/16 inches according to the micrometer.
Thank you for your input!
Smithy101 on 12/29/2023 2:11:11 PM
I have this same National Shuffleboard & Billiards pool table in my basement.
The coin op was removed by the last owner, but the ball returns all work.
I'm running into the same issue where I'm looking for the correct cue ball for this pool table.
- I took a micrometer to the old one, and it's 2 5/16".
- The oversized 2 3/8" cue ball will not go through the diverter.
- The standard 2 1/4" cue ball will just go with the rest of numbered balls.
- It's not magnetic.
I can't seem to locate the correct size cue ball for this table.
Did you find a supplier for this size cue ball?
I found six or seven old cue balls with this pool table and measured all of them, and none of them work.
- One measured 2 5/16 inches.
- Three of them measured 2 3/8 inches.
- One measured 2 1/4 inches.
I've looked at the rail inside where the cue ball should drop into the cue ball return track. At the top there's a metal ring but nothing is attached to it.
If you could send me a picture of your return track, I would greatly appreciate it!
Thank you!
I do not have anything to photograph as it is just a bent piece of metal that looks like it was once spot welded and then broke. I had been bending it back across trial and error and it would work for a while and then eventually stop working again. I finally gave up and just retrieve a regular size cue ball with the rest of the balls.
I did try putting a bunch of magnets on the metal track inside hoping it would attract a cue ball into the chute but never had any luck with a magnetic ball either.
When (and if) I pull the slate again I am going to properly address the issue.
FYI, I also put a bunch of cloth on the metal track where I could reach through the sliding window, and also put some on the ball box. It made a huge difference as far as the noise levels go.
The 2 5/16" cue ball seems to be correct for this pool table. The cue ball I have is that size, and does work. I just want a new one that's seen less mileage. If this can be adjusted for the 2 3/8 ball, that would be good to know, but I don't see an adjustment on the pool table for cue ball size.
The ball return on mine was rigged to just pass the balls for free play. The cue ball still goes to it's own side like it should.
As for the pictures, see below. Sorry for the first one—it is taken looking through a dirty window on the side as I haven't figured out how to take out that piece of plexi-glass to clean it.
National Shuffleboard & Billiards Coin-Op Pool Table Cue Ball Return Issue
- Title: National Shuffleboard & Billiards Coin-Op Pool Table Cue Ball Return Issue
- Author: goodnight38363836
- Published: 9/24/2023 12:24:42 PM
- Last Updated: 9/26/2023 9:57:40 AM
- Last Updated By: billiardsforum (Billiards Forum)
