Mushroom DIY - pics and dimensions

Mushrooms have probably been around longer than pins - the latter being favoured for league play and as a result being mass-produced, whereas the mushroom is more associated with 4-Pin and/or narrow tables and are somewhat rarer.

The older version do however have a novelty value for their twee-ness and the fact that they don't appear to conform to any standard shape or size: a modern-day version is however available on the market and is usually supplied with the modern 'Supreme' table (which has a chunky chassis based on a pool table design).

As far as we are aware, there is no patent restricting manufacture and these can be made to suit: So here are some pics and dimensions, firstly for the smaller version, before and after assembly:


Stalk: 8cm in length, with 0.8cm extension (1.2cm diameter) for inserting into the cap.
The stalk has a 2.2cm diameter, top and bottom, and tapers towards the middle to 1.0cm at the narrowest point.

Cap: 5.8cm in diameter with a central hole 1.2cm in diameter to take the stalk.
The cap has a maximum height of 1.2cm which increases with curvature from a minimum 0.5cm at the outer edge.

The modern version on general sale, and endorsed by the East Anglian Open, are slightly larger and look like this:


Dimensions: Cap 7cm diameter; Stalk 8cm in length (0.8cm to be added for insert); Base 2.2cm diameter.

[joiner88]

Thanks for posting the skittles info Clive.

I will definitely have a go at making a set of these, even if is only for a bit of variety at the pub on Saturday nights.

Brian

[Carls421]

Fantastic info Clive thanks, ive just bought a lathe so will get to work, do you know what wood they are supposed to be made from? I guess it has to matter because of weight etc???

[barbelman]

Apr 23, 2014 18:17:10 GMT Carls421 said:

Fantastic info Clive thanks, ive just bought a lathe so will get to work, do you know what wood they are supposed to be made from? I guess it has to matter because of weight etc???

Hi Carl

I always assumed they were beech.

Tony

Good question, Carl......

I have tried googling the suppliers/authorities on such matters (Mercury Leisure, James Masters, Peradon etc) but all they say is 'hardwood' or 'painted wood'.

Therein lies the advantage: there is no hard or fast rule - so long as you don't make 'em out of balsa wood: you don't want 'em falling over too easily! I'd avoid mahogany but try oak or ash.

If you do a good enough job, you could keep the white pair in their natural state, and only need to paint one black and one red.

[Carls421]

Once again thanks Tommo, i might just nip to the reclaimation yard and pick up a few bits of different types of wood and try them, if nothing else it will give me some good practice perfecting the perfect "shroom" hehe

[joiner88]

Apr 23, 2014 18:36:04 GMT tommo III said:

Good question, Carl......

I have tried googling the suppliers/authorities on such matters (Mercury Leisure, James Masters, Peradon etc) but all they say is 'hardwood' or 'painted wood'.

Therein lies the advantage: there is no hard or fast rule - so long as you don't make 'em out of balsa wood: you don't want 'em falling over too easily! I'd avoid mahogany but try oak or ash.

If you do a good enough job, you could keep the white pair in their natural state, and only need to paint one black and one red.

good evening guys, sorry to butt in, but just love any discussion involving wood.

You will need a very close grained wood for the skittles, by far the most popular being beech. This will withstand the wear involved in the friction joint of the shaft to the head.

you could also use Cherry, or boxwood (if you can find any).

I think ash or oak will be a bit open grained, but could possibly work.

Its a shame you are so far away Clive as I have loads of off cuts of various timbers you could practice your turning on.

Looking forward to seeing your results, I will have a go myself soon, as the Jelkes copy is almost finished.

Brian

[Carls421]

Excelent! Thanks Brian, great help! :)

Barbelman and Joiner88 both say Beechwood so I'd go for that.