Shuffleboard Alignment: How To Check The Level Of Your Table

 In Shuffleboard Maintenance

shuffleboard-table-alignment-adjusting-level

Though your opponent will probably blame it on lack of skill, there may be issues with your shuffleboard table’s alignment if your pucks repeatedly drift to the middle of the playing surface or off the edges of the table.

While checking and adjusting shuffleboard table alignment is relatively simple, this can vary from table-to-table based on preference. For all of your shuffleboard table alignment questions, McClure has prepared a guide on how to get the perfect balance for your playing surface.

The first step in determining if your shuffleboard table’s alignment needs adjustment is based on the condition of the playing surface. If your surface is rough, uneven, or showing visible damage, it is most likely that the surface needs to be refinished. For help with this, you can find a guide on refinishing shuffleboard tables here.

While shuffleboard alignment is ultimately determined by preference, standard professional shuffleboards are typically set up to be slightly concave, or curving inward in the middle. This slight concave curve helps to keep pucks on the table’s playing surface, though excessive curve can drastically reduce the challenge of aiming pucks and is not recommended. On the contrary, there are some people that prefer a perfectly flat table for challenging gameplay.

To find the sweet spot for your shuffleboard table alignment, we recommend sliding a piece of standard printer paper under the center of a straight edge. See the picture below for an example of checking your table alignment.

Shuffleboard-Alignment-Adjustment-Climatic-Adjusters

As a general rule, the paper should be able to slip under the center of the straight edge, though it should be difficult or impossible to slide the paper under the straight edge near the sides of the board. If your shuffleboard passes this test, it should be fairly close to standard alignment.

If you find that your shuffleboard table’s alignment is off, you will need to use your shuffleboard table’s climatic adjusters. You can find an in-depth guide on loosening and tightening climatic adjusters here, though keep in mind that the effects of these adjustments can take 24-48 hours to show. After calibrating the climatic adjusters, you can check the new alignment by shooting pucks down the playing surface.

shuffleboard-table-alignment-adjusting-level

When testing the motion of the pucks, it’s best to shoot along the sides of the playing surface. This should give you a clear indication of whether the pucks are drifting toward the middle of the board, or if they’re drifting off the sides.

Should the pucks still slide erratically or to one side after completing the paper test, there is a chance that your table needs to be refinished or that the table’s legs are off-balance. While a damaged surface should be visible to the eye, measuring the legs should determine whether or not the balance is off.

Regardless of your alignment preference, all tables should be regularly maintained with cleaning solution, silicon spray, and shuffleboard wax to keep your table in optimal condition. You can find an in-depth guide about maintaining and cleaning your table here.

After all of these steps have been completed, you should have the perfect alignment for your shuffleboard table.

Looking for shuffleboard wax, climatic adjusters, or other vital supplies for your shuffleboard table? You can find our complete listing of shuffleboard supplies here.

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Showing 16 comments
  • jeff pithoud
    Reply

    I HAVE AN OLDER TABLE THAT I REFINNISHED AND NOW PUCKS GO OFF EDGES. WHEN I PUT STRAIGHT EDGE ON TABLE THERE ARE GAPS ON EDGES. THERE ARENT ANY ADJUSTORS ON THIS TABLE. IDEAS?
    THANKS, JEFF

    • Todd McClure
      Reply

      Jeff this sounds like the board is convex or high in the center, Do you have Climate adjusters on the table? You should try to adjust it but be careful on an older table you can easy crack the board.

    • Matt Panowicz
      Reply

      I am building my own table and having a local wood shop build the 14 foot top for me. I have adjustable feet on the table is it OK to put adjustable feet on the bottom of the playing surface as well to accomadate any uneveness of the plywood itself that the playing surface will rest on?

      • Todd McClure
        Reply

        No feet are needed on the board it should just sit in the cabinet from the weight of the board only

  • Don
    Reply

    I have a gap between the two pieces of main support table, however not the playing table. How can I bring them closer together, the gap is about 3/8”.

    • Todd McClure
      Reply

      You talking about the two cabinet half’s? What style design or brand of shuffleboard table is it?

  • FRANCIS PERON
    Reply

    We have a 2 piece shuffleboard, so where the 2 pieces meet there is a high lip on one side and a low lip on the other side. How do I find instructions on how to fix this problem?

    • Todd McClure
      Reply

      Frank their are not any real specific instructions you have to play with the climate adjusters on both sides on each end of the two half’s

  • Mike
    Reply

    I recently purchased a new table and the area between the two legs (the middle of the table) is flat. However, from the legs to the end of the table, both sides flex upwards. If someone throws a puck into zone 3, it slides back to just past the leg of the table. Will the climatic adjusters help this problem?

    • Todd McClure
      Reply

      What kind of a table did you purchase and how long is it? Climate adjusters are more for the concave convex it sounds like the ends of the table are too high, try to just adjust the leg levelers on the center leg raise them up. This is difficult if you do not have a long enough table or 3 inch playboard you want to try to get some sway in the board.

    • Earl Bresley
      Reply

      My table is level but the pucks still flies off the side

      • Todd McClure
        Reply

        That is the climate adjusters you have a convex playboard you need to adjust it for concave

  • Brian
    Reply

    How do you stop the pucks from rolling back at one end of the table

    • Todd McClure
      Reply

      Brian what size table do you have? On the larger tables with 3 legs you want both end of the board slightly higher, what you are describing is a cabinet level issue not the climate adjuster so much. If a 12 foot or 9 foot model with only two legs that end of the table is probable a little high. Some import tables or improperly made butcher blocks can be the issue but check your legs and cabinet level first

  • Lisa Hanzlick
    Reply

    Need to have our shuffle board table aligned

    • Todd McClure
      Reply

      Where did you buy it I would check with local dealer.

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