A replacement cushion can be the right length and still be the wrong part for a pool table. The rubber’s cross-section matters: it must work with the rail it is attached to and present the intended playing surface to the ball.
Names such as K-55 and K-66 identify profiles. They are not grades on a ladder where the larger number is automatically a superior upgrade.
The table’s history can matter as much as its name
In its cushion-rail service document, Valley-Dynamo explains that it has used U-23, K-55, and K-66 profiles and stresses consistency when changing rail sets. It records changes over time, including Valley’s move from K-55 to K-66 in 1999, while Dynamo used both at different points.
That makes “rubber for a Valley table” an incomplete order description. A previous owner may also have changed the rails. The date on the cabinet alone cannot establish what is fitted today.
Give the supplier something they can identify
Before buying, collect the table model and serial information, any rail markings, and clear photographs requested by the parts supplier or technician. If the rubber is already exposed during a professional recovery, a cross-section photograph may help identify its shape. Do not damage an otherwise usable cloth merely to obtain an image without discussing the job first.
Ask whether the quote is for rubber only or complete rail assemblies. Those are different purchases, and a complete replacement may address compatibility differently from reusing the existing wooden rail.
A useful written quotation identifies the intended profile, the parts being retained, and how the finished table will be checked. “New cushions” alone leaves too much room for misunderstanding.
After installation, evaluate the whole table with the technician rather than judging one dramatic bank shot. Consistency around the rails matters, and cloth, installation, and table condition can affect the experience too. If a rebound seems odd, describe its location and repeatable behaviour. That is more useful than concluding that an unfamiliar profile code must be the cause.