Pooltableguys... (1 Viewer)

[Evilgrin 72]

How much should I expect to pay for a 7' table? Can't get any bigger, the room I managed to convince my wife to let me turn into the billiards room is 16 X 13, which is the minimum recommended room size for a 7 X 3.5 ft. table. Everyone using it is going to be a rank amateur,so we certainly don't need anything super nice, but I've heard nightmarish stories about the cheapo Sportcraft tables, etc. Should I go to a big box retailer,a pool table store (there actually is one near me) or the Craigslist route, and how much cheddar can I realistically expect to have to fork over for a halfway decent beginners table?

TIA, and yes, I will call it "the place to be."

 

[Drifter]

Used market. Pool tables are a lot like boats and exercise equipment in that you can always find great deals on lightly used equipment.

Take the recommended sizes with a small grain of salt. You definitely don't want a table too big for your space but those recommendations tend to be pretty conservative.

Keys -

1" slate

3 piece is actually better than 1 piece slate for levelling purposes.

Don't worry about felt as you'll likely use the install as an opportunity to re-felt (and re-bumper if necessary).

Avoid anything that has composite wood construction - look for solid wood construction throughout with the exception of the slate sub-surface.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Used market. Pool tables are a lot like boats and exercise equipment in that you can always find great deals on lightly used equipment.

Take the recommended sizes with a small grain of salt. You definitely don't want a table too big for your space but those recommendations tend to be pretty conservative.

Keys -

1" slate

3 piece is actually better than 1 piece slate for levelling purposes.

Don't worry about felt as you'll likely use the install as an opportunity to re-felt (and re-bumper if necessary).

Avoid anything that has composite wood construction - look for solid wood construction throughout with the exception of the slate sub-surface.

Great tips, I'll definitely look for those features, thanks man.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Yep, used is the way to go. Just picked up a nice 8' Fischer 3-piece slate table for $800 here locally. $250 for the guy to move it, would have been another $100 for re-felting if it had needed it (this thing had just been sitting in a basement unused for its life so it didn't even need felt).

As Drifter mentioned, you'll want to look for 3-piece slate table. In addition to being better for leveling, it will also be a lot cheaper to move.

I think you're going to find a lot more 8' foot tables out there on the resale market than 7' is the only thing. Given any thought to just using a shorty cue on the shots from the rail on the short side of the room?

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Yep, used is the way to go. Just picked up a nice 8' Fischer 3-piece slate table for $800 here locally. $250 for the guy to move it, would have been another $100 for re-felting if it had needed it (this thing had just been sitting in a basement unused for its life so it didn't even need felt).

As Drifter mentioned, you'll want to look for 3-piece slate table. In addition to being better for leveling, it will also be a lot cheaper to move.

I think you're going to find a lot more 8' foot tables out there on the resale market than 7' is the only thing. Given any thought to just using a shorty cue on the shots from the rail on the short side of the room?

I have. I had a table in my house about 12 years ago, a friend of a friend needed a place to keep it,so I got it for a year for nothing. Problem was, the room was just a touch too small. We managed to set it up so that 90% of your shots were no problem, but there were two spots where you had to dismantle the cue and use only the tip end to shoot. It was so frigging annoying, I want to try to avoid that if humanly possible.

 

[Drifter]

They make good weighted shorty cues for that type of thing

 

[DSP]

A good pool table can provide a lifetime of entertainment and comraderie

Id pop for quality

 

[Evilgrin 72]

They make good weighted shorty cues for that type of thing

:takingnotes:

 

[Evilgrin 72]

A good pool table can provide a lifetime of entertainment and comraderie

Id pop for quality

I'd like to, but we're moving into a new house and I had to lay out down payment, closing costs, buy some new major appliances, lease my wife a new car, and am buying airline tickets to Europe all within 3 weeks. Cash is at a premium until I can refill the coffers, so I may be limited to 5-800 bucks for this purchase.

 

[Restricted]

They make good weighted shorty cues for that type of thing

:takingnotes:

The ones I know of are called troubleshooter cues. different short sizes all feel same as regular cue. make a bridge stick for it too.

agree with everything mentioned above. felt is either attached by stapling to frame or spray glue. stapling is easier if assembling yourself. divits in slate filled with non shrinking spackle or bee's wax. leveled using shims or finess leveling using business cards. again, if self felting, pockets can be tricky, a slit in the felt afterwards and pulling to attach helps.

 

[DSP]

A good pool table can provide a lifetime of entertainment and comraderie

Id pop for quality

I'd like to, but we're moving into a new house and I had to lay out down payment, closing costs, buy some new major appliances, lease my wife a new car, and am buying airline tickets to Europe all within 3 weeks. Cash is at a premium until I can refill the coffers, so I may be limited to 5-800 bucks for this purchase.

I dont know anything about pool table prices but I would think you can get something nice in that range that will last you if you take care of it

 

[Evilgrin 72]

They make good weighted shorty cues for that type of thing

:takingnotes:

The ones I know of are called troubleshooter cues. different short sizes all feel same as regular cue. make a bridge stick for it too.

agree with everything mentioned above. felt is either attached by stapling to frame or spray glue. stapling is easier if assembling yourself. divits in slate filled with non shrinking spackle or bee's wax. leveled using shims or finess leveling using business cards. again, if self felting, pockets can be tricky, a slit in the felt afterwards and pulling to attach helps.

Thanks for the tips, I will definitely come back here if/when I buy one to re-read this.

A good pool table can provide a lifetime of entertainment and comraderie

Id pop for quality

I'd like to, but we're moving into a new house and I had to lay out down payment, closing costs, buy some new major appliances, lease my wife a new car, and am buying airline tickets to Europe all within 3 weeks. Cash is at a premium until I can refill the coffers, so I may be limited to 5-800 bucks for this purchase.

I dont know anything about pool table prices but I would think you can get something nice in that range that will last you if you take care of it

I certainly hope so, but I know nothing about prices either.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

a 7 X 3.5 ft. table.

You can fold a lot of laundry on something that size.

 

[Drifter]

They make good weighted shorty cues for that type of thing

:takingnotes:

The ones I know of are called troubleshooter cues. different short sizes all feel same as regular cue. make a bridge stick for it too.

agree with everything mentioned above. felt is either attached by stapling to frame or spray glue. stapling is easier if assembling yourself. divits in slate filled with non shrinking spackle or bee's wax. leveled using shims or finess leveling using business cards. again, if self felting, pockets can be tricky, a slit in the felt afterwards and pulling to attach helps.

Thanks for the tips, I will definitely come back here if/when I buy one to re-read this.

A good pool table can provide a lifetime of entertainment and comraderie

Id pop for quality

I'd like to, but we're moving into a new house and I had to lay out down payment, closing costs, buy some new major appliances, lease my wife a new car, and am buying airline tickets to Europe all within 3 weeks. Cash is at a premium until I can refill the coffers, so I may be limited to 5-800 bucks for this purchase.

I dont know anything about pool table prices but I would think you can get something nice in that range that will last you if you take care of it

I certainly hope so, but I know nothing about prices either.

Your range is a little low for a nice table. I bought my American made all hardwood, mother of pearl inlays, leather pockets 3 piece, 1" slate, quality bumpers and all the trimmings (cues, light, balls, etc) for $1800 from a dealer as a floor model sale. Sold it for $1200 several years later (couldn't take it with me when I moved to Seattle and I kept it in the rental for a few years).

 

[MikeMan]

I know a lot about tables and Yes you can a great table cheap. The resale on tables is terrible as people don't want to move them from houses they are selling, want to clear out space, new owners don't want them, etc... A buddy here in KC has been looking and I've sent him ones from Craigslist for around $500. Some people would probably give away just to have it moved. If you want to enjoy playing, don't get an off-brand and if you have the ability, rolling the balls around and, most importantly, off the rails/bumpers to make sure it seems like it rolls good.

I am partial to Brunswick. Of course, Olhausen is another top brand. Once you get a good brand, make sure you have decent cloth if you want it to play good at all. Must be worsted wool. Recommend Brunswick Centennial to play as good as any Simonis at less cost.

Personally, I must have a ball return because I play a lot, practice, do drills, etc... and don't want to walk around collecting balls, but that's up to you - just something to think about. Most home tables are drop pocket of course.

Good luck.

 

[Drifter]

This was my table

 

[DSP]

a 7 X 3.5 ft. table.

You can fold a lot of laundry on something that size.

Lol

 

[Megla]

You can also try asking your local watering hole owner who they use for thier tables, amny times they rent them out rather than buying them and the renter oftem has tables for sale at a decent price.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

a 7 X 3.5 ft. table.

You can fold a lot of laundry on something that size.

I'm a man, I don't fold laundry.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

They make good weighted shorty cues for that type of thing

:takingnotes:

The ones I know of are called troubleshooter cues. different short sizes all feel same as regular cue. make a bridge stick for it too.

agree with everything mentioned above. felt is either attached by stapling to frame or spray glue. stapling is easier if assembling yourself. divits in slate filled with non shrinking spackle or bee's wax. leveled using shims or finess leveling using business cards. again, if self felting, pockets can be tricky, a slit in the felt afterwards and pulling to attach helps.

Thanks for the tips, I will definitely come back here if/when I buy one to re-read this.

A good pool table can provide a lifetime of entertainment and comraderie

Id pop for quality

I'd like to, but we're moving into a new house and I had to lay out down payment, closing costs, buy some new major appliances, lease my wife a new car, and am buying airline tickets to Europe all within 3 weeks. Cash is at a premium until I can refill the coffers, so I may be limited to 5-800 bucks for this purchase.

I dont know anything about pool table prices but I would think you can get something nice in that range that will last you if you take care of it

I certainly hope so, but I know nothing about prices either.

Your range is a little low for a nice table. I bought my American made all hardwood, mother of pearl inlays, leather pockets 3 piece, 1" slate, quality bumpers and all the trimmings (cues, light, balls, etc) for $1800 from a dealer as a floor model sale. Sold it for $1200 several years later (couldn't take it with me when I moved to Seattle and I kept it in the rental for a few years).

Damn.

When the time comes to actually make the purchase (March) - I'll post the Craigslist options available in my area here so you guys can take a look and tell me what is/isn't dog ####.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

I know a lot about tables and Yes you can a great table cheap. The resale on tables is terrible as people don't want to move them from houses they are selling, want to clear out space, new owners don't want them, etc... A buddy here in KC has been looking and I've sent him ones from Craigslist for around $500. Some people would probably give away just to have it moved. If you want to enjoy playing, don't get an off-brand and if you have the ability, rolling the balls around and, most importantly, off the rails/bumpers to make sure it seems like it rolls good.

I am partial to Brunswick. Of course, Olhausen is another top brand. Once you get a good brand, make sure you have decent cloth if you want it to play good at all. Must be worsted wool. Recommend Brunswick Centennial to play as good as any Simonis at less cost.

Personally, I must have a ball return because I play a lot, practice, do drills, etc... and don't want to walk around collecting balls, but that's up to you - just something to think about. Most home tables are drop pocket of course.

Good luck.

Ball return isn't too important to me, but will look for a Brunswick or Olhausen in the used classifieds. Thanks.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

You can also try asking your local watering hole owner who they use for thier tables, amny times they rent them out rather than buying them and the renter oftem has tables for sale at a decent price.

I'll look into this too, thanks.

 

[DSP]

Dude if you are handy you could make an awesome table for $800

It could become a family heirloom

 

[Mr. Ected]

I know a lot about tables and Yes you can a great table cheap. The resale on tables is terrible as people don't want to move them from houses they are selling, want to clear out space, new owners don't want them, etc... A buddy here in KC has been looking and I've sent him ones from Craigslist for around $500. Some people would probably give away just to have it moved. If you want to enjoy playing, don't get an off-brand and if you have the ability, rolling the balls around and, most importantly, off the rails/bumpers to make sure it seems like it rolls good.

I am partial to Brunswick. Of course, Olhausen is another top brand. Once you get a good brand, make sure you have decent cloth if you want it to play good at all. Must be worsted wool. Recommend Brunswick Centennial to play as good as any Simonis at less cost.

Personally, I must have a ball return because I play a lot, practice, do drills, etc... and don't want to walk around collecting balls, but that's up to you - just something to think about. Most home tables are drop pocket of course.

Good luck.

Silly question. I have a table that came with my house (Brunswick. I haven't done anything with it, since my kids are too young to appreciate it as a pool table (They use it as a Lego building area). In a couple of years when they are done with Legos, and we want to turn it back in to a pool table, can I get better cushions than were there? And if you know, what is the ballpark $$$ for redo-ing a 4x8' table?

TIA,