Rails on an Olhausen table

azb-id

azb-id

Bill
Silver Member
I found a used 7 foot Olhausen table on Craigslist for $500.00
The owner says its about 15 years old but he's never really played on it.
Its rated in excellent condition and the picture seems to confirm that.

It does not have the accu-fast rails

Question:
Under normal conditions would a 15 year old Olhausen that has not been played on need new rails - If I were to purchase it.

Thanks
 
The amount of use a table has received does not tell you if cushion is good or bad. Olhausen like a lot of manufacturere had cushion issues with some older models. Unfortunately you will have to go check it out. Even with cushion and cloth replacement, depending on model, this still could be a fair price.

John
 
scruffy1 said:
... you will have to go check it out. Even with cushion and cloth replacement, depending on model, this still could be a fair price.

John
Click to expand...

What would be the best test of the rails on the table if I go to check it out. Just hitting some balls into them and observing the action?

I'm not a table expert so I'm not sure of the specifics to test for rail quality.

Thanks
Bill
 
when shooting the ball sideways you should get it to go at least 4 times to and fro. You will know right away if the rails are dead. Shooting into the corner you should also be able to make a 5 rail shot with medium speed IMO
 
Table

Take your hand and feel for hard spots on the nose of the rubber. This will help. For the price, it sounds good. Even if you had to replace the rubber.
Look under the table and see what the slate looks like? Make sure there are no large cracks.
Thanks, Ron:thumbup:
 
I'm going to check out the table today. Thanks for all the tips

This is a pic of the actual table.
Can the model model be determined from this?


 
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Yep - It is the Drake. Probably the Drake I as opposed to the Drake II.

I went there and checked it out. The cloth should be replaced. The cushions are marginal, shooting sideways just got to 4 banks, the short rails were considerably livelier and when I shot into the corner it went 5 rails.

When I got under it to look at the slate I saw it was built in 1991, but also its mostly particle board covered with veneer. It did not look like a quality table from that view. Also the panels that go around the side of the table are loose. There were some other things like one of the legs appeared to have been used as a scratching post but was turned around to the inside.
Ya see a lot of things when you get under the table : )

I think I might pass on this table.
 
For a laminate table, the Drakes actually are built pretty well. Not much you can do on laminate about the cat scratch fever, but the loose aprons are probably a non-issue by themselves. They just attach to the back of the rail with a small two-way bracket. That bracket can be moved over and screwed into fresh wood to tighten them up. Sometimes though, those aprons being loose is an indication that, at some point, the table has been picked up and moved whole. Loose aprons is most likely the only problem, but if they tried to slide it across the floor, I'd check for loose legs and rail inserts.

Could still be a good buy if the loose aprons are the only problem. Easy fix there.
 
Club Billiards said:
For a laminate table, the Drakes actually are built pretty well. Not much you can do on laminate about the cat scratch fever, but the loose aprons are probably a non-issue by themselves. They just attach to the back of the rail with a small two-way bracket. That bracket can be moved over and screwed into fresh wood to tighten them up. Sometimes though, those aprons being loose is an indication that, at some point, the table has been picked up and moved whole. Loose aprons is most likely the only problem, but if they tried to slide it across the floor, I'd check for loose legs and rail inserts.

Could still be a good buy if the loose aprons are the only problem. Easy fix there.
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Well, I won't cross it off the list just yet. I would say that with this table + new cloth + cushions + moving and setup it would cost $1200.00

Another table I am considering is made of oak and will cost the same amount in a package deal including cloth, rails, moving and setup.

The seller sent pics and it looks like a beautiful table: Leather drop pockets and rams head legs and choice of cloth color etc.

I think I'm going to check it out tomorrow.
 
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if that's an older table the aprins may have been glued and finish nailed. if that's the case. you might be better off using screws from the outside like a goldenwest table.
 
Thanks for the info on repairing the aprons. Sounds like they are not really an issue.

These are pics of the other table I'm considering. Its the the same price
with solid wood (oak) legs and rails. I'm going to check it out today.
Includes new cloth, rails and setup








If the table is in good condition would it be a better deal than the Olhausen?


thanks
 
azb-id said:
Thanks for the info on repairing the aprons. Sounds like they are not really an issue.

These are pics of the other table I'm considering. Its the the same price
with solid wood (oak) legs and rails. I'm going to check it out today.
Includes new cloth, rails and setup








If the table is in good condition would it be a better deal than the Olhausen?


thanks
Click to expand...

I believe the table in the pictures IS another Olhausen. I'm thinking New Orleans model? For the same price, if it's in good condition, much better deal than the Drake. With the table in those pics, that's a solid wood from rather than a laminate. Those wider scalloped rails are nice. I'd go with that one depending on condition when you go look at it.
 
Oops! I didn't look at the close-up pictures before. Upon closer inspection, that nameplate looks like an American Heritage. Possibly their Boston model?
 
I went to look at the table and yes its an American Heritage.

I knew it was before I checked it out actually but I was hesitant to post that because after doing a search on A.H. in the forums I realized it is not a favored brand.

But considering that:

a.) I know it was made in China or wherever so I'm not deceived about it being American made.

b.) The bad rails that A.H. is know for is a non-issue because rails and cloth are new.

c.) The lower quality compared to similarly priced tables is not a concern because in price breakdown, that table is going for about $500.


The guy who's selling it builds / installs custom pool tables and bars for a living.

I told him I wanted it and also upgraded the cloth to Simonis 860 for an extra $100

Do you think its still a good deal?
 
azb-id said:
I went to look at the table and yes its an American Heritage.

I knew it was before I checked it out actually but I was hesitant to post that because after doing a search on A.H. in the forums I realized it is not a favored brand.

But considering that:

a.) I know it was made in China or wherever so I'm not deceived about it being American made.

b.) The bad rails that A.H. is know for is a non-issue because rails and cloth are new.

c.) The lower quality compared to similarly priced tables is not a concern because in price breakdown, that table is going for about $500.


The guy who's selling it builds / installs custom pool tables and bars for a living.

I told him I wanted it and also upgraded the cloth to Simonis 860 for an extra $100

Do you think its still a good deal?
Click to expand...

Bill,
My opinion on AH pool tables is not a good one. I have worked on 100's of them. They use a one piece slate platform which sucks to level. The cabinet aprons are thin which causes frame sagging. Cushions are known to be a problem but you said he is replacing them.:thumbup: That is very important. I still would look for a used Olhausen or Connelly instead. You will be glad you did. Best of luck either way.

Just reread your post and saw the $500.00 price. This custom table maker must work pretty cheap to sell a table with new cloth and cushions for that price. The labor on the AH rails is extensive. They have a ridge in the center of the bevel which must be cut off or scraped till your hands hurt. They also are a ***** to pull off due to the white glue they used instead of contact adhesive.
 
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PoolTable911 said:
Bill,
My opinion on AH pool tables is not a good one. I have worked on 100's of them. They use a one piece slate platform which sucks to level. The cabinet aprons are thin which causes frame sagging. Cushions are known to be a problem but you said he is replacing them.:thumbup: That is very important. I still would look for a used Olhausen or Connelly instead. You will be glad you did. Best of luck either way.

Just reread your post and saw the $500.00 price. This custom table maker must work pretty cheap to sell a table with new cloth and cushions for that price. The labor on the AH rails is extensive. They have a ridge in the center of the bevel which must be cut off or scraped till your hands hurt. They also are a ***** to pull off due to the white glue they used instead of contact adhesive.
Click to expand...


I agree....
 
PoolTable911 said:
Just reread your post and saw the $500.00 price. This custom table maker must work pretty cheap to sell a table with new cloth and cushions for that price. The labor on the AH rails is extensive. They have a ridge in the center of the bevel which must be cut off or scraped till your hands hurt. They also are a ***** to pull off due to the white glue they used instead of contact adhesive.
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Pat the $500 I figure because its a package deal

new cloth $150
new cushions $200
Move and assemble $350
$700 << Total

Table $500

The total is $1200 delivered with all the above so $1200 - $700 = $500 for the table itself is what I meant.

I think it was a $3000 table new - and I would not pay that kind of money for an A.H. table after reading about them here, but for $500 is it really that bad?

Concerning the leveling - It is a 3-piece slate, but I think you mean the platform is one piece slate?
Not sure about that but from underneath it looked a lot more sturdy than the Olhausen Drake I looked at.
I am certainly not a pool table expert though.

Thanks though for your viewpoint.

This is the guy that selling it and doing the work

http://higginsbilliardsupply.com/

Bill
 
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azb-id said:
Pat the $500 I figure because its a package deal

new cloth $150
new cushions $200
Move and assemble $350
$700 << Total

Table $500

The total is $1200 delivered with all the above so $1200 - $700 = $500 for the table itself is what I meant.

I think it was a $3000 table new - and I would not pay that kind of money for an A.H. table after reading about them here, but for $500 is it really that bad?

Concerning the leveling - It is a 3-piece slate, but I think you mean the platform is one piece slate?
Not sure about that but from underneath it looked a lot more sturdy than the Olhausen Drake I looked at.
I am certainly not a pool table expert though.

Thanks though for your viewpoint.

This is the guy that selling it and doing the work

http://higginsbilliardsupply.com/

Bill
Click to expand...

What Pat is referring to is what the slate actually sits on. It is a one piece frame that goes under the slate that is very cheap and prone to warping.

We sell solid wood tables in our store from Presidential Billiards and Patriot Billiards and we have those same solid wood tables starting from $1,599. I would see if you can get a better price as that price is so very close to the price of a new table with a lifetime warranty.
 
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