Unique ball storage chest

[blackflagsailor]

I have a rather unique idea for storing most of my pool accessories as well as other game room stuff. I want to build a long, low profile, chest with drawers and cabinets that will fit under a coin-op style table. I'm still planning out the measurements on paper and in my head. I want one end to have narrow file type drawers that will fit complete ball sets of 16, 2 1/4" balls. A few of the drawers will be made wider to accommodate 22 ball sets like Snooker. It'll be made primarily out of pine with sort of an antique oil finish.

The chest will be divided into three main sections; The far right front end will be ball drawers. The center will be two shelves enclosed by small doors, and the left front end will have a few larger drawers with sectioned compartments for other things like chalk, playing cards, dice, chips, playing pieces for other games, etc...

It's width will probably be somewhere around 20". It's length and height I'm not clear on. Does anyone have a Valley or same style coin-op table set up that could offer up some measurements of the clearance from ground to bottom underside of table and from leg across to leg on the long end of the table? If you could find out I'd greatly appreciate it! I'd do it myself if I still had my table setup.

Here are some photos:

A billiard ball chest from the late 1800s I saw on an auction site. I want to make something kind of similar to this but with drawers.

Billiard ball storage drawer idea.

 

[blackflagsailor]

Any ideas anyone want to share?

 

[brandoncook26]

I know someone who has a cabinet under their 9 foot table. It is a really good idea. His almost looks like dresser drawers with drawers on both sides of the table. The color on his matches the table, and honestly looks like it was made with the table. I can't believe manufacturers haven't came up with this before hand. Imagine if you could order a diamond table with a "billiard organizer" in a matching wood for all of your stuff under the table.

 

[John Brumback]

I know someone who has a cabinet under their 9 foot table. It is a really good idea. His almost looks like dresser drawers with drawers on both sides of the table. The color on his matches the table, and honestly looks like it was made with the table. I can't believe manufacturers haven't came up with this before hand. Imagine if you could order a diamond table with a "billiard organizer" in a matching wood for all of your stuff under the table.

Hmmm,I'm thinking I know where you have been. I'm planning the same thing for under my Diamond. It Is hard to believe that they haven't come up with that already.It really Is a great Idea.John B.

 

[Neil]

.................

 

[blackflagsailor]

I know someone who has a cabinet under their 9 foot table. It is a really good idea. His almost looks like dresser drawers with drawers on both sides of the table. The color on his matches the table, and honestly looks like it was made with the table. I can't believe manufacturers haven't came up with this before hand. Imagine if you could order a diamond table with a "billiard organizer" in a matching wood for all of your stuff under the table.

Hmm... I thought of going about 20" wide, but making it close to the underside width of the table might be more space efficient! I could make drawers on both sides instead of just one side and gain more storage space that way. I like this idea better.

I could even make it fit the cue sticks this way which I kinda like the idea better then a wall rack. Hmm... ideas...

Can you by chance get some photos of your friends "billiard organizer" just to share up some ideas?

 

[blackflagsailor]

As far as the measurements go, there are different size Valleys out there, so the measurements from mine might not match up with whatever you get.

I'm really looking for a rough ballpark figure so I can get an idea of how many drawers will fit on one side etc.

 

[Neil]

..............

 

[blackflagsailor]

14 3/4" x 56 1/2". If you take a half inch off the top, you can add about two inches to the length due to where the legs bolt on.

Hmm, that might help give me a basic measurement. Thanks!

 

[Black-Balled]

I know someone who has a cabinet under their 9 foot table. It is a really good idea. His almost looks like dresser drawers with drawers on both sides of the table. The color on his matches the table, and honestly looks like it was made with the table. I can't believe manufacturers haven't came up with this before hand. Imagine if you could order a diamond table with a "billiard organizer" in a matching wood for all of your stuff under the table.

Hmmm,I'm thinking I know where you have been. I'm planning the same thing for under my Diamond. It Is hard to believe that they haven't come up with that already.It really Is a great Idea.John B.

You people just don't listen to me, do ya?

It has been done...and by Diamond too, it appears:scratchhead::scratchhead:
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=220014&highlight=diamond

 

[blackflagsailor]

haha! Well I couldn't imagine at least some companies doing this. I'll still make my own though It'll be a fun project.

 

[blackflagsailor]

Anyone have anymore great ideas to share?

 

[pooladdiction]

The only thing I would worry about is that it is set far enough back that you're not kicking it or if in socks, stubbing your toe! I gotta say, no offense to anyone but that is an absolutely hideous table! IMO of course

 

[blackflagsailor]

The only thing I would worry about is that it is set far enough back that you're not kicking it or if in socks, stubbing your toe! I gotta say, no offense to anyone but that is an absolutely hideous table! IMO of course

Yeah, I need to make final measurements before I make it for that very reason. You need to have a little toe room when playing.

I agree on the table too. But what do I know? I like Valley coin-op tables and think they look really great once they're all restored and shined up. Never been a leather pocket table fan, but hey that's ok to those that do like them! After all, it's still the same game that all of us on here enjoy. So I say, play it on the table you like!

 

[blackflagsailor]

I should have named this topic "under table storage chest"

 

[blackflagsailor]

Ok so when I make this thing, I'm hoping it'll fit the list of items below. The unit will mostly be drawers full of pool balls. I have some of this stuff but not everything on here.

Pool balls
Aramith Premier set*
Aramith Continental set*
Aramith Premier Snooker 2 1/4" w/ numbered balls (cue plus 21 object balls)
Aramith Poker*
Aramith Casino*
Aramith Russian Pyramid 2 1/4"*
Aramith German 9-Ball set (cue plus 9 object balls)
Aramith Jim Rempe practice cue
Aramith White 8-Ball, Black cue ball
Aramith special Seven Ball
Aramith Baseball set (stripe balls only 16-21)
Aramith Scratchball set (14 black & 4 red balls object balls)
Aramith pro cue ball
Aramith Carom 2 1/4" set
Vigma "Diamonds" set*
Bonus Ball 99 (cue plus 11 object balls)
Bonus Ball (cue plus 9 object balls)
Criss-Cross billiard ball set*
Starball game (cue plus 7 object balls)
Stars billiard balls*
Starball style 8-ball*
Harlequin Pool game*

* = Standard cue plus 15 object balls

Ball setting racks
Oak 8-Ball, 9-ball racks
oversized 22 ball triangle rack for baseball game
Maple Poker game rack
Maple 7-ball rack

Cue sticks
Lucasi 57" 1 piece bar cues (set of 8 sticks)
bridge cue and brass bridge head

Pool table games and accessories
Pool cube
Pool table bowling set
7th pocket
Pool poker cards
Zone Pool card game
Ultimate Pool Challenge/UPC Advanced series
Leather Shaker bottle with wood peas
table brush
under rail brush

If I did my math right, this things gotta hold over 200 billiard balls plus accessories. I might have to build a wall rack for the cues and triangles. But that's my ultimate dream pool table list. I keep finding fun little additions each day.