A. E. Schmidt 1962 table - at Johnson City? any value?

[Texdance]

I am about to go look at a 9-foot A. E. Schmidt table, supposedly from about 1962. It looks to be styled from that era, anyway. My questions:

Are there replacement rails, irons, and rubber if the table needs this? I know there is a current AE Schmidt pool table manufacturing company in existence, but their history pages do not go back anywhere near 1962.

Is a 1962 AE Schmidt 9-ft table so out of the mainsteam that I would be better off passing on it, even if the initial cost was low?

Are any AZB-member mechanics familiar with the older Schmidt tables, and if so are their any playability issues. like for example rail rubber no longer made, requiring extensive rail work to install new rubber?

Will disassembly and recovering this table cause the local cheap pool movers to blow a mental gasket, in other words what are the chances they will they have any idea what they are doing?

thanks in advance.


I apologize to the person from whose websites I pilfered this pics, I 'm pretending that I just don't know any better. But I do have the name key to the pic of the players if anyone is interested in this thread about the table.

...and here is an early Johnson City gaggle of players with what looks like an AE Schmidt table...

 

[3kushn]

I haven't seen one of these taken down but I always liked how Schmidt tables played. This table is one of their commercial grade tables which is something it seems they don't much do anymore. They're more into furniture tables now although they like doing custom stuff too and of course keep some of their classic designs.

Why don't you call them and find out about parts and any rubber changes since then. Its still family owned. You'll be talking to a Schmidt. He should have the answers.

Its a shame they don't show more of their history since 1850. The website is poorly done. Its new and improved. Hahaha

 

[afftonbilliards]

Schmidt tables from the 60's

I am not a table mechanic. However, my business (Affton Billiards) has had four of these tables in service since 1962. Our tables are a different than your picture shows, but my Comet models are built on the same frame.

These are "T" rail type tables, meaning the rails screw directly into the side of the slate. It is easy to strip out the threaded holes in the side of the slate so caution must be used when attaching the rails.

These tables play good. The pockets have wide openings (5" I think) like most of the era. There is a good chance it has slates mined in Vermont - no longer available. The Schmidt rubbers are pure gum meaning top quality. I recently recovered these and always get a chuckle out of the label on the rubbers - they have a postal zone instead of a zip code. After 50 years, good as new! The rails are flat and slim compared to modern tables. I find a lot of virtue to this style.

The setup for these tables is straight ahead. If a mechanic can not handle these, that person is butcher. IMHO. I know there is a high demand for the 8 foot tables (at least in the St. Louis market) while the 9 foot models are a harder sell - because of the space requirements. If this item has not been abused I think you will be happy.

I have never had a problem with parts. A lot of stuff is "off the rack" and easily had.

May all your your rolls be good.

Big Al

 

[3kushn]

I am not a table mechanic. However, my business (Affton Billiards) has had four of these tables in service since 1962. Our tables are a different than your picture shows, but my Comet models are built on the same frame.

These are "T" rail type tables, meaning the rails screw directly into the side of the slate. It is easy to strip out the threaded holes in the side of the slate so caution must be used when attaching the rails.

These tables play good. The pockets have wide openings (5" I think) like most of the era. There is a good chance it has slates mined in Vermont - no longer available. The Schmidt rubbers are pure gum meaning top quality. I recently recovered these and always get a chuckle out of the label on the rubbers - they have a postal zone instead of a zip code. After 50 years, good as new! The rails are flat and slim compared to modern tables. I find a lot of virtue to this style.

The setup for these tables is straight ahead. If a mechanic can not handle these, that person is butcher. IMHO. I know there is a high demand for the 8 foot tables (at least in the St. Louis market) while the 9 foot models are a harder sell - because of the space requirements. If this item has not been abused I think you will be happy.

I have never had a problem with parts. A lot of stuff is "off the rack" and easily had.

May all your your rolls be good.

Big Al

Make me want to stop by. Been a while since I was a regular when I lived off Hegge Rd in a crappy apartment. 1978???