Operation: Bar Box Rescue

[PoodlePuncher]

My buddy's parents offered to give me their pool table, and i finally got a chance to go check it out.

Backstory:
They acquired it shortly after they bought the house in '79
Before that it was at the "Muni" (and possibly the American Legion) in Wayzata, where it hosted a whole cavalcade of bigwigs passing through town. Its even possible some of the old timers on here may have played on it.

It was well loved and taken care of, but earlier this year the pond invaded their basement, and now it's in the way of renovations.

I'm 100% sure the felt was never replaced, and it needs new bumpers, but other than that its solid.

Extraction is currently planned for 11/9

 

[PoodlePuncher]

The badge in the larger photo is hard to read, so here's this...

I was surprised to see "Victor Comptometer corp" at the bottom, but
--EDIT--
It appears they filed the patent for the "MAGNETIC POOL BALL", so it tracks.

 

[garczar]

The badge in the larger photo is hard to read, so here's this...

I was surprised to see "Victor Comptometer corp" at the bottom, but
--EDIT--
It appears they filed the patent for the "MAGNETIC POOL BALL", so it tracks.

https://www.valley-dynamoparts.com/docs/DateyourValleytable_006.pdf

 

[PoodlePuncher]

https://www.valley-dynamoparts.com/docs/DateyourValleytable_006.pdf

yep, i've seen that page... based on the color it appears to be from the 1973-75 range.
but i'll have to wait till i get it home to locate the serial.

I did however find this brochure from '75

I'm guessing the woodgrain vinyl on the corners came off at some point.

 

[JessEm]

*If* it's the table in the brochure, it's cool retro looking... And *if* the corners indeed had a vinyl woodgrain sticker, replacement, if desired, shouldn't be difficult.

It's tough to beat free, but there are expenses affiliated which will add up. Moving/setup, new bumpers, and new cloth. No sense going through the trouble and then skimping on Simonis cloth and Diamond bumpers (K55?)... Do it right and it will play like a modern champion...

The person to contact would be Jamie Pluta in Lakeville. 952-212-POOL. A quick call will nail down the true expense involved... FYI, a lot of the top google results in the area are simply middle-men who charge you double, then farm out your job to Jamie anyway.

Good luck. Obviously some work involved but at the price you're paying it will still cost a fraction of my Diamond and probably play just as well.

 

[j2pac]

My buddy's parents offered to give me their pool table, and i finally got a chance to go check it out.

Backstory:
They acquired it shortly after they bought the house in '79
Before that it was at the "Muni" (and possibly the American Legion) in Wayzata, where it hosted a whole cavalcade of bigwigs passing through town. Its even possible some of the old timers on here may have played on it.

It was well loved and taken care of, but earlier this year the pond invaded their basement, and now it's in the way of renovations.

I'm 100% sure the felt was never replaced, and it needs new bumpers, but other than

Extraction is currently planned for 11/9

Congrats on a cool find/gift.

 

[Geosnooker]

Great table.

I’d approach this as a fun and rewarding project. Like restoring a beater car. Good for thr brain and soul.

Not all that expensive in the scheme of things. Fun to research and learn as you go. More rewarding end product if you do it all yourself.

 

[PoodlePuncher]

*If* it's the table in the brochure, it's cool retro looking... And *if* the corners indeed had a vinyl woodgrain sticker, replacement, if desired, shouldn't be difficult.

i found a bumper table on valley's flicker feed that has naked corners, so i've reconsidered the "missing vinyl".

Valley Model 15/25/35/45 by Valley-Dynamo Museum, on Flickr

either way, i like the look..

It's tough to beat free, but there are expenses affiliated which will add up. Moving/setup, new bumpers, and new cloth. No sense going through the trouble and then skimping on Simonis cloth and Diamond bumpers (K55?)... Do it right and it will play like a modern champion...

The person to contact would be Jamie Pluta in Lakeville. 952-212-POOL. A quick call will nail down the true expense involved... FYI, a lot of the top google results in the area are simply middle-men who charge you double, then farm out your job to Jamie anyway.

I moonlighted as a table mechanic in my younger years, so I'm capable of doing the work myself, but i appreciate the recommendation. It's good to know who to trust when the time comes.

 

[PoodlePuncher]

Great table.
I’d approach this as a fun and rewarding project. Like restoring a beater car. Good for thr brain and soul.

Not all that expensive in the scheme of things. Fun to research and learn as you go. More rewarding end product if you do it all yourself.

Absolutely!
Not looking for a "Show Piece", just something i can use to teach my daughter, and play with friends. My buddy is super excited, because this table was his childhood, and he doesn't remember the last time it played well.

 

[chitownnorth]

You may be able to get tight pocket rails for your Valley table. At the moment, I cannot think of the name of them but someone on here will chime in I'm sure.

 

[u12armresl]

Put Penguin Pro cut on my Valley and it made a world of difference.

You may be able to get tight pocket rails for your Valley table. At the moment, I cannot think of the name of them but someone on here will chime in I'm sure.

 

[chitownnorth]

Put Penguin Pro cut on my Valley and it made a world of difference.

Yes and I think Ridgeback or something like that as well??

 

[PoodlePuncher]

Put Penguin Pro cut on my Valley and it made a world of difference.

I've been looking at the Penguin rails... but the pro rails don't appear to be an option, as i believe to be the "mythical" 6 footer (78x45)

The pros and ridgebacks only go as low as the more common 88x50 size.

Honestly i don't have a desire to alter the pocket size...
I have a love affair with these tables, and the big pockets are part of it...

I can always do that in the future if i change my mind.

 

[PoodlePuncher]

Well, today was the day!
Extraction was completed successfully, with no casualties.

 

[PoodlePuncher]

According to the serial number, the table was made Oct-Dec 1973, so it is in fact A Big Cat, as i had suspected.
the Brochure i posted previously was from the end of this color's run in '75.

Also worth noting; it is in fact the mythical 6 footer.

The entire table fit easily inside the 6.5' bed of the truck

 

[Maxx]

Cool, the 6’ table. A bar I went to used to have one n crammed into a side room. Playing 8 ball it was congested. No long shots, but hard to move.

 

[PoodlePuncher]

I've had a long love affair with these 6 footers.
I don't mind the congestion on 8 ball.. the large pockets make up for it (In my opinion), and i play a lot of 9 ball alone.

Never the less, I'd never be able to fit anything larger in my house

 

[Maxx]

Enjoy, it’s a nice looking table.

 

[PoodlePuncher]

Enjoy, it’s a nice looking table.

Thanks. looking forward to getting it dialed in.

Hopefully i can order the new bumpers and cloth soon.

 

[PoodlePuncher]

I will add, I'm impressed by the grain detail on the legs...
I always thought they were solid wood, but they are in fact plastic.

The picture doesn't do them justice.