Advice/Opinions on my first table

D

Donovan_45

Registered
Hello,

I am looking at getting my first table and I would like to run a couple ideas past you guys. I am mainly looking to get a table so I can do practice drills and then the occasional game with the girlfriend thrown in there. The lower level of my house (bilevel) measures 13x24 so that limits me to a 7' table. I looked at a table that I found on craigslist last night for $500. It is a no-name 7' table (10-15yrs old) that is in really good shape. I bounced a ball off of all the rails and they felt pretty firm (no dead spots). The frame is built out of particle board and has a 3-piece slate that is 1" thick and in good shape. Balls roll straight, but my one complaint is that it seemed really slow (it was in a basement, and I didn't try to drag my hand across it and check for felt tightness). Since I want this primarily to do drills and practice, do you think this table would do more harm than good? There doesn't seem to be a whole lot more options in the 7' foot range as far quality and price go like there is in the 8' range, but I feel that would start getting cramped. Let me know what you guys think. I am thinking about going back for another look so if there is anything else I should check out please let me know.

Thanks,

Corey
 
Just a thought...... You have plenty of length room it's the width that seems to be limiting your choice. If you angle the table slightly you could get away with the 8' table.
 
13' is too narrow. you will need a short cue for a lot of shots no matter 7' or 8'. Johnnyt
 
Good choice on the 7 footer, too tight for a larger table....

IMHO, anything that you will use can only help....

Best case, quality 7 footer with tight pockets, but if the budget is tight and you think it's a fair deal, they buy it.....
 
Don't try to go with an 8' table in that space - even the 7' is pushing it , and you may need the troubleshooter on the side rails frequently . Like everything else , you get what you pay for , and a particle board frame is a big indicator of the quality involved with that table .
That being said , we deal with that which is within our means , right ?
If it's what you can afford right now , and it makes you happy , great . Then start saving for the day you can replace it with a 7" Diamond Pro-am .
It will only do you more harm than good if
1) it is out of level , or doesn't play 'true'
2)you get complacent and don't USE it - remember , it's the pool table , not the catch-all !
Nothing improves your game more than a few hours a day of consistent practice . It's hard to get out and afford that everyday ( at least I assume money is the issue if you're looking at $500 tables) so the home table is the economical choice.
keep saving for a Pro-Am , though !
 
Donovan_45 said:
Hello,

I am looking at getting my first table and I would like to run a couple ideas past you guys. I am mainly looking to get a table so I can do practice drills and then the occasional game with the girlfriend thrown in there. The lower level of my house (bilevel) measures 13x24 so that limits me to a 7' table. I looked at a table that I found on craigslist last night for $500. It is a no-name 7' table (10-15yrs old) that is in really good shape. I bounced a ball off of all the rails and they felt pretty firm (no dead spots). The frame is built out of particle board and has a 3-piece slate that is 1" thick and in good shape. Balls roll straight, but my one complaint is that it seemed really slow (it was in a basement, and I didn't try to drag my hand across it and check for felt tightness). Since I want this primarily to do drills and practice, do you think this table would do more harm than good? There doesn't seem to be a whole lot more options in the 7' foot range as far quality and price go like there is in the 8' range, but I feel that would start getting cramped. Let me know what you guys think. I am thinking about going back for another look so if there is anything else I should check out please let me know.

Thanks,

Corey
Click to expand...

I think you could do better even at $500.
If it is for practice; do you play competitive bar box and/or league. If you normally play on 31/2 x 7' definitely stay with that size. Forget the 4x8'
Also I don't like that this table's slate is in three pieces. No reason for that on a barbox, that alone should register alarms. Is it really slate??

I not sure where you reside, but look into used Valley's there are a ton of them out there. Craigslist and bar's going out of business.

I do recommend changing the felt when you move and install table.
 
If the cloth on the table is too slow for your liking have new bed cloth put on when it's moved- a few hundred bucks well spent. Get Velocity Pro or Aramith tournament cloth or another worsted wool that is cheaper than Simonis.
 
Keep looking for a Valley or Dynamo. There are plenty out there as Diamonds are now the preferred table. Don't rush into it. Keep saving and waiting. If nothing comes along you may have saved enough for the Diamond.
 
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