Another "help me buy my pool table" thread...

I notice right away that you cite your friends and neighbors play regularly on 8 ft tables, and you want an 8 ft table. I absolutely get that.

I bought my first table, a refurbished Gold Crown, back in February. I'm used to the 8 1/2 or Pro 8 size tables and was a little apprehensive. I'm glad I went with the 9ft over the 8ft, but I really wanted the same 8 1/2 ft I'd been playing on. In my case, the used Gold Crown, refurbished and delivered by somebody I REALLY felt good about was $2800. Also, anytime I did play on a 9 somewhere, that is what they had.

The real difference is not the size, but the construction and price. A new 8ft would have cost slightly more and been of lesser quality (comparing only at a Brunswick house). My 8 1/2 would have been the Centurion, but no used/refurb were available during my 3 month search, and new they're $5k. The used GC was too good to pass on.

If you know what you want in the store, at 8 ft, but have room for a 9 footer, I would say continue to explore the area mechanics and see what your options are . The 9 is noticeably different from an 8, but not a big deal. Also go somewhere and play some on the 9ft table - see what you think. :smile:
 
Thanks! I'm glad I haven't heard any negatives against the Connelly so far, with the exception of at the price I'm paying I could go up another grand and be in a Gold Crown.
 
GideonF said:
Mark Gregory is in Atlanta area and is one of the top mechanics in the US. He is a member here. Contact him.

If you are extremely lucky, he might have an 8' GC that he has (or can) rebuild. Even if it's a bit more expensive, you will have a table as good as anyone can find. A 'Mark Gregory rebuilt table" is a whole different animal than just some random used GC.
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Wow! I had no idea that he was in the area! I'll definitely look him up and reach out today!
 
pt109 said:
Here's one from CraigsList....Peachtree, GA
$900 with accessories...cues, balls, rack, etc

View attachment 434780


It's an eight-foot Olhausen....offer him $700....I think you'll get it...
...the cloth looks good enough to re-use....
...but pay a billiard mechanic to pick it up and install at your place....
....that's cheaper in the long run.
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Thanks man! I just reached out to him and may go see it tonight. Any advice on what to look out for? Besides it rolling level?
 
GideonF said:
Mark Gregory is in Atlanta area and is one of the top mechanics in the US. He is a member here. Contact him.

If you are extremely lucky, he might have an 8' GC that he has (or can) rebuild. Even if it's a bit more expensive, you will have a table as good as anyone can find. A 'Mark Gregory rebuilt table" is a whole different animal than just some random used GC.
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So, I did a quick search on him and got his website pulled up. Texted a quick message to the phone number listed at about 10am this morning and got an immediate reply! Ended up talking on the phone for half an hour about pool. He gave me some great advice and made a huge impression on me. I'm definitely holding off on the Connelly for a little while longer to make a final decision.
 
iusedtoberich said:
The advice you get here will be get a used commercial quality table.

OH, Diamond actually makes new home model tables in the $3K range that are close to commercial quality than home quality. Check out their website for models and pricing.

What is you room size, btw?
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I haven't measure the full room yet but I will as soon as I get home today. I did lay out the specs of an 8 footer on the floor and walk around it with my cue and I have plenty of clearance. OAN: I missed out by a few days on buying the floor model Diamond table at the same location that has the Connelly.
 
Lurk some more, and trash the countdown idea completely. Apparently you don't seem to grasp the serendipity of having a Gregory tuned and restored table right in your back yard.

Budget and space constraints are one thing, but if you can manage the true world class table, go for it. In a year you won't miss the dollar differential.

I'd suspect you could own a top table, and sell it after many years, and most likely get most of your money back if you move or drop the hobby.
 
If you do business with Mark Gregory you will not have any problems, he is probably one of the best table mechanics on the globe. A rebuilt Gold Crown from Mark is not an expense but an investment. A table like that will always be worth a premium.
As far as a 9' table size I would not let that bother you as being too big. When I bought my 9' table I thought I made a huge mistake, I too wanted an 8' Gold Crown. I play league and tournaments on all 7' tables. After a about a year the size difference between a 7' and 9' is not even noticeable. I also have a 7' Valley at home too, when I go from the 7' to the 9' table nothing is unusual. But when I go from the 9' to 7' table the Valley seems very small and very easy by comparison.
I also started out with a 8' furniture table, 2 months later I found my Gold Crown, there was such a difference in commercial table quality that I burned my furniture table in my burn barrel, honest story.
 
Thanks guys! After doing a little research and talking to him on the phone, I now have a much better understanding of who he is and what he's all about!
 
Just so you know, to be safe, for a 9ft table, you'll need a room that's 20 feet by 15.5 feet at the bare minimum. The more space, the better, of course.

I've been playing for 30 years. Buy once, cry once. Buying a Gold crown, built by a quality mechanic, is always the way to go. Even if it's. $1000 more than you wanted to spend. Only noobs and those that don't know better buy commercial, furniture tables with thin, low quality slate. Just my .02, fwiw.
 
Relax

The only advice I would give is to

TAKE YOUR TIME

You may ending having this table for decades. Take your time, listen to the advice given here. Try as many tables as you can. Do your homework, research. I did and it took me about a year. And I'm so glad I waited. I never regret my purchase and love my table. I ended up with a 9ft Diamond. This does not mean this is what you should buy. Find out what will make you happy for the long run.

And Finally:

There are so many good used tables for sale. Buying new should be your last resort.

GOOD LUCK!
 
SpiderWeb said:
A good table with no warranty is better than a different table with a lifetime warranty. You dont need a warranty with a good table.
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Ditto this. My GC4 has a lifetime warranty. Brunswick did everything possible to discourage recourse. 2 rails went bad. It was easier with less aggravation paying out of pocket for the repair. As SW said a warranty is not needed, A good table a is brick house,
 
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NYC cue dude said:
Just so you know, to be safe, for a 9ft table, you'll need a room that's 20 feet by 15.5 feet at the bare minimum. The more space, the better, of course.

I've been playing for 30 years. Buy once, cry once. Buying a Gold crown, built by a quality mechanic, is always the way to go. Even if it's. $1000 more than you wanted to spend. Only noobs and those that don't know better buy commercial, furniture tables with thin, low quality slate. Just my .02, fwiw.
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So, I went home and measured the original game room for the table and its 14'2" x 21'9". I can squeeze an 8 footer in there and be ok. However, I still have the option to swap my home theater room for the game room since they're both side by side and on the same level. The theatre room is 17'11" x 18'5", and that would give me enough room for the 8 footer comfortably or the 9 footer squeezed in if I go that route. Decisions decisions...
 
Koolhand said:
Yep, thanks to all of you guys the Connelly is now out of the question! It's Gold Crown or bust for me! Or a Diamond of course but that's wishful thinking in my $3k price range...
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Find a reputable table mechanic .... Maybe he can help you find one, will look at a potential purchase with you. Maybe he knows how, where to find one. And it's all about the installation. All installers are not created equal. Most are poor-fair at best. Be selective
 
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