Brunswick-Balke-Collander Regina Table

gdc25

gdc25

I call 'em like I see 'em
Silver Member
If this question comes across as rediculous please don't rake me over the coals, I'm just trying to wiegh my options.

To answer the first question before it is asked, I live in the Indianapolis area.

I inherited my grandfathers (now deceased) pool table, an oversized 8 foot Brunswick-Balke-Collander Regina table. He in turn purchased in over 40 years ago during an aution at a local V.F.W. that was closing. The table has been in the basement of my grandparents home for those 40 years. The basement does have issues with dampness which can be determined from the photo's that I hope to include in this post. This table was re-felted and I assume the rails were worked on by my (also now deceased) cousin about 20 years ago.

So, with all of the sentamental value described below I would like two things to happen. I would like to be able to move the table into my home and play on it while I save what I assume will be the significant amount of money I will need to either restore the table or have it restored. This table is only in slightly worse shape than I remember it as a kid, so I really don't mind it being in my home in this condition. It reminds me of my grandparent.
When I called a local billiards supply store they informed me that I was looking at around $550.00 just to have the table set up to play on. To me that is a lot of cash to spend on something that I plan on tearing down sometime in the not so near future for restoration purposes.

So my questions are..

a) By the photo's below, is it worth my time to set this table up before I restore it? (keep in min that I am married with high school age children = finacially limited).

b) can I do the set up, have it done for cheaper than the amount listed above?

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That is a great family heirloom! I don't believe the cost sounds unrealistic, however they may have had a charge for NEW cloth in there as well.

One of the pro's can help you I am certain. Just wanted to compliment you on a beautiful table!

GOOD LUCK!!

Mike
 
have a professional do it.

i had mine professionally done after trying to do it myself and it plays so much better and is amazing to watch these guys work.

imo its worth every dollar they get.
 
i would have to assume that you wanted the crew to take the table down/load and transport the table then set it up. that is a lot of work, the slates are heavy. being in the business, that is right about what i would quote also. when you do have someone set it up, make sure they have worked on ant. tables before and understand pinned slate.
 
wakuljr said:
i would have to assume that you wanted the crew to take the table down/load and transport the table then set it up. that is a lot of work, the slates are heavy.
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Actually, "I" will be doing the heavy work. My father has been involved with moving this table twice and is familiar with the way it comes apart / goes together. I have read a LOT of information on this site and others before I even signed up on how to approach moving this thing and feel at least comfortable with the tear down process. (<-- yes, I realize how naive I appear in this.)

As I said above, I'm only interested in being able to use this table while I save the money needed to retore/have it restored. Which is why I'm not comfortable with spending 1/2 K$ on a "temporary" set up.

Thank you for the replies so far.
 
tksix said:
... Just wanted to compliment you on a beautiful table!
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That is so funny to hear because to myself and my cousins (18 of us), this is just Grandpa's old table. None, NONE!, of us had any idea what it was until I started doing research on it about a month ago.

Thank you for the compliment.
 
gdc25 said:
Actually, "I" will be doing the heavy work. My father has been involved with moving this table twice and is familiar with the way it comes apart / goes together. I have read a LOT of information on this site and others before I even signed up on how to approach moving this thing and feel at least comfortable with the tear down process. (<-- yes, I realize how naive I appear in this.)

As I said above, I'm only interested in being able to use this table while I save the money needed to retore/have it restored. Which is why I'm not comfortable with spending 1/2 K$ on a "temporary" set up.

Thank you for the replies so far.
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I don't think I've ever been hired for a job, asked to do it for less...because it's only a temporary set up. To me, the job is done when I've finished what I was hired to do, what you do with the table at a later date be it in a month or a year, really has nothing to do with the job at hand on my part, there is no LESS work involved because it's a temporary set up on your end. If you wanted to save money because it's "tempory"...then don't have the table set up after it's moved, then you'd only be paying for the tear down and delivery. But you're going to do that yourself, so then you can save all the money;) If you think about it, EVERY job a mechanic does....is only "Temporary" work, because when the job is done, we're off hunting for the next "Temporary" employment again;)

Glen
 
Glen;

Sorry if I offended you, and maybe I'm taking your reply the wrong way. I realize all of that. I'm just trying to justify the whole process and get some suggestions. (I didn't realize you could re-use the felt for one.) And I didn't one time ask somebody to set up this table for me at a reduced cost.

Let me ask this a different way... ahh never mind,
 
gdc25 said:
b) can I do the set up, have it done for cheaper than the amount listed above?QUOTE]
Sorry buddy, this is all I'm replying to...LOL Cheaper is not always better in the long run. This kind of request is what keeps hacks in business, because they're not good for building a house, but great for taking out the garbage...LMAO not trying to offend you, but please try to understand it from my point of view, to me it's all in a days work...as a mechanic;) and we can't all find work to fill everyday, so on the days we do have work, it's nice to get paid a fair days pay for a fair days work;)

Glen
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gdc25 said:
So my questions are..

a) By the photo's below, is it worth my time to set this table up before I restore it? (keep in min that I am married with high school age children = finacially limited).

b) can I do the set up, have it done for cheaper than the amount listed above?
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Getting it apart and moved is a lot of the battle that you can do yourself.
Once apart you can have pieces refinished as $ permits.

Start with the legs - once they're done you can setup and level the framework/slate.
Install new cloth on the slate only since the rails will still need work.

Once the rails are repaired/refinished/recushioned if necessary you can install the new rail cloth.

I wouldn't waste the time setting it up knowing it needs repairs.
 
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I think that Glen's point is- put in the labor yourself, save money moving it, get into a position to do it, get it done by somone that can. Out of all of the tables that we work on, not one of them could ever be considered permanent, as eventually there will always be something will be needed done to it. Whether it's a year or twenty years from now, somebody will want to have something changed, thus every job is a temporary setup.
And we are all basically contractor's for every job that we do, so it's also temporary employment for each and every individual and business,so future business/employment depends upon our abilities.
Personally, since you are in Indiana, I would move the table, put the money and time into restoring it, get the materials together as I could, and then schedule Glen to finish it off, then you have a table that once again would have made your Grandfather proud.
It may take longer, but you can spread it out to make it more affordable on you, and it's done right the first time that way. If it's more of a financial consideration that anything else, then save a step, and get it done right. If you just want to play on it now, then go with it.
It's your call regardless.
 
Dartman said:
Start with the legs - once they're done you can setup and level the framework/slate.
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Okay, lets go with this since this is the area of that table that scares me the most. From what I can tell those lets seem to have a vaneer or some similar product which is in very bad shape. and, the design on the legs is what identifies the Regina. How in the #$$% am I going to preserve this?

I looked on classicbilliards.net and saw nothing as far as a replacement.
 
gdc25 said:
Okay, lets go with this since this is the area of that table that scares me the most. From what I can tell those lets seem to have a vaneer or some similar product which is in very bad shape. and, the design on the legs is what identifies the Regina. How in the #$$% am I going to preserve this?

I looked on classicbilliards.net and saw nothing as far as a replacement.
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If you're not a woodworker then trying to DIY is not recommended.

In your original post you stated - "I will need to either restore the table or have it restored"
I'd suggest you go with the latter.

Shop places near you that do furniture restoration - get quotes and ask to see their work.
People that do this line of work can best tell you what can and can't be done.
 
Dartman said:
If you're not a woodworker then trying to DIY is not recommended.

In your original post you stated - "I will need to either restore the table or have it restored"
I'd suggest you go with the latter.

Shop places near you that do furniture restoration - get quotes and ask to see their work.
People that do this line of work can best tell you what can and can't be done.
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This was what I was assuming unless one of you had a better suggestion. Thank you for the response.
 
Regina

Very nice table you have there. I have always loved that leg style.

First off in my opinion there is some merit in putting the table together to get to know how it plays. All of the work I did to my table was to address playability issues. But then I am a pool player and the playability was what I chose to focus on the most. In fact, I think a lot of the people I play with would have thought the table played just fine. I have a few veneer issues that are not a big deal to me and I can address them at a later date when I refinish the frame.

If you are looking to keep the playability as it is and focus more on the restoration issues then I think Dartman's suggestion to send it out to a furniture restorer is a good one. They can probably do any level of work you are looking for but my suggestion would be that anything you do, do it right as a poor repair today is difficult to repair tomorrow. Even if you put it together today and play on it as is for a couple of years probably wont bother that table at all.
 
Ok fine, I'll be the bearer of bad news. The table is poop. You should scrap it. I'll be out there this weekend to "get rid" of it for you. HAHA!

Actually I run specialty pool table/gameroom store and I'd agree with the folks who said to either pay someone to do it who has experience with antique tables or tear it down and move it yourself and don't assemble it now. As far as restoring it I'd recommend finding someone in your area who has/does pool table restorations. There is a guy in my area (central Pa) who specializes in antique tables. His work is awesome especially when compared to regular furniture guys. You may pay a little more (like Glen said) for a specialist but the outcome will justify the costs. That table is not only a precious family heirloom but its a piece of history. You'll never be able to replace it with something new.

Best of luck!

Dave
 
I own a six leg Regina and I would suggest buying a gallon of lyn seed oil and applying a coat then wait 15 minutes and rub off the excess and see how the wood looks. I had mine down stairs for 20 years before I did that and Wow what a difference. Mitch
 
Mitchorama said:
I own a six leg Regina and I would suggest buying a gallon of lyn seed oil and applying a coat then wait 15 minutes and rub off the excess and see how the wood looks. I had mine down stairs for 20 years before I did that and Wow what a difference. Mitch
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Bump on this.

Depending on your time constraints. You can get this table looking great refinishing it yourself. Setup may be another story depending on hidden damage and your technical ability. Plus a few hundred invested in tools. This is why it's a good deal for a pro to do the set up. As was said these slates are probably pinned unless they've been cut off and makes it a little more difficult to level.

By the way What a wonderful table. Don't ever think about selling it. They don't make like they used to.
 
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