Brunswick Gold Crown IV?

GoodPM

GoodPM

Member
I picked up what I believe to be an 8' Brunswick Gold Crown IV from 2006 but the frame is different (better?) than what I have seen in other threads and even the GC4 installation manual as it relates to the ends sagging.

I was anticipating needing to beef up the frame with some extra support pieces like @coolidge did here, or @realkingcobra did here, but my frame is different. The 2 long sides run from end-to-end and aren't interrupted by the two pieces running the width of the table like in the linked posts.

Is anyone aware of the frame being different for some GC4s? Or could this table be some other model?

My images are too large to post in-line so here's an imgur album.
 
GoodPM said:
I picked up what I believe to be an 8' Brunswick Gold Crown IV from 2006 but the frame is different (better?) than what I have seen in other threads and even the GC4 installation manual as it relates to the ends sagging.

I was anticipating needing to beef up the frame with some extra support pieces like @coolidge did here, or @realkingcobra did here, but my frame is different. The 2 long sides run from end-to-end and aren't interrupted by the two pieces running the width of the table like in the linked posts.

Is anyone aware of the frame being different for some GC4s? Or could this table be some other model?

My images are too large to post in-line so here's an imgur album.
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That's an older frame. Probably a GC1-2 frame. B'wick often used whatever was laying around the warehouse. Not uncommon to see stuff like this. Probably had an older frame on hand and just used it. Some early 3's had 1-2 frames as well. Nice table btw. Love those piano black models.
 
garczar said:
That's an older frame. Probably a GC1-2 frame. B'wick often used whatever was laying around the warehouse. Not uncommon to see stuff like this. Probably had an older frame on hand and just used it. Some early 3's had 1-2 frames as well. Nice table btw. Love those piano black models.
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Thank you! I've read that the sagging problem may not be a concern with prior models, but that they have their own unique issues. Anything I should be aware of or that I could address before continuing with the installation?
 
GoodPM said:
Thank you! I've read that the sagging problem may not be a concern with prior models, but that they have their own unique issues. Anything I should be aware of or that I could address before continuing with the installation?
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No. On most 3's and 4's the end sill is attached to the end of the frame rails instead of between the rails like your's. You've got the one to have,
 
garczar said:
https://forums.azbilliards.com/threads/rail-bolts-for-gold-crown-4.538628/ there's a diagram on how the rails bolt on. have all the domed washers i assume? tighten the rail nuts to 15ft/lbs Whole manual: https://forums.azbilliards.com/threads/gc4-manual-jpegs-uploaded-version.493932/
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Man, whole lot of back and forth in that thread just to come to the conclusion of "do it the way the manual says". Might be a while before I get to rails though.

Is it worth pausing at this point for a week or so to let the wood frame adjust to a new environment - like you would with wood flooring?
 
From my recollection of reading the mechanics section about this topic years ago, the early GC4's had the frame sagging. Then Brunswick changed the frame to what is in the OP's picture midway during the GC4 production.

PS, I have the "sagging" GC4 frame, and I never had an issue.
 
iusedtoberich said:
From my recollection of reading the mechanics section about this topic years ago, the early GC4's had the frame sagging. Then Brunswick changed the frame to what is in the OP's picture midway during the GC4 production.

PS, I have the "sagging" GC4 frame, and I never had an issue.
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No, that's not right. GC4's had the frame with end sills attched on the ends(sames as on most 3's) and not between like the op's. RKC came up with a easy way to give extra support to the end sills. Sagging is usually only a problem in rooms where they let people sit on the rails. Keep the hardware snug and people off them and you're usually fine. The op's GC4 is kinda rare in that it has a 1-2style frame. My guess is that B'wick had a few 8ft frames on hand and used one on this table. Could have been replaced at some time too. I've seen a LOT of 4's apart and not one has had this type frame. All have had the end sills like the ones in the manual diagram.
 
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Check out this post from 2009. A member had a 9' GC4 bought new in 2005 with a frame just like the 8' in this thread. RKC was implying they were improvements designed for the GC5 and applied to the GC4.

Did Brunswick Fix The GC4 Frame?

I've been preparing for a visit from RKC in the next few months. He's agreed to give my GC4 a complete face lift when he swings through the SW. Needless to say I've been trying to digest everything I can about table maintenance in general, and RKC's methods, specifically with regard to GC4s...
forums.azbilliards.com
 
iusedtoberich said:
Check out this post from 2009. A member had a 9' GC4 bought new in 2005 with a frame just like the 8' in this thread. RKC was implying they were improvements designed for the GC5 and applied to the GC4.

Did Brunswick Fix The GC4 Frame?

I've been preparing for a visit from RKC in the next few months. He's agreed to give my GC4 a complete face lift when he swings through the SW. Needless to say I've been trying to digest everything I can about table maintenance in general, and RKC's methods, specifically with regard to GC4s...
forums.azbilliards.com
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They never did anything to fix the 4's tho. Glen had his own fix. The 5&6 frames are much like the 1-2's with the end sills back between the rails.
 
So I know it isn't part of the frame, but there's a sticker on the back side of the head skirt that very clearly states Gold Crown IV.
 
garczar said:
Of course its a four but that's not a 4 frame. Came from a 1 or a 2.
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I’ll agreee do disagree. The picture in this thread, the one I linked from 2009, and glens comments, indicate to me that at some point late in its production the “GC4 complete table” was updated to long side frame members.

Don’t you think that’s more likely than they had frames from 20 years prior?
 
I stand corrected. Just talked to RKC and the OP's frame is a later GC4/GC5 style. 1-2's had different cross-members. He also was quite clear the need to super-glue the slates as these frames can 'move' in hi-humidity conditions thus pulling the slates apart. Always a good day when you learn something.
 
garczar said:
I stand corrected. Just talked to RKC and the OP's frame is a later GC4/GC5 style. 1-2's had different cross-members. He also was quite clear the need to super-glue the slates as these frames can 'move' in hi-humidity conditions thus pulling the slates apart. Always a good day when you learn something.
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Good to know. I wasn't really concerned about the frame given that it seems more structurally sound than the standard 4. I was more curious since it didn't look like what I'd seen in other posts and even in the installation manual.
 
GoodPM said:
Good to know. I wasn't really concerned about the frame given that it seems more structurally sound than the standard 4. I was more curious since it didn't look like what I'd seen in other posts and even in the installation manual.
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The manual shows the early 4's. 4's were made from '97-'08 and i don't know when the change took place. Glen/RKC would most likely.
 
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