Buying a new or used Pool table

[christopheradam]

I am gutting the second floor of my house so I can fit a 9footer. I am trying to decide whether to buy a brand new table and maybe have to settle for a little less quaility and maybe not get simonis on it, or go for a used table and get it professonally installed and have it recovered with simonis 860.
Can anyone give me some tips on ensuring a used table is in good shape. How can I tell if the slate is in good condition and what other things should I look out for. My budget is around $1000 to $2000 for the table. I also want a table that is as close to what the pros play on. Any idea how tight the pockets should be to be close to the pro tables(inches?). I know if 2 balls don't fit into a pocket thats pretty tight. My dad's table has really tight pockets(2balls don't fit in a pocket).

 

[Billy_Bob]

The worst thing would be warped slate. Table experts use a "master machinist's level" such as at the link below. Or use a short 12" accurate level.

Then check each piece of slate from every which way to be sure the entire slate is level or sloping the same direction.

If you use a long 3 ft. level, it will not detect distortions in the slate very well.

Also you can drop a ball onto the cushion so it rolls out onto the table. Do this from many different directions and be sure the ball rolls straight. Note that a small piece of dirt on the cloth can make the ball change course.

Note that having a perfectly level table to practice on may not be a good thing! I did this with my table, then played in a tournament which had an unlevel table, shot a very slow shot expecting the cue ball to go straight as an arrow, but it curved and cost me the game. So I have let my table get slightly out of level lately.

A really good book on buying, negotiating price, and maintaining tables is the following. Not on any web site, need to call or write him. Buying a table is like buying a car - never pay the asking price, dicker about included accessories, balls, triangle, cues, etc. May want to read this book before buying.

Book: Pool Table Sales and Service

Order from:
Conway Billiards
1696 W. Morton Ave.
Porterville, CA 93257
559-782-0505

Precision Level at bottom of page...
http://www.candnsupply.com/specials/protractors.html

 

[fxskater]

I have found the best thing to do when looking at a table, is just rolling some balls around, try a few banks, get a feel for the table and see if its what your after. As far as pocket sizes go, it would depend on what game you play. Personally i think most tables Double-Shimmed should provide a big enough challenge for a 9-ball player. By double-shim i mean 1 shim on either side in addition to the original shims. You wanna make sure you have at least a little room to cheat the pockets, so you can make your way around the table a little easier. Personally i would try to find a used 9 footer and get simonis. You could take a bad table, put Simonis on it, and you would be better off than with a really nice table and cheap cloth. Bank a ball against each diamond when you are testing it, to insure that there arent any dead spots in the rail. Slate problems aren't that common in my experience, so unless its an obvious defect, i don't consider it that big a concern. More often than not the seller knows the condition of the slate before the cloth was on. A couple minor chips arent the end of the world, as the can be easily filled with bondo and sanded smooth.

 

[bobroberts]

Tables

I bought a used 9Ft. last year.I first went to look at it and then played for about 15 minutes.I was just looking yesterday and there was a lots of used tables being sold for one reason or another.People move,lose interest,get divorced or just need money.I had a table mechanic pick it up and deliver it to my house.He checked it for any major damage that I would not notice.I also had them replace all the cushions with k55 speed cushions.I also had them put on new Simonis 860 tourney green cloth.
They charged me $620 for the move the cloth and the cushions the table was around $1000.This table will last forever its that rock solid.I tried to find the manufacture of the tabe with no luck.I would compare this table with any new Brunswick or Olhaussen that will cost you twice what I paid.Just be patient and wait for the right deal to come along.Also have a table mechanic lined up that knows what you are doing.
Thats my table in my picture and its one of the best purchases I have ever made.
Good luck,
Bob

 

[BillardBill]

I bought a used 9Ft. last year.I first went to look at it and then played for about 15 minutes.I was just looking yesterday and there was a lots of used tables being sold for one reason or another.People move,lose interest,get divorced or just need money.I had a table mechanic pick it up and deliver it to my house.He checked it for any major damage that I would not notice.I also had them replace all the cushions with k55 speed cushions.I also had them put on new Simonis 860 tourney green cloth.
They charged me $620 for the move the cloth and the cushions the table was around $1000.This table will last forever its that rock solid.I tried to find the manufacture of the tabe with no luck.I would compare this table with any new Brunswick or Olhaussen that will cost you twice what I paid.Just be patient and wait for the right deal to come along.Also have a table mechanic lined up that knows what you are doing.
Thats my table in my picture and its one of the best purchases I have ever made.
Good luck,
Bob

Thats a beautiful table you got and a hell of a deal. In the next year or two i am going to start looking for a new or used table. I really want a nine footer but it depends how things work out. I do like the more contemporary tables like brunswick has the manhattan. I dont know guess i just gotta check want ads and such. good luck finding a table.

 

[DaveK]

The worst thing would be warped slate. Table experts use a "master machinist's level" such as at the link below. Or use a short 12" accurate level.
....
Precision Level at bottom of page...
http://www.candnsupply.com/specials/protractors.html

Wow, that looks like a good price on a Master Precision Level ! However I believe that these are TOO SENSITIVE for a pool table. The most common level for this application is the venerable Starrett 98 Machinest Level, which is a bit less sensitive than a Master Precision Level. Your standard 3' carpenters level is not sensitive enough for leveling pool tables from what I've seen. Starrett 98s and other brands of Machinists Levels come up on ebay fairly regularly.

Dave

 

[pete lafond]

I am gutting the second floor of my house so I can fit a 9footer. I am trying to decide whether to buy a brand new table and maybe have to settle for a little less quaility and maybe not get simonis on it, or go for a used table and get it professonally installed and have it recovered with simonis 860.
Can anyone give me some tips on ensuring a used table is in good shape. How can I tell if the slate is in good condition and what other things should I look out for. My budget is around $1000 to $2000 for the table. I also want a table that is as close to what the pros play on. Any idea how tight the pockets should be to be close to the pro tables(inches?). I know if 2 balls don't fit into a pocket thats pretty tight. My dad's table has really tight pockets(2balls don't fit in a pocket).

If I were to buy a table, I would love to have an early Brunswick from early 1900's.

 

[vapoolplayer]

I am gutting the second floor of my house so I can fit a 9footer......

now thats what i'm talking about........LOL.........you are fully in my stage three category of poolplaying..........

VAP

 

[Black-Balled]

If I were to buy a table, I would love to have an early Brunswick from early 1900's.

I got one of these. I would rather have a newer GC. Ont he old kind, the rails bolt in parallel t the ground and slate. That is bad engineering IMO. I goy Superspeed and simonis but it doesnt play like a GC. It is 9ft, it was free and I put about $600 into getting to my house and ready to play. I am thinking about putting 2k into getting a GC in.
Go with a used GC and have your installer go get it with you.