Buying an older Table, what to look for?

Zud

Zud

Old Dog Trying to Learn
Silver Member
My buddy has a 9' Olhausen. I have located a 9' Brunswick Anniversary (Supposed to be from the 1940's) locally that he is interested in. What are some key things to look for when checking out the table. It is not a restored table. Also any recomendations on table mechanics in the SE? Thank you
 
Zud said:
My buddy has a 9' Olhausen. I have located a 9' Brunswick Anniversary (Supposed to be from the 1940's) locally that he is interested in. What are some key things to look for when checking out the table. It is not a restored table. Also any recomendations on table mechanics in the SE? Thank you
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I guess it depends on your expectations. If I were able to get a Anniversary I would expect/want to replace the cushions right away. My only concerns would be the overall condition, and any damage to the slates.
 
Picture

Here is a pic of the table. How do you "check" slates? or do you just ask the owner?
I was anticipating new cushions, Felt. I guess my major concerns were the slate, frame and what to look for. thanks for reply.
brunswick anniversary.jpg
 
I am no mechanic, but this is the impression I get. As long as its not missing any pieces or cut in half, the Frame can't really be damaged. Its just solid timbers. You will need to take the felt off the table and make sure their are no cracks/holes in the slate. Heres what I did recently. I told the owner I would buy it, pending my inspection of the slates after we rip the cloth off. That way the owner will disclose any damage or you can back out once the felt is pulled.

For the most part, I think a good mechanic can "fix" about ANY issue with a table, so alot boils down to how much you have to pay for it. If you give us the asking price it can help with advice.

Ian
 
If you look under the table you should be able to look at the slate for cracks. Also do not hand over the money till the cloth and rails are off and you can see the slate. If you are comfortable move those heavy SOB's and hand over the cash.
 
Great idea

Pending slate inspection. I like that idea.

The asking price is $2000.
 
I feel like 2000 is a little high in our current market. It would have to be in above average condition IMO.
 
Zud said:
Pending slate inspection. I like that idea.

The asking price is $2000.
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Take a mechanic like Mark Gregory (he's in your area) with you for the inspection of the table, then if you like what you see and hear, buy the table and have mark move and setup the table where you want it:D

Glen
 
All good advice so far. On Anniversary tables, look for broken/missing mounting tabs on the lower corner castings, they often break. The lower thin edge of the aprons are prone to damage, from that picture they look in good shape. There should be another bridge holder on the other side as well, if it's missing, knock down the price. If you PM me your email address I'll send you .pdf of the manual I got from brunswick.

Markus
 
The slate is the main thing. Run your hand over the table slate to make sure you don't feel any highs or lows before you even start taking it apart. Also bring a flash light to check underneath for issues.
 
I love old tables!!!

The blinds are fragile along the white lines and tend to break there.
Check that the correct hardware is under the rails attaching them. (Ive seen lagbolts holding things on. Not good when they bore out the rails rather than line them up correctly to start with.)
If you look inside of the blinds from under neath, they should all be stamped with the sizze of the table.
Alot of people make new replacement parts for other damaged tables and cut them down to fit from the larger ones, and don't measure them out correctly to get them to fit well...
Feel the slate for problems if the cloth is on, and you can also look from under the tables for sever damage or repaired slate with blowouts or signs that they've been dropped by looking over as much as you can see.
Obviously with the felt off you can see alot more.....
Pinned slate is common, but not everyone knows that, so check along the seams for damage from people just trying to lift the slate and breaking things loose. It's brittle and comes apart in layers typically.
Missing bands on the legs, holes in the legs.
Spreaderbar not set in right can offset the table, as can not lining up the frame bolt holes with the ones in the top of the legs.
Check the rails for cracks or humps, especially around the side pockets form people overtightening railbolts or picking up rails with loose bolts so that they crack or break the rails, or send a bolt through into the formica on top...
Monarch rubber doesn't always have to be replace. You can use glycerin to restore most of the life back into it. It just takes a day or two.
Or you can assume that it's been exposed to too much fluctuation in conditions and replace it with new rubber anyway.

Did I miss anything?

If it's in pretty good condition, then $2,000 may be good for your area, I don't know.
I've seen alot of them for alot less, and I've seen alot of them for alot more, based upon the overall condition of the table.
I agree with Glen. If you can get someone that knows antique tables to go take a look, it can save you time and money, as well as speed up getting the table moved and setup.:wink:
 
Oh and inspect the rails, this is what i got when i bought a gold crown 3 last week, didnt find it until i got the table to my place. After a phone call back to the owner, he tells me "Well it played well at his pool hall and you should have got my mechanic to set it up for you". take a look, some good examples:

badrail.jpg


horrible.jpg


badrail.jpg
 
I'm going to take a shot in the dark here, but I bet you live on the west coast, and that's where the table pics came from.....
 
Thanks

I appreciate all the great input on the things to look for.:thumbup:

We went to check out the table. When setting up the appointment seller told us that a local billiard company had dissassembled the table.

It was in a "storage" bedroom. The Frame looked great with 1945 stamps and it was marked a model D-C. The pedestals were connected and looked in pretty good shape. (The aluminum bands were decent not too abused looking)

The aprons were definitly in original condition. The table is supposedly from a pool room in North Carolina. They had a lot of "Character" with cigarette burns and such, but still looked pretty good for original condition.

The table was purchased conditionally upon closer inspection of slates, the felt was on them and they were behind the rest of the table against the wall and we cant really get to them until we move the table.

The next steps or questions will be setup/installation. What to do. I dont think we are going to the extreme full refinish/restoration. Discussion has been on making it mechanically sound for play. Rails, refelt and setup correctly. I contacted the mechanic RKC suggested out of Atlanta and he didn't really jump at the opportunity to be in the Huntsville area but did offer to have rails shipped to him for wrapping or such. I do not know how bad the Monarchs are but the seller said if he decided to setup the table again he would have something done to them.

First, its time to sell the ebony finished Olhausen and start the fun. I will get some better pictures as we move the pieces and post them. If you guys notice anything please let me know.

Thanks again for all the help. Its really a piece of art. would play on this table be similar to a vintage GC?
 
Where to go from here.

The Anniversary was purchased. We are now having a discussion on where to go from here.

Known info:
The cushions appear rock hard and probably need replaced.

Option 1:
Keep the Olhausen for playing on, and send all the table parts off piecemeal to be restored/replaced fully before assembly. Then sell the Olhausen and put together table

Option 2:
Work on selling the Olhausen to fund refurbish of table. Have a mechanic (sounds like Mark in Atl. would be the best option) come in to work on the table, make it mechanically sound, replace cushions, refelt, set it up and play on it. As time goes by. clean up the aprons, replace aluminum casings and beautify table cosmetically

Option 3:
I am open to suggestions!!

What do you guys think.
 
Option one! Keep playing on the olhausen and take the time and money to properly restore the anniversary. Now is the time to restore,not when it is together. Also,now is not the greatest time to be selling your olhausen.The market is not great right now due to economy and also summer months are traditionally slower for table sales. The holidays are the perfect time! good luck with your project!
 
If you do want to sell your tables I have better luck in the newspaper then online for maximum price find a local installer ask him a few prices and list the table for lets say generic ###'s $1,300 you pick up $1,700 delivered and setup ground floor with in 50 miles. it sounds crazy but it works for me.

Craig
 
I have restored a few of the Anniversaries,including the one in my avatar. The corner castings and bands on the legs should polish up very nicely(takes time though)and shouldn't have to replace unless broken,obviously. If the aprons have been cracked or pieces broken off,that can usually be fixed as well.You may want to re-tap the threads so that the hardware goes in nice and smooth. If you want to do any restoration work, I recommend doing it now so that you don't have to have it taken apart multiple times,it gets spendy to have it done right. Barry
 
I like option 2. Get it set up and play on that puppy. The cosmetics on the apron etc can wait and be done piece by piece. But.... do what Mark recommends. Glen recommends him so just follow instructions. :groucho:

Get some young dudes to pick those slates up.
 
State of the Anniversary Table : Request Suggestions

Hello,

I brought the Anniversary Table it was local and as car guy I would say it is a daily driver, it works but would have some uniqueness in playing on it.
As expected the pocket attachment areas are worn, 3 of the six need repair before I would attempt to reassemble the table. Cushions are Master Fast K-66. The linen on the top of the cushions has been cut and is split almost the length. Aluminum castings need to be anodized or polished. One apron is broken and will need to be replaced. Refinishing has been attempted on the Rails/Aprons. No cracks or splits can be found on them. Have yet it get a look at the slate/frame/base. All original nuts, bolts, etc. so far....

This is what I would like to shoot for:

1. Get the aluminum re-anodized locally
2. Find a good mechanic (closer the better) have the rails and aprons
fixed, new cushions, felt, need diamonds replaced, along with the wood
refinished.
3. If I can find someone close enough I would have them remount the
slate, I can only believe that the felt attachment area is well used give
the state of the rails.
4. Have them Assemble the table with new felt and adjust it.
5. This leaves only the base, frame to correct if necessary. I don't think
the frame will need much if any work. The Base looks OK at the five
foot view so I might be able to live with it for a while.

Any suggestions, opinions, names, are welcomed.

Thanks!
 
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