Buying question - Can you get a good table for under $200 ?

[BradE]

Can you get a good table for under $200 ? I've been looking online for tables in local ads. I ran across a Brunswick for $180. It's old but the guy said it plays good. The only thing I can think of is it might need new rails and cloth. It's a slate table so I'm guessing if needed I can replace cloth and cushions and get it setup and playing good. Anything else I should look at before buying; is there a used table buying guide/checklist?

BTW The guy emailed me a photo.

 

[scruffy1]

Normally two hundred does not get you a good table but we alll have our stories of the "just come and get it " table so you never know. You really have to factor in the added cost of moving,recovering,cushion,etc that seem to go along with cheaper used tables. The table in the photo is nothing great. Probably formica and pressboard entry table from the 70s.
You do not want this particular two hundred dollar table to become a thousand dollar model.

 

[Crash]

Can you get a good table for under $200 ?

I need to get my 8 ft no-name 3-slate table out of the way for another table. I used it to learn how to install cushions, set-up, level, and recover. I'm letting a guy in the office who lives two blocks away have it for $200 and I'm setting it up for him too. That way I will get some more practice before I set up my Medalist.

 

[BradE]

I need to get my 8 ft no-name 3-slate table out of the way for another table. I used it to learn how to install cushions, set-up, level, and recover. I'm letting a guy in the office who lives two blocks away have it for $200 and I'm setting it up for him too. That way I will get some more practice before I set up my Medalist.

Does it play well?

 

[poolplayer2093]

you'd be hard pressed to find a good cue for $200

 

[scottp]

it is rare but it can happen

i got a 8'OS Brunswick Heritage for free
but i also bought a table for 125 once and finally threw it away just to get the storage space back.......:wink:
scott

 

[Crash]

Does it play well?

Yes, it plays well for what it is ... an 8-foot four-legged claw-foot no-name 3-slate table made out of a plywood bath tub with two 2x6s holding the sides apart and the slates up. It was constant adjustments for 3 years. I'm sure there will be other opinions on this but plywood tubs on four chicken legs are, well, just not sturdy. Period! I even walked away from a sweet deal on a 9-foot Connelly with an extra set of snooker rails because of the four-legged design. Regardless of my misgivings, my friend is getting a good starter table for cheap.

 

[Cuephoric]

You don't see it too often. BUt, last summer I brought home a 9' Anniversary for $100 bucks!
The downside?
After getting started on taking it apart, I found huge lagbolts holding on the rails, missmatched parts from various things holding it together, and the frame was assembled crooked 20 years ago.
It took me about a month to put it all right as it was meant to be.
A week later I set it up in someone elses house, and started searching for my next project.
So yes, they can be found, and no they aren't always going to turn out perfectly.
I just wanted it for the parts to fix some other ones with, and ended up seeing how it would turn out with some work.

 

[sausage]

cheap pool table

cheap, good pool tables are everywhere. i found two nice tables, a perfect oversized 8' gandy with black simonis for $400 and an 8' brunswick ventura II pro for $100 that needed cloth and cosmetics. the guy with the gandy wasn't home so i bought the brunswick. i got it inside and restored by myself. it plays really well... i like the looks of the brunswick better than that gandy but either table was a good buy. i wouldn't pay 200 for that table you are thinking about buying. just keep looking. it might take you two months but eventually you will KNOW when you find the right table for the right price.

some of you might be tired of seeing the pic but here goes again:

 

[scottp]

You don't see it too often. BUt, last summer I brought home a 9' Anniversary for $100 bucks!
The downside?
After getting started on taking it apart, I found huge lagbolts holding on the rails, missmatched parts from various things holding it together, and the frame was assembled crooked 20 years ago.
It took me about a month to put it all right as it was meant to be.
A week later I set it up in someone elses house, and started searching for my next project.
So yes, they can be found, and no they aren't always going to turn out perfectly.
I just wanted it for the parts to fix some other ones with, and ended up seeing how it would turn out with some work.

i am glad you said that
i also bought an anniversary for 100 (8' OS)i figured the corner castings were worth that much
the frame was good and the rails were solid wood so i redid the table
here is a photo (of a photo)( i dont have a scanner)

all the side panels were busted up this was the best one that came with the table...i made all new sides
all the parts on this table looked like this piece

one more

like i said sorry for the photo quality but these are photos of photos

scott

 

[greyghost]

Wow you wasted a $100 on that anniversary? Dude I only spent $25 on my table but AND was half off and I couldn't resist....I'm changing all the rails and tightening the pockets...Glenn you think you can make a trip to level it when I'm done?

G.G.

 

[realkingcobra]

Wow you wasted a $100 on that anniversary? Dude I only spent $25 on my table but AND was half off and I couldn't resist....I'm changing all the rails and tightening the pockets...Glenn you think you can make a trip to level it when I'm done?

G.G.

Where and when? Could take HOURS to level that thing!

 

[greyghost]

Where and when? Could take HOURS to level that thing!

But it would look professional....and would play SWEET...for my future 3yr old...lol. You think we should upgrade the rails, maybe get John to get us a set of those new pocket plugs?

Jeez by the time the kid was 5 he could play Thorsten a straight pool exhibition....and all for a measly 25 bucks....and everyone acts like theres no money in pool and it costs so much...
$25 bucks dude... POOL...ITS WHERE ITS AT!

Grey Ghost

 

[Cuephoric]

we have a winner!

But it would look professional....and would play SWEET...for my future 3yr old...lol. You think we should upgrade the rails, maybe get John to get us a set of those new pocket plugs?

Jeez by the time the kid was 5 he could play Thorsten a straight pool exhibition....and all for a measly 25 bucks....and everyone acts like theres no money in pool and it costs so much...
$25 bucks dude... POOL...ITS WHERE ITS AT!

Grey Ghost

I can see it now...Thorsten chalking up, looking at a shot, and the kid saying "take your time, that's alot of green....and these rails bank short"

 

[greyghost]

Thats awesome...because you know I'm sure my son will be just like me, I was just like my father....a little woofing smart a**

I'm sure if the little ghost was in that situation he would definately pull out that one liner, lol....and I'm sure Thorsten would be pissed after that comment ROFLMAO

G.G.