Can you recommend a good/great used table?

Z

zumpa21

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I've been reading the "talk to a mechanic" forum for awhile and hope to get some good opinions on a good or great used table.
I played quite a bit about 20 years ago and now finally have a big enough room for a table. I'm thinking a 9'-er is the way to go.
After much searching on craigslist, I'm not sure what table to look for.
It seems like a Gold Crown is a great table with minor differences between them.
I've also found an Anniversary but I read somewhere that the old slate has veins that swell and the slate needs to be reground? Sounds expensive if it's true.

I figure that the people who put the tables together (the mechanics) know best what's underneath the felt and skirts.

Any tables to avoid?
Any tables that are really great?
How are antique tables? Difficult to set up or repair? Do they play well?

Thanks,
Tom
 
zumpa21 said:
I've been reading the "talk to a mechanic" forum for awhile and hope to get some good opinions on a good or great used table.
I played quite a bit about 20 years ago and now finally have a big enough room for a table. I'm thinking a 9'-er is the way to go.
After much searching on craigslist, I'm not sure what table to look for.
It seems like a Gold Crown is a great table with minor differences between them.
I've also found an Anniversary but I read somewhere that the old slate has veins that swell and the slate needs to be reground? Sounds expensive if it's true.

I figure that the people who put the tables together (the mechanics) know best what's underneath the felt and skirts.

Any tables to avoid?
Any tables that are really great?
How are antique tables? Difficult to set up or repair? Do they play well?

Thanks,
Tom
Click to expand...


Many people will suggest a Bwick (mostly GC's) or a Diamond, either is typically a good choice but there may be other good tables to be had in your locale and price range. Antique tables generally need extra attention and are more prone to have deteriorated rails requiring a lot of work. What I've seen in the past that works well is posting a link to the table ad(s) ( like CL, eBay, etc) you have an interest in and you'll get some opinions on the pros and cons. JMO

*added - wouldn't hurt to post your city/state since one of the members here may have a table to suit you
 
Rick,
I'm in the Chicago area also.
Here's something that been on CL for quite awhile...
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/spo/2357048310.html
But I think that's out of my price range at this time.
I'm pretty thrifty (cheap) sometimes when it comes to spending $$.
I've seen some GC's for $1000-ish which is where my interest lies at this time.
I'm also leaning towards a GC because I think the metal feet make it a little more water resistant if I ever get water in the basement.
I see quite a few people do some restoration to their GC's but I'll be happy with a decent GC with new cloth
 
B-wick made some shit tables so don't just go by the name. any gold crown is a good table but i recently bought a Gandy 8' Pro for fifty bucks that plays better than my old GC1. it was also easier to work on. lots of nice Gandy tables out there for cheap. Olhausen also makes a good table. in this market, i wouldn't pay more than $200 for a table. the guy i bought my gandy from was cleaning out his dad's place and the bank would have gotten the table so he took the $50.00. while there i also got an excellent FIRM bed for the same price. ;)
 
zumpa21 said:
Rick,
I'm in the Chicago area also.
Here's something that been on CL for quite awhile...
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/spo/2357048310.html
But I think that's out of my price range at this time.
I'm pretty thrifty (cheap) sometimes when it comes to spending $$.
I've seen some GC's for $1000-ish which is where my interest lies at this time.
I'm also leaning towards a GC because I think the metal feet make it a little more water resistant if I ever get water in the basement.
I see quite a few people do some restoration to their GC's but I'll be happy with a decent GC with new cloth
Click to expand...

The Anniv. is a desirable table. If the table and included light are in pristine condition then $3k isn't a total stretch IMO. Those lights aren't cheap and the Anniv doesn't come up for sale too often. .

Some alternates -

This is on CL but also on ebay (BIN or Best Offer). I remember seeing these tables for sale from a pool room a while ago so don't know if this is the room selling it or someone that bought one to flip -
http://cgi.ebay.com/Brunswick-9-Gol...265?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aaa635449

Could be a good deal if you could trek up to Madison to check it out
but don't think it's a GC I, maybe a III -
http://madison.craigslist.org/spo/2343827810.html
 
lots of pool halls going out of business..... there was one here in florida with about ten nice tables. that $900 GC is interesting...
 
great used tables

I purchased a Gold Crown 1 that was in great condition and had only been re-clothed 3 times in its life. I paid 700 and moved and set it up myself with online help from this web site. I waited 3 months and two came up in the same week one for 800 with nice balls and cues that I was late on and the other one that I purchased. The Gold crowns 1, 2 I know a Little about and you can get great info on this site, are solid wood sides, heavy doweled slate, solid aluminum castings for pockets and feet nice heavy frame all solid wood no press board on these classics. I have seen them sell for around 700 to 1500 bucks. If you have the time and live in a populated area and act fast you should get a great deal.

Learn what to look for and pass on the dogs.

Unless you have some knowledge about tables and how to take them apart and reassemble then I would strongly suggest getting a pro mechanic most of them use this site and will know someone in your area to help you.

you can do the refinishing yourself if you are handy with a sander, I did and I have 10 thumbs.
 
I don't think I want to trek up to Wisconsin for a Gold Crown.
The Gold Crown 4 on ebay has been on there for months.
I've also seen a few Gold Crown copies on craigslist but have no idea whether they'd be good, bad or somewhere in the middle.

I actually found a pool table in the garbage yesterday minus the slates.
Not sure of the make or model.
A local town had "spring cleaning" where they take all garbage that residents put out. I took the felt to redo my poker table.
 
take the drive

I had to drive 2.5 hours for mine. Just make sure you call first and have them at least hold the table for you to look out before they sell it out from under you as you are half way to the destination. I found mine on craigslist. ebay can work too I have seen some good deals. I actually had an opportunity for a gold crown free a couple of years ago but I would of had to move it twice and store it for 6 months so I passed. Just be patient it will come around.
So many people are either loosing homes, business, moving, or down sizing so they must unload the table.
 
I'll guess I'll take a drive for the right table at the right price.
There a pool hall that is going / went out of business and has sold a few GC's for $500-ish on ebay but they are the old white & turquoise model
and I don't want to have to refinish the table.
 
Brunswick Monticello

If you consider there have been a lot of gold crowns for 700 or less I don't think that is priced quite low enough. I think everything you can't see is the same as a gold crown, 1" pinned slates and (probably) the same frame. Looks like a fairly close cousin, but not being as desireable...

This one has been listed and relisted for months at $550 and still hasn't sold near me, that's why I recognised the model.

http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/spo/2601721186.html

You could always make an offer in a month when it's still for sale. :)
 
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