Now that I have had the Charles Porter Originals table for just over 3 months, and have played it EVERY day, and hours at a time with friends over, here are some thoughts...
POSITIVES:
1.) It is an absolutely beautiful table, built to last many lifetimes with reasonable care.
2.) PAY to have it set up RIGHT! This table set up by a pro is almost too perfect! Level, rebound, all just perfect.
3.) ALL IN COST for this stunning 9ft table delivered and set up ended up less than $5K (and it was 300 miles away!) Used is a great deal.
4.) The table has some character marks from years of play. This is GREAT because I can enjoy the table without worrying over injuring the perfect finish, or a ball dinging the top rails. It's just beautiful and I play with no worries over maintaining the pristine look.
5. As you see from my pictures above, it looks like it belongs in a nice home, not a pool hall. THAT SAID, it has a couple of negatives as well.
NEGATIVES:
1.) It's a 40+ year old table from an era when tables were not as particularly separated in terms of "Home Table vs Tournament Table". While the table plays absolutely perfectly with respect to angles and level, the pockets are NOT today's tournament standard. They are perfect 4.5" corners and 4.75" sides. But that can also be a positive depending on desired use.
2.) The pocket edges have a wider than normal curved bevel flowing in to the pocket so the ball is MORE likely to drop. (also less edge wear on the cloth at the pocket edge I suspect)
3.) There is not a "leg leveling system". This is not a concern for me as the table rests on a tile floor on top of a concrete slab base so once level it should be fine forever, but on a crawlspace foundation with wood subfloor, as a home or room settled, it would be more difficult to re level with shims on the respective legs.
FINAL PERSPECTIVE:
I am not, and will never be a "pro". I am a pretty consistent FARGO 400. Most all of my friends who come to the house are much lower. I LOVE that this table plays a little easier. I want all who visit to enjoy the table and have a good time and feel like they made a few good shots. That DOES NOT interfere with practice as i just aim for the dead center of the pockets when practicing (as appropriate for a given shot) and so when practicing drills, I am working on pocket placement by sight more than by making the ball on occasion.
If anyone is looking for a used / less expensive table for their home and finds a Charles Porter from the 70's in nice shape, I can say without any reservation this brand is solid, plays well, and will be more than adequate to learn, practice and play on, as it will set up perfectly and is DESIGNED to be a great PLAYING table not just a furniture table.
Hope that helps someone out. M
