gold crown slates

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cyberdummyjim

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I am in the market for a gold crown and after reading questions and comments about them I am confused as far as the slates are concerened{and other things} as someone stated that some of them were made of sand stone? As I have read, depending on where the slate is harvested the color will vary. My question is how do I tell what kind of slate I have or am I looking at:confused:
 
cyberdummyjim said:
I am in the market for a gold crown and after reading questions and comments about them I am confused as far as the slates are concerened{and other things} as someone stated that some of them were made of sand stone? As I have read, depending on where the slate is harvested the color will vary. My question is how do I tell what kind of slate I have or am I looking at:confused:
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If looking at a GC1 or GC2 chances are you will see what is referred to as Brunstone. It is a grittier finish and may be a little brownish/redish/rust colored. Some of the later GC2s had normal slate, but most had the Brunstone. The Brunstone is more brittle than slate, but is just can be leveled most of the time to perfection as much as slate can be.

Where are you located? I might be able to help you with your search for a Gold Crown.
 
I am in Illinois have found someone in the Chicago area who claims to have 20 GCs Is, IIs, IIs,IVs, starting at 1400 for the Is, I want to make sure that I get a table with slate or my time will and money will be wasted as far as I am concerened
 
reverend said:
If looking at a GC1 or GC2 chances are you will see what is referred to as Brunstone. It is a grittier finish and may be a little brownish/redish/rust colored. Some of the later GC2s had normal slate, but most had the Brunstone. The Brunstone is more brittle than slate, but is just can be leveled most of the time to perfection as much as slate can be.

Where are you located? I might be able to help you with your search for a Gold Crown.
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This brings up a question. I thought the Brunstone was also a GC1 and 2 thing but the Gold Crown Comparison chart I found on the internet only lists Brunstone as an available option on the GC3:

Also, I found this that says Brunswick filed a trademark for this in 1981 (during the GC3 years):

http://www.trademarkia.com/brunstone-73316459.html

So now I'm unclear about what GC versions were available with Brunstone.
 
I had this discussion with RKC. I have 1" pinned and doweled slate on my GC III. The rails (with larger counters and flat bar casting attachment) are from a CG II. It was explained by Glen and others, Brunswick would use leftover parts near the end of a production run on a newer model. Glen believed my slate was Brunstone, I did not.

Called Brunswick. Marvin E explained pinned and doweled Brunstone was used on the GC I and II and could be ordered on the III, generally 1 1/4" thick and heavier slate liner board. He also explained some very early III did have the pinned and doweled 1" slate as they continued the practice for a short time. Rare but not unheard of, he estimated my III may have been one of the first 100-150 produced.

Brunswick lost a major portion of historical data and reference material to a flood. He was not able to provide me written documentation, however felt certain this was the case. To complicate matters further he offered as an aside, some GC I and II also had 1" pinned slate rathger than the 1 1/4" Brunstone.
 
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DrT1010 said:
I had this discussion with RKC. I have 1" pinned and doweled slate on my GC III. The rails (with larger counters and flat bar casting attachment) are from a CG II. It was explained by Glen and others, Brunswick would use leftover parts near the end of a production run on a newer model. Glen believed my slate was Brunstone, I did not.

Called Brunswick. Marvin E explained pinned and doweled Brunstone was used on the GC I and II and could be ordered on the III, generally 1 1/4" thick and heavier backer boards. He also explained some very early III did have the pinned and doweled 1" slate as they continued the practice for a short time. Rare but not unheard of, he estimated my III may have been one of the first 100-150 produced.

Brunswick lost a major portion of historical data and reference material to a flood. He was not able to provide me written documentation, however felt certain this was the case. To complicate matters further he offered as an aside, some GC I and II also had 1" pinned slate rathger than the 1 1/4" Brunstone.
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So I suppose the easy way to determine what you have would be to measure the thickness. If it's 1" I guess it's slate and if it's 1 1/4" it then it's Brunstone.

Again, the Word Doc I have does not list Brunstone on the I or II, just the 1" 3 piece slate. Don't know exactly how official it is. I tried to attach the doc but even after removing the pics it was over the attachment limit. I can't find a link to it on the web. I think someone emailed it to me.
 
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DogsPlayingPool said:
So I suppose the easy way to determine what you have would be to measure the thickness. If it's 1" I guess it's slate and if it's 1 1/4" it then it's Brunstone. .
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Yes, that as well as the color and the backer boards. I've never seen Brunstone, however from readings here it appears to have a brown/rust color hue.
 
Just got E-Mail from a Pool Hall owner who told me his GC Is all have grey slate and adjustable feet{tables have white frames, blue skirting/aprons and looks like Formica covered rails, still confused and getting more confused but I think I will go and look at these tables just to get a visual. These being comercial tables will they still have hardwood rails skirts and bases/pedistals? or are all gold crowns comercial grade?
 
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Mnay here are far more knowledgable, I defer to them should I be off base.

Not quite sure GC I came with adjustable feet. The Brunstone question is adressed above. Unless changed out, my research suggests the GC I had the 1 1/4" pinned and doweled Brunstone. (Although it is possible, based on my discussions with Brunswick rep, they could have 1" pinned slate) The skirts are generally poplar, considered a "hardwood", however on the soft side. I believe all GC's are considered commercial tables. Top rail is a plastic laminate, whether "formica" is open for debate.
 
Here are some pics of Gold Crown 1 Slate. This is real original GC1 slate. I bought the table from the original owner he said the table has been recovered 2 times, and nothing was ever replaced on it, so it is the slate that "normally" came with the Gold Crown 1s. This is not to say there is anything different out there, and not to say that every GC1 was installed with this. This is what I am saying is referred to as Brunstone which is commonly found on GC1s and GC2s.

It is hard to get a picture using this square as a measuring device, but that's what I had handy. It reads a nat's ass over 1 1/32.
DSC_5447.JPG

This is a picture of the underside of the slate. As you can see it is more brown in color, some may call that rust colored.
DSC_5459.JPG

Most GC1 and GC2 tables have the sloped pockets. This is a top view of the side pocket.
DSC_5461.JPG

The backing on the GC1 and GC2 slate is full Inch thick poplar, and is usually stamped with a Union Made stamp.
DSC_5463.JPG

This is a picture of "normal" slate that is usually seen on the GC3s. Notice the darker gray color.
DSC_5464.JPG

I use my table and slate as a work bench, so the topside is more warn than normal, so it is hard to get a picture of the texture of the Brunstone. It feels more gritty, more similar to sandstone.

I hope this clears some more of the slate debacle up.
 
Adding to the above post...
Not all GC2s came with Brunstone, I recently came across a pool room that has GC2 tables and half are Brunstone and half are slate. All of the pockets in the slate are cut like the above slate with the slope. All tables have the old style counters, (larger ones) adjustable feet, folating nutplates, (not the large figgure 8 nutplates) so this leads me to believe they are all true GC2s with newer SLATE instead of the Brunstone.

The Brunstone should not be a deal brekaer when it comes to buying a table. It can be leveled up and play just as true as slate can in the hands of an experienced mechanic.

Let me know if there is any thing else I can help out with.
 
table

cyberdummyjim said:
I am in the market for a gold crown and after reading questions and comments about them I am confused as far as the slates are concerened{and other things} as someone stated that some of them were made of sand stone? As I have read, depending on where the slate is harvested the color will vary. My question is how do I tell what kind of slate I have or am I looking at:confused:
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Jim, good meeting you and mike over at the pool room when you guys come to hit balls.. I just happen to be working on a table at the same room..its a small world' I will post a picture just to make sure your the same guy I met and see if you recognize it...as for the original questions you had, the mechanics on the fourm pretty much answered your questions just as well as I did when we talked.. The mechanics on this site are very knowledgeable about gold crowns and tables in general...feel free to give me a call or post question here if you have any about purchasing tables for a pool room setting...
-take care
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Rob.M
 

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Cant get the pocket detail out of my mind Excelent craftsmanship I was very impressed not to mention all other tech info you let me in on Thanks although it gave me more to worry about as far as the underside of the rails{staple damage}. How or can you check the condition of the rails while a table is assembled? How often do tables get recovered on average? Thinking I may look for a GC3 instead of GC1. The more I learn the more confused I get! Keep up the good work....and thanks for the insight!
 
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