Help me find a good used pool table

Peer

Peer

Norwegian in California
Silver Member
I dunno -- perhaps I'm just getting tired of interacting with my fellow humans... but I'm now actively looking to buy a used pool table. Since I'm on a limited budget, I would really appreciate any pointers. For example, are there table manufacturers that I should stay away from, is there something like a "blue book" for secondhand pool-tables so I would know what's a fair price, etc. Any help appreciated. Btw, I live in San Francisco Bay Area.

-- peer
 
It depends on how hardcore of a pool player you are. Most people I found would probably not notice the difference if I set up a Carom table in their basement.

There are things to look for.
-First off you want to make sure your slate is not busted. Looking underneath the table will sometimes show you.
-You also want to make sure it isn't a one peice. It's a little tougher to determine. You basically feel below the bumpers on the felt between the 2nd and 3rd diamond. You should feel 2 holes close together. If you feel those it is a 3peice. If not it is a 1peice. But sometimes those holes are filled in so it's not a guarentee.
-Check the bumpers to make sure those are good. If it feels hard or very soft then it needs new ones. You also want to make sure they aren't falling off. Sometimes you can't find that out until you remove the cushion felt.
-You don't have to refelt everytime when you move a table. So if the cloth is ok then you can reuse it.
-Slate with backing is always a plus.
-Make sure it has slate

As for price...
It varies so much. Some people will practically give away top of the line Peter Vitalies just to get it out of their house. Others want the world for their Sears tables that are barely standing on 3legs.
Certain brands bring in more. Brunswicks I find are often overpriced when buying used. Especially for what they are. I've seen people pay $4,000 for a Used Leisure Bay. Or the pool tables you find at Rec Wharehouse.

Your best bet is to find one you like. Post some pictures of it on here. Then let other mechanics give you their opionions.
 
smittie1984 said:
... You also want to make sure it isn't a one peice...
Click to expand...

Why? I'll admit I don't know the first thing about tables other than I like playing on Diamond Pros more than any other table I've found at pool halls. But I might in the market for a table soon myself and I never considered the 1 piece vs. 3 piece as an advantage or disadvantage. Any input is greatly appreciated.
 
Smittie1984 wrote:
> It depends on how hardcore of a pool player you are.
> Most people I found would probably not notice the
> difference if I set up a Carom table in their basement.

Well, I think I would notice a difference between a Carom and a Pool table ;^)

> Make sure it has slate

It's funny though, one table I looked last night definitely had a slate, yet the balls were rolling on it as if it was particleboard -- even the sound gave away its cheapness; http://www.craigslist.org/pen/spo/149170554.html

> Your best bet is to find one you like. Post some
> pictures of it on here. Then let other mechanics
> give you their opinions.

Okay, here are a few that I'm kind of curious to look at:
http://www.craigslist.org/eby/spo/150329514.html
http://www.craigslist.org/nby/gms/150283060.html
http://www.craigslist.org/eby/spo/150154849.html
http://www.craigslist.org/sby/spo/150016857.html
http://www.craigslist.org/sby/spo/149916503.html
http://www.craigslist.org/eby/spo/149490778.html

I'd certainly appreciate any comments or suggestions.

-- peer
 
The only thing I can tell you is be wary of purchasing tables from Craigslist that sound too good to be true. We weren't looking for anything spectaular and bought a brand new 8x4 from this Santa Clara company

http://www.craigslist.org/sby/spo/149370784.html

We knew it was just a China made table but it looked pretty sturdy for our temporary purposes. Overall, the table is great because we have Simonis on it and the pockets are nice and tight... but cosmetically the thing is practically silly putty. If a dust particle lands on the wood, it'll leave a crater behind. We couldnt figure out why our table was covered in little pock marks and finally i realized it was from placing th chalk back on the rails!

I'd recommend going with something more heavy duty.
 
Good used table

I have a Brunswick Gibson up for sale. It is the modern copy of the Anniversary. Actually heavier than a Gold Crown. New, they sell for about six to seven thou. I will sell this one for three, with all accessories. Only two years old. That price is you come and pick it up in L.A. We will help you load it in your pick up or trailer.

I'm going for a new Diamond.
 
Jay Helfert wrote:
> I have a Brunswick Gibson up for sale.
> It is the modern copy of the Anniversary.

Ohh sweet -- I'd love to have a Brunswick Gibson, but unfortunately it's a bit out of my price range.

-- peer
 
peer:
It's funny though, one table I looked last night definitely had a slate, yet the balls were rolling on it as if it was particleboard -- even the sound gave away its cheapness; http://www.craigslist.org/pen/spo/149170554.html
If you can hear the ball roll it is thin slate. Most likely unbacked and very veiny.

I can tell that most of the tables you are looking at are cheaper tables. I doubt any of them had unbacked slate. One had corner peices of a coin-op and probably is a 1peice. If you show some patience and look around for a month or 2 you will run across a good deal. You just need to have cash or some to put down for when you find it.

Wingsfan:
You can't level a one peice as well as a 3peice. You can only level it by the 4legs. Compared to a 3peice that you can wedge up. On top of pre-leveling hte frame.

The Diamonds Pros (Unless your on the IPT) are 3peice slate tables. Coin-op tables are almost always 1 peice. Also it's hard to find someone who will move a 1peice. Especially for cheap. We do it sometimes but it costs some extra cash. It's just too risky. Get one of those things rolling and you in between it (Which I almost learned the hard way) and you have big problems.
 
Smittie1984 wrote:
> I can tell that most of the tables you are looking at are
> cheaper tables. I doubt any of them had unbacked slate.

I'm sorry to broadcast my ignorance here, but what is an unbacked slate, and how can I tell if a table has one?

-- peer
 
backed slate is a peice of slate that has a wood bottom glued to it. It allows you to have your cloth Stapled compared to glued down. Which allows you to pull the cloth tighter. And it stays tigheter. Your wedges tend to stay in better.

You can usually tell by looking into the pocket and feeling if there is a wood bottom. It should be around 2" thick. Or look under the table. You should see 2 layers of wood. The Crossmember and on top of that the backing of the slate. If you see 1 peice of wood it is unbacked.
 
smittie1984 said:
Coin-op tables are almost always 1 peice. Also it's hard to find someone who will move a 1peice. Especially for cheap. We do it sometimes but it costs some extra cash. It's just too risky. Get one of those things rolling and you in between it (Which I almost learned the hard way) and you have big problems.
Click to expand...

Not only is it hard to find someone to move one peice slates...its harder to find someone that is actually INSURED to move it. We got a substantial discount on our workmans compensation insurance to NOT move one piece slates anymore. It seems half the people moving one peice slates are uninsured yahoos that will run if something gets broken or someone gets hurt. Beware! and good luck.
 
A local company use to sell a lot of 1peice tables. Once it was in your house they would not move it. Most of the time they would refer them to us. We would make a crazy bid for it and if they took it then good if not then even better. We were actually told 1 time we were the only one who even made a bid on a table. The rest wouldn't even come out. Of course they failed to mention it was a 1peice until we arrived.

We do tell them we are not liable for any damage done. If they have a problem with that then they can find someone. We are insured for it but if I'm squashed I don't really care if we are or not. If the table starts running away I'm out of it's way. We will generally only move them if there are no stairs and a straight shot. We do have special dollys we use that allows us to put the table on it's side safely.
 
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