help with choosing a table manufacturer

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rlahiri

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We are looking into buying a pool table for our home. I stopped by a local dealer the other day who carries DLT pool tables - are those a good choice? We are not hardcore pool players but we do want something that will look nice and play well, especially as we improve. Access is tough into our basement and I asked about a knockdown table...the woman at the store said that they could take apart the frame for any of their tables (even those not designed as KD) and put them together in the room and it wouldn't affect the quality of the table. Is that true? Also, we probably will leave the pool table in the house when we sell it, so we want something that will hold up well. The table I liked at the dealer was full hardwood (so she said) with accessory pack and delivery for $2695...I apologize that I don't have a model name. Is there anything else we should be considering in the <$3500 range?

We live in Seattle, btw, so AZ-local dealers probably won't do us much good. These are more just general questions from somebody without much experience.

thanks a bunch.
 
pool table

I would suggest a diamond pool table. They play with the best of them and are a beautifully made table.
 
I also live in the Seattle area and visited a few places.

The one mistake I made was I went ahead and bought a brand new table. If I had it all to do over again I would have went on craigslist and found a nice used table and paid someone to move/set it up in my house.

I went to some place locally that sold spa's and pool tables and I was not impressed with their tables at all and after doing some research about the company, I forget the name now though but will try to find the brochure, I found alot of people complaining about after a few years the joints shifting and the legs shifting and the table becoming unlevel and loose.

After that I went to ABC Billiards over in Lynnwood and bought an olhausen table there. It was more money, about $800 more, than what the other place wanted for their tables but the people there didn't try to tell me 9999 stories why their tables were great and others were junk and they weren't pushy at all. The other place kept pestering me to put a down payment "right now" to lock in a price and other similiar sales tactics.

They came down 3 days after my closing date and did what I consider to be a wonderful job of setting up the table. It plays great, has stayed perfectly level for 2 years now and I am extremely happy with it and the service they gave me.

Diamonds are AWSEOME tables and if I had it all to do over again I would find someone selling a used diamond but I am happy with mine none the less and I play 4-5 hours per day on it so it gets a workout :)

One thing though, when you buy your table, spend the extra cash for top end cloth. I made the mistake of not doing that and it's the one thing I regretted but I don't want to recover it till needed so I am still playing on it heh.
 
For 9 foot tables, the only choices are Brunswick, Diamond or Olhausen in no particular order.
For a bar size table go with a Valley Cougar.

For the budget you have any of the above are within reach, even if you have to "shop around" a bit. Don't get some off name brand table that alot of pool/spa/billiard stores sell. They are for the most part junk, and you will notice the first time you hear the balls roll on the "slate"...

My ex father in law bought one from a spa/pool type place here called Watson's. I swore that it had a wood bed under the cloth even though I watched the guys install the damn thing.:rolleyes:
 
Here ya go:

http://www.abcbilliards.net/

This is also where I got my table. Not pushy, very knowledgeable. They also occasionally have used tables, but they do brisk business, so you go to be there at the right time. FYI...if you arrive with cold hard cash in hand, they may cut you a break on the pricing. They did for me...by about 200.00-300.00. Also, the price quoted for the table will include delivery and set-up....at leaset it used to. It has been about 5 years since I got mine from them. I have one similar to the one below.

Lisa
 

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Sore_Aintya said:
For 9 foot tables, the only choices are Brunswick, Diamond or Olhausen in no particular order.
For a bar size table go with a Valley Cougar.
For the budget you have any of the above are within reach, even if you have to "shop around" a bit. Don't get some off name brand table that alot of pool/spa/billiard stores sell. They are for the most part junk, and you will notice the first time you hear the balls roll on the "slate"...

My ex father in law bought one from a spa/pool type place here called Watson's. I swore that it had a wood bed under the cloth even though I watched the guys install the damn thing.:rolleyes:
Click to expand...


I think I would go with the Diamond Bar Box over the VC...


I would tend to agree with the other posters that have said to seek out the used market...Whatever you do it would be best if you knew someone that knew something about tables and could give you some guidance...

Buying a NEW pool table is like buying a brand new car...It plummits in value by the time it is set up...
 
We need an 8' table...don't have room for a 9'. My concern with a used table is that it'll need to be taken apart to get into our house. There's no way an assembled frame will make it into our basement (old house, narrow staircases). Can pool movers take apart existing assembled tables and put them back together without compromising the construction of the table, especially if they aren't specific KD tables?
 
Table Buying

GTeye said:
The one mistake I made was I went ahead and bought a brand new table. If I had it all to do over again I would have went on craigslist and found a nice used table and paid someone to move/set it up in my house.
Click to expand...

Heh GTEYE - What is "Craigslist"???
 
connelly

Has anyone played on Connelly tables? I know they deliver and assemble professionally for about $300 but I've never played on one of their tables. They make absolutely beautiful tables, just want to know about their quality.
 
I will also chime in on buying used. If you are not in a rush you can watch craigslist a short while and find a great table. Home pool tables, even good ones, really don't hold their value. This is because a lot of people buy them, don't use them much, then don't want to bother moving them when they move out of a house. As for brand, you already have a lot of good suggestions in this thread.

Don't worry about moving a table from where you buy it to your house, that is not a problem. Tables don't come as one big frame. They are parts that will get assembled in your home. Most stores that sell tables will also move and set up a used table for you for less than a few hundred dollars.
 
If I had it to do all over again, I would have bought used...but I didn't know as much then as I know now.:o

Please bear in mind if going the used route, since you mentioned that you have very narrow stairs to your basement, make sue and ask if the table has a 1pc or 3pc slate bed. You may have some issues getting a 1pc slate bed down those stairs. With a newer table, everything is 'broken' down, including the slate, making for easier shipping, deliver, and set-up.

Seriously, go talk to the guys @ ABC Billiards, they know their stuff, are long established in the area, ONLY sell pool tables and equipment...no spas. Explain to them your unique situation...I am sure they will have suggestions.

Lisa
 
If I had it to do all over again, I would have bought used...but I didn't know as much then as I know now.:o

Please bear in mind if going the used route, since you mentioned that you have very narrow stairs to your basement, make sue and ask if the table has a 1pc or 3pc slate bed. You may have some issues getting a 1pc slate bed down those stairs. With a newer table, everything is 'broken' down, including the slate, making for easier shipping, deliver, and set-up.

Seriously, go talk to the guys @ ABC Billiards, they know their stuff, are long established in the area, ONLY sell pool tables and equipment...no spas. Explain to them your unique situation...I am sure they will have suggestions. Plus, as I have previously stated, the delivery and set-up is included in the price. You may have to wait a month if they have nothing in stock, as they will order the table for you just as you like it.

Lisa
 
I live in the Portland area south of you and there are usually 10-15 tables for sale all the time down here on craigslist. You should have several in your area for sale right now. Read up on what constitutes good table construction, then you'll have a tool to use when you go look at them. Don't listen to the sales people. Listen to the people who have bought them, had them installed, and played on them. Then go tell the sales people what you want and see what they can come up with. As has been said, most tables break down into pieces that can be installed anywhere. Above the price of the table you will need (if not included) a good ball set, rack (get a hardwood rack), a wall rack for extra cues, some extra cues, chalk, and a bridge. You will most likely want to upgrade the cloth and possibly the cushions. It's cheaper to buy the cloth yourself and have them install it. Most companies use the cheapest cushion rubber they can find. It may also be cheaper to source the rail rubber yourself. Figure $3-400 for the install, $100-150 for the cloth, and I'm not sure about the rubber. Extra cues are around $20 for one piece house cues. $50 will get you an inexpensive wall rack and a hardwood ball rack. Bridge heads and shafts are cheap as well, <$20. Ball sets start at around $50 but you'll probably want to spend the money to get a good set for around $120 or so.
 
BRKNRUN said:
I think I would go with the Diamond Bar Box over the VC...
Click to expand...

I thought of that but since he is not real serious and just a "casual" player the Diamond Barbox might not be cost wise versus a Valley. Not to mention, try finding a used Diamond 7 footer..Ive tried and cant find any used.:(


rlahiri you positive you cant fit a 9 footer? If 8 foot will fit maybe you can squeeze another foot on each side. If not, Id just go for a BarBox type table. Personal preference I know, but I cant stand 8 foot tables.
 
Pretty sure on the 9' - I don't have my room measurements handy but I remember that when I measured it was just barely big enough for an 8' table with reasonable space around it. What's wrong with 8' tables and why would you recommend a 7' instead (that's what you mean by bar box, right?). We aren't ever going to be terribly serious about pool, but I do plan on practicing a decent amount and would like to get pretty good...everything I've read says get the biggest table you can fit, so that's why I'm thinking 8' over 7'.

thanks.
 
rlahiri said:
We are looking into buying a pool table for our home. I stopped by a local dealer the other day who carries DLT pool tables - are those a good choice? We are not hardcore pool players but we do want something that will look nice and play well, especially as we improve. Access is tough into our basement and I asked about a knockdown table...the woman at the store said that they could take apart the frame for any of their tables (even those not designed as KD) and put them together in the room and it wouldn't affect the quality of the table. Is that true? Also, we probably will leave the pool table in the house when we sell it, so we want something that will hold up well. The table I liked at the dealer was full hardwood (so she said) with accessory pack and delivery for $2695...I apologize that I don't have a model name. Is there anything else we should be considering in the <$3500 range?

We live in Seattle, btw, so AZ-local dealers probably won't do us much good. These are more just general questions from somebody without much experience.

thanks a bunch.
Click to expand...
I encourage you and anyone else to contact Breakers in Columbus, Georgia to take those awful... I mean wonderful Legacy tables so they can replace them with Diamonds. The purple, yellow, and red cloth will perfectly accent any room in your home.

Seriously, I'd go with a Diamond barbox if I were you. If I were me, I wouldn't settle for anything less than a 9ft cherry Diamond with tournament blue Simonis cloth, and I when I finally buy a house, I will base my selection on the measurements to accommodate it.
 
Like I said, my personal preference.
Its hard pressed to find any tournaments in my area on 8 footers. Only place I know of in my immedient area with them is my local Eagles Lodge.

For the most part, I think 8 foot tables are marketed for homes. Ideally, you want to practice on the same table you will play competitive on, which is another reason I would recommend a 7 (BarBox) or 9 foot table.

In the end the choice is your to make you are the one that has to live with what you buy, and as long as you are happy that's all the matters in the long run.:)
Just take the advice that many has given and "shop around" for one of the Big 3 table manufacturers that has been listed. You have the budget, now you must find the table.:D
 
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