Love an opinion

[mudrummer]

Hey guys, hate to do this on the first post so feel free to flame away but I have the chance to purchase a table that was custom made by Bailey Construction out of Kansas City. Here is a link to their page, the table in question is shown in the top photo:

http://www.baileyconstruction.info/25601.html

The table is made of solid mahogany with three piece one inch slate. It is in used condition, and I am guessing was made 20-30 years ago. It does need new felt. Can anyone who looks at used tables on a regular basis give me a feel for what a fair value on this type of table would be?

Another option I am looking at is this A.E. Schmidt table:
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/spo/2725967860.html

Love opinions on both or either. Thanks!

 

[DallasHopps]

Welcome to the forum! The only input I can offer is with regards to the first table... it looks like the ball return collection area is tiny- that might get old if you're playing often. Grabbing 1-2 balls at a time when racking, or trying to search through the tiny opening to retrieve a cue ball after a scratch is annoying.

 

[mudrummer]

Dallas thanks for the reply and good point on the return. The return is fairly unique. Rather than ball tracks it is an open return - i.e. there is a slightly sloped piece of wood on the bottom of the cabinet that is lined with cloth, the pockets simply empty onto this and feed the balls to the opening. The cloth keeps it completely silent. I went and looked at the table yesterday and it is rock solid.

Purchase price on the table is $400. At this point I am trying to decide if it is worth the investment (new cloth, moving, setup etc.) The wood (African Mahogany) and slate on the table seem to be worth the purchase price but it is tough for me to value a used pool table as this would be the first one I have purchased.

Any insight on if $400 is a good value would be appreciated. Here are a couple of photos of the table in question.