new table

[noRulez]

MDF is not hardwood.

I'm guessing mdf is only used in non structural important parts like under the rail laminate, etc since MDF has no structural value.

 

[Dartman]

just emailed the manufacturer and got an email back within 5 minutes. That's odd! I expected to be waiting for days

The Black Champion is Not a Beringer table, but a table manufactured by Mr. Billiard International - This table features high impact laminate over MDF.

MDF is not hardwood. Here's a used Black Champ for $700 on eBay -
http://cgi.ebay.com/Regulation-Bill...ryZ75198QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Here's a good deal on an Olhausen
http://cgi.ebay.com/Olhausen-8ft-Mo...ryZ21213QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Search around and you will no doubt find something good and save some coin.

 

[Dartman]

I'm guessing mdf is only used in non structural important parts like under the rail laminate, etc since MDF has no structural value.

Mdf, pressboard and particleboard are typically used used in the rails, aprons and legs (the cross-piece) on tables like that.

 

[Dartman]

Oh, I completely understand and really appreciate your input...trust me. I guess what I'm asking is, from what he said, does that sound like a fairly well manufactured table at least?

Several manufacturers make a model similar to the Black Champ. Kasson made one called the Terminator ( we used to be a Kasson dealer). I'll just say it's a decent table in the $1600 - $1900 price range new which would include install, cloth and some sort of play kit. When you spend $2000 and up the table should be all hardwoods (maple laminated or oak rails, hardwood legs, apron, etc. )

 

[noRulez]

Thanks for the wealth of info! I'm going to check out a local place this weekend (Amini's galleria) just to see what's new and how much everything cost. Other than that, I'll be watching ebay for local pool table sales. I checked today and there were a few but nothing that really caught my eye. I agree this is probably the best way. One last parting question: If I were to buy a pool table locally off ebay, how much on average would it cost to get someone to go there, break it down, and set it back up in my house? I'd have to factor that cost into my budget. Or is it all completely different depending upon who you get to do it for you?

 

[Dartman]

Pricing tends to vary so you should call around and ask. Maybe SDBilliards is near you (he posts here) or look at the Mechanics List in the sticky up top.

If you hire someone to do it all figure in the neighborhood of $500. Roughly half that for just a setup.
You can probably do the disassembly yourself (and a helper) and transport to your house. A socket set, crescent wrench, couple of screwdrivers and a razor knife is about all you need. A large head phillips should be used on the slate screws. Just take your time and mark the rails, slate and frame pieces so you have a map of what goes where. Bag all the screws, nuts and bolts. Doing the disassembly/transport yourself should save you some coin and you'll just need someone to setup the table correctly. If the cloth is raggedy this would be the best time to recover. Figure $75-$100 on top of the setup charge plus cloth cost. If the cloth is good be careful removing it so you can reuse it.