Scott Frost's opinion about Predator tables

[Tadaimarlon]

They need to learn how to built pool tables first that'll last more than 5 years if they expect to be the industry standard!!

I don't know anything about the new "predator" tables but SAM is a reputable brand in Spain. I'm born and raised in Spain and the tables in my area were ALL from SAM and they all lasted more than 5 years, my local pool hall still has the 5 SAM 9ft tables they got 20 years ago and they're all in good condition. Never heard anything about the tables becoming junk after 5 years.

It's all we had and they played fine. It's not a diamond table but it's not complete junk either.

 

[RADAR]

Love see good old Brunswick gold crown back in good old USA manufactured!!! Best tables ever!!!! USA USA USA USA

 

[jtompilot]

Love see good old Brunswick gold crown back in good old USA manufactured!!! Best tables ever!!!! USA USA USA USA

Black GC4, best looking table and plays great.

 

[realkingcobra]

I don't know anything about the new "predator" tables but SAM is a reputable brand in Spain. I'm born and raised in Spain and the tables in my area were ALL from SAM and they all lasted more than 5 years, my local pool hall still has the 5 SAM 9ft tables they got 20 years ago and they're all in good condition. Never heard anything about the tables becoming junk after 5 years.

It's all we had and they played fine. It's not a diamond table but it's not complete junk either.

What happened to all the Kim Steel tables Sam's built?

 

[realkingcobra]

OK so no experience with Canada Billiards, got it

and you're recommending Diamond as the best table to get?

Who said I didn't have any experience working on a Black Crown, you're assuming I don't. I don't like the 2x6 frame that supports the slates or the partical board side skirts, or the cheap hardware, but hey, it's Canadian, what can ya say!!

 

[realkingcobra]

Love see good old Brunswick gold crown back in good old USA manufactured!!! Best tables ever!!!! USA USA USA USA

Really? Where in the USA are they being manufactured? You do know Escalade owns the Brunswick pool table manufacturing now, and not Brunswick, right?

 

[realkingcobra]

OK so no experience with Canada Billiards, got it

and you're recommending Diamond as the best table to get?

I asked you which major pool tournaments does Black Crown supply the pool tables for? You didn't answer, is that because most of the major tournaments in Canada are played on Diamonds, and just recently, Predators? Can you name any major pool rooms in the US that have their tables? Does the Black Crown 9ft have ANYTHING that resembles a leveling system installed in the frame, or are the slates still being shimmed with wedges, the old fashion way??

 

[rexus31]

I don't know anything about the new "predator" tables but SAM is a reputable brand in Spain. I'm born and raised in Spain and the tables in my area were ALL from SAM and they all lasted more than 5 years, my local pool hall still has the 5 SAM 9ft tables they got 20 years ago and they're all in good condition. Never heard anything about the tables becoming junk after 5 years.

It's all we had and they played fine. It's not a diamond table but it's not complete junk either.

How many times were those tables carted up and relocated?

 

[DJKeys]

The only problem with your observations is that they're just superficial. Like walking through a newly built home, yep, the walls are all painted, the doors open and close, that the toilet flushed. You missed all the important things, like the rails built out of plywood, the slate has to be lifted up in order to tighten the rail bolts, the leg levelers are cheap, the ball return tracks and gully boots are cheap made, won't last, where are you going to buy those replacement parts? The slate don't mount to the frame of the table, they use buckle seams to hold it to the frame, and the hacks are going to destroy those tables with in 5 years. The fact that Valley tables are built better is an understatement!! AND the playing surface is smaller than a Diamond 7ft, so the Predator isn't even the same size as a Diamond OR Valley!!

You have to lift the slate to adjust the rail bolts?!?! That is insane-

 

[realkingcobra]

OK so no experience with Canada Billiards, got it

and you're recommending Diamond as the best table to get?

The real question here is, now much experience do YOU have when comparing your Black Crown pool table to the rest of the commercial pool tables built today? The important thing here is yes you own a pool table, happy for you, and you should be happy as well. But, that wasn't the question you asked first, now was it? Then you assumed I didn't know anything about the Black Crowns because I didn't agree with you assessment of the table you own in not being a top built pool table. So just so you're aware, yes, I have worked on several of them bought out of Canada, down in Washington state. So, I can say with experience, not one of my favorite pool tables to work on because the frame don't support the slate very well, that's MY experience. The cross members sag when trying to raise the middle of the slates to remove slate sag, and the hardware fir the rails and pocket castings, and even the drop pockets are cheaply made, MY experience!!

Now, how much experience do YOU have in working on pool tables?

 

[realkingcobra]

How many times were those tables carted up and relocated?

Never!!

 

[arnaldo]

The real question here is, now much experience do YOU have when comparing your Black Crown pool table to the rest of the commercial pool tables built today? The important thing here is yes you own a pool table, happy for you, and you should be happy as well. But, that wasn't the question you asked first, now was it? Then you assumed I didn't know anything about the Black Crowns because I didn't agree with you assessment of the table you own in not being a top built pool table. So just so you're aware, yes, I have worked on several of them bought out of Canada, down in Washington state. So, I can say with experience, not one of my favorite pool tables to work on because the frame don't support the slate very well, that's MY experience. The cross members sag when trying to raise the middle of the slates to remove slate sag, and the hardware fir the rails and pocket castings, and even the drop pockets are cheaply made, MY experience!!

Now, how much experience do YOU have in working on pool tables?

RKC: I find your detailing of the exact mechanical reasons behind your opinions to be extremely insightful, informative and respect-worthy. You clearly demonstrate many decades of hands-on experience.

Arnaldo ~ Huge lifetime fan of scientific, medical, and mechanical expertise.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

[Tadaimarlon]

How many times were those tables carted up and relocated?

Probably 0.

 

[rexus31]

Probably 0.

Precisely. Just about any table can be setup to play very good if the table is left stationary. The problem with the SAM built Predator tables is they are of inferior construction to a Diamond and when you start moving them around like Diamonds, the weaknesses are pronounced because they are subject to something they weren't designed for in the first place. Hence, the issues with leveling and splitting finish on the rails.

 

[CanadianGuy]

The real question here is, now much experience do YOU have when comparing your Black Crown pool table to the rest of the commercial pool tables built today? The important thing here is yes you own a pool table, happy for you, and you should be happy as well. But, that wasn't the question you asked first, now was it? Then you assumed I didn't know anything about the Black Crowns because I didn't agree with you assessment of the table you own in not being a top built pool table. So just so you're aware, yes, I have worked on several of them bought out of Canada, down in Washington state. So, I can say with experience, not one of my favorite pool tables to work on because the frame don't support the slate very well, that's MY experience. The cross members sag when trying to raise the middle of the slates to remove slate sag, and the hardware fir the rails and pocket castings, and even the drop pockets are cheaply made, MY experience!!

Now, how much experience do YOU have in working on pool tables?

whoahh, I asked a couple questions dude, that was all,

you seem super wierd and angry

I'll refrain from communicating with you further

 

[Cue Alchemist]

What happened to all the Kim Steel tables Sam's built?

These tables are the ones I know well. All over the UK at one point.
There known for being made of a, all metal construction.there's plenty still around.
At least, over the last 25 years, anyway.
Another table, Sam made called the Magno, for tournaments. With very tight pockets.with Deep shelfs. Definitely the toughest, tables I played on.

 

[rexus31]

whoahh, I asked a couple questions dude, that was all,

you seem super wierd and angry

I'll refrain from communicating with you further

Your "OK so no experience with Canada Billiards, got it and you're recommending Diamond as the best table to get?" comment read pretty passive aggressive to me. I was wholly anticipating you'd receive a snarky reply.

 

[Dead Money]

Yes, it’s a very good table for the $. It looks a lot like the Brunswick Gold Crown.

There have been some posts about them over the years. I think the commentary was along the lines of "they look ok, and play nice but underneath the skin the guts are not as robust as a Real GC or the Brunswicks-" A pro like RKC would see more quality differences than random players I think.

There are some cut away shots on this link.

BLACK CROWN II

EXCEEDING THE EXPECTATIONS OF CHAMPIONS A high quality product made especially to answer the highest of standards in the industry. The Black Crown II is the most sought commercial table. Within major tournaments, it has developed a solid reputation for consistent and quality play. A concept that...

canadabilliard.com

 

[Dead Money]

Doh...late to the party I see RKC commented already.

 

[ChrisinNC]

There have been some posts about them over the years. I think the commentary was along the lines of "they look ok, and play nice but underneath the skin the guts are not as robust as a Real GC or the Brunswicks-" A pro like RKC would see more quality differences than random players I think.

There are some cut away shots on this link.

BLACK CROWN II

EXCEEDING THE EXPECTATIONS OF CHAMPIONS A high quality product made especially to answer the highest of standards in the industry. The Black Crown II is the most sought commercial table. Within major tournaments, it has developed a solid reputation for consistent and quality play. A concept that...

canadabilliard.com

Yes, no question about that, but it is over 50% less the price of a Gold Crown or a Diamond, which is why I said it is a good value table for the $, for those that have a limited budget.