One of my dad's favorite sayings was "It's like painting your house with cheap paint,"
His point was that the labor, time and inconvenience was the same whether you choose quality paint that will last, or inferior paint which will be in need of the same replacement headaches as when first applied; and very soon thereafter, and then at nearly twice the cost of a good first application.
Perhaps you can look at this as a longer term project. Mr. Gideon has the idea. Perhaps hold out for a deal on an old Gold Crown. Have it professionally set up and maybe even make do with some raggedy old cloth for a while 'til you can do it up right.
All my life I lived with tables that I was constantly apologizing for. They'd spit balls back, and roll very badly. Once you've got a solid foundation with a used commercial table, the rest in chump change. It will be a table that you will truly be proud of, enjoy playing on, and it'll outlast you to be passed on to your son, etc.
You can also visit some local pool establishments, and ask if they have a table for sale, and if not, network with them to locate a house that has a table, or as Gideon suggests, an installer who may. Many folks move and can't take the table with them, move in and don't wan't the table, etc.
All my life I dreamt of a Brunswick Anniversary, and when I moved to Denver, I found the exact table right downtown. Make your dreams come true. Don't intentionally go out and spend your hard earned money on just more frustration.
Another hackneyed phrase is "If the job is worth doing, it's worth doing well." Sorry for all the cliches, but at 68, I've finally learned to listen to others that have suffered in the same situation. I'm not at all an expert, but I feel I've been where you currently are.
