T.C. NAZ Custom Pool Tables Any Good?

[FastAce]

I'm looking to buy a 7 ft slate pool table. My budget is 3k max. I've been looking on facebook marketplace and craigslist for months and most used tables around the Cleveland Ohio area are old and worn out and 95% of them are 8ft+ tables. I came across a local billiard company that makes custom solid wood tables with 3 piece 1" slate. OTD price for the Wilmington is about 3k, made with solid maple wood. Does anybody have any exprience with T.C. Naz custom pool tables?

The Wilmington table

Constructed from solid wood, the Wilmington table features a classic straight body design and sturdy square legs. Its timeless aesthetic and reliable craftsmanship make it a durable and stylish addition to any billiard room. Comes with choice of black/brown fringe or shield pocket New felt in...

bullseyetcnaz.com

Or I might just get an Imperial "Eliminator" pool table for $2500 OTD with set up. It has 1" slate and a metal frame but not solid wood, however, parts are easy to get and the company has been in business for nearly a half century. I've done research on this forum and many people on this forum don't respect the Imperial tables too much. However, this table is just for recreation and I'll add the competition speed cloth on it.



Should I get the custom solid wood table for $500 more or get the budget Imperial table or just keep waiting for an elusive used Olhausen 7ft table? Used 7ft slate pool tables are hard to come by. My room will only accommodate a 7ft pool table.

My room size is 19.5' x 13' 2", do you think I can get a 8' table instead? if so, this opens more options like getting a used GC or Olhausen table.

 

[VarmintKong]

Call Clark and Son Billiard Supply in Canton and talk to Tim. He’ll be able to set you up with a good used table.

 

[FastAce]

Call Clark and Son Billiard Supply in Canton and talk to Tim. He’ll be able to set you up with a good used table.

Thank for the reply! Clark & Son are great. That's who I was going to get the new Imperial table from. However, after doing more research on here I realize that those cheap mdf tables can end up with bolts lose and not holding up as well over time like the premium tables. My room size is 19.5' x 13'2" which is about the minimum for a 8' table. I think I will just try to find a good used 8' Brunswick GC or Olhausen table like most people seem to recommend on this forum. Buying the used better table can also help keep me from losing money if I sell it.

 

[FastAce]

This guy claims the Imperial plays well and best 2k he spent. He said he was going to get a Diamond but couldn't justify the 8k price. For those of you who say the Diamond will hold its value better, actually, you'll still lose about 2k when you go to sell your diamond table. When you go to sell the $2500 Imperial, you'll lose 2k just as well. I see used imperial eliminator tables sell for $500, it'll always be worth about that on the used market. I see used Diamond tables that sell for 5k-6k, brand new OTD is 7k to 8k. I'd rather pay less up front and lose the same value. Clark & Son recommended the Imperial Eliminator table and will set it up. This guy is a much better player than me and teaches pool and had an elite pool table and got the Imperial eliminator to replace it.

 

[mikemosconi]

Olhausen pockets will drive you crazy - anything above slow speed that touches either pocket point will rebound between the pocket facings like a pinball game and spit the ball back to the table

 

[TheBook]

There are 2 different sizes in 8 ft table. 44 x 88 and 46 x 92. Make sure you get the one that will fit in your space if you decide on getting a 8 ft

 

[boogieman]

Olhausen pockets will drive you crazy - anything above slow speed that touches either pocket point will rebound between the pocket facings like a pinball game and spit the ball back to the table

This is exactly right! The construction quality is decent on them but you have to do some pocket modification to get them to an acceptable level of not rattling out every ball medium speed or over.

You can pretty easily "fix" the rattle like if you got a good deal on a used table but I wouldn't give them business for a new table... not when they refuse to fix a known issue that's been discussed for decades (and wouldn't add any to the cost of manufacturing).

 

[FastAce]

There are 2 different sizes in 8 ft table. 44 x 88 and 46 x 92. Make sure you get the one that will fit in your space if you decide on getting a 8 ft

Did they ever make a Brunswick GC in a regular size 8? All the used GC tables I see on the market have been the oversized 8 ft which I cannot fit in my room. I think might just get the Imperial eliminator with pro pockets and tournament speed cloth like the dude raves about in the video above.

 

[VarmintKong]

Sounds like you’re starting to lean towards an 8’. If that’s the case, you might want to see if Clark and Son have one of their custom tables available that Tim’s dad and grandpa made. From time to time, they’ll get them to refurbish with new rubber and resell.

If I were you, I’d go to Eastlake and check out one of those T.C. Naz tables and then head out to Canton and check out one made by Clark and Son. In this day and age there are so few opportunities to get U.S. made products let alone support some fellow Ohioans. I know it will take a little more leg work, but it’s a pretty major purchase. Find your favorite of the two and pull the trigger.

Can’t speak on T.C Naz, but the Clark and Son tables play great. You don’t run a business for three generations without standing behind your product and I know for a fact Tim backs his up. For example, One of my leather drop pockets started to tear almost a year after I’d bought my table. I called and let Tim know that I understand stuff’s expensive and that it makes sense to re-use what you can, but that pocket should have been replaced. The next day he sent out his guys to make it right.

Here’s to having fun on your new table and that you may forever shoot straight. Cheers!

 

[FastAce]

Sounds like you’re starting to lean towards an 8’. If that’s the case, you might want to see if Clark and Son have one of their custom tables available that Tim’s dad and grandpa made. From time to time, they’ll get them to refurbish with new rubber and resell.

If I were you, I’d go to Eastlake and check out one of those T.C. Naz tables and then head out to Canton and check out one made by Clark and Son. In this day and age there are so few opportunities to get U.S. made products let alone support some fellow Ohioans. I know it will take a little more leg work, but it’s a pretty major purchase. Find your favorite of the two and pull the trigger.

Can’t speak on T.C Naz, but the Clark and Son tables play great. You don’t run a business for three generations without standing behind your product and I know for a fact Tim backs his up. For example, One of my leather drop pockets started to tear almost a year after I’d bought my table. I called and let Tim know that I understand stuff’s expensive and that it makes sense to re-use what you can, but that pocket should have been replaced. The next day he sent out his guys to make it right.

Here’s to having fun on your new table and that you may forever shoot straight. Cheers!

Thanks for the reply. That is a good idea to check out the custom tables. I'm actually leaning towards the 7 ft table for better clearance.
Tim @ Clark and Son is great, he a spent a lot of time with me on the phone answering every question I had. He claims the Imperial Eliminator table is good for the money and had no complaints from his customers over the years and is one their best sellers. I know many people on here trash the Imperial tables but the company been in business since 1955. The lower end tables are made of cheaper materials. I wish I could fit a used GC. Used Damond tables don't come on the market too often and when they do they want 6k and its usually from a pool hall where the tables have been used extensively.

 

[FastAce]

This is a local custom new T.C. Naz table, 1" slate, solid maple wood stained black. 3k OTD brand new for a 7 footer. $300 more than an Imperial Eliminator table. I'd be supporting a local business and getting a quality solid wood table. It takes 4 weeks turn around time. Is it advisable to get a custom pool table? Is this a better option than a budget Imperial Eliminator table? Unfortunately, I can't fit a used GC table, otherwise, that would be my top option.
Normally, I don't like the the look of the leather drop pockets and prefer an enclosed pocket look but the all blacked out on this table looks nice.