Table in my garage.....okay????

8-ball Rat

8-ball Rat

I'll eat you alive.....
Silver Member
Hiya guys,

I spent the better part of my weekend gutting my garage. When I was done, I came to the shocking (and somewhat pleasant) realization that I have enough space for a 9-foot table (available space is roughly 18.5' x 15'.

That's all well and good....but since it IS a garage, I'm wondering whether or not putting a table in there is a bad idea. I'd love to have one...but don't want to waste the money, if it's gonna crumble on me. No HVAC system running...so I'm at the mercy of the outside temp and humidity.

If I did buy one, I had intentions of getting a slate-top OLDER model table. Nothing fancy, of course...just a solid table to play on.

Would I be making a huge mistake in doing so...or would a table be "relatively" fine in a garage?

All opinions/experience is appreciated, sirs.

Mark
 
when you put a table in the garage the floor has a slope to it @ the back of the garage the table hieght could be 29"top of the slate, and by the garage door it might be 30-32" because of slope to let any water run out of the garage.so you might have to use plywood squares or some 2x4 material as shims under the legs to keep level.

Some floors are not as extreme look at your mud sile or probably easier justr take a 2x4"x 8' and put level on it. most floors are off just 1" or 2" at the most.

Tempature will sometimes cause the wood frame or slates to move alittle so use BONDO on the seams and the slate should be just fine. If you use wax or durhams putty you might get a speed bump or divet if the slate or wood expands and shrinks from tempature swings.

Keep a solid thick cover on the table so sun light cant get to the rails and harden the rubber if you leave the door open alot.

Craig
 
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Having a garage table makes sense in California, but with the 4-season dampness in DC, hot summers, and cold winters, I think you need climate control.

If your garage has a ceiling (other than rafters), you could probably do it with a wall mounted heat pump (like they use in motel rooms). If you are willing to sweat out the summers, there are a number of affordable garage heating options, including electric, infrared, and propane.
 
Hi, Mark

I think a 9 footer is gonna be a little tight in there. I always figure on needing a minimum of 6' from each rail. Not having enough room sucks. It would be better to have a smaller table and adequate room for your cue travel.

Just my opinion, and I may have misunderstod your dimensions.

Good luck, and enjoy.

DRawls
 
Yeah, you better go with a 4x8 for that garage... otherwise you might backstroke a Black Boar through the siding!
 
You only need 5 feet on all four sides if the cue ball is frozen to the rail and your shooting perpindicular to the rail not jacked up. I agree 6' is nice but most cues are 57" or 58" make sure you have the most room were you rack the balls at the foot rail because this is were you play 75% of the time.

8' table will give him an extra 3" on the long rails and 6" on the short rails of extra stroke room when the cue ball is frozen to the rails and your shooting straight across the table.

Go with what you feel comfortable with. I currently have my 9' in a room 14'9"x 19'7" works great for me no furniture. I just bought a 5x10 and thionking of stuffing it in the room and selling my gc4. I also play with a 60" Bob Hunter cue and my other cues are 57" Hunters also.

Craig
 
Thanks for the inputs thusfar, ya'll. I had always heard that 5 feet all the way around was perfect for a table.......and truth be told, I'd love to be able to stick to a 9-footer, as that's all I ever like to play on.

Any insights as to the effects of heat/cold/humidity??? I can understand that a swamp cooler setup would be preferable....but assuming I can't do that, will a table be alright in the elements, albeit enclosed? HVAC isn't really a viable option for me....so wondering if I can make due with a space heater or two in the winter, and just gut-out the summer months.

Thanks again, and please keep the inputs coming!!!!

BillYards - BITE YOUR TONGUE FOR EVEN THINKING ABOUT ME DAMAGING MY BLACK BOAR!!!!!!! Now I'm gonna have nightmares!!!
 
I'm in California don't see much snow here @ my friends house we insulated the garage sheetracked it and tapped into the hvac lines and plumbed some vents into the garage and installed a whole house fan in the attic to blow out the heat in the summer.

I wouldn't recommend a swamp cooler it creates to much moisture on the table it will play real slow.Slate can move from to much moisture it will absorb it like a sponge and grow think shrink when it dries.

If you can tap into your hvac lines and run some vents to the garage i think you might like it. If I keep giving you ideas i'm gona make you spaend money do the work and have a nice garage.

Do what you can think it out and best of luck with what you do.

Craig
 
I also live in CA. I put tables in the garage all the time. The cushions might not last as long. I don't know about other parts of the country. As for space give yourself at least 60" from the playing field.
 
I keep oak and poplar boards in my garage (temps range from -10 to 110F), and haven't had much warping. Having said that, I wouldn't keep my pool cue out there.

If you are getting a used table for under $1000, and can put up with the elements, I'd say go for it, as it is really nice to have a home table.

My guess is that you are going to want some measure of climate control sooner rather than later. But, if you have cross ventilation, fans, and play after dark or early in the morning, you may be OK until December. They do make big screen doors for garage doors, and that would certainly help in the summer.

Make sure you don't keep gasoline in there if you will be using any type of heater with a flame or hot electric elements. Boom.
 
Yeah....I would hazard a guess that my "dead of summer" playing will be regulated to later evenings or early mornings. Fall and Spring....no problems. Winter time...out come the space heaters (with room to vent, of course). I could tap into the HVAC, but would prefer not to, if at all possible.

My primary concern is warpage and such.....but again, I don't plan on putting a GoldCrown IV in there. Probably a used poolroom table, or some such beast.

Thanks much for all the inputs, ya'll. Looks as though I've got some planning to do. I may even wind up with an 8-footer....or oversized 8, just to be safe, space-wise.

Shoot 'em straight, ya'll.

Mark
 
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