Used table questions

[PDX]

I’m kinda looking for a table and would love a list of does and don’ts when looking over a table.

I did find one table that might be a nice little table, though my ignorance on tables runs deep.

It has a three piece 1” OIS slate by Garbarino and sons. I can’t find a label on the table though.

 

[Kickin' Chicken]

what size table are you wanting and, if I can ask, what's your budget?

Garbarino I believe was a slate provider and some Olhausen tables had them.

 

[PDX]

Ideally I’d love a 9ft, but I think I will need to settle on an 8ft.

My budget, well low at the moment. I don’t need a gold crown, but I also don’t want to waste money on shit.

I took my son out to shoot this weekend and he asked how much a table cost, so I started thinking it might be nice to have one as I do have the room.

 

[Zerksies]

Definately can find name brand tables cheap if they are used. Most people are usually looking to give them away

 

[Jimmorrison]

Find out who the best two table mechanics in your area are. Let them know what you need, and are willing to spend. Let them find the table, and install it. If you have the right guy, your overall cost will be less, and quality of table will be more.

Edit: I should have included picking one of the two. I am not suggesting playing them against each other .

 

[FeelDaShot]

I’m kinda looking for a table and would love a list of does and don’ts when looking over a table.

I did find one table that might be a nice little table, though my ignorance on tables runs deep.

It has a three piece 1” OIS slate by Garbarino and sons. I can’t find a label on the table though.

90% of tables for sale are complete junk. Keep that in mind.

Here a few that are worth purchasing:
1. Diamond (Avoid red label diamonds, the rails play weird)
2. Brunswick Gold Crown
3. Brunswick Sportking
4. Olehousen
5. Gandy

Before buying always test the cushions. Feel every inch of cushion. You're looking for consistent squishiness. If one spot is extra hard or soft, it's not good. Also bounce balls off the rails to make sure there aren't dead spots.

It's also important to test the pockets. Fire balls in from different angles and speeds and make sure the angles of the pocket facings are acceptable. On many old Gold Crowns the pocket facings have deteriorated which opens up the angle of the facing and doesn't allow hard shots to go in. This is hard to fix and can be very frustrating to play on. If you're buying from a residential home, this problem is way less common.

Make sure the table has actual slate and not wood. You can easily tell this by bouncing a few balls off the surface. If wood, the ball won't bounce anything close to how it should.

 

[kling&allen]

Find out who the best two table mechanics in your area are. Let them know what you need, and are willing to spend. Let them find the table, and install it. If you have the right guy, your overall cost will be less, and quality of table will be more.

This 1000 percent. The table mechanic matters more than the table (a good table is terrible if set up wrong).

 

[rexus31]

My budget, well low at the moment.

Can you be more specific ($$$ amount)? "Low" means different things to different people.

 

[PDX]

Can you be more specific ($$$ amount)? "Low" means different things to different people.

I'm thinking around $1k, though I have a feeling that a decent table installed and setup is closer to $2k.

 

[Simplicius]

... On many old Gold Crowns the pocket facings have deteriorated which open ups the angle of the facing and doesn't allow hard shots to go in. This is hard to fix and can be very frustrating to play on...

Say that again!

 

[L.S. Dennis]

Definately can find name brand tables cheap if they are used. Most people are usually looking to give them away

Very true, especially if you find people who are moving and need to get rid of the table in a hurry.

 

[L.S. Dennis]

90% of tables for sale are complete junk. Keep that in mind.

Here a few that are worth purchasing:
1. Diamond (Avoid red label diamonds, the rails play weird)
2. Brunswick Gold Crown
3. Brunswick Sportking
4. Olehousen
5. Gandy

Before buying always test the cushions. Feel every inch of cushion. You're looking for consistent squishiness. If one spot is extra hard or soft, it's not good. Also bounce balls off the rails to make sure there aren't dead spots.

It's also important to test the pockets. Fire balls in from different angles and speeds and make sure the angles of the pocket facings are acceptable. On many old Gold Crowns the pocket facings have deteriorated which opens up the angle of the facing and doesn't allow hard shots to go in. This is hard to fix and can be very frustrating to play on. If you're buying from a residential home, this problem is way less common.

Make sure the table has actual slate and not wood. You can easily tell this by bouncing a few balls off the surface. If wood, the ball won't bounce anything close to how it should.

To make sure it is slate simply crawl underneath the table at look at the bed to make sure that it is.

 

[Kickin' Chicken]

Very true, especially if you find people who are moving and need to get rid of the table in a hurry.

the difficulty, however, might be in coming across an 8 footer whuch the op says is what he needs.

 

[rexus31]

I'm thinking around $1k, though I have a feeling that a decent table installed and setup is closer to $2k.

I would save up for a little bit and get a decent Gold Crown. If you buy and inferior table, you'll eventually want to upgrade and it can be difficult selling an off brand or furniture style table. It's better to save, shop and buy once (what you want).