When buying a "USED" pool table, particularly a Brunswick Gold Crown!!!

realkingcobra

realkingcobra

Well-known member
Silver Member
Look people, if you're in the market to buy a used GC of any model, make sure you know what you're getting yourself into first. Ask questions, like who worked on it last...do you have his phone number so I can ask him about the table you're offering for sale?

Do you know much about the table you're offering for sale?

I'm going to give all of you some questions to ask of anyone selling a Diamond or Gold Crown that you can ask first...and get answers to...before you pull the trigger on buying a pool table....so maybe you'll avoid what happened to Kyle....when he bought a GC1/2/3....made up of all different GC parts, including the slates....2 head end unmatching slates, and a center slate out of some other set of slates...different thicknesses and all. This is what $1,000 bought...sight unseen, but swarn to be in great shape...GC3!

Lets start with what the slates looked like when I got to the location to pick up this table:grin:
 
mixed GC slates.JPG

mixed GC slates (2).JPG

mixed GC slates (3).JPG

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mixed GC slates (5).JPG
 
mixed GC slates (21).JPG

That is what I saw when Zack and I took this table apart to move it from Reno up to Idaho to Kyle's awaiting house...and proud new table owner:rolleyes:
 
Clearly somebody mixed up tables 8 and 14!:eek::wink: Probably a couple other #s too!

Thank God there are competent table mechanics out there that can not only prevent these kinds of things from happening, they can fix it when them does happen!
 
I can imagine that awful feeling you get in your stomach when something like this happens... Where do you start in fixing this?
 
This table had 2 head end slates 1" thick with 1" wood backing, and the reason I say head slates is because there was no relief in the foot slate to allow room for the score counters, so Zach had to grind off the edge of the slate to allow room for the score counters...turning one head slate into an end slate. Then the center slate was from a newer version GC3 because though it was 1" thick, it only had a 3/4" backer board, so it didn't match up with the other slates at all, which is why all the plaster from the last mechanic.

The rail skirts were from GC1's and 2's, while the ball box was from a GC3. Legs were from a GC3, but the frame was from a GC2, and the cross members were from a GC1. Rails...they were the only thing matching, as well as the pocket castings. Ball return was GC3.

It took Zach 2 full days to level the slates, fill and glue the seams. Then apply bondo to the seams, and sand it flat using my special tools to insure the slate and seams were flat and wouldn't cause any balls to roll off, so even though the slates were really pretty much screwed...he made them turn out perfect.

Not going to bore you with all the details, but after all the prep work was done, and the rails gone through, cushions reglued, facings replaced, Zach installed the cloth on the rails and slate...this job from hell was over.

In the following pictures, you can see the table turned out as perfect as could be with what we had to work with, Kyle was just blown away that it could even be fixed up....let alone the way it turned out as a finished product as well....as Zach:grin:

Zach learned quite a bit about being a billiards technician on this table....you can take that to the bank:grin:

Great job Zach, customers in Phoenix have no clue what they're getting when you finish up training buddy....but they'll find out soon enough once you get back home....and schools out!!!

Final table (3).JPG

Final table (4).JPG

Final table (5).JPG

Final table (7).JPG

Glen, the "Realkingcobra"...with a watchfull eye on Zack...believe me people...he's an upcoming great, top of the line "Billiards Technician":grin:
 
Are my rails going to look like that with the new Cobrajigged subrail to fit Artemis K55 ? :-)

and sand it flat using my special tools to insure the slate and seams were flat and wouldn't cause any balls to roll off, so even though the slates were really pretty much screwed...he made them turn out perfect.
Click to expand...
Sanding block ? lol
 
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Glen,
Just amazing. Could you train someone in my area, still waiting for your next visit.
Let me know,
All the best,
Tom
 
Kyles not the only one blown away. I figured you'd update us with how you had to start the Crowndiamond early for Kyle. lol
Way to go Zach and RKC!
 
It is an awesome playing table. When they rolled in I was seriously considering putting it in the shed and looking for another table. Those guys do outstanding work. I am very pleased with how it turned out.
 
Idaho said:
It is an awesome playing table. When they rolled in I was seriously considering putting it in the shed and looking for another table. Those guys do outstanding work. I am very pleased with how it turned out.
Click to expand...

It was a little scary looking at first but it sure turned out great! I am glad I got to work on your table and glad you are happy with it.

--Zach

P.s. Tell your wife thanks for the banana bread. It was tasty!!
 
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