Where Do Tables Go To Die?

C

carl.j

Active member
With the multitude of table threads on this forum and the ongoing discussions about which tables are better (or worse), I'm curious to know what happens to tables when they've reached the end of their life.

I assume some find there way into people's homes with others on a scrap heap as they're worn beyond repair. Maybe some even get upcycled with slate being repurposed!
 
I've been in the flooring business for 43 years and have probably measured 20,000 or so houses in person.
You would be amazed at how many pool tables I've seen that are being used as craft tables,laundry tables and junk stored on them.
On the other hand I've seen a lot of true antique tables that just amazed me and are still being used as pool tables.
 
Back in 1974, we (the frat house brothers) completely rebuilt the wooden supports that hold the staples keeping the cloth tight.
The table at that time was from 1914, and we probably gave it enough added life to make it to the present day.

If the tables are not being disassembled (farther than required to get new cloth)
and if the wood that takes the staples/brads is replaced every 50-odd years,
their life is essentially infinite ≈ 200 years.
 
carl.j said:
With the multitude of table threads on this forum and the ongoing discussions about which tables are better (or worse), I'm curious to know what happens to tables when they've reached the end of their life.

I assume some find there way into people's homes with others on a scrap heap as they're worn beyond repair. Maybe some even get upcycled with slate being repurposed!
Click to expand...

My family room table is a recycle. Slate (1" Italian) came from a scraped table in the 40s, carved sold oak legs came from another, and we built the frame and rails from scratch. Oak timbers for the frame came from a shipyard, salvaged from something. Beefy full dimensional stuff. 12"/14" x 4"+ iirc. Been a great playing table going on like 40 years now.
 
carl.j said:
With the multitude of table threads on this forum and the ongoing discussions about which tables are better (or worse), I'm curious to know what happens to tables when they've reached the end of their life.

I assume some find there way into people's homes with others on a scrap heap as they're worn beyond repair. Maybe some even get upcycled with slate being repurposed!
Click to expand...

Facebook Marketplace (and Craigslist) are filled with listings for old tables. Many are in good condition but I suspect lots wind up in the dump.
 
carl.j said:
With the multitude of table threads on this forum and the ongoing discussions about which tables are better (or worse), I'm curious to know what happens to tables when they've reached the end of their life.

I assume some find there way into people's homes with others on a scrap heap as they're worn beyond repair. Maybe some even get upcycled with slate being repurposed!
Click to expand...
I'm looking at a piece of bar table slate that I had broken while moving it and recut to use as a table top. My cats love it it's nice and cool to lay on.
In general though unless they get burnt up in a fire or something pool tables are around for a hell of a long time. I've got two right now and one is over a hundred years old and the other is a gold crown that must be at least 50 years old.
edit
I forgot I had this one also. The slates are in the garage and the rest is in the attic. It is an old Saunier Wilhem built not sure of the year but it's old. . I found a picture on the net that looks just like it, although I haven't looked at it in years.
 

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middleofnowhere said:
I'm looking at a piece of bar table slate that I had broken while moving it and recut to use as a table top. My cats love it it's nice and cool to lay on.
In general though unless they get burnt up in a fire or something pool tables are around for a hell of a long time. I've got two right now and one is over a hundred years old and the other is a gold crown that must be at least 50 years old.
Click to expand...

Gee, there must be thousands of good mechanics out there keeping all of these in perfect condition.

sorry,


Jeff Livingston
 
measureman said:
I've been in the flooring business for 43 years and have probably measured 20,000 or so houses in person.
You would be amazed at how many pool tables I've seen that are being used as craft tables,laundry tables and junk stored on them.
On the other hand I've seen a lot of true antique tables that just amazed me and are still being used as pool tables.
Click to expand...
That’s a lot of squares, wow

Respect,
Fatboy
 
carl.j said:
With the multitude of table threads on this forum and the ongoing discussions about which tables are better (or worse), I'm curious to know what happens to tables when they've reached the end of their life.

I assume some find there way into people's homes with others on a scrap heap as they're worn beyond repair. Maybe some even get upcycled with slate being repurposed!
Click to expand...
Craigslist.
 
chefjeff said:
Gee, there must be thousands of good mechanics out there keeping all of these in perfect condition.

sorry,


Jeff Livingston
Click to expand...
Now that I think about it I'm probably referring to commercial quality tables. I know I've seen tables on the side of the road on bulk trash day like the ones you would buy at Sears with the fiber board beds and so on. Those tables over time just fall apart, they have no value whatsoever.
 
middleofnowhere said:
Now that I think about it I'm probably referring to commercial quality tables. I know I've seen tables on the side of the road on bulk trash day like the ones you would buy at Sears with the fiber board beds and so on. Those tables over time just fall apart, they have no value whatsoever.
Click to expand...
Maybe Sears and JC Higgins’ tables are in the Smithsonian.
 
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