Help Choosing A New or Used Pool Table
2/17/2010 11:28:27 AM
Help Choosing A New or Used Pool Table
I'm just about finished remodeling my basement as a games room and am currently researching and shopping for a 4'x8' pool table. I am thinking about a used pool table given the big depreciation. I am not sure that it makes sense to buy a new pool table, especially for a first pool table.
I've always loved billiards and have always wanted a pool table, though I haven't played a lot in my 54 years. So, I'm a relative newbie. I'm familiar with the Brunswick brand and have just assumed they are quality tables, but even they have entry-level price points. Are the low-end Brunswick pool tables any good? I've read here that Brunswick, Olhausen, Diamond, and Connelly are good brands, so I'll be keeping my eye out for those (again, in consideration of hoping to recognize cheaper, entry-level offerings). Are there any pool table brands to watch-out for, or stay away from?
In my research, I've noticed that a lot of swimming pool and spa places or online retailers sell pool tables, sometimes under their own name. Those big-box private label pool tables look good, but to the unsuspecting, are they really? They are probably Chinese imports (or imports from any other similar country) and not that China quality can't be good these days for some commodities, but I don't know how this is perceived in the billiards world. Are these tables the kind to avoid and if so, why?
There are two used pool tables I'm considering that I'd appreciate an opinion about. 1. The first is a 10 year old Brunswick, lightly used according to the owner. Not sure of the model (yet). The owner says the actual table is exactly like in the pic below. It's currently dismantled and in storage. Because I'm familiar with guitars and the ravages humidity/dryness can inflict on wood, I'm not sure I'd be able to detect if there are such problems with a dismantled table. Should I be concerned about this or unlike guitars with very thin woods, are the thicker woods used in pool tables less of a concern? The owner is asking * The first is a 10 year old Brunswick, lightly used according to the owner. Not sure of the model (yet). The owner says the actual table is exactly like in the pic below. It's currently dismantled and in storage. Because I'm familiar with guitars and the ravages humidity/dryness can inflict on wood, I'm not sure I'd be able to detect if there are such problems with a dismantled table. Should I be concerned about this or unlike guitars with very thin woods, are the thicker woods used in pool tables less of a concern? The owner is asking $1450 CAD, negotiable. * The other table is a 20-25 year old "Revere" pool table by Brunswick. I tried a search here and came-up with nothing. Anyone know any information about a Brunswick Revere pool table model? It has new banks/cushions and felt as of 2 years ago, and has had only 4 uses since. Very light usage overall. Owner is asking $1000 CAD, slightly negotiable. It appears dirty in the pics, the owner says because of basement construction dust but that it's been covered and the wood is flawless.450 CAD, negotiable.2. The other table is a 20-25 year old "Revere" pool table by Brunswick. I tried a search here and came-up with nothing. Anyone know any information about a Brunswick Revere pool table model? It has new banks/cushions and felt as of 2 years ago, and has had only 4 uses since. Very light usage overall. Owner is asking * The first is a 10 year old Brunswick, lightly used according to the owner. Not sure of the model (yet). The owner says the actual table is exactly like in the pic below. It's currently dismantled and in storage. Because I'm familiar with guitars and the ravages humidity/dryness can inflict on wood, I'm not sure I'd be able to detect if there are such problems with a dismantled table. Should I be concerned about this or unlike guitars with very thin woods, are the thicker woods used in pool tables less of a concern? The owner is asking $1450 CAD, negotiable. * The other table is a 20-25 year old "Revere" pool table by Brunswick. I tried a search here and came-up with nothing. Anyone know any information about a Brunswick Revere pool table model? It has new banks/cushions and felt as of 2 years ago, and has had only 4 uses since. Very light usage overall. Owner is asking $1000 CAD, slightly negotiable. It appears dirty in the pics, the owner says because of basement construction dust but that it's been covered and the wood is flawless.000 CAD, slightly negotiable. It appears dirty in the pics, the owner says because of basement construction dust but that it's been covered and the wood is flawless. I'm pretty sure age of a pool table shouldn't be an issue if it's been well cared for and especially if lightly used. I'm a bit partial to the claw and ball look, but the Revere looks like it could be very nice too.
Help Choosing A New or Used Pool Table
Replies & Comments
Mitch Alsup on 2/17/2010 6:52:43 PM
Option 1: For the top table, you will need to get your head under the table and see if the structure is veneer, outer layer hard wood, or solid hardwood. There are a lot of tables with the major structure made from particle boards and have a veneer covering to make it look good. Another rank in the quality spectrum has a solid wood outer layer 3/4" thick (or so) and then the rest of the structure is particle board/soft woods. While better than veneer, its not as sturdy as solid wood and is something I would stay away from.
Option 2: If you look very carefully at the purple felted table, It is clear that this is a snooker table from the shapes of the pockets. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it is not a regulation pocket billiards table (e.g. pool table).
TommyCanuck on 2/18/2010 8:27:28 AM
Thanks Mitch. I'm such a cue sports newbie, I don't even recognize a snooker table from a pool table. When I've played snooker in the past, I do seem to recall the pocket opening being smaller, if that's an indication. I prefer snooker as a game, but I think a pool table is what I should be looking to buy.
Thanks also for the insight into pool table construction. I'll only be a recreational player in my home, so I'm further wondering if I need not be overly concerned about this. My budget is about $1500 to $1750 (or a bit higher for a real good table) and my assumption is that I should be able to get a table not too old that originally sold for $3000 to 3500 plus tax when new.
I guess I should be able to get a pretty good table for my needs, as you say, possibly of outer layer hardwood (or solid wood outer layer 3/4" thick and then the rest of the structure is particle board/soft woods)?
I don't know if you need to be "overly" concerned with the wood issue I raised above. But you should understand how the table was constructed to understand what its value might be.
A table that originally retailed in the $3000+ range should be solid hardwood through and through.
Does anyone have an idea which model the 10 year old Brunswick table in the top photo might be? Could it be a Brunswick Sheldon pool table? Was Brunswick producing the Sheldon pool table around the year 2000? I've tried searching the web but haven't been able to find out.
Help Choosing A New or Used Pool Table
- Title: Help Choosing A New or Used Pool Table
- Author: TommyCanuck (Tom Guertin)
- Published: 2/17/2010 11:28:27 AM
