Forum Lurker
|
Hello all.
I am brand new here,and the reason I am here is because I found what I thought was a awesome deal on craigslist- A Fischer pool table from the Tipton mfg era.
( Got it for $20.00 )
It is a home model , ( I don't know the year ), I don't know which model it is though, it's not as fancy as most I have read about here.
It has laminated particle board rail's ( with 2 rotating score dials on the breaking end ) The bumpers are intact and still wrapped with cloth and do not seem damaged . The side boards are also particle wood, the rest ( inner support ) is plywood, except for the legs they're 2x6 built squares with 2 angled support struts- I have no clue if they are original . It has no ball return , just the catch pockets . The thickness if the body without the legs is about 9 and a half inches . Wood , as it is , seems good , it's solid , but the felt was trashed . It seems that most of the things you can tighten are loose , but after looking close and inspecting it , it seems to be all there and intact . On the bottom of the slate it has -
Fischer 8.74 pl |(1
2516 ,86
It has 2 metal tags in one side, one is the Fischer logo, the other is the serial number tag
- ( A 63019 ) . I am aware that this is meaningless now that Tipton Mfg. is no more and the records are gone, but I thought ***MAYBE*** someone might know something about it.
So , my questions are :
1. Does any one know what model it is ?
2. Is it a standard size ? ( I have to re felt it , and if it's not , I don't want to pay for a felt kit that will not fit )
3. I really don't like particle wood, and I want to add a ball return , so is it feasible to build a cabinet for the slate with more substance IE room for the return and some style ?
I can build it myself *** at least up to the rail system*** I will more than likely have to buy those and implement a new attachment system for them , same with new pockets for the return system.
So that leads me to -
4. Are there plans for building a new Cabinet freely available on the net or are manufacturer's willing to sell them if you buy their rail systems , parts and hardware for said Cabinet ?
I know it will be a good sized project but I am actually looking forward to it, since it will be MY hand crafted table with original Fischer roots when I am done, which is why I am not interested in what it's worth as a Fischer table, but I am interested in what it was - Model and year of manufacture , so I can make my own tag:
Born of a Fischer 19?? Model so n so
It's only right , Fischer does have a Pedigreed if little known lineage in the history of pool tables .
ANY info is welcomed !
I have only had the table a few days so as soon as I get actual measurements of rails , corner to diagonal corner, width, length, bumpers, I'll post em along with pic's of the table as it is now.
PS : I am an avid pool player , but this is my first table so I am a novice at table part terms and terminology and as such please forgive any poorly phrased questions on my part and if you are able please steer me in the right direction and feel free to educate me, and also if any one has any ideas about this type of project or see's something I have failed to consider , or even completely missed PLEASE chime into the thread - I could use the knowledge , and the great thing about forums is others can too because as far as I can tell there seems to be a good number of people out there who have these 1st gen Fischer pool tables and no resources or information pool's for them |
Expert Member
|
I too have cabinet making skills, the tools, etc. to try something like that myself. And on a low investment project like yours, would have a blast, making something "special" out of what you have.
But like brain surgery, special materials and proper tools won't make me a brain surgeon. The simple tools required to re-felt a table, install new cushions and cover the rails is not something that can be tried, without compromising the end result - IMO.
You must decide what the priority is. Do you want to learn how to restore a pool table? Or, do you want to PLAY on a pool table restored by a pro?
If the latter, find a decent tech, who can cite multiple jobs where he's done what you want done, for others.
If the former, take your time and try and find resources (written instructions on how to - and material vendors with helpful installation tips on pocket alignment, glues required, staple pullers and the like and see what happens.
The issues will be these: The cost to a first-time restorer for cushions, felt and all the hardware (that might need attention) will cost you at least $500.
Meanwhile, a tech/pro gets these materials at wholesale and would charge maybe $750 for labor AND all the materials.
If you screw it up, you have no recourse. If a tech/pro screws it up, you can withhold payment - or ask for return visit to teak some fault.
I could do brain surgery 100 times, but the patient would die every time I did. Likewise, you have a table that was practically free. Don't let THAT patient die.
Let a pro do it, and do it right.
 |
Scroll Forum Topics 
The billiards forum makes available various RSS feeds for your convenience.
Billiards is a tough sport to master, and so we've put together a series of billiards tutorials for all levels of play from beginner to advanced.
Thanks to the magic of YouTube, we're able to bring you the freshest billiards content available in video format. Click the video to watch, or visit our video section.
When you are done browsing the billiards forums you can check our some of the most recent billiard and pool articles from both editors and users.
Posted - 01/19/2013 at 01:53:57 AM
