Pool Table

[bulokis]

I am looking for a pool table, deciding whether to buy a used table or brand new? Im looking at a couple of used ones but dont know if pool tables are easy to take apart or do you have to get professionals to disassemble it. Of course price matters, what do you guys suggest? Do you guys any store to buy used/new pool tables?

[SoxFan562004]

not a ton of experience with pool tables, but I would add that if you take good care of them they are something that can last a LONG time. My grandparents have had one for years and years and just the routine looking after it has kept it in great shape

[ZoomSlowik]

Well, a couple of things I would say:

 

1) Make sure it's a slate table, the balls will roll a lot better. I'd personally recommend Brunswick, though a lot of people swear by Olhausen and Diamond Tables as well (gotta admit, Diamonds are pretty nice if you can find them).

 

2) Unless you have a way of getting it in there in one piece, you need to go with a 3-piece slate table, and professional assembly is HIGHLY recommended unless you or someone you know knows what they are doing. You really need to make sure that the supports, playing surface, and rails are attached correctly, otherwise the quality of play could suffer dramatically.

 

3) Make sure you consider how much space you have where you plan to put the table. You need to consider not only the size of the table but also the length of the cues you intend to use. Most tables are going to be 8x4 or 9x4.5, which means you need a fair amount of space.

 

4) If price is a major factor, I'd definitely look at used tables. You're probably better off getting a quality used table than a lesser new table for a similar price. As for picking out the exact table, I'd consider playing at local pool halls a bit (if you haven't already) to get a feel for what you like/don't like. A good used table will still probably cost about 2 grand though unless you find a good deal.

 

5) We bought our table at a place called Cue N Cushion in Elmhurst. Solid pool supply store with good selection. The only problem is that they no longer sell new Brunswick tables, so his supply of used ones will be less impressive. That'll be the case with most of them, though you can check out what your local dealers still have.

 

Brunswick decided to screw over all of the local dealers and open up their own places. Too bad, they make quality stuff. For that I would check out The Brunswick Pavilion in Wilmette. I wouldn't recommend buying your table here as their prices are pretty steep and they're mostly new tables, but it lets you check out a lot of tables and accessories. You also might want to check out Suite Play, which I believe used to be the Rec Room. There's one in Downers Grove and one in Deerfield. They have a ton of different accessories there, though the tables are again newer.

 

The best choice nowadays might be Cue-U in Rockford (check out Their website. Don't let the prices scare you, not all of them are that expensive). The owner refurbishes a lot of old tables and you can probably get a good deal. Granted we know the guy, but IIRC he was willing to give us a Brunswick Gold Crown 3 in good shape for about 3 grand, which is a hell of a deal.

Edited September 5, 2007 by ZoomSlowik

[santo=dorf]

If price is a factor, just save your money and get a pool table from the Great Escape or F.I.M or some Rec Room place after the New years. We got a 7 foot slate table, cues, racks, chalk, balls, cover and professional installation for under $1000.

[qwerty]

Been meaning to ask for a long ass time... any one down for some sort of pool tournament?

[SoxAce]

Been meaning to ask for a long ass time... any one down for some sort of pool tournament?

 

I'm down bro, but where in the living hell have you been?

[witesoxfan]

I'm down bro, but where in the living hell have you been?

 

he is always flopping around

[ZoomSlowik]

I gotta admit, we weren't as worried about the price when we were shopping for a table. Most of that is because we bought like a 7-foot non-slate Brunswick table for like $600 (think retail was like $1200, but that didn't really matter) before this one and weren't very happy with it. Because of that, we went a little nuts with this one and spent a lot more than we really had to.

 

Our personal view was that we're going to have the table for a LONG time if we got a good one, so we didn't really want to skimp on it.

[bulokis]

I went to the Brunswick store in Wilmette and I was impressed with their tables. Brunswick though are expensive but they do have a Contender brand made by Brunswick. Anybody have a Contender pool table? Any problems with it that any of you has heard of?

 

Im thorn between spending a little more to get an actual brunswick to spending less and get their contender brand of pool table.

[ZoomSlowik]

I went to the Brunswick store in Wilmette and I was impressed with their tables. Brunswick though are expensive but they do have a Contender brand made by Brunswick. Anybody have a Contender pool table? Any problems with it that any of you has heard of?

 

Im thorn between spending a little more to get an actual brunswick to spending less and get their contender brand of pool table.

 

DO NOT actually buy your table at the Brunswick Pavilion. Back when we were pricing it we got the exact same table brand-new from Cue N Cushion for over a grand less (probably closer to $1500, don't remember the exact price). Granted that was on a Gold Crown 4, but you're still paying full retail there when you generally don't have to. Granted they've kind of got you over a barrel now that they don't sell them to smaller retailers anymore, but I'd imagine that you could get a comparable used one for considerably less with a little research and effort.

 

Can't really help you on the Contender brand, but in my experience Brunswick's are worth it.

 

[bulokis]

Can't really help you on the Contender brand, but in my experience Brunswick's are worth it.

 

I went to suite play and they were about 3-4 hundred more compared to Brunswick Pavilion. I'm still searching for used Brunswick but so far I have found older models like Ventura and Santa Fe. I cant find any warehouse store by me so I can ask them whether they can get a Brunswick for me for less money.