[bostonbillypat]

Where do you live at. Maybe some of us live near you and can do lessons with you?

[ Edited by bostonbillypat on 2007/3/9 19:14 ]

[Demondrew]

I'm looking to buy an older 9' Brunswick table, with solid wood rails. What are some of the things I should be looking for? Are repaired cracks in the slate a deal breaker? Is the fact the table was in a poolhall not a private home important?. . . Maybe you could give a primer on buying a used table? Thanks

[Big_Bad_Bern]

Hi bostonbillypat, I am located in Windsor, Ontario , Canada. I am directly across the border from Detroit, anybody in the area or comming through for a visit feel free to send me a PM and we can make arrangements to get together for lessons.

Bernie

The secret of success is to do the common things uncommonly well.
John D. Rockefeller

[Big_Bad_Bern]

Hi Demondrew, I will write a primer on what I look for in a used table and post it up this week as this is a very in depth subject and I would like to try to cover it as completely as I can.

Are you looking for a antique table for looks, appeal and decor or is there another reason you are looking for an older 9' Brunswick.

Bernie


The secret of success is to do the common things uncommonly well.
John D. Rockefeller

[mojomike]

Welcome. I only have 2K for a table. I am told all of the new brunswick tables are now made in china except the commercial gold crowns, is that true.

If so, there are several old sportkings a pool hall wants to unload. Would I end up with a better table fixing this up with new rubber. They are in good shape but the side panels seem loose and worn out.

[Demondrew]

Looks, appeal and decor, yep all of em. I remember shooting on an old Brunswick Medallion as a kid in my Uncle's bar. I loved the real solid wood, the massive frame and legs. It is what I picture in my mind as a "real" pool table.

[Big_Bad_Bern]

Hi Mojomike, Brunswick is a multinational business and as such manufactures things all over the world, billiards is actually just a small portion of their business, they are vary heavy into boats and boating supplies as well as bowling and many other ventures. So the answer it yes some pieces of the tables are manufactured in China and some are manufactured in South America and some in the good ol US of A. Like everyone they are trying to maximize their profitability while providing a quality product to their consumers.

As far as the old sport kings I am not familiar with them but I know that I charge $ 425 to dismantle/move/install a nine foot table, reclothing it is another $200 plus the cloth $150-$600 dpending on quality and re-rubbering the rails is $350 for a grand total of (using the price for the entry level cloth $150) $1125 just in repairs! Now add the cost of what you paid for the table and you could probably find a new one in a similar price from Larry or some one locally, and it is NEW! Now if you find one with fairly new cloth and good cushion rubbers you may get a good deal but personally I would rather save for a little while longer and get the new one for the difference in price.

Call around to local billiard stores or repar men and get their pricing for the above items so you can accurately judge what you are getting yourself into, remeber it also might cost extra to repair the loose apron boards properly.

Also unless the poolhall is going out of business the word "unloading" is the correct choice for those tables as I have yet to see a poolhall sell off an asset while they were still able to make money with it, so the repairs outway the profit they can make with it or it wouls not be for sale.

My opinion and some food for thought.

Bern

[Big_Bad_Bern]

Hi Demondrew, the medallions sure were a beautiful table, second only in my mind to the crowns ( crowns are superior playing tables but not by much). Watch for my article on buying a used table and good luck in your hunt.

Bern

[FASTLARRY]

Is Bern doing a kick ass job here with his new column or what? You boys take care of him and be polite and nice and he will teach you what he knows.

[Sodapop]

I bought my table used, but the guy who sold it to me offered to drop it off at my house for me so I just had to set it up. From my experience the skilled part of installing a table is setting and leveling the slate and putting on the cloth and redoing the rails.

I believe if you want to buy a used table you should be able to get a friend to help you take it apart and put it back together then just pay someone to level the slate and put on the cloth. if you do that and make sure the rails are good before you purchase you could save alot of money buying used.

I paid $2000 for my table including completed setup. the table is $3500 brand new plus taxes which would be $4025 after taxes so i saved over $2000 plus the cloth was practically new.

So you can get a great deal on used but you just have to be careful.

[Yulester]

That's a good price,and a good perspective on the whole episode.

Just had an 8' Golden West redone. Moved, new felt, new rails, New irons (don't ask) and new leather pockets. Over $1200.00 plus me finding hardware and working some of the wood finish.

Some dealers have decent used tables available.

PS - - I know of a 6 leg antique Brunswick for sale, but it's gonna need some work.