Buying
a pool table
can be a
lot like
buying a
car. Before
you buy a
pool table,
you should
kick the
tires and
look under
the hood.
Well, at
least look
under the
hood.
Buying
a pool table
is not much
different than
buying any
product you
want to last
for a long
time. The closer
you look, the
more you’ll
see which features
are important
to you and
what will best
fit your lifestyle.
Although you
can’t
test drive
a pool table,
you can visit
a dealer’s
showroom to
check out the
variety of
models.
But
before you
go out looking,
it’s
important to
be a knowledgeable
buyer. That’s
where this "how
to buy a pool
table" guide
comes in handy.
Here you’ll
find all you
need for making
an informed
decision.
When
you buy a car
you ask yourself, “Do
I need a work
truck, a family
wagon or a
luxury car?” The
same considerations
should be made
before deciding
what pool table
to buy. Some
tables are
made for the
constant use
of professionals.
Others are
built with
the family
budget in mind,
yet can still
hold up to
the abuse kids
give to all
your furniture.
Still other
tables are
beautifully
ornate in design
and are a real
showpiece for
any home. Whatever
you’re
personal needs
or tastes are,
there is a
style for you.
LIFESTYLE
AND
ROOM
CONSIDERATIONS
Pool
tables are
available in
a variety of
materials,
styles and
colors. Traditional
solid hardwoods
can be stained
in colors ranging
from whitewash
to dark mahogany.
All of our
pool tables
can be covered
in the cloth
color of your
choice. So
consider your
existing room
décor
in making a
decision on
cloth. You
may even want
to bring a
picture of
the room or
your fabric
and carpet
samples with
you when you
shop.
Before
buying a pool
table you need
to know what
will fit in
your room.
You wouldn’t
buy a large
SUV and expect
it to squeeze
into your one-stall
garage. Likewise,
you’ll
want to make
sure your table
has ample playing
room around
it. An approximate
five-foot perimeter
is suggested,
so measure
your space
to ensure a
good fit. If
you’re
concerned a
large slab
of slate won’t
fit through
your doorway,
tables built
for the home
use three-piece
slate.
For
a pool table
to be considered ‘regulation
size’ the
length of the
playfield is
twice the width—and
most regulation-size
pool tables
are built in
7’,
8’ and
9’ lengths.
No matter which
length you
choose, be
aware that
minimum space
requirements
will change
depending on
the size of
the cue you
select.
For
specific
room sizes,
use the following
measurements:
Key:
Use [A] for
48" cue
Use
[B] for 52" cue
Use
[C] for 57" cue
• For
a 7’ table
[A] allow for
an 11’ 6" x
14’ 6" room
[B]
Allow for a
12’ x
15’ room
[C]
Allow for a
13’ x
16’ room
• For
an 8’ table
[A] Allow for
a 12’ x
15’ 6" room
[B]
Allow for a
12’ 6" x
16’ room
[C]
Allow for a
13’ 6" x
17’ room
• For
a 9’ table
[A] Allow for
a 12’ 6" x
16’ 6" room
[B]
Allow for a
13’ x
17’ room
[C]
Allow for a
14’ x
18’ room
TABLE
CATEGORIES
Veneer
pool tables
offer the appearance
of solid wood
without the
cost. They
are built strong
to last, yet
remain very
affordable.
Solid
wood pool tables
are the best
value in traditional
designs. Because
they are solid
wood throughout,
these tables
often offer
more intricately
carved cabinetry
and legs.
Heirloom
pool tables
are crafted
in the traditional
method of building
furniture using
solid one-piece
legs and thick-walled
cabinetry with
mortise and
tenon joinery.
Professional/Tournament
grade pool
tables are
preferred by
pros and advanced
league players.
These tables
are built to
the tightest
industry specifications
for the most
challenging
play.
ANATOMY
OF A POOL
TABLE & WHAT
TO LOOK
FOR IN
A POOL
TABLE
Solid
Hardwood
and
Veneer.
What’s
the difference?
Veneer
is a thin layer
of solid hardwood
bonded to a
laminated wood
sub-core. The
advantage is
its value.
It has the
appearance
of solid wood
without the
cost. Solid
hardwoods are
heavier, stronger
and are better
able to withstand
the stress
and wear common
to pool tables.
They generally
come with a
higher price
tag, and can
be intricately
carved. Compare
table weights,
as the weight
of a table
reflects the
quality, design
and the materials
that went into
the construction.
Interlocking
frame
and slate
support.
A
better built
pool table
will have center
beams that
run lengthwise
on the table
and interlock
with the cross
members. This
stabilizes
the slate and
cabinet of
the table with
substantially
greater support,
and distributes
the weight
evenly throughout
the table.
Cross members
are necessary
to ensure the
best support
for each piece
of slate. Note
that some main
beams are purely
cosmetic—drop-in
vs. full length—offering
little or no
support to
the slate.
With 1” slate
weighing in
at about 600lbs.,
you want as
mush surface
area as possible
touching the
slate for support.
Cabinet & Leg
Joinery.
Look
for a securing
system that
ensures an
exact cabinet
fit. Two examples
of the strongest
systems are
MLD (Machined
Locking Dowels)
and the more
traditional
method of building
tables (and
most fine furniture),
with mortise
and tenon joinery.
Check out how
the legs are
mounted to
the cabinet.
Some manufacturers
use corner
leg joinery
made of stamped
sheet metal.
Using more
securing bolts
will provide
much greater
stability.
Details
and craftsmanship.
How
is the table
put together?
Is it just
stapled and
glued together,
or is it glued,
screwed and
bolted for
greater strength?
Is the table
designed with
minimal structural
support? Tables
that last are
those that
are built to
withstand the
rigors of years
of play.
Get
on your back
and crawl underneath
the table.
This is where
one of those
mechanics’ creepers
would come
in handy. Take
a look at the
slate. Either
Brazilian or
Italian slate
will offer
an acceptable
playing surface.
Italian slate
is recognized
as the finest
playing surface
and is used
in sanctioned
tournament
play. High-end
tables use
slate backed
with 3/4" engineered
wood. It provides
better slate
protection
and sound absorption.
Take
a close look
at the wood.
Make sure the
rails, blinds,
cabinet and
legs are made
using the same
type of wood.
Some manufacturers
use different,
cheaper wood
components
leaving you,
for instance,
with a table
whose legs
look different
than the cabinet.
On
contemporary
styled pool
tables, look
for the use
of metal hardware
on the cabinet
and rail corners
vs. plastic.
Feel the pockets.
Hard plastic
can crack with
wear. Make
sure the pockets
are made of
leather. Unless
the design
prohibits.
.
Rails
and Cushions
Check
out the rails.
Look at the
width and profile.
The use of
laminated maple
core rails
is preferred
on pool tables.
It minimizes
rebound vibration
and produces
exceptional
ball response.
Where as rails
with a soft
core won’t
give you the
same fast play.
Ask
what technology
is being used
in the cushion.
K66 full profile
cushion is
the industry
standard. The
cushion should
also be canvas-backed.
This helps
the rubber
adhere the
cushion to
the wood rail
for durability
and more accurate
and consistent
play.
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