Educate me with regards to used pool tables

We have decided that we'd like a pool table. We have a nice, open spot for it in our basement, and a doorwall just a few feet away to make egress relatively easy. I don't know a ton about these things, but I know you want slate, I know the condition of the bumpers is important, and I know they absolutely need to be 100% level.

So, is this DIY-able? Can I buy one on Craigslist, bring it home and set it up myself? If so, what should I look for? What brands are good/bad?

Or should I find a place that sells them, buy it there and have them do all the setup?

We put together a new one and it wasn't completely level in one or two spots but pretty close and still fun to mess around on. If you really want a 100% level one, you might look into someone else setting it up

You want slate. 1" thick. If you are buying it used from a private party, you will likely have to disassemble it to transport it. If not, you will crack the mating between the slabs anyway and need to do some refurb. Call the local pool table place and have them come and assemble it, recover it and put fresh pads/bumpers on.

A bunch of years ago I bought a Brunswick comp table from a friend going thru a divorce and moved it. Bring some strong backs - the slate alone is HEAVY and brittle. You can't carry it flat or it can crack. I paid $350 for a complete assembly, new cloth, fresh bumpers and leveling. After watching the process - it was totally worth it.

If space allows get a regulation 9' instead of a bar table. You will be much happier in the long run.

I have one and moving it is not as bad as long as you have help. Mine has three slate pieces that make up the table. Its a 9.5' Olhaussen, big and heavy, but it breaks down into manageable sized pieces.

The problem is the set-up. Its best to leave it up to someone that knows. You have to add wax between the slates to remove the gap, plus its a pain to place the cloth on.

I moved it a couple of times to retile the floor and it was not expensive to have someone come out and level/recloth.

Do not underestimate how heavy the slate is. We moved a 3 piece table into the basement at my parents house, and it was hard work.

The only really hard part about installing them is getting it level and getting the seams between the slate pieces really nice and even and sealed. We also re-felted the table ourselves, which was really not very hard. That table was never totally perfect, but close enough for what we were using it for.

Just wanted to say, these should be easy to find on Craigslist. My parents have been trying to get rid of one of excellent quality for a couple years now for nearly $free with no takers. (Southern VA if anyone is interested...) The disassembly/assembly is brutal though - which is probably why there is little interest.

ProDarwin wrote: Just wanted to say, these should be easy to find on Craigslist. My parents have been trying to get rid of one of excellent quality for a couple years now for nearly $free with no takers. (Southern VA if anyone is interested...) The disassembly/assembly is brutal though - which is probably why there is little interest.

Sounds like they are a bit like above-ground pools. They cost more to move and set up than to buy. Yes, Craigslist has a bunch. But I also found a local shop that has used tables. Maybe I'll give them a call before I do anything.

Given how much work it was for me to tear one down and get it out of my basement, I would not want to have to do it again without damaging anything... As a bonus, it appeared someone known to the previous owners used the hollow leg bases to hide the evidence of their sexual exploits.

I seriously doubt you will be happy with it if you do it yourself. We bought a new table and had it installed. My back hurt just watching the process, and its surprisingly technical. Is it possible it could be done with two men and a truck and viewing 57 youtube videos? Sure. But if its not perfectly flat and you don't get a perfect felt surface, its going to be frustrating. Of course, I beat a lot of really good pool players as a kid because our old cheapo plywood table was neither flat nor smooth. so there's that.

BTW - when shopping used, keep in mind the owners are selling because they don't use the table and it takes up boatloads of space. You hold all the cards in negotiating the price.

WilD wrote: As a bonus, it appeared someone known to the previous owners used the hollow leg bases to hide the evidence of their sexual exploits.

Do not want pics!

I know two people who picked up very nice tables for the price of moving them out. Try a want ad.