Buying Used Pool Tables
Used Pool Table Buying Guide
Slate
Does the table have a slate bed?
Make sure the table’s playing surface is made from 1-inch 3-piece slate, and that the slate is good quality and in good condition – Brazilian or Italian slate is generally considered the best. Any reputable manufacturer of good-quality tables will use straight, diamond-honed and certified slate, although some do offer 3⁄4” slate at a lower price point. We believe that one inch slate is more durable and will provide a more even, better playing surface, so that is what we recommend looking for. Wood playing surfaces are not good options when purchasing used, as these will warp and deform relatively quickly and are not made to be disassembled, moved, and reassembled.
While some companies may recommend one-piece slate, it is much heavier, more difficult to level, and often impossible to navigate around homes. We do not recommend it or move one-piece slate tables; however, we can help you find someone who does if that is what you prefer.
Cushion, Pockets, & Felt
Will you need to replace any of these components?
All three of these components of the pool table are relatively easy and inexpensive to replace when purchasing and moving the table, but small expenses can quickly add up and should be given the same consideration as other components when viewing the table. If you visit one of our retail locations, we would be happy to show you what we look for when we purchase used tables and how to best inspect the cushions, pockets, and felt.
With heavy use, billiard cloth has a life expectancy of 3 to 5 years and should be changed after 10 to 12 years with infrequent use, depending on the type of felt used. Even if the cloth appears to be in good condition, depending on how it was initially installed or if it is an inferior cloth, it may need to be replaced. If you see any tears, holes, or stains in the felt, it should definitely be changed; if the Color is not suitable for your home or to your stylistic preferences, during the move is a good time to change the felt, as most installers will not charge any additional labor in that case. The price of cloth can range from $150 to $600+, depending on the size and type. If the cushions need to be replaced, the felt will also need to be replaced.
Depending on the table’s manufacturer, the cushion rubber should have a life span of 25 to 50 or even 75 years; however, this can be much shorter with misuse or improper storage. Many manufacturers use cheap fillers in cushions which can quickly degrade – we have service some tables that need new cushions after only 5 or 10 years! The cushions must be purchased as a set, and even if only one is in disrepair, a full set will need to be installed. Both Brunswick and Olhausen offer a lifetime warranty on their SuperSpeed and AccuFast cushions, and they are meant to last for decades – it is rare that we ever have to replace cushions on these models when purchasing pre-owned tables or servicing them.
The pockets of a billiard table are probably the easiest component for a consumer to inspect. Cracked or dried leather and ripped baskets or iron covers are clear indications that a billiard table requires new parts. A billiard table with leather pockets requires leather pockets as a replacement, the same as plastic pockets require plastic replacements. The original design and construction of the table will not usually allow you to switch types. A set of 6 replacement leather pockets typically costs between $200 and $500 and must be purchased as a set. Even if one pocket is in disrepair, a full set must be purchased.
While Everything Billiards only charges about $350.00 to move an 8-foot table, this can quickly turn into a $1000-$1500 charge if you need to replace the pockets, cushions, and/or felt, making that “great deal” the same price as a new table. We are happy to quote you our best price if you Contact Us with specific details.
Warranty
What about guarantees?
Another important issue to consider when purchasing a used billiard table from a private seller is that there is no guarantee. Warranties do not transfer from the original purchaser, and even in the manufacturer will help you out by replacing or repairing a part, you are still responsible for the labor costs involved. Moreover, depending on the manufacturer and the age of the table, there may not be any parts available to replace a broken one. Always remember the old adage “Buyers Beware.” The seller has no obligation to repair or replace any part of a defective, mishandled, or misused table unless part of the original agreement. Once the transaction is complete, that table is all yours – be sure to inspect it thoroughly before finalizing any deal.
Everything Billiards will offer you a one-year guarantee on any Used Table purchase, and we are sure to check each table for any defects, whether cosmetic or structural, and divulge that information to you. We will never sell you a table with cracked slate or degraded cushions. We want you to be happy with your table purchase, and while we’d love to see you again, we’d prefer to see you when you’re ready to upgrade your table or add other games into your entertainment room, not because of the problems you’re having with your table!
Moving Your Table
What’s the best way to get your new table to your home?
We strongly recommend that you use a professional, trained, and certified billiard mechanic to help dismantle, move, and assemble your used table. This is an important cost to factor into the private purchase of any used table. We include delivery and installation in the cost of our used tables for sale; however, this is something you will need to discuss with the seller should you find a table in the local paper or on craigslist. Sometimes, they will be willing to either cover this cost or split it with you.
Tables must be dismantled, moved in component pieces, and then reassembled and leveled. One-inch slate will weigh about 600 pounds, and a pool table can weigh upwards of 1000 pounds. The table breaks down into no less than 20 pieces, each of which must be properly protected for transport – we have specially modified vehicles to move each of these pieces safely, securely, and efficiently. Many owners have hurt themselves trying to move the slate, or cracked the slate, which can be extremely costly to replace.
Perhaps the best example of why it is necessary to hire a professional to move your pool table comes from another group of professionals: professional movers. Everything Billiards has contracts with many professional moving companies, disaster restoration companies, and flooring companies to move pool tables that they encounter. Professional movers, by definition, are the people you pay to move things that are too heavy or too complicated for you to move. Disaster restoration specialists have crews of employees on their payroll who dismantle and reassemble your house. And flooring companies also employ carpenters and people who know how to work with their hands. There is a reason that these professional tradesmen call us when they see a pool table: there is much more to moving a pool table than you can ever imagine.
Most individuals do not have the specialized tools required to assemble a table properly and level it to the tolerances required. There is a formula to proper pool table placement in your house, and there is another specific process that must be followed to correctly re-assemble the table. Once the pool table is properly placed, the frame must be leveled, and then the slate must be leveled to within 1/5000th of an inch (.0005”). The rails and pockets must be reassembled, the slate seams must be sealed, and the felt must be put back on. Like anything else, that last sentence seems pretty short, but there is a LOT more to it than that!
Everything Billiards generally charges around $350.00 to move a table, with that price increasing based on mileage, difficulty of assembly, and time required (some antique tables are much more difficult to disassemble and reassemble). Please Contact Us for pricing your specific move.
Conclusion
Is this used table really the best fit for me?
There are definitely some great deals and hidden gems to be found out there. But if it seems too good to be true, then it is! Finding that “mint condition, solid hardwood, ornate and beautiful” pool table for only $200-$300 just isn’t going to happen. In our experience, when paying that little for a table, you will end up paying close to a thousand or more to move and repair the table. Understanding what hidden costs may arise and what to inspect when looking at tables will save you the experience of buying a problem table or “money pit.”
If you are simply looking for a recreational playing table rather than a showpiece, we generally advise you to consider purchasing a New Table – this will typically include delivery and installation, accessories, and a lifetime warranty, as well as a few more choices of finish and leg options. If, however, you are looking for a unique, custom, or true antique table, it can be well worth your time and investment to search for that exceptional piece of furniture or work of art. Especially as families move out of the area for work or look to downsize, there are some beautiful heirloom-quality tables to be found, if you are willing to be patient and to pay for the true value of those tables. If there is a specific make or model you are searching for, we are happy to keep an eye out for you, as we get many requests from owners in the area looking to sell their pool tables.
Again, if you have any questions or concerns, we are happy to advise you in any way we can. Having moved and serviced tables for over ten years, we have considerable experience with most major manufacturers, and are happy to discuss the advantages, disadvantages, and specifics of particular models with you.