Our buyers guide is designed to help you define the quality of any pool table. Knowing what to look for before you buy is the best way to make an educated decision and get the best bang for your buck. When considering buying a used or pre-owned pool table, we have 5 points of concern we would like to show you that will help you save money immediately.
1. Pool Table Cloth “Felt”
There are many types of billiard cloth on the market. The majority of what you are going to see is recognized as the standard. This is usually a 21 oz. weight and is a wool-nylon blend. This material is easy to see as it has a “nap” to it. You can feel the fuzziness when you rub with your palm. This kind of cloth is generally found in most homes and in bars.
Another popular style is a “nap” free cloth and is thinner, lighter in weight and much faster. The thinner the cloth the closer it plays to the slate playing surface which gives you a better rebound on the cushion resulting in a faster table. This kind of felt is used by professional players around the world and is most commonly used in billiard parlors and tournaments. Being a thinner cloth, it is not recommended for beginners or families with children as it will damage easier.
If buying a used pool table it is possible to reuse the cloth if it is in good condition. If the felt has holes in the surface, rips in the corners or is more than 5 years old it is recommended to replace the cloth before reinstalling. You can save money by recovering the pool table at the time of moving it as the table is already broken down so there is less of a labor charge.
2. Pool Table Pockets
There are three kinds of pockets on pool tables. The first is a plastic drop bucket pocket which is found on most entry level pool tables. The second is the leather drop pocket which is found on furniture style tables (solid wood tables). The third type is not actually a pocket but just a liner that fits in the pocket and is used on tables with ball returns where the pool balls all roll to one end of the table.
If purchasing a used pool table beware of the plastic pockets. These pockets generally need replaced if the table is taken apart. Since they are plastic, they have to be nailed into the rail for installation which puts holes in the side of the pocket. Once the pockets have been removed (for recoveries or moving) you have to nail the pocket into a new hole which leaves the previous holes visible in the pocket. The cost to replace these pockets is $50-$75. Leather pockets are the most common on furniture style table that are constructed mostly of solid wood. This type of pocket wears very well however, you will still want to look them over and make sure none of tabs inside the pocket are ripped. To replace these pockets the price is between $275 and $400 depending on the style. The third type is the called a pocket liner. These are similar to the plastic bucket pockets they just don’t have the bucket. The same rules apply for these as the plastic drop pockets because most of these are plastic as well.
3. Pool Table Slate
Slate for pool tables comes in two standard thicknesses. The first being ¾” and the second is 1”. The 3/4” slate is generally used on entry level pool tables and the felt would have to be glued down. The 1” slate has wood backing attached to it which means you can staple the felt. Staples are always better as it keeps the felt tighter longer. Glue tends to let loose over time. Both slates will give a great playing surface and the same roll. The main difference is glue vs. staples. The ¾” slate also has a more hollow sound to it as there is no wood backing to dampen the sound of play. Most common tables are 3 pieces of slate that get seamed together in the assembly process. Other tables are 1 piece slate which is most often used on coin operated tables. The 3 piece slate will give you better leveling because you can level each piece individually making a perfectly level table. One piece slate can only be leveled in the corners by the legs of the table.
4. Pool Table Cabinetry and Construction
There are many different materials that pool table cabinets are made of. Each of the materials is intended for suiting different customer needs. As an example, if you are looking for a family heirloom, you want to buy a hardwood cabinet. Beware though because many manufacturers have found ways to conceal the fact that they are using MDF, plywood or particleboard. Looking at the edges is a good way to learn what you are looking at.
When looking at the legs, make sure there are no cracks. Most furniture style legs are butcher block style glued together and then formed into shape. If the table shows cracks or gaps it is most likely that the pool table has seen some water damage in the past or the table was not constructed right to begin with.
Stability is also something worthy of checking into. Give the table a slight but quick nudge with your hip. A table that is lacking quality cabinetry or contains one or more broken supporting structures will have a wobble when bumped. It is probably not going to fall over. However, it might not be able to be perfectly leveled and stay that way. Closer inspection of the structure might be needed to discover the problem.
5. Pool Table Cushions
Just as in the cabinetry, pool table cushions are made of different materials. You do need to know a few things that are important to check for. Using your palm, gently push down on the end of the cushion towards the table’s play surface. If it moves they have probably come unglued. This situation can be repaired during the assembly process. Next you can check the rebound of the cushions. They should rebound consistently with the next. To check the speed of the cushions, roll the ball firmly at the opposing cushion. You want the ball to roll at least 2 ½ lengths of the table. The same rule applies for the tables roll from side to side. If you see any failure in either of the areas, you should consider re-cushioning the table. Repair costs depend on the type of cushion and the size of the table.
Mid-Atlantic Billiards recommends you to hire our professional service if you feel the need to inspect a pool table further than our 5 point inspection.
