How to Buy a Pool Table

A well-made, well-maintained pool table can last you a lifetime. A good table can support a range of games for all skill levels. Here are some things to think about before making your purchase.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Measuring Tapes
• Pool Table Covers
• Pool Table Horsehair Brushes
• Pool Tables

1. Measure out your total available space to determine the size of your table. Pool tables range from 7 feet to 10 feet and are half as wide as they are long.

2. Take into consideration the fact that you need more than just room for the table itself. Ideally, you'll have a 5 3/4-foot clearance all around the table's perimeter.

3. Determine your budget - know that you'll get what you pay for.

4. Do some research on pool tables. Generally, it's not that much more expensive to buy a new table than to buy a used one. Keep in mind that moving a table a few times can put a lot of wear and tear on it.

5. Look on the Web at the construction features of the most expensive tables. The best tables have three-piece, 1-inch-thick Italian slate; solid hardwood frames rather than wood laminates; rails bolted through the slate with the nuts inside the rails; and K-66 contoured cushions.

6. Decide which features you value and can afford.

7. Opt for a frame pre-built in a factory, which is normally stronger than one assembled in the house. Some house situations, however, may require internal assembly (for example, if you have to bring it up a spiral staircase).

8. Notice that many tables have slanted sides. Slanted sides are usually stronger.

9. Focus your attention on the most essential element of the pool table - the playing surface, which consists of the cloth, the rails and the cushions.

10. Buy a name-brand table if you can.

11. Have your table professionally installed. It is definitely worth a little extra money to make sure the table is put together properly.

12. Hire an installer who is authorized by a major billiard company.

13. Care for your table properly and it will last your entire lifetime.

Tips & Warnings

• Table cloth is made of wool and nylon. The higher the percentage of wool your cloth has, the slower the balls will roll on the table.
• Heavier table cloths last longer.

on 6/30/2006 The unfortunate thing about the Internet is that anyone can say what they think and it's looked upon as truth. Nowhere was any mention of slate in the above tips or it's country of origin and manufacturing techniques.

When it comes to veneer or solid wood pool tables you should choose the one you can afford. The only difference between solid wood or veneer cabinets is; well, it's solid wood. After 30 years of moving pool tables we can say the 25 year old veneer pool tables are still working as well as the 25 year old solid wood tables. Keep in mind when buying a pool table that there are no moving parts and if not abused it will last forever.

on 1/4/2006 Remember to consider where the table is going to be located. We are putting one in a room located next to the living room. It will be seen from the entrance. We bought a name brand that showed well, and was solidly built. Shop around for a name brand, find a good pool table mover and start shopping the classifieds. If you can't find a mover, buy new. If they say you can carry it home, leave it there.

on 11/22/2005 There's an excellent website where you can read about quality materials to look for in a pool table. In fact, the info is found in instructions for building the table yourself! Visit:
www.bestbilliards.com

on 11/22/2005 You only want hardwood for the cabinet, but not the frame. Layered plywood is actually better for support. You could use something like a 2 x 4 for the frame, but it will warp. Layered plywood will not warp if it is done correctly.

on 11/22/2005 You want to get K-66t cushions, not K-66. The K-66t cushion has a higher content of natural gum rubber and is actually the only cushion approved by the Billiard Congress of America. There really is a big difference between the cushions.