Pool Table Question (repair, buy, cheap, billiard)

[Alpha8207]

Looking for info on pool tables....particularly one manufacturer called 'Kingdom Billiards' (Kingdom Billiards)

I've looked at Brunswick tables and really just don't know what to be looking for in a manufacturer.

From what I've gleaned with a couple of quick google searches, I can't find much on Kingdom and I wanted to ask here since I usually get some good info from my fellow CDers.

Thanks in advance.

[beachouse]

Originally Posted by Alpha8207

Looking for info on pool tables....particularly one manufacturer called 'Kingdom Billiards' (Kingdom Billiards)

I've looked at Brunswick tables and really just don't know what to be looking for in a manufacturer.

From what I've gleaned with a couple of quick google searches, I can't find much on Kingdom and I wanted to ask here since I usually get some good info from my fellow CDers.

Thanks in advance.

I was in a pool table store a couple of years ago and the owner showed me how the better tables are made of plywood where the pockets are.
They can be tightened up better as opposed to pressed wood .

Sorry don't know anything about Kingdom.

[Houston3]

I PM'ed you a couple of links..hope they help a little...

[WyoNewk]

I bought a Brunswick nearly 30 years ago that seemed to be well built, but I left it behind 18 years ago when I divorced my wife. When I moved it into that house and set it up, it was there to stay. During the 12 years or so that I used it, it stayed level and was as good as new, and that was through a period of raising a couple teens and having bunches of kids using it pretty regularly. But even Brunswick makes several grades of tables. Don't go too cheap. I think the slate in mine was 1 inch or 1 1/4 inch -- three sections; each one took two strong guys to handle.

[Alpha8207]

Thanks for the info gang. As crazy it may sound, I think I'm gonna buy a semi-cheap table from Costco. It's 8.5 feet long, comes with several cues, has a matching wall rack, cover, brush, balls, etc and all for $1000. I know I won't be getting Brunswick quality (it's an AMF) but I also won't have to get all freaked if I come intot he game room and see a couple of 13 yr olds sitting on it!

I wish I could have found more on the Kingdom Billiards brand but I never found much at all on that.

Thanks to all for the input. Maybe I'll post some pics of the table once I get it and get it set up.

(Now I need a good light!)

[JBMallory]

you should see if you can't find an old coin operated table from a pool hall. my brother in law got one for free because the guy couldnt make the mechanism work. the slate was 1" thick and ONE SOLID PIECE. we rigged it up to just drop the balls without waiting for more money to play

[fastninja500]

Originally Posted by JBMallory

you should see if you can't find an old coin operated table from a pool hall. my brother in law got one for free because the guy couldnt make the mechanism work. the slate was 1" thick and ONE SOLID PIECE. we rigged it up to just drop the balls without waiting for more money to play

My next door neighbor did this too - bought an old table from a pool hall. Trashed everything but the one piece slate. Then had a table custom built around it, with leather pockets and all.

He got tired of the cold NJ weather. Sold his house. Moved away. Guess who ended up with his table? That would be me! Bought everything from him, pool table, cue sticks, even the overhead lighting. It took 5 guys to carry the slate alone.

The one-piece slate is definitely worth searching for if you can find it. The table is always true and level. I can make a ball crawl from one end to another and it does not deviate at all.

[jaxart]

It's amazing how much room is needed for a full-size pool table. And having to use shortened cues because the room is too small spoils all the fun. The answer is to find one of the bar room pool tables (used) that are smaller in size but still provide plenty of challenge for shark wannabes.

[Old Man Winter]

When I was younger I managed a billiard hall back home for several years. I installed and repaired tables for almost 3 years. Dont go cheap, pressed board will fall apart and thin slates will crack. Find an old bar table and have the rubber on the rails redone, have it reclothed and leveled and your done, not as expensive as you would think either.

[Alpha8207]

Well, so far so good with my AMF table from Costco. It plays great and looks awesome. I really didn't want to spend several thousand dollars on a table but I didn't want one that looked too cheap either. SO far, I'm very pleased!