Cheap pool tables: the pros and cons of buying a used pool table

Buying a pool table is not a decision to be taken lightly and buy cheap pool tables It can be expensive if you are not sure what to look for. In this article, I will try to cover the main things that you need to consider when planning to buy a cheap or used second hand pool or billiard table.

The three main components to check are the whiteboard, the rails and cushions, and the table felt.

Let’s look at each of these and give you some tips on what to look for.

We will start with the board, which of course is the most important component of any pool table. Pool table slate can come in a variety of thicknesses and grades (quality) and it is important to make sure that the slate you have on any cheap pool table you are buying does not have chips or cracks.

To easily test this, you must first spray the felt with a specialized cleaning solution and then brush the felt to see if there are any areas of the felt that are damaged. If the felt is damaged or worn, it will show up and this is the most likely place where you will find chips or cracks in the slate.

Of course, the easiest way to test a board for any damage is to play a few balls up and down and across the table to see if there are any jumps. If the ball jumps or jumps off the table, the board is likely damaged. If it is chipped, you can get a special adhesive to repair the slate bed.

The rails and cushions of a pool table are extremely important and if they are not set at the correct height or are badly worn, the bounce of the cushion will be dead. Good table felt and good cushions should allow you to hit the ball around the table with all four cushions without using your hardest cue shot. If you can’t hit four cushions, then there is a problem.

Cheap pool tables they often have lower quality cushions and rails, however you can replace them.

You will find various materials and different design principles applied with rubber cushions. Cushions are usually made of an elastic material such as vulcanized rubber (rubber or synthetic).

To ensure that you have a tight fitting cushion rubbers, you should note that the top of the cushion where your pool / billiard ball bounces should be 1 7/16 “from the surface of the slate if you are using a pool game. standard regulation balls (2 1/4 “)

The standards on US pool tables are the K-66 cushion rubber profile, which is defined with a 1-3 / 16-inch base and a 1-inch nose height. This makes the bounce of the balls predictable during your game.

New or used pool tables actually play quite similar, but one item that can make a real difference in performance is felt tables.

The pool table felt, also known as “cloth”, will cover the top of the playing area, the rails and the slate bed are typically covered with a high quality 21-24 oz woven pool cloth.

If your table runs slowly, the balls don’t seem to roll fast enough, you can remove the cushions and rails to re-stretch the fabric and speed it up.

Below are the top four tournament quality felts you might want to check out:

Tour Edition 3030 Titan 21oz Wool Mercury Ultra Simonis 860

So what are the pros and cons of buying cheap pool tables?

The professionals

1. Number one is cost !!! You can get a cheap pool table for $ 200- $ 600 if you shop around (a new table can cost you $ 1500- $ 3000)

2. Having your own table at home makes it cheaper in the long run. You don’t pay table hiring fees to play, so you have a cost savings there.

3 You can invite friends and family to play and this makes it a lot of fun.

The cons

1. Your cheap table is more likely to be a used table, so you will probably have to arrange transportation to receive it. (When you buy a new table, it is usually included in the price)

2. If you are not an expert, you could be buying a table that has some flaws (it may cost more in the long run if you have to replace any part of your table)

3. Some older pool tables are prone to damage to the slate, which is the most expensive component of your table (a new table will come with a good warranty)

So if you are looking to buy cheap pool tables then take into consideration the advantages and disadvantages

In short, getting a new or used pool table doesn’t make much of a difference to your playing experience if you have a level slate bed, good rails, and a quality cloth.

Enjoy your next shelf.

Richie