What should I look at when buying a used pool table?

Your going to want to look at the quality of the slate, does it have any dings or cracks in it? If it has cracks don't even bother to buy it. Since it is a bar room table, the slate is most likely going to be one piece(as opposed to three pieces) which means it will be extremely heavy, so I would put the pool table in a place where getting the slate to won't be too big of a problem. If the wood on the table has a few dings and scratches here and there, no big deal (you can easily re-finish the wood). As for the bumpers, look to see if they are straight and do not bow (if they bow, you can just go buy some more, they only cost around $30 on Amazon.com). As for the price, $400 for a bar room table is a steal, if the table is in good shape don't even hesitate to buy it.

Used Pool Table

Valley Pool Table

A valley pool table with delivery and setup for $400 is a great price. Most of the used bar boxes I move are sold from between $200-500 but they have to pay xtra for me to move it and set it up for them.

All you got to do is make sure the slate is 1 piece, not broken, and the rails when u send a ball into them bounce back at about the same speed they hit the cushion. The rubber on a bar table is usually good, the problem is they tend to get loose over time, but since he is moving the table he should tighten the rails if he is moving it correctly. If the rails are hard and the ball does not bounce off they need to be replaced, they cost about $175 for a valley because valley tables rubber cushions have a wood backing.

Your biggest concern should be the cloth. At that price I don't think hes throwing in new cloth. If its in good condition fine, but if you have to replace it it does add quite a bit to the price. You should go with at least Championship or Mali's bottom of the line cloth which should cost just over $100 with shipping or go with, imo, the best. Simmonis 760 bout $220 for an 8' precut. There is also a cost for the labor, I personally charge $175 as long as I don't have to buy any materials. It is not a do it yourself project. The bed cloth is easy to put on but the rails are tricky, especially if you never even seen someone do it let alone try it yourself.

All in all at that price with delivery and set up its a great deal.

Valley is more of a value brand. Most of them have slate beds, but less than one inch thick, which is the minimum for professional level tables. Just make sure the table is structurally sound and that the cabinet and supports don't have any cracks or loosening bolts. Exterior dings shouldn't be too bad.

You can usually tell if the cushions are dead by taking a ball and going around the table and bouncing it off the cushions. Dead rails will have a slower bounce-back speed and may also sound different. However, this can be caused by the rail not being secured properly or by the rubber being old. That's a little tougher to decipher unless you know that it's been installed properly.

$400 is not bad though, especially if it includes delivery and setup. The light is probably the best extra if you have a place for it.

RE:

What should I look at when buying a used pool table?

I am in the process of buying a used 4'x8' Valley pool table from a guy. I was wondering what all I should look at when I look it over before I buy it? It was used in a bar so it obviously will have dents and dings on it. The table will need to have new felt put on to it too. He is going to...

A Valley is a good buy for 400.00 I'm from mich decent Valley goes for 800.00 to 1200.00

get on the floor & look UNDER the table, if the basic wood frame is broken?.....your WASTING $400 !!

$400 ?.....something is wrong with THIS table !!

did you save this guys life in vietnam ??

some tables can go for $4,000 !!.....not $400 ??

this deal is too good to be true?.....somethings wrong ??

(is this shitte stolen) ?????