Valley Pool Table Manual? The 128 Correct Answer

The “Panther” pool table is the home version of Valley’s world famous coin-operated pool table. It is designed to withstand the harshest of environments, just like its coin-operated version.

Features are:

Highland Maple with contrasting black rails, Charcoal Chromatic and Cherry laminate finishes and high visibility white sights.

One-piece imported slate offers a truly flat playing surface.

Concealed screw, side and end panels.

Flush inset corners and pockets.

The dramatically tapered body and legs allow players to shoot from any position.

One-piece ball return chute reduces ball jams.

One person leveling system allows adjustments with a standard wrench.

Solid aluminum slate mount for a flat playing surface.

Thick dual-density pad splint rubber provides better bounce and carries a lifetime warranty.

Industry standard Tournament Green Valley Ultra cloth for increased durability, stain resistance and good looks.

Pre-assembled down to the legs. Just attach legs, align and play.

Available in three sizes: Model 88 (6.5′), 88″ x 50″ x 31″. Slate is 3/4″, 605 lbs.

Model 93 (7′), 93″ x 53″ x 31″. Slate is 3/4″, 670 lbs.

Model 101 (8′), 101″ x 56″ x 31″. Slate is 7/8″, 845 lbs.

FREE shipping by truck from the factory to your destination in the continental US.

and FREE accessory pack (4 cues, ball set, triangle and chalk) included.

Changing the price of the game on a coin-operated pool table

We are often asked how to change the game price or even put the table in free play mode on our coin operated pool tables.

The coin mechanism may seem like a complicated contraption, but changing the game price is relatively easy once you know how!

First, we’ll explain how to set your coin-operated pool table to free play.

1 – First you need to access the coin mechanism itself by opening the ball train with the keys that came with your table.

2 – You will notice that there are different “lanes” on top of the mechanism where users place their coins when paying for a game. You will also see that some unused lanes are already covered.

3 – The unused lanes are covered with so-called “Blanking Plates”, you should have some of these as spares if the table was originally delivered to you.

4 – To set the table to Free Play, you only need to “cover” the lanes that are not already covered.

5 – Once all the lanes are covered, the users of your pool table just have to push the mechanism in each time they want to start a new game.

There’s a bit more involved in changing the game price, but Essex Engineering, the maker of the coin mechanism, has provided us with a step-by-step guide on how to do this.

Check out their step-by-step guide for more information:

There are 3 ways you can level a pool table and it all depends on the type of table you have. An uneven pool table makes it impossible to get the perfect shot. You may find that the ball rolls too far, too fast, or changes direction as if it had a mind of its own. The speed of the ball may increase/decrease as it rolls up or down an inclined table.

Yes, you can breathe easy. Your cue ball is not under a spell! This post explains some of the causes of an uneven table and shows you how to properly level your pool table.

Causes of an uneven table

Sometimes the table can sag, bend, or dip in certain areas. Perhaps you and your friends are using your pool table as a makeshift couch, or you may have mishandled your table.

One thing you never want to do is pick up your pool table from the top or the end! This can cause your table to warp, bend and/or crack. The correct way to move a pool table is to use a jack or raise and raise the table from the center to avoid irregularities in your playing surface.

what you will need

A spirit level, screwdriver, and some wood washers will come in handy. That’s it for this section! Now let’s level your pool table!

3 types of pool tables

Always follow the instructions in your pool table manual. Not all pool tables are created equal, but the principles behind leveling your table should be similar. There are 3 ways to level your pool table; Metal plates, adjustable legs and wooden washers.

metal plates (discs)

Most pool tables come with metal plates (shims) that can be used to level the playing surface of your pool table. If you are unsure if your pool table has metal shims, look under the legs, under the table, and in the accessory bag that your pool table came with.

Adjustable legs

Other tables come with self-leveling legs that are adjustable. This makes leveling your pool table easy as you don’t need any tools.

Wooden washers

If your pool table does not have metal tops or adjustable legs, you can still level your table for optimal performance. Instead of the metal plates you can use wooden plates. While not as sturdy as metal, they can still get the job done!

Checking the balance of your pool table

Some leveling guides may leave out this part, but it’s important! Make sure your pool table location is level. Lay the level under your pool table to ensure there are no areas of the floor that could cause your pool table to tilt. Sometimes carpets or floors in general can cause slight imbalances in the height of your pool table. Locating the problem will make it easier for you to determine which areas need to be raised to level your pool table.

Once you are satisfied that this is not the cause of your pool table’s imbalance, you can place a spirit level in the center of the table to check for imbalances. Don’t just check in one place either! Place the spirit level in the center AND on all 4 sides of your pool table. Repeat your inspection to ensure you have a clear and accurate reading.

How to level a pool table

Shims are used to add incremental support to a given object. They are often used to hang cabinets and other interior items. The further you place the washer under your table, the higher that section of the table will be raised. As you notice, the washers are angled and gradually increase in thickness.

Add shims under areas of your table that are lower than they should be. Go slow and check with your leveler to make sure you’re not overdoing it. For pool tables with adjustable legs, remove the screws that attach the legs and move them up/down to create a level playing surface. Be sure to tighten the screws to prevent slipping!

Finally, when you think you’ve got it right, check the table with a spirit level to make sure everything is lined up correctly. Sometimes the table can droop and slip overtime. You’ve probably noticed the indentations that sofas make when left in the same spot for a long time. This 1/2 inch indentation is enough to unbalance your pool table. It’s not a bad idea to check your table balance from time to time!

More pool table repair guides:

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Have you ever looked at a pool table and noticed while playing that the table didn’t appear to be level? You may just happen to notice that the ball seems to be going a little more in one direction than the other. Well, in this article, we’re going to go over everything you need to know about a pool table and how to tell if it’s level or not.

So how can you tell if a pool table is level or not?

There are many different ways to determine if a pool table is level. One of the most popular methods is to use a carpenter’s level to see if the table is level. Most professionals use a digital spirit level to make sure it’s perfect. You can also use a billiard ball to see if it’s rolling.

If you want to learn more about billiard tables, how to tell if they are level and how to fix a table that isn’t level, read on. You can also watch this video to learn how to properly level a pool table.

Is a level pool table that important?

The quality of the game is determined by numerous factors ranging from the experience of the players to the characteristics of the pool table. A level playing surface is a prerequisite for precise ball control and avoiding bias. A billiards player should therefore be able to tell whether a table is tilted or not before the game begins to encourage fair play. Below we discuss some ways to determine the orientation of a pool table.

With a carpenter’s level

If you find that your billiard balls always roll to one side of the table, you should look for the table level. One of the most accurate methods is using a spirit level, which can be either digital or analog. The analog carpenter’s spirit level has a liquid column with bubbles. When placed on a flat surface, the bubbles orient themselves between two lines down the center of the device, but tilt to one side if the surface is not flat. The carpenter’s tool indicates the degree and direction of imbalance. For best results, do the following:

First you need to measure the longer center line of the table. Place the spirit level in the middle of the pool table, parallel to the table lengths. Check for bubbles in the tool to determine if the table is accurately level or not. If the bubbles stay within the boundaries of the two centers on the glass tube, then it’s okay. Each tilt requires you to raise or lower one of the ends of the pool table.

Next you need to check the shorter center line. The procedure is similar to measuring the longer center line, but the carpenter’s tool is now aligned along the width of the table (across the table). This is important to determine the lateral plane of the pool table. Again, you need to make the adjustments depending on your spreadsheet.

The third step is to set the level along all four sides of the table. Most often the problem is a single table, which may be shorter or longer than the others. This may not be easy to see with the first two steps. Because of this, you must check each side of the table for imbalances by placing the spirit level on the edges of the playing surface. Determine the slope for each corner and make the necessary adjustments, starting with the most affected side.

When using a carpenter’s spirit level, you must pay attention to possible inclinations of the floor, which can be a source of error. Such a defect complicates the situation when the pool table is also crooked. It takes more skill to properly balance the pool table when the table and floor are not level. The floor on which you place the pool table should always be level to optimize ball control.

What if I don’t have a level?

If you don’t have access to a spirit level, you can download one of the spirit level feature apps from the Play Store and use it on your phone. After installing the app, launch it, then place your phone on all playing surfaces and measure each side in the same way as the level. Most iPhones now come with a pre-downloaded level in the measurement app.

Use a billiard ball to check the level

If the tilt is obvious, cue balls on the table will move to the bottom. However, in some cases it may be unnoticeable and it may take some time to be noticed. To measure the level with a cue ball, slowly roll it in a straight line on a specific area of ​​the table’s playing surface. Watch the ball’s trajectory as it moves. If the ball curves in a certain direction from the straight line, it would be an indicator of an imbalance. Repeat the process at various points you may suspect before completing the process.

This method is less accurate and the results should be confirmed with a bubble level prior to any intervention.

With a piece of glass and marble

Another method of determining pool table level involves using a flat piece of glass placed in the center of the table. Then a marble is placed in the middle of the glass. Check whether the marble stops in the middle of the glass or whether it rolls in a specific direction. The procedure should also be performed on the sides of the table at a distance of 2-3 inches. If the ball stays in place, the table is level, but any movement shows an imbalance.

How do you level a pool table?

After measuring the degree and direction of the tilt, you need to make the necessary adjustments to have a perfect game.

Manufacturers design adjustable pool tables to fit any floor. The information on adjustment techniques is usually contained in the user manual. You should therefore read the manual to determine if your table has removable metal plates that can be manipulated to maintain balance, or adjustable legs that can be screwed in a specific direction to change the table’s height.

If your table doesn’t have adjustable legs, these work perfectly and you’ll never have to lift the pool table off the floor again. Even if the floor gets uneven, you can easily adjust these to easily level the pool table again.

tightening of all screws

Loosening of mounting bolts is also a common cause of pool table imbalance. Prolonged use of the table without maintenance drills can cause the bolts and screws to lose their grip. The result is loose joints that eventually lead to sloping positions. Sometimes tightening the screws will level the table without having to adjust the height. The bolts and screws used to assemble pool tables vary in size. Because of this, you should have all the required dimensions of screwdrivers to get good results.

When you fix a bug, you need to check if the table is level after each action. For example, if the legs of the pool table are adjustable, you should raise the bottom leg a little and then use the level again to check if it is skewed. If you raise it too much, you just have to lower it back down a little more. Shims are best for making changes less than one degree. The process of getting a level playing surface can be quite cumbersome as it involves trial and error.

Conclusion

A level pool table is essential for precise ball control during play. However, sometimes an uneven floor or a loose screw can affect the alignment of the playing surface. As a player, you should be able to determine if the table is level using a spirit level, a cue ball or a piece of flat glass and a marble. Now that your pool table is 100% level, you can play again and perfect your pool skills!

Let’s face it – you couldn’t use these tactics if you were, say, hounding Paul Newman. However, if you indulge in a friendly pool hall connection, all these techniques are 100% valid. Especially if you keep an eye on your opponent.

by Deborah Taylor

1. Accidentally poking your opponent’s pool cue.

A fantastic early starter in pool cheat canon. Stumbling near the pool table (accidentally, obviously) and nudging your opponent’s cue while he’s about to execute his shot is an excellent opening volley. Then apologize profusely (a good tip is to look the other way as you do this, as if you were being distracted by a small dog wearing a vest, for example).

2. Cover the pockets with your fingers.

Stand at the table, idly chatting to people while resting your hand on the table, not realizing that your fingers happen to be covering the pocket where your opponent’s only easy shot will end up. I should point out that this really, really hurts if your opponent is still taking the shot.

I mean it really hurts.

3. Get your opponent shockingly drunk.

A potentially expensive tactic depending on your opponent’s drinking ability. Especially if, like most people in the western world, you find that the more alcohol they shove up their beaks, their pool skills improve…

4. The GoodYear Blimp Distraction

Simply coughing loudly while your opponent is shooting won’t work. je. No matter how many times you try. And believe me, I’ve tried that a lot. You’ll get far better results if you throw in the most random, surreal distractions possible. Point to a corner of the room and yell, “My God! The Good Year Blimp!’ just as they take their shot is perfect. And you can always tell it was on TV if you’re questioned later.

5. Stroking your opponent’s legs with the pool cue

Some might say this is wrong for so many reasons, but gently stroking your opponent’s inner thigh from the safe distance afforded by careful use of a pool cue is spot on. The more experienced scammers might move further north, but be warned – this is dangerous territory (you’ll either over-excite them or hospitalize them) and it’s hard to explain simply like that.

6. Blind the opponent

Permanently obliterating your opponent’s vision is out the window. However, it’s fair enough to put your hand in front of their eyes, or even just cover them, if you can find a reasonable excuse. I’ve never been able to come up with a good excuse, but a cute smile and an apology usually helps.

7. Stand right next to the cue ball.

I’m not saying you should climb on the table and hit the white ball, as you’ll probably be politely asked to leave. But stand exactly where your opponent needs to shoot? That’s good and good! This means they either have to choose a more difficult shot from a different angle or try to get the shot around you. Very good if you really like your opponent and want a chance to get a little closer.

8. Bite your opponent.

I’m not advocating taking pieces out of your opponent’s arms. Incomplete. And I admit that’s a pretty extreme tactic. However, a simple, well-placed “playful” bite should affect their concentration enough to ensure they miss their shot and maybe even fake it, giving you extra shots.

9. Grope your opponent.

Yes, we’re moving into the more extreme realms of cheating here. This is possibly the trickiest of all cheats to achieve. As your opponent lines up their shot, just casually place your hand on their genitals and the more they focus, the more pressure you apply. Even if you lose the pool game, this cheat still offers some benefits. A variation of this is to flash your opponent, but that’s really a bit common.

10. Be very good in the pool.

The most ridiculous suggestion I can make. Without any of the above methods, you could actually work out all of the game’s physics and practice a lot to actually reach some level of pool-based proficiency.

But where’s the fun in that?

You may have enjoyed a few games of pool at a local bar or pool hall and noticed that the cue ball was a different size than the others. There are several ways this can be done. However, different sizes of billiard balls do not typically occur during league play.

Is the game ball smaller? No, the cue ball is usually not smaller. If the game ball is a different size than the object balls, it will get bigger, not smaller.

This is usually the case when playing on a cash box or coin table. Using the same billiard balls over time can also make them smaller and lighter. If the object balls are replaced and not the cue ball, it may be smaller than the others.

Replacing damaged balls can also result in different sized billiard balls on the table. Different brands can also construct their billiard balls differently, which can result in size differences.

To summarize the reasons:

The cue ball can be larger when played on a bar box or coin table

The owner may have replaced damaged or worn balls with newer ones

The tables may have mixed sets, with pool balls from multiple sets

With so many ways to have different sized billiard balls on the table, it’s important to understand how it happens and how it can affect your game.

Are there billiard games that require different sized billiard balls? Why is the cue ball bigger when playing on a coin table? How can you tell if the billiard balls are different sizes?

After you learn more, let us know about your experience in the comments.

Reasons for different billiard ball sizes

We have listed the most common methods for different sized pool balls to find their way onto your pool table. Let’s look at each of these situations separately to really understand how and why this can happen.

Coin operated tables

Many coin operated pool tables, typically found in bars, have a number of mechanisms under the table that separate the cue ball from the object balls being pocketed. Any object balls that are potted will end up in a holding chute until the next coin or token game is started.

However, you must keep using the cue ball when you scratch, so the table must have a way to return it to you. If the cue ball is just a little bit bigger, the table will redirect it to an exit instead of holding it like the object balls do.

Newer coin-op pool tables may use a magnetic cue ball instead of a larger ball. In this situation, the cue ball is usually the same as the object balls.

This means that the cue ball of any bar box or coin table will be:

Heavier and/or larger so the mechanisms can distinguish it

Magnetic and the magnetic mechanisms under the table will distinguish it

Replace billiard balls

When there is a lot of billiards happening in a bar or pool hall, the billiard balls can become worn, scratched, scarred or even yellow. In this case, in many places only the damaged billiard balls are replaced instead of the entire set.

While this is certainly more convenient for setup, it can result in the balls being used at a particular table being of different sizes or weights. This can affect your game, but so can the newer, smoother billiard balls used alongside those that have a rougher texture due to wear.

What can happen when newer balls are replaced with worn or damaged balls?

A worn ball that is now smaller or lighter may move faster when hit

A worn ball may not hit another cleanly, which may send it in a different direction than intended

A dirty or worn ball may move differently on the pool table surface than others

Newer balls that are heavier and smoother can travel in the intended direction, but may not travel as far or further depending on the other balls on the table

Have you noticed unwanted effects when playing with a mixed set or a set with damaged or worn pool balls? Tell us about it!

Accidental Mixed Sets

When many pool tables are in use, whether in a bar or a pool hall, the sets used in each case may be different brands or different models of the same brand. It can be particularly difficult to ensure that each table always receives pool balls from the exact same set. This means that most tables will be filled with mixed sets and the odd point.

Sizes and weights of billiard balls

The standard size and weight billiard ball is 2 ¼ inches in diameter and weighs approximately 6 ounces. As mentioned above, on a coin-operated pool table, the cue ball can be slightly larger. If so, it’s usually 2 3/8 inches in diameter. On rare occasions, all balls in the rack may be 2 3/8 inches. They are also usually a bit heavier.

You usually only see billiard balls in two sizes:

2 ¼”, 6 ounces (standard size)

2 3/8”, just over 6 ounces (larger coin size)

Construction of pool balls

Over the years, the materials used to make billiard balls have changed drastically. The first were made of ivory. However, the game of billiards quickly grew in popularity in the early 19th century while the cost of ivory rose. An inventor in New York invented the celluloid billiard ball.

They weren’t very durable, and players had to worry about the ball exploding on a hard hit.

The first modern billiard ball construction using a material called Bakelite. Bakelite was the most popular building material and most billiard balls were made this way in the 1920s. Newer and more popular materials used today are made of resin, either plastic or acrylic.

These materials are very durable and make it much easier to construct billiard balls of the same size and weight.

However, it is important to note that each brand makes their billiard balls in a different way and with different materials.

This is the history of the building material for billiard balls:

Carved Wood (wears out quickly, is difficult to unify)

Ivory (kept under heavy use, expensive)

celluloid (from volatile matter)

Bakelike (very durable, lightweight, the standard for many decades)

Resin (most modern, very durable)

More info

While we may have answered the question, “Is the cue ball smaller?” It’s still important to understand the different sizes of billiard balls for most common types of games, their different appearances, and the size and weight of billiard balls used in different cue games be used.

Pool balls for league games

When playing in a league, all billiard balls are standard size and weight. This means a diameter of 2 ¼ inches and a weight of 6 ounces. Depending on where the league play is taking place, officials may weigh and measure the balls at each table to confirm they are standard. Other officials are only allowed to weigh and measure them if a discrepancy is found.

The appearance of billiard balls

When it comes to investing in your own set of billiard balls, you have many options to choose from. While most have the standard cue ball, solid colors, stripes, and 8-ball, some can get very creative. Some balls may be a different color than the standards.

Creative ways for billiard balls:

Various graphics

Different colors

Sports team logos

name of a person

Different numbers like roman numerals

The best brands of billiard balls

Aramith has long been considered the best when it comes to billiard balls. In fact, more than 3 out of 4 billiards players use Aramith balls. However, there are other brands that can give you the quality, looks, and price you are looking for. Other great pool ball options include Brunswick, Cyclop, and Iszy.

Would you like to see an extensive list of the best and most expensive billiard balls? We wrote an article here so you can check it out!

related questions

We’ve covered quite a bit of information so far, but there are some questions that many billiard players still have when it comes to the balls they use. Believe it or not, even those who have been playing for a while may have the same questions.

Are snooker balls smaller?

The game of snooker can resemble billiards in many ways. The shape of the table is similar, although it is shorter and slightly taller. There are pockets that you can send your object balls in, but these pockets are smaller. And the balls themselves are a little smaller, plus there are more of them.

The modern size of snooker balls is 52.5 mm. To be considered “standard” it must be within 0.05mm of this size. This means they are just over 2 1/16 inches smaller than a standard billiard ball.

Does a game ball weigh more?

In most sets, the playing ball is the exact size and weight of the object balls. However, older coin-op pool tables may have one that is slightly larger and heavier under the table due to the mechanics of separating object balls from the cue ball. It can be the same size but slightly heavier in coin tables that use magnets instead of mechanics.

That being said, the cue ball should always be the same size as the others unless sets were mixed up or only certain balls in a set were substituted.

What Are Ivory Billiard Balls And Why Don’t We Use Them Anymore?

The original game of billiards used ivory balls, when it quickly became apparent that carved wooden billiard balls would not stand up to regular use. Ivory balls were very durable and made the game popular among society’s elite. However, the game gained popularity among other demographics and became a popular bar game. With the price and dwindling resources of ivory, it became important to find alternatives.

The first “modern” billiard balls were designed by John Wesley Hyatt in the late 19th century. However, the material he used was not very durable and tended to explode with enough force. In the 1920s, most standard billiard balls were made of Bakelite, invented by Phelan Leo Baekeland. Today, more modern materials such as plastic or acrylic resin are used.

Why do some cue balls have a magnet inside?

While actually playing your game of billiards, you may not even realize that the cue ball contains a magnet. Most sets do not contain a toy ball with a magnet. So if it doesn’t affect play and it’s not always necessary, why do some cue balls have an internal magnet?

Modern coin-operated pool tables typically use a magnet under the table to separate it from the object balls, which are then held in the table until the next game is called. The magnet sends the game ball in a different direction, so you can use it again. Prior to this design, this was achieved through the mechanics of a slightly larger cue ball. Many older coin tables still use this method.

Coin operated pool tables are one of our specialties at Home Leisure Direct and we offer a fantastic range of coin operated pool tables for both residential and commercial use. Whether it’s an office canteen, club, youth club, golf club or pub, we have a table to suit your needs.

Landlords today often choose to purchase their own coin-operated pub pool tables rather than sharing the profits with an operator. We offer an end-to-end service to make this choice easier, offering expert advice right from the start to ensure you buy a pool table that suits your needs. Our experienced installation team can adapt to your needs in terms of table location and configure coin operation free of charge.

coin pool tables

There are a variety of options for handling commercial billiard tables. The first and most common type is the “six straight” mechanical coin handling system. This allows you to choose your prize and coins to handle. The customer simply tosses the coins into the bowl and slides the mechanism towards the pool table which accepts the coins and releases the balls.

The more expensive electronic coin operated tables offer advanced coin handling to accept multiple denominations and push button operation. We also stock the most advanced coin operating systems on the market, allowing you to set charging by the hour and by the day, which changes automatically without you having to lift a finger.

We offer a number of different types of coin-op pool tables:

English coin-op pool tables

American coin-op pool tables

Pool tables with slate beds

Luxurious coin-operated pool tables

Outdoor coin-op pool tables

Please use the links at the top of this page to navigate to these sections or alternatively browse our full range of coin operated pool tables below.

All of our coin operated pool tables come complete with free delivery and accessories so you have everything you need to get started as soon as you receive your table.

Visit our pool table showroom to view an excellent collection of pool tables, try them out and get first-hand advice on which one is right for you. Our friendly staff is always on hand to point you in the right direction for your perfect pool table.

We stock all the top brands available on the market today. There is a thriving community of UK based manufacturers who have been in the industry for years. We also sell coin operated pool tables from all over the world coming from Spain, Italy and France.

Our commercial Sam Leisure pool tables are used in a number of different settings such as Hollywood Bowl and Riley’s pool and snooker clubs. They offer robust build quality, stunning designs and great playing features – a must have to keep pool players coming back for more.

The coin operated Supreme pool tables are some of the most popular we sell. The Supreme Prince was used in the World and UK Pool Championships televised on Sky Sports. The Supreme Prince and Supreme Winner are incredibly affordable commercial pool tables while offering a wonderfully consistent playing surface. They’re designed to work hard in whatever environment they’re deployed in and withstand the daily knocks they’re inevitably subjected to.

We also stock the full range of coin operated pool tables from DPT, Longoni and Optima Pool so whatever style or design you need we have it. Choose from contemporary style pool tables that combine the use of metal and wood. Luxury pool tables built in Italy and Spain, beautifully designed to attract the discerning high spender.

Our brands of coin-op pool tables include:

Please use the links at the top of the page to view all the manufacturers tables that we offer and to navigate to the relevant pages.

Many models, finishes and brands are exclusive to Home Leisure Direct and therefore not available from any other retailer.

We have years of experience behind us and have traveled the world to meet with the leaders in the field. We would be happy to discuss your requirements in detail and make qualified recommendations. We see ourselves as the market leader in Great Britain. Put us to the test and we’re sure you’ll agree.

If you have any questions about any of the pool tables we sell or any of our other products please call us on 0800 622 6464 or 01454 413636 and one of our friendly specialist advisers will be happy to help.

You may be wondering which brand or manufacturer made your pool table. Does your pool table have no markings? Are you wondering what brand of pool table I have?

I’ll be honest with you, sometimes this can actually be a difficult task if it isn’t already obvious. Most good name brand and high quality billiard tables will have a nameplate on them. Other brands of pool tables will have their names somewhere.

The problem is when they don’t. Again, I’ll be honest, this post might not give you the quick and quick answers you want. At least it points you in the right direction to help you identify the brand.

The first step you need to do is gather as much information as possible.

collect informations

Here are some questions you need to answer about your pool table.

Look under the table for markings, writing, anything

Do you have a ball return or pockets? Are the bags leather or plastic?

What slate do you have?

Is it a 3 piece board or something else? (The heavy material that makes up the core of your pool table) Look under your pool table, a 3 piece slate will be broken into 3 separate pieces and you should see lines where they separate. If you only see 2 lines or none at all, you may have a 1 board. This is very important information, but if you are not sure, just take pictures of it.

Is it really slate or a mock material like Slateron?

What color felt was the table originally?

What wood is your pool table made of?

Take as many pictures as possible (also from different angles)

Are the dots on your pool table diamonds or circles?

Can you contact the previous owner?

Can you contact the company or private seller you bought from?

Is your pool table versatile? (dining table, table football, table tennis, etc.)

Have you already found out the manufacturer of your billiard table? If not, read on.

Check other sources

If you couldn’t answer every single question above, that’s okay. Now you want to list all the details.

Next, it’s time to turn to a few sources for help. Here are 3 sources you can check to match the information and see if you can identify your pool table.

Azbilliards

Azbilliards is a great billiards forum website that many billiards players visit. People often post pool cues or pool tables that they need help identifying. Sign up for the site and check the Forum section of the site. I would recommend the pool table and accessories category in the test. The exact link to the site and thread is below:

Azbilliards website www.azbilliards.com

Azbilliards – Pool Tables and Accessories Review Thread http://forums.azbilliards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=81

Here you publish a thread with all information and pictures about Azbilliards. Ask other people for help identifying your pool table. There are people here who have 5, 10, 15 or even 20+ years with pool tables.

Note: In order to post on Azbilliards, you must sign up for an account.

If Azbilliards is overwhelming, I would try Reddit and the /r/billiards subreddit (www.reddit.com/r/billiards).

Local billiard shop

Search Google “billiards shop near me” or something along those lines.

Either call the store or drive directly to the store with your information. The billiards shop staff know many pool brands and may be able to help. You may have old catalogs of old billiard tables from years ago that can help you.

Check Amazon or other websites

You can check Amazon or similar sites that sell pool tables online. If you can flick through a few pages, you might even trip over your pool table. Since you have more information about your pool table, this can be helpful.

summary

If a pool table doesn’t have any markings or labels, it can be really difficult to find out who made your pool table. For this reason, it is important to take photos from ALL possible angles. Under the table, in that weird corner, those weird numbers under the table, etc. If people just post a picture online and ask for help, it’s difficult for other players to identify. I hope the tips above have helped you identify your pool table.

If you want to read my related posts; 11 mistakes to avoid when buying a used table or the pros and cons of buying a used vs new pool table just click on the link.

Remember to gather as much information as possible. You should reach as many people and sources as possible. Good luck on your journey to finding out the brand and thanks for reading.

It’s a passion for the games.

Valley Dynamo and Champion Shuffleboard has a passion for games. We especially enjoy the people and spirit of bar games – because most of us know how to have fun!

This passion makes us better manufacturers. This keeps us focused on delivering quality products and looking for ways to improve our games because we are gamers too – some of us better than others (We have a few champions but mostly we’re competitors and social gamers.)

We build products for operators, dealers, distributors and players. We have customers all over the world and we know who owns and plays our products and that keeps us on track. Delivering products that make money, are fun, and delight new players and fans is what drives our success.

Personally, I believe in a small business approach – keep your focus on quality products and building strong, lasting relationships, and that’s how we do things here.

So play tornado foosball, valley pool, dynamo table hockey and champion shuffleboard, it’s fun!

kelly stites,

President & Shuffleboard Players

timeline

1947 – The Valley Company began building coin-operated billiard tables and coin-operated pool tables in Bay City, Michigan.

1965 – Valley Co. introduced the Magnetic Cue Ball Separator, which allowed coin-operated pool tables to use a cue ball of the same size and weight as the object balls.

1970 – Tornado Table Sports was founded in Dallas, Texas, building foosball/foosball tables.

1973 – Dynamo LTD was incorporated and the company manufactured coin operated billiards, foosball and air hockey.

1979 – Valley invests in the Valley National Eightball Association (VNEA) and Valley International Foosball Association (VIFA), which form leagues to promote billiards and foosball.

1988 – Champion Shuffleboard, formerly Gametime, begins manufacturing shuffleboard tables.

1999 – Valley Co. becomes Valley Recreational Products and merges Tornado Table Sports and Dynamo LTD and moves to Texas.

2003 – Valley Dynamo releases the first programmable pool tables with bill validators.

2003 – Brunswick purchases Valley Dynamo and moves manufacturing to Mexico in 2006.

2009 – Kelye Stites, owner of Champion Shuffleboard LTD, completes the deal to buy the assets of Brunswick-based Valley Dynamo and move production back to Richland Hills, Texas.

2010 – Valley Dynamo celebrates 1 year under the leadership of Kelye Stites. Valley, Dynamo and Tornado products are once again made in Texas with a commitment to quality and service. The dealers and operators notice it.

How to determine whether a pool table is made of 1-piece slate or 3-piece slate

In the United States, 3-piece slate billiard tables are the most common. There are some older tables with 1 piece slate tops and they are mostly from brands like Empire or California Billiards.

To determine if your pool table has a 1-piece or a 3-piece slate, first stand in front of the center pocket of your pool table.

Swipe your finger to the left of the middle pocket and center it between the two diamonds/marks.

Look under your table in the area you pointed to. If you see a gap or a seam then it is a 3 piece slate pool table.

If your pool table has no obvious gaps or seams in the specified area, it is likely a one-piece slate pool table.

Typical one-piece slate billiard tables have wood paneling and legs similar to the table pictured above.

If you think you may have a one piece slate pool table please let us know so we can best assist you in moving your pool table.

After using a coin table for the first time, you might be surprised that after scratching, only the cue ball comes back into play. How does this work?

By using a magnetic cue ball, a cue ball of a different weight or a different size cue ball, depending on the table.

For those of you unfamiliar with coin operated pool tables, all balls are held in the table until the correct number of coins are inserted. After inserting your coins and pulling the lever into the machine, the balls will roll into an accessible ball box at the end of the table. As each ball is pocketed during play, it rolls down a simple system of internal chutes that return it to a storage area on the side of the table where you can view the balls through a plexiglass window on the ballbox door. The balls are then held back until the game is over and more money is thrown in.

However, since it is common to scratch by pocketing the cue ball, there needs to be a system to return just that one ball. Otherwise it would be game over when someone scratched for the first time.

Some tables use cue balls that are a different size than the colored/numbered balls. This system works fairly well, although some players claim that a larger diameter cue ball deflects their shots and changes the dynamics of the game.

Magnetic cue ball return systems are based on a magnetic cue ball. The magnetic game ball is repelled by another magnet in the table’s internal chutes. The repelling action of the magnets pushes the ball and sends the cue ball down a separate path that brings it back to the player. This system works very well. Magnetic cue balls are of the prescribed size and weight and are unlikely to interfere with play.

By Melissa Buchanan

Filed under: Announcements by Admin | Comments Off on How do coin operated pool tables work?

Moving with a pool table? There’s a good chance you’ll have to take it apart and reassemble it. Standard pool tables are incredibly large and heavy, making them quite difficult to move in one piece – even for a professional mover. How you do that? In this post, we cover all the general advice you need to know to disassemble and reassemble a pool table so you’re ready on moving day.

Note: Remember these instructions are for a standard wood frame pool table with drop pockets and a slate bed. If you’re trying to disassemble and reassemble a different variety of pool table, you’ll need to find a guide for that particular type.

Important safety tips before disassembling and reassembling a pool table

Safety is important when disassembling a piece of furniture, and that goes doubly so for something with as many heavy parts as a pool table. To ensure you are properly protected, wear eye protection during disassembly and assembly and have a helper available to help you lift heavy loads.

How to disassemble a pool table

It’s actually not that difficult to disassemble a pool table once you know what to expect. Follow the steps below to get it right.

Gather your supplies

This is what you need to disassemble a pool table: flat-head screwdriver or needle-nose pliers

key

Drill with a screwdriver bit And don’t forget your eye protection! Take out the staples that secure the pockets

Lie on your back and use your flat head screwdriver or needle nose pliers to carefully remove the clips used to hold the drop bags in place. This is when your eye protection is really important as these staples can easily fall if you loosen them. After all the staples are removed and the bags are detached, put the bags in a packing box and set aside. Unscrew (and pack) the side rail screws.

Your next step will be to remove the side rails. Take your wrench and remove the screws holding it in place. There are usually three studs per rail. Depending on how your pool table is constructed, your side rail can be one-piece or multi-piece. Be careful when undoing the final screws so you can carefully remove the side rail or rails from the table. Then pack up the screws so you can easily find them later when you reassemble the pool table and put the side rails in a safe place. Remove the felt

One of the more time-consuming steps in disassembling a pool table is removing the felt, but you must do this to access the underlying bed of slate (which may need to be done depending on the build of your pool table). into individual pieces – you won’t know until you take the felt off). The felt top of a pool table is attached to the slate bed in two ways: with glue or staples. Work slowly when removing to make sure nothing tears, unless your felt is worn out and you plan on replacing it after you move anyway. Once the felt is in place – starting at a corner, very gently peel the felt off the slate in a slow backward motion. Be extra careful when pulling up the felt around the pockets. If the felt is stapled – Use your flat head screwdriver or needle nose pliers to remove the staples holding the felt in place. Once the felt is removed, fold it as neatly as possible and set aside. remove slate

Having a helper at this step is especially important as the slate bed on your pool table can weigh up to 450 pounds if it’s in one piece, or made up of individual pieces that weigh between 150 and 200 pounds each. That’s a lot to lift yourself. Of course, before lifting the slate, you must remove the screws. Using your drill fitted with a screwdriver bit, take out each screw holding it in place. Generally you will find one screw in each corner of the board, although additional screws may run down the middle. Note that some manufacturers coat these screws with a beeswax coating, making them a bit difficult to spot and remove. If you find this to be the case, use your flathead screwdriver to scrape off the beeswax before removing them. After all the screws are out, lift the slate bed off the main body of the pool table and set it aside. Pack the screws so you can find them later. Remove the legs

Your final step in disassembling a pool table is to remove the legs. This should be an easy task as they usually just screw into the body, although you may have to remove a few nuts to loosen them. If there are nuts, pack them.

How to reassemble a pool table

After your move, it’s time to reassemble your pool table. You will mostly just be working backwards from the above steps. Here’s how.

Gather your supplies – and your parts

Start again with the basics: a wrench, a screwdriver, a drill with a screwdriver bit, eye protection, and a friendly extra pair of hands. You will also want a level. As well as gathering your supplies, collect all of the components of your pool table and place them in the room where you plan to assemble the piece. Mount it in the room it will live in so you don’t have to try and lift the whole thing after it’s done. Screw on the legs

Reattach the legs to the body by screwing them in and securing them if necessary with the nuts you removed during disassembly. Reattach the slate bed

With the legs back on the main body, it’s time to put the slate bed back into its frame. Exactly how you do this depends on whether you have one or more slate pieces. If you have three pieces, put the middle one on first to make sure the frame keeps its balance. After your slate is down, use your spirit level to make sure everything is straight, then take your drill bit and screw the slate back into place. Reattach the felt

If you have stored your felt, now is the time to unfold, align and secure it. How you reattach it will depend on how it was previously attached, but whichever way you go, first take a clean microfiber cloth and wipe down the panel to ensure you’re working with a clean and flat surface. If Glued – Using the provided pool table felt glue (such as 3M Super 77 Glue) and working portion by portion, spray on the glue and attach the felt to the slate. Wait a few minutes between each batch to give it time to set, and be careful to keep the felt as smooth as possible, as each bunching or folding will have you start over (and may require a new piece of felt). . It Has Been Tacked – Re-tack the felt in the same places it was previously tacked. Check the smoothness again as you go. Secure the side rails again

Reinstall the rails and use your wrench to re-secure the screws. Reattach the drop bags

Your final step is to re-stitch the pockets to fit into the side rails. As with taking it out, do this from the underside of the table, making sure to wear proper eye protection.

And let’s go! Take your time when reassembling your pool table to make sure everything is done right – it will probably take you around two to three hours. And if you need help when it comes to disassembling and reassembling a pool table — especially if you think you’re not up to the task of doing it yourself — bring in a professional for the job. You want to be sure it’s someone with experience, so look up local pool table installers and get a few quotes so you can be sure of getting a good deal.