Pool table and cue maintenance.

[OtterbatHellcat]

I'm looking for a quality person or outfit in the Denver Metro area, that knows WTF they're doing with pool tables, and I'm needing a few cues repaired/re tipped.

Fodors sucks, showcase billiards went out of business several years ago. Help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[boomerhc9]

Have you talked to backyard pools and billiards in Colorado Springs? They might be able to point you in the right direction. I was in that place all the time when I thought I could be the next Eric Yow.
Unfortunately, that was just a phase. I did get pretty good at a few trick shots though.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0ly8Ee_7jM

[boomerhc9]

Actually, just saw that you are in Denver. Not sure about anyone up there who could help.

[vim]

Call a pool hall/billiard room and get their recommendation for a pool table mechanic. Someone at the pool hall should be able to handle tip work.

Edited to add: What do you mean, "knows WTF they're doing with pool tables"? What is the issue?

[gnihcraes]

http://www.bestqualitybilliards.com/

[OtterbatHellcat]

Call a pool hall/billiard room and get their recommendation for a pool table mechanic. Someone at the pool hall should be able to handle tip work.

Edited to add: What do you mean, "knows WTF they're doing with pool tables"? What is the issue?

The old Shakespears is where I cut my teeth, and took lessons from T. Ross...that place moved and went to shit from everything I've heard.

I've had this table initially bought and installed, and moved and or re-clothed by three different folks now, and the fucker has NEVER been as level as it should be. I want a level damn table, not one where soft shots roll off, or when Fodors tells me no one uses Simonis cloth anymore, and bullshits me into a different and lower quality cloth.....while charging me $800 to replace it...and have it not be level too.

[vim]

The old Shakespears is where I cut my teeth, and took lessons from T. Ross...that place moved and went to shit from everything I've heard.

I've had this table initially bought and installed, and moved and or re-clothed by three different folks now, and the fucker has NEVER been as level as it should be. I want a level damn table, not one where soft shots roll off, or when Fodors tells me no one uses Simonis cloth anymore, and bullshits me into a different and lower quality cloth.....while charging me $800 to replace it...and have it not be level too.

Ah. Sounds like you've had some real champs there.

Cloth. "no one uses Simonis"? Ummm, sure. If you want high-speed play, asymmetrical up/down table play, whatever, it's your table and you cover the thing with what you like -- home advantage.

Leveling. There's no excuse except laziness if the installer left you with an uneven playing surface. I'm gonna guess you have a 3-piece slate table. You could do this yourself if you really took your time, but it's effort: You need a good long level, and you have 3 pieces of slate sitting on a frame, shims you can add around in various places, screws to tighten down the slate pieces that change the alignments (back to square one!), leg levelers, and then the seam sealing with plaster/beeswax. I think it's worth having a mechanic do it for you. You mentioned Tom Ross, so maybe getting a mechanic reference from http://tomrosspool.com/ makes sense.

I cut my teeth in this game back in N.J, from an age when I was only allowed to watch. Never visited the Shakespeare in Denver, but knew about it. I'm sad when an old place closes. I used to work in a place with rows of 9-foot Brunswicks and 10-foot snooker and 3-rail tables. Over time, the clientele became younger, and, well, ultimately, the main room was shrunk to make space for the video-game area that always had more people in it.

[Firehaus]

...

[Firehaus]

So when do we all get together to play?

I hardly play anymore but use to play a lot. 8 hrs + day.









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[OtterbatHellcat]

Actually, just saw that you are in Denver. Not sure about anyone up there who could help.

I appreciate the thought though, thank you.


http://www.bestqualitybilliards.com/

I looked at the link, thank you. Do you have personal experience with these folks yourself?


So when do we all get together to play?

I hardly play anymore but use to play a lot. 8 hrs + day.









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Whenever we all agree to meet somewhere and play?

[OtterbatHellcat]

Ah. Sounds like you've had some real champs there.

Cloth. "no one uses Simonis"? Ummm, sure. If you want high-speed play, asymmetrical up/down table play, whatever, it's your table and you cover the thing with what you like -- home advantage.

Leveling. There's no excuse except laziness if the installer left you with an uneven playing surface. I'm gonna guess you have a 3-piece slate table. You could do this yourself if you really took your time, but it's effort: You need a good long level, and you have 3 pieces of slate sitting on a frame, shims you can add around in various places, screws to tighten down the slate pieces that change the alignments (back to square one!), leg levelers, and then the seam sealing with plaster/beeswax. I think it's worth having a mechanic do it for you. You mentioned Tom Ross, so maybe getting a mechanic reference from http://tomrosspool.com/ makes sense.

I cut my teeth in this game back in N.J, from an age when I was only allowed to watch. Never visited the Shakespeare in Denver, but knew about it. I'm sad when an old place closes. I used to work in a place with rows of 9-foot Brunswicks and 10-foot snooker and 3-rail tables. Over time, the clientele became younger, and, well, ultimately, the main room was shrunk to make space for the video-game area that always had more people in it.

Everything at Shakespears was Simonis, as were all the higher end places that held tournaments and stuff that made it on TV. So in that sense there's no home advantage state of mind, just practicing on even ground. When I was first introduced to that fast cloth, I was dumbfounded and butt hurt until I figured it out.

Yes, three piece 9 ft., .....AMC starter kit table, but it's real functional for the $2500 tag. I'm not about to attempt to level and seal my slate properly, I even bought a starrett level several years back trying to get stuff right to no avail.

All of the Brunswick tables at Spears (at least 30) were 9 ft. They had 3 or 4 10 ft. snooker tables (man that's a bitch) and a few true billiards tables. The place was awesome, the regulars in leagues were superb players, and I was AA threshold down there until I put the cue down for a guitar and music theory instead. Did APA and bar boxes for a while, but hated it.

[OtterbatHellcat]

And to clarify, the $800 for Fordor was to break down the table and store it until a flooring installation job was done, then come back and reinstall table and recover with "Bobs" cloth.

[Firehaus]

Spears was a rare hall indeed. Went into the new location after they moved it and it wasn't the same. I guess that's why it folded so quickly.

Felt and mile high aren't bad.

I use to play quit a bit at paradise/ hanks and table steaks.

When I first moved to Denver there were enough small nightly tournaments around the metro area that I could make enough to pay bills while building my business.




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[OtterbatHellcat]

Did you ever get the Cue Times, or whatever that was called?... I might have seen your pic in there if you were winning local tournaments '07 to '10 ish.

Yeah, I miss the original Spears for sure, it was a classy place that will probably never be duplicated here in town. Mind if I PM you? I think Vim knows his way around the tits too. We probably should get together.

I'd like to hear back from Gnihcraes (Searching)...to see if he's got personal experience with that outfit he linked.. my woobie needs a new elk tip, like, yesterday.

Thanks to you guys for your input...hope to hear from some other folks into this sport as well.

[newracer]

I don't know if they have services in Denver area anymore but this is where I bought my table from years ago. I just had them set it up at my new house last year.

http://www.thebilliardgallery.com/services

[OtterbatHellcat]

I looked at that link, Newracer, and thanks.....are you really happy with how your table plays right now?

[Firehaus]

Did you ever get the Cue Times, or whatever that was called?... I might have seen your pic in there if you were winning local tournaments '07 to '10 ish.

Yeah, I miss the original Spears for sure, it was a classy place that will probably never be duplicated here in town. Mind if I PM you? I think Vim knows his way around the tits too. We probably should get together.

I'd like to hear back from Gnihcraes (Searching)...to see if he's got personal experience with that outfit he linked.. my woobie needs a new elk tip, like, yesterday.

Thanks to you guys for your input...hope to hear from some other folks into this sport as well.

I always had a cue times to know where a bar tournament was and when. No photos for the smaller bar tournaments.

PM away. Be fun to play some. I usually only get to play some when I go home for a visit.



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[argonstrom]

The old Shakespears is where I cut my teeth, and took lessons from T. Ross...that place moved and went to shit from everything I've heard.

I forgot about that place. Sheesh, that was ages ago!

I'll do some digging to find the contact info of the two guys that moved and set up my table (it's an 8' three piece slate); they reused the felt (they said it was just fine, which bummed me out, as I wanted a different color), it's level insofar as I can tell, and they did it while I was still putting down the hardwood floor (I had finished up maybe two slats beyond the legs).

If I can find their number, assuming they still do it, you're more than welcome to check out their work. Failing that, you are welcome over for a game - sounds like I could learn a thing or two from you. Perhaps a CO AR-15 pool party is in order?

[vim]

I think Vim knows his way around the tits too.

Well, back in the day . . .

Nowadays, I'm not sure which end of the stick you use to poke at the round things. You boys will probably have to spot me a good number of balls to square things up and keep it interesting. :^)

[newracer]

I looked at that link, Newracer, and thanks.....are you really happy with how your table plays right now?

It plays great. I do not have the amount of play time many of you guys have but as far as I can tell the table is dead level and the felt was put on perfectly. They reused the original felt.

[gnihcraes]

I'd like to hear back from Gnihcraes (Searching)...to see if he's got personal experience with that outfit he linked.. my woobie needs a new elk tip, like, yesterday.


I stopped in to Best Quality Billiards to pick up a christmas present for the wife. They have been around forever and are decent folks. Nice showroom. I really can't comment much more than that with no other experience than my recent purchase. Apparently they are a service provider for many local pool halls, sales and service. Holiday, Lucky Strike etc.

Sorry, not much help.

[OtterbatHellcat]

Gnihcraes, thanks for the lead, I did call and talk to Quint.... he quoted me a price for the table work, which I'm considering.($570 to reset the slate and recover with 860) Its a ways to drive to get a cue fixed, but it might be them who ends up doing that.

Thanks Argon, I'll call them if you can find the contact info.....

....and I'll get in touch with The Billiard Gallery too, Newracer.

[Firehaus]

I always put medium moori's on my playing cue. The break cue gets the hardest I can get. There are some local custom cue makers that should be able to put a tip on. Call felt or mile high billiards. I bet they know some people.


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[OtterbatHellcat]

Perhaps a CO AR-15 pool party is in order?

I'm absolutely up for something like that. We could try and meet up somewhere together, or hell....we could rotate to each others tables once a month or something. That sounds like it could be a lot of fun. I've only met good people from this board.

And, if anyone reading the thread would like to participate in an CO-AR15 Pool get together, feel free to post up if you're interested.

[OtterbatHellcat]

My cues were all purchased from Showcase. They had an in house guy that did all their stuff, and I can't even remember his name now. My break cue is called "The Buster" if you ever saw one of those.......Probably got about $1500 tied up in the four cues I use the most.

Call felt or mile high billiards. I bet they know some people.

I will give that a try, Sir.

[gnihcraes]

Perhaps a CO AR-15 pool party is in order?

Interested, but I'm very amateur, haven't played in a few years since Lucky Strike said my kids couldn't play. Never been back. Wife is joining a league at Holiday in Lakewood. Thus why I bought her a cheap stick for christmas. Wish I had room for a table.

[OtterbatHellcat]

That's cool your wife got a new cue for x-mas...and that she's joining a league.

I don't think any of us are TV caliber players...lol. I think it would be a lot of fun, brother. You're all welcome to come play here in my basement if you'd like.. :)

[Irving]

Will there be smoking and drinking?

[Firehaus]

I'm up for wherever. I always like a pool hall since I like to masse/jump if needed. Not that I've ever hurt a table since I know what I'm doing. Just don't really do it that much on other peoples tables.

Do we all like great scotch/ whiskey?


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[Firehaus]

List of Colorado cue makers for a new tip.

http://www.easypooltutor.com/cuemakers/usa/colorado.html


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[gnihcraes]

That's cool your wife got a new cue for x-mas...and that she's joining a league.

I don't think any of us are TV caliber players...lol. I think it would be a lot of fun, brother. You're all welcome to come play here in my basement if you'd like.. :)

Yep, wife played a few semesters as a college course. lol. Thought I'd treat her to a better than pool hall cue and a case to match. Happy wife.

[OtterbatHellcat]

Will there be smoking and drinking?

No smoking, and your judgment on the drinking. I know I would have a beer or six.


I'm up for wherever. I always like a pool hall since I like to masse/jump if needed. Not that I've ever hurt a table since I know what I'm doing. Just don't really do it that much on other peoples tables.

Do we all like great scotch/ whiskey?


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Well, this cloth will be recovered soon....and I'm not a big scotch or whiskey drinker, but if I'm staying home (or have a DD), I'm willing to test drive your preference.


List of Colorado cue makers for a new tip.

http://www.easypooltutor.com/cuemakers/usa/colorado.html


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Thank you.


Yep, wife played a few semesters as a college course. lol. Thought I'd treat her to a better than pool hall cue and a case to match. Happy wife.

That, my friend, is the best kind of wife.....a happy one. Good job Brother.