PASS ON PLAIN-LOOKING OR BOXY DESIGNS WITH SQUARE FRAMES.
These stock tables lack character and have a stagnant market value. Intricate woodworking on the legs or body will stand out after refinishing and can add value to the table.
INSPECT THE BODY, LEGS, AND RAILS FOR VENEER DAMAGE.
Think of it like sunburn: Slight flaking is tolerable. But if an entire section is peeling, you’ll need to seek professional help. “If it involves more than an afternoon of veneer work, it’s too much work,” says Bradford.
INVESTIGATE THE SLATE.
“Crawl underneath and look up,” says Ken Hash, owner of Classic Billiards, in Perry Hall, Maryland. “If there’s a crack in the top of the table, you’ll also be able to notice it from below.” Chips around the outside edges of the slate are fixable, but fissures or fractures that run the length or width of the table are deal breakers, says Bradford. Replacing the slate can cost about $1,500.
LOOK FOR TORN POCKETS.
Each onewill add $300 to your restoration price. Replacement involves removing the table’s pocket irons and sending them to a professional leatherworker (hoodleather.com).
DON’T BE SCARED OFF BY BAD FELT.
You’ll probably want to hire a professional to re-felt the table anyway. Tournament-quality fabric will cost about $250, plus installation. Save $100 by opting for Championship Tour Edition (champbilliards.com). “It still plays great, and it wears like iron,” says Derrick Tiers, owner of Billiard Restoration Service.
LOOK FOR BRAND NAMES.
Recognizable names equal resale value. Brunswick is the Rolls-Royce of antique tables. Confirm the authenticity of your find by checking the gallery at brunswickbilliards.com, or by sending a few snapshots to a professional refurbisher for evaluation.