When we hear World of Leisure we sometimes cringe. They haven't put out a decent pool table in years. One of the worst out there. However, they did make some, long ago, in the USA that turned out to be fairly decent tables. So, when we got to our job we were expecting the worst and hoping for the best.
Turns out the clients had a very nice medium oak WOL table. The construction was great and the slate was phenomenal. They only hired us for cloth installation and ended up choosing black. Great choice on an oak table. They also setup, leveled, and waxed the table themselves. The extra cost in having us do it was not in their budget. We say it all the time. Don't try this at home. It never turns out great.
To our suprise they did fairly decent with it. There were bad spots on the level and the wax job was done with candle wax. Please dont ever use candle wax! Beeswax is the way to go. There wasn't much we could do for the level at that point considering it really needed some Big Break love. We did fix the wax job for them though since it wasn't completely un-dented in the center screws area.
Overall, the table came out beautiful and the customers were extremely pleased. We also did some retips for two cues and did some shaft work for them on those. Again, came out great and they loved them. Thanks guys!
The Connelly Azteca Pool Table In Granby Part 2 2/3/2011
There's nothing like walking out the door at 5:15am in -20 degree temperatures. First off, any exposed skin will likely be frost bitten within minutes. Nevertheless, we had to get to Granby, Colorado to move a Connelly Azteca for a customer of ours.
Being at the shop to clean out the truck's back and bed was the worst. Winter gear coat, base layers, two pairs of gloves, and a balaclava and beanie on yet still cold enough to break through it all. After we loaded up all of the tools and materials we needed we set out. The drive is typically only 2 hours or so from the shop, however, we planned it to be about 3 or so considering the conditions.
We only made one stop on the way up there to throw the truck into 4wd and to see if we could get the windshield washed off. The roads were amazing. CDOT we thank you! Phenomenal driving conditions considering the weather we had just had and were having. Anyhow, the stop was short. Threw some water on the windshield but that didn't last. In about 5 seconds it froze. Actually made the situation worst. Nevertheless, we fixed it and continued on.
Berthoud Pass wasn't all to bad at this point. The road up was great and the road down leading into Winter Park was a little worst but overall in great condition. Can't thank CDOT enough for their efforts on the roads.
By the time we arrived to the pickup house in Granby, it was probably 9:00am. Up there we were showing a still -20 degree reading. The house we went into was vacant and there was no heat, but let me tell you. Outside was -20. Inside was probably somewhere in the 40's. It was as we stepped into a warmer.
The dismantle of the pool table went smooth. We decided to pick up pace to keep as warm as possible. Wrapped and loaded it all up and were ready to get to the next house with it in about 30 minutes.
The next house wasn't too far away. We were able to back up in the driveway and take the pool table in through the front door. It was going in the basement that had just enough space in the main area to hold this beautiful heirloom. The walk down was tricky with the frame but we managed to negotiate it without a problem. We were afraid that the slate was going to sweat so bad due to the really extreme temp change it was enduring, and it did, but not to a point that slowed down the setup. After placement we proceeded with recovering the table in a brown color cloth. The client was extremely excited and happy with the color. The Azteca was a light oak and the brown color really popped on the table. Running through an easy level and finishing off the table we finally headed out of there around 11:30am or so. Not too bad in those conditions. We are still efficient even when our boogers froze to our nose as soon as you walked outside.
Leaving Granby it was hovering around the -5 temp (which, believe it or not, felt great comparatively). Roads were even better at this point so the drive back was just fine. We made better time back than imagined. Overall, this turned out to be a decent mountain job. We also got some nice snowy mountain views. The customer was happy and really excited about his pool table. Great day in Colorado! There are a couple pictures below.
Latest Customer Testimonial: The Connelly Prescott Pool Table: 2/2/11
“Hi guys. I am attaching a couple pictures of the pool table again. It is absolutely stunning. We are so glad that we upgraded the felt. We get a lot of compliments of it. Thanks again for all of your help. You guys were awesome!!
We will definitely send anyone we know in need of a pool table your way.”
Thanks
Tammy
The Connelly Azteca Pool Table In Granby Part 1: 2/1/11
We are suppose to head out to Granby a little later today to move and recover a Connelly Azteca pool table. This trip would entail us getting over Berthoud Pass in this artic cold weather. With it already snowy and ice packed on the roads, is it worth it? Do we reschedule? Is a high of -4,in Denver and -10 in Granby, for the day worth risking a long drive through the mountains over a nasty mountain pass? Probably not and we shall see how the day plays out. As of 5:20am on February the 1st 2011 there is no closure of Berthoud Pass but the online cameras show the roads are snowy and ice packed. This could mean trouble. Lots of trouble. Too much trouble for even the 4wd truck we use that typically will get us through anything. I think a reschedule is in order. Nobody should be outside today with temperatures like this. Esspecially to move a pool table.
As of 8:00am we have cancelled this job to Granby. Albeit, we now have an irritated and upset customer. We can't resonably be expected to move a 900 pound pool table in temperatures that dip into -25 with wind chills and a snowy mountain city. This just isn't safe for the customers table nor our technicians.
It's now half past 8 in the morning and this job has been rescheduled for tomorrow. We are leaving around 6am tomorrow to trek out to Granby and move this pool table. Part 2 will have more tomorrow.
Pool Table Resale Value
Resale value is something to keep in mind when buying, or owning, a pool table. In a great deal of ways, a pool table can be related to a car in most cases. As soon as you drive that new car off the lot it depreciates in value tremendously. Same is true for your table. However, just because it depreciates doesn't necessarily mean it's worthless after you buy it.
It’s important to mention that there are differences between the qualities of each particular brand. Generally, you can distinguish them in two categories: mass manufactured and domestic heirloom. Now, typically a mass manufactured table is a less quality cheap price product while a domestic heirloom would be a customized solid wood product.
Brand recognition does play a factor in the resale value at the domestic heirloom level. Most of the time, however, the more common the name the more common the table meaning the less you can get for it in the long run. This is only due to “popular” styles flooding the market. Something a little more brand recognized will still depreciate a great deal, but you are still going to get more than half your money back even with a “common” model.
The mass manufactured, or “import”, table typically depreciates by over 80% after the initial installation. Usually these models will need more work done on them before a realistic resale is proposed. On average, you can expect no more than $500 in the resale of one of these billiard tables.
When people go out to buy a used pool table, they trust the brand names over the others by huge margins. These tables are built to last. In most cases, the only thing they will need to pay for besides the table is the professional moving cost and maybe new pool table cloth.
Maintaining Your Pool Table
Owning a home pool table is one of the greatest American dreams. Billiards is a complex, and fun, game and we sometimes tend to forget about the fine furniture aspect of a pool table. There are a few considerations to keep in mind in order to maintain their heirloom treasure and keep, not only the table but the other components involved, in top notch playing condition. It also helps preserve precious cloth and cushion life.
There are a few items to maintain that should never be over looked:
-Pool table cloth cleaning is of the utmost importance. Not only will it give your pool table a great clean look, but it will also keep chalk and dust from collecting underneath that can quickly wear down even the most expensive pool table fabric on the market. Brushing in one direction or vacuuming the fabric are both very good techniques to clean cloth. There is also specialty cleaners specifically designed to clean billiard fabric.
-Table covering can typically help keep the cloth clean, but it also serves other purposes. Sun damage is a huge contributor to causing rubber cushions to go dead and also fading to the cloth and the rails. Direct sunlight can destroy any pool table within months if not covered. Always keep your table covered when not in use.
-Wipe down the table. While oils and waxes aren’t recommended due to potential cloth transfer stains, it does wonders to wipe down the entire table once in a while. Give your investment the treatment it deserves!
Most of these things can be done right after you are done playing for the day. Do these things and you will not only extend the life of the pool table and parts, but keep your table looking exactly the way it did when you bought it.
For all your billiard table needs in Denver, Big Break Billiards provides everything from finely crafted pool tables Colorado to more affordable choices in services. Visit us online (http://www.homeandbilliards.com/ )
Big Break Billiards | Denver Billiards & Pool Tables of Colorado 1919 S. Havana St. Aurora, Co 80014 | 720-270-1444 | Rocky Mountain Corporation. All rights reserved.
