Pool table for a workbench?

[StaggeringGoat]

I inherited a pool table with my new shop, I don't play pool. I would sell it because it's a real slate table, but the outside of it is in really ugly shape. It is however sturdy as a horse and weighs about six tons.

I'm starting to think about using it as a workbench, has anybody ever tried that before? Do you think I'll just end up breaking the slate if I ever pound on it?

 

[dankicksass]

Pool is an excellent hobby, if you don't want to take it up you'll surely find a lot of takers on that table. Even in poor condition, there's money to be made. You could have a bank there if it's the right maker and the slate isn't cracked.

 

[StaggeringGoat]

How much is a crappy old slate table worth, with a good playing surface? I guess I could just sell it and buy stuff to build a better work bench...

 

[dankicksass]

Around here, garbage tables go for $500-700. Depends on where you are, what you have, and

 

[StaggeringGoat]

Holy ****...I guess it's going on craigslist then. I could build a steel bench!

 

[cowboy73]

I would sell that. That's a a pretty nice looking pool table! And since it isn't in your basement it would be alot easier for the buyer to haul off. Pool tables around here only go for cheap when they are a PITA to move.

 

[WiBad]

Sorry, I don't have an actual solution for you but it's something I've thought about; even have a photo that I keep in my "maybe someday" file:

 

[WiBad]

A bit off track, but I also stumbled upon a photo that just seems like it belongs somewhere on this site.

 

[PhilR1957]

sorry, i don't have an actual solution for you but it's something i've thought about; even have a photo that i keep in my "maybe someday" file:

wow!!!

 

[CrashTestDummy]

While I used to work for a geophysical services company that used an old bar as the Houma, Louisiana office, complete with bar and pool tables, I'd go ahead and sell that table and use the proceeds to build/buy a proper workbench. Someone will get the use of a pool table, and you'll get the use of a workbench. You'll have to hammer on the slate pretty hard to break it, but once you reach that point, the table will be useless. The felt top will get stained, and you'll always be having to lift stuff over the rails.

Unload and build a workbench. But that's just me.

Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas

 

[NitroPress]

Make the buyer pay in full before he's allowed to move the table. My sister (a former pro pool player) sold a high-end table to three schmucks who wouldn't listen to her about how to handle and move it. As she's garage/construction savvy on a level with the best of us here, they should have listened. The second time they almost dropped it, she said flatly, "You bought it. You own it. You drop it, you still have to haul the garbage of here."

They dropped it and shattered the bed, then tried to argue for their money back.

 

[StaggeringGoat]

The felt top will get stained, and you'll always be having to lift stuff over the rails.

Actually I was thinking something like removing the rails and using a thin sheet of metal/plywood on top of the felt....but after looking on craigslist I can't ruin a useable pool table. I've already got an offer for $300! I thought I was going to have to haul this thing away......

 

[cat06]

Actually I was thinking something like removing the rails and using a thin sheet of metal/plywood on top of the felt....but after looking on craigslist I can't ruin a useable pool table. I've already got an offer for $300! I thought I was going to have to haul this thing away......

Thats great to hear on the offer, in my area it's hard to give them away let alone get someone to pay you for one

 

[reverendjonas]

Well I have 3 pool tables as work benches actually (4 if you count the one in the living room that gets used for a work bench for some of the "cleaner" things like. All 3 are 9' Brunswick Gold Crown tables. The old commercial tables from pool halls and bowling alleys. It does help that I work on pool tables for a living I guess. They are great for wood working, but not so much to be pounding on all the time.

 

[bad_idea]

congratulations on an offer. around here used steel goes for $.50 a pound, that would be 600 lbs of steel.

 

[luvit]

CAREFUL!
now old pool tables have one solid piece of slate and can be moved fairly safe.
but newer or slightly cheaper pool tables have 3 pieces of slate bonded together.
--the buyer should move it from the spot.
..and congrats.