Brunswick Pool Tables: A Game Room Essential?

Brunswick pool tables are manufactured by Brunswick Billiards, the oldest billiard table manufacturer in the United States. The company was founded in 1845 by John Moses Brunswick, who emigrated from Switzerland at the age of 14. Brunswick pool tables are renowned for their quality and are considered a good entry-level option for professionals, as well as a great choice for home use. The tables are made with solid hardwood rails, kiln-dried and stained wood, and proprietary rubber formulations for the cushions. The company offers a wide range of products, including outdoor pool tables, dartboards, poker supplies, and shuffleboard equipment.

Brunswick vs Olhausen

Brunswick and Olhausen are two of the most famous pool table manufacturers in the world. Both companies offer a range of quality solid hardwood billiards tables, slate and options accessible to all their customers. The most common sizes of tables offered by both companies are 8.5-foot and 9-foot tables, with the latter being the most popular.

Olhausen Pool Tables

Olhausen is known for crafting tables that are not only beautiful but also practical. The company was started in 1972 by Don and Butch Olhausen and has been one of the biggest names in billiards since. Olhausen tables are built to order and custom, meaning that no two tables are exactly alike. The company uses only the best materials, with woods sourced almost exclusively from North America, such as oak and maple. Olhausen tables also feature Accu-Fast rubber cushions, which offer the best bounce and deflection for billiards balls. The cloth used on Olhausen tables, however, is sourced from England and is typically Hainsworth cloth.

Olhausen tables come with pre-installed Uniliner framed cabinets, which are manually squared and aligned with the base frame of the table. While this gives the table a sleek and uniform look, it can make it difficult to fit into some rooms. Olhausen tables are manufactured and built in the United States, in Portland, Tennessee, which contributes to their high price tag. A base model Olhausen table costs a minimum of $2,100.

Brunswick Pool Tables

Brunswick is the oldest billiard table manufacturer in the United States, having started in 1845. The company slogan is "the oldest and most extensive billiard table manufacturers in the United States." Brunswick tables are renowned for their quality and are considered a great option for home use. However, Brunswick tables are not manufactured in the United States, but rather in China and Vietnam, which can be seen as a detriment to quality. Brunswick tables use South American hardwoods, such as Jequitiba and Poplar, which provide a uniform grain and texture.

Brunswick tables feature Super Speed rubber cushions, which are not crafted out of 100% rubber but are still considered standard in the industry. The cloth used in Brunswick tables is of high quality and comes in two types: traditional woolen cloth and centennial stain-resistant cloth. Brunswick tables have Knock Down cabinets, which are pre-built but not pre-installed. This style of cabinet is easier to install and is more appealing to those with smaller spaces. Brunswick tables are nearly the same price as Olhausen tables, with a great starter table costing around $2,000.

Both Brunswick and Olhausen offer high-quality pool tables with a range of features. Olhausen tables are known for their practical and unique designs, tournament-level craftsmanship, and the use of premium materials. Brunswick tables, on the other hand, have a rich history and are ideal for home use, offering great value for money. Ultimately, the choice between these two tables comes down to personal preference.

Price

Brunswick pool tables are available in a wide range of prices, with the cheapest tables starting at around $2,000 and the most expensive ones costing upwards of $12,000. The price of a Brunswick pool table depends on various factors, including the size, model, features, and seller.

On the official Brunswick Billiards website, prices for their pool tables range from $2,900 to $16,250. For example, the Allenton 7' Pool Table with Tapered Leg is regularly priced at $2,900, while the Birmingham 9' Pool Table costs $18,250.

Other retailers, such as Triangle Billiards, offer Brunswick pool tables at various price points. Triangle Billiards has Brunswick pool tables ranging from $3,999.99 to $16,000 and above. The specific models and features included in each price range are not specified.

On eBay, Brunswick pool tables can be found at a wide range of price points, from $1,475 to $65,000. The lower-priced tables on eBay are typically used or vintage models, while the higher-priced ones may include rare or antique tables.

Compared to its competitor, Olhausen, Brunswick pool tables are generally priced similarly, with both brands offering entry-level tables starting at around $2,000. However, Brunswick offers a wider range of models and features, with prices varying accordingly.

Overall, the price of a Brunswick pool table depends on various factors, and customers can expect to find tables ranging from a few thousand dollars to over ten thousand dollars, depending on their specific needs and preferences.

Quality

Brunswick pool tables are known for their quality and are considered good tables in terms of their price. They are often viewed as the best table one can purchase for home use. While they are not manufactured in the United States, they are still great entry-level tables that hold up well for professionals and serious players.

Brunswick tables are made with solid hardwood rails, which are machined to exacting standards. This provides a solid foundation for the cushion rubber, ensuring exceptional accuracy and performance. The company uses South American hardwoods such as Jequitiba and Poplar, which offer a uniform grain and texture while maintaining a pleasing aesthetic.

Brunswick's SuperSpeed cushions have been the industry standard for over 70 years and are used on all their branded tables. The rubber formulation provides greater accuracy, control, and rail consistency. The company achieves superior accuracy and consistency through pneumatically controlled machines that bond the cushion rubber to the rails for a precision fit.

Brunswick tables also feature High-Performance Nut Plates, which allow for 70% more torque to be applied to each connection. This ensures a solid, seamless transition between the rail and slate, enhancing performance and playability. Their tables also include a Hardened Dome Washer, which provides constant tension between the rail and slate, preventing loosening over time.

Brunswick is the oldest billiard table manufacturer in the United States, with a history dating back to 1845. They are one of the biggest pool table brands worldwide and have earned a reputation for producing quality tables. Their tables are built to last, with solid wood materials that are kiln-dried, stained, and sealed to keep moisture out.

Materials

Brunswick pool tables are made from high-quality materials and are designed to be durable and aesthetically attractive. The company uses solid hardwoods, such as Jequitiba and Poplar, which are imported from South America and provide a uniform grain and texture. The tables also feature rubber cushions, which are made from Brunswick's proprietary SuperSpeed cushion rubber formulation. This type of rubber has been used for over 70 years and is known for its accuracy, control, and consistency.

The tables are reinforced with High-Performance Nut Plates, which allow for 70% more torque to be applied to each connection, resulting in a solid and seamless transition between the rail and the slate. Additionally, the rails are made from solid hardwood and are machined to exacting standards, providing a strong foundation for the cushion rubber. The cloth used on Brunswick tables is also of high quality, with options for traditional woollen cloth or a centennial stain-resistant cloth that lasts up to 60% longer.

Brunswick's attention to detail and commitment to using superior materials are evident in every aspect of their craftsmanship. They utilise state-of-the-art finishing techniques and conduct a demanding and time-consuming process to achieve the optimal billiard table finish. The company uses polyurethane from world-class finish suppliers and often conducts a 12-step or more finishing process to ensure the best possible results.

Brunswick tables are built to last for generations. All solid wood materials are kiln-dried to a 6-8% moisture level, then stained and sealed to prevent moisture damage. This process, along with a durable furniture finish, ensures that each product can be passed on from generation to generation.

In addition to their renowned pool tables, Brunswick also offers a comprehensive range of billiard accessories, including cues, balls, cue racks, and table covers. This allows customers to complement their tables and create a complete gaming experience.

Cushion rubber

Brunswick pool tables are renowned for their quality and are a good choice for those seeking a table for home use. However, one of the most hotly contested elements of Brunswick pool tables is the cushion rubber. Brunswick tables sport 'Super Speed' cushion rubber, which is not crafted out of 100% rubber. Nonetheless, it is considered the industry standard and offers great deflection and consistent play.

The SuperSpeed cushion rubber has been the standard for performance play for many years. These cushions are made from 100% gum rubber and feature a canvas top and back for controlled ball penetration and accurate kicks and banks. The proprietary rubber formulation provides greater accuracy, control, and rail consistency. The rubber is bonded to the rails using high-pressure bonding, ensuring superior accuracy and consistency. Accurate nose height is also ensured through automated, pneumatically controlled machines, meeting the standard of 64% of a 2.25" diameter ball.

Brunswick's cushion rubber is often compared to that of Olhausen, another leading pool table manufacturer. Olhausen tables feature Accu-Fast rubber, which is 100% gum rubber and is considered the best in the billiards table world. This rubber has been specially formulated and rigorously tested to ensure the best possible bounce and deflection. Anti-reversion materials are used to ensure the rubber retains its rubbery state. Many agree that Olhausen's cushions are some of the best in the industry and are used in tournament and professional play.

Ultimately, the choice between Brunswick and Olhausen tables comes down to personal preference, as both offer high-quality products with unique features.

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