Brunswick Victor Pool Table Restoration

11/24/2016 1:01:47 PM

Brunswick Victor Pool Table Restoration

Hello all, I am WH, new to the forum, but not to the game.

The pictures below are of a pool table that my Dad traded an old coal furnace for in or around 1958. It was a bar table, hundreds of cigarette burns, it had been beat and banged all it's life. I was six years old, and had to use a stool to reach the playing surface. Now I am 6' 4" and 63 years old.

I brought the wood from the table to Kentucky, from West Virginia this last Memorial day, and started a full restoration on it. In the next few weeks, I hope to bring the slate from WV to KY to install.

I found some beautiful white oak veneer with a tiger stripped flake, and now have the table frame on legs sitting in my pool room.

I just finished the rails, and added the original name plate, which was missing when we got the table.

I have found the pockets that I plan to use, but I am not sure of the brand of cloth to use and which brand of cushions to put on it, etc., to finish the pool table restoration.

I am thinking of doing the covering myself, but... Can a novice do this to the proper level required for a proper pool table?

Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.

WHSII

Brunswick Victor Pool Table Restoration

Replies & Comments

billiardsforum on 11/24/2016 2:14:20 PM
That looks amazing. Nice work so far.

One bit of advice on the cushions - it can be a nightmare getting it right on these antique pool tables. To get an idea of what I am talking about, see this quote from someone who has worked with them a lot:

The modern K-66 cushion measures the closest to the original Brunswick Monarch cushions but due to the fact that the geometry of "the meat" of the Monarchs and modern day K-66 cushions are different, you won't get an exact match. K-55 cushions have close to the exact geometry of the original Monarch cushions but measure very differently when comparing with a ruler.

For example, K-66 cushions mounted flush to the top of an unmodified rail will put the nose of the cushion too high. A K-55 will put the nose of the cushion at the right height, but you lose the 50 mm X 100 mm of playing area on a 9 foot pool table. I put K-55 cushions on old Brunswick pool tables if I have to just replace cushions and the customer does not want to spend the extra money to have the rails "calibrated" for a perfect playing field. If I ever get a customer who wants a true playing area I will take the rails down to a master mechanic in my area to calibrate them.

One benefit of just replacing Monarch cushions with K-55 cushions is that you gain a deeper pocket shelf, but you sacrifice the true playing field.

It is really hard to explain the geometry of the meat of the cushion and the angle in relation to the sub-rail angle. If you take a slice of an old Monarch cushion and a slice of a K-66 and K-55 cushion and try to line them up you will see that the K-55 follows a similar profile.

Depending on your budget you might be better off paying someone to do rails and cloth replacement. And a word of caution there too... make sure the mechanic you hire knows that the Antique pool table cushions differ from their modern counterparts. Lots out there who don't know or will tell you that it doesn't matter.

I reached out to Blatt Billiards in NYC to ask about the best replacement rails for the Brunswick Victor pool table. I will let you know if they ever get back to me. If you want a quicker answer, you might want to give them a call directly. They would be considered one of, if not the best pool table restoration company in the world. If you call Blatt but don't get anywhere, try Ken Hash at Classic Billiards in Fallston, MD. They are always happy to give free advice etc.

billiardsforum on 11/25/2016 9:36:01 AM
Looks like you'll want K-66 cushions for your Brunswick Victor pool table.

My email to Blatt Billiards:

Can you tell me what Cushion Profile I need for an old Brunswick Victor pool table?

Also do you carry them, and if so, how much are they?

Reply from Brian:

Good morning.

Happy Holidays!

Yes, K66 profile rubber. We sell it in a set for $135.

Thank you
Brian & family

Brian Roeder
brian@blattbilliards.com
Office: 212-674-8855
Mobile: 845-641-2073
www.blattbilliards.com

Blatt Billiard’s NYC Showroom
330 West 38th Street (between 8th & 9th)
New York, NY 10018
Blatt Billiard's Pool Table Construction Video

WHSII on 12/3/2016 8:04:33 PM
Thanks for the comments and advice.

Ken Hash has sent me two two inch pieces of K-55 and K-66 rubber.

He said I should try each and measure the height. This table had K-66 on it when I took it apart.

Thanks again, WH

user1501895785 on 8/4/2017 9:16:27 PM
I have a similar table although may be a no-name table

Did you also veneer the rails and if so was this difficult?

I plan on stripping and sanding the frame and legs to see what I have. I can always use veneer?

What type of veneer did you use and the process please?

WHSII on 8/5/2017 2:33:22 PM
@user1501895785,

Veneering is very specific as to how it is done. Cutting the veneer requires special tools. You must be very careful as to cutting it square, without splintering. Attaching it is the hardest part, in my opinion. Some people use white glue and an iron, it did not work for me. I used contact cement, which is very detailed as to alignment, if the two pieces touch, they are stuck. When doing an 8' side to the bed, it takes a lot of planning to position the veneer where it needs to be.

Then there is matching the veneer, my bed sides had the grain running vertically, I had to cut 12 1/2" long pieces, eleven or twelve, with the width of veneer that I had, use blue masking tape to fit them on the vertical joint, then put the full 8' plus piece with contact adhesive applied on. Again with contact cement, if it touches, it is stuck.

The best way to attach veneer is to purchase a vacuum bagging system, which will cost close to $800 to get one large enough to do the table.

I went to college to become an Industrial arts instructor, I have done cabinet work and construction work for forty years, and I have to say, veneering the pool table was a challenge.

My rails had solid wood on the top, and veneer on the vertical surface. I did veneer the vertical surfaces, and refinished the horizontal surfaces.

My original veneer was coming loose, where it had been stored on a damp surface, and it had four to five hundred cigarette burns in it. (an old pool hall table). I would have preferred to save the original veneer, but in my situation, I could not.

Save it if you can, but it is only 1/24th on an inch thick, do not sand it too aggressively.

WH

user1501895785 on 8/6/2017 10:53:57 PM
Thank you for your comments!

I noticed that you perhaps have vertical cracks through the legs on a few pictures; 3 of 4 of my legs are affected by a one panel vertical crack with about an 1/8 inch gaping throughout which it looked like it was either puttied or bondo filler was used but obviously that was more cosmetic.

Can you suggest a good repair that not only restores the integrity and strength but also provides a smooth surface when done?

Thank you again.

Brunswick Victor Pool Table Restoration

Title: Brunswick Victor Pool Table Restoration
Author: WHSII (WH SII)
Published: 11/24/2016 1:01:47 PM
Last Updated: 11/24/2016 1:51:55 PM
Last Updated By: billiardsforum (Billiards Forum)