Table Identification

[seamus]

Hi all, 

I am new to the forum and after looking for a table for ages and finally having enough space two tables came up locally.

I bought both to see which I preferred (they both need some work, one with timer one without, cracked runners etc) but they both seem to have intact slate beds.  I've not played since I lived in Kent in the 80's but to my amateur skills one plays much faster than the other.

Although both are similiar visually, approx 34" and look like Sams design,  there are small differences to the trough and a few other slight differences internally, but I can't find any makers names

Any help on dating the tables and the manufacturer would be great.

Thanks again for running the forum.

Attachments:

[seamus]

Final photo

[Chris_Sav]

Oct 3, 2021 12:36:52 GMT seamus said:

Final photoView Attachment

This table is definitely Sams but of the original 'narrow' (four mushroom) variety. To mark that one out correctly you will need the East Anglian Open rules, not the AEBBA rules.

Alan Mee does the height adjusters assuming the plate is still present on the bottom of the legs.

Looks like this table has a 'Supreme' or similar backboard.

The first lighter table I am not sure about and would need to see a bigger picture, that too appears to be an early 'four pin' narrow table.

[tommo III]

Oct 3, 2021 14:29:08 GMT Chris_Sav said:

The first lighter table I am not sure about and would need to see a bigger picture, that too appears to be an early 'four pin' narrow table.

Has an "Alliance Snooker" (of Liverpool) label and could be a bespoke table commissioned by them.

Bar mechanism seems to be missing - but it could have been made like that and possibly fitted with an electronic timer as I note there is a coin slot.

[seamus]

Thanks both, I'll add the pictures again at a larger size, both tables are approx 34" wide I wasn't sure whether to measure the table of the playing surface. What sort of era are the early narrow tables from or did they make them right up to the 80's

The lighter table does have a timer and bar I just need to get around to refitting it when it's located, both seem to have home made style back boards.

I've had a better look at them today and the lighter table has had the trough repaired which might account for it's difference and the holes beside the timer gap match the bolts on the other timer. The Alliance snooker guys in Liverpool used to rent them out to pubs across the merseyside area but discontinued it a while ago.

I'll have a look at the markings for the four pin rules.

Thanks again I'll contact Alan regarding the height adjusters.

Seamus

Attachments:

[Chris_Sav]

Yes the lighter table is also a rubbed down Sams with a non original ball trap as I suspected.

Has all the slots and holes for the clock.

[seamus]

Thank you

I will look to strip the table wood back and re oil to a light maghony finish over the winter.

Is Alan Mee a forum member as I can't see his name in the member contact details to DM him regarding the adjusters ?

Seamus

[taffy]

You'll find he goes under the nome-de-plume "Alan Turner" here and has made many a post in the repair and maintenance section. I have his email if he doesn't reply. He's a Cheshire man so he'll understand you!

I saw the table but asked the women to look for the clock etc and gave her all the photos of what a clock would look like etc. I guess you got the benefit of that...she never came back to me anyway.

There were some Sams that weren't Sams. it should be 90cm to the top of the tables. A Sams should have bean feet. if you don't have bean feet then the tables will be 78cm tall and awaiting them. If it is 90cm tall then it is a faithful replica by a member of the old works staff from just after Sams closed - but he didn't do the bean feet. This is according to Ivor Champion a man who knows his tables.

I bought a non-Sams Sams 5 years ago at Southport just up the road from that area.

regards

Taffy

[seamus]

Thats great thanks.

I have just been over and measured both tables and they are 78cm, so I'll definitely try to re fit the feet, I thought it was a bit of a struggle leaning so low!

Thanks again, I have a project for the winter now trying to create a replica ball trap in mahogany for the lighter table, I have the tools but not necessarily the skills.

If anyone is passing through West Wales you're welcome to drop by for a game !

[seamus]

Thanks Taffy


I've just been reading through your table restorations. The detail will be really helpful thanks, I might try to deaden the sound a little but as I'll be playing an outbuilding I quite like the thunk.

I didn't follow the bean bag bit too well so when I come to remanufacture that section I'll be back in touch for some more tips if that's ok.

Seamus

[Chris_Sav]

I presume Taffy is referring to the Sams lookalike tables made at Hennings in Essex, they were all standard three pin width, not narrow four pin to the best of my knowledge, nicely made tables and they had height adjusters.

Both sorts of Sams tables had bulbous feet as height adjusters, often missing on tables but Alan was producing them, though none on FleaBay at present.

[taffy]

Oct 4, 2021 18:02:58 GMT seamus said:

Thanks Taffy


I've just been reading through your table restorations. The detail will be really helpful thanks, I might try to deaden the sound a little but as I'll be playing an outbuilding I quite like the thunk.

I didn't follow the bean bag bit too well so when I come to remanufacture that section I'll be back in touch for some more tips if that's ok.

Seamus

The beanbags broke up eventually. they did work....sort of. I enjoy that kinda stuff, just mucking about. I will be doing a big bit imminently on more tables I've worked on. The table where I put the dropping edge back 1" really did work though. So the balls roll down, hit the bulkhead, drop into the tray. that 1" I gained was great. the trouble is, the ball tray is now 1" shorted and you do distributew the balls evenly that much more.

all good fun!

Taffy