Foosball.com Forums
Chat Area => Rules Questions => All other Questions => Topic started by: Scooby on November 10, 2010, 04:13:25 PM
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First off I would like to say Hi! I used to play foosball 20 years ago, but quit playing for whatever reason, now I want to pick it up again, so I have been looking at tables on Craigslist. I found a 5 to 7 year old Tornado Whirlwind for $400.00 and I found what I think is a Tornado Gray Marble that is supposed to be 2 years old for $375.00. I hope these descriptions are accurate because I have given myself a crash course starting this morning and Iam ready to by something in the next couple of days! Do either of these deals sound fair? Does one sound better than the other? The guy that has the Gray Marble was honest and said one of the bars has a minor bend, but he feels that it does not hamper play. How do I know for sure that it is a Gray Marble? If I look at the picture Gray Marble sounds like the picture looks.
Thanks-
Scooby
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Scooby,
DO NOT...i repeat....DO NOT...pay $400 for a whirlwind. As far as the gray marble table, it depends on the model of the table. if you want to post a link to the ad, I would (as would others, I am sure) be happy to take a look at the picture and give you some sound advice.
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http://siouxfalls.craigslist.org/tag/2029607971.html
This is the one that has responded, we agreed on $375.00 on the phone if it passes inspection.
http://siouxfalls.craigslist.org/tag/2023495935.html
This is another one that looks the same, but they have not called back yet.
Thanks again!
Scooby
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Scoob-
Only buy the Gray Marble if it's a coin-op PERIOD!! There is a home model called a Storm II that looks alot like a Gray Marble coin-op but trust me it's not. If it is a Gray Marble coin-op BUY IT IMMEDIATELY!! For $375 it's a steal. The Whirlwind is even less quality than the Storm II so don't even bother with that either. Replacement bars for coin-ops are not cheap but at that price it's worth it. The dead give away if it is a T2000 Gray is a split top cabinet, should be able to see in photos and of course the coin-mech. That table minimum should go for $650-$700 so get it while it's hot.
Good Luck
Snake
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Links posted..............thanks!
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Scoob-
Just looked at the craigs list post.
They are both Storm II tables.. Hold out for a coin-op. I know it's not what you wanted to hear but trust me I won't be the only one to tell you that.
Snake
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so you are talking about something like these:
http://omaha.craigslist.org/spo/2023747222.html
http://omaha.craigslist.org/spo/2027735481.html
Thanks
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Scoob-
The top one of the two craigs list omaha yes. The bottom one no it's an old single back man Tornado from back in the day. Brown Marble coin-ops are possibly the best ever made and can be bought at unbeliveable deals. I got mine for $250 and had to put a few parts on it but still a great investment. Make sure listing says coin-op Tornado.
Snake
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Well, I don't TOTALLY agree with Snake eyes, I think any spit cabinet Tornado is good, not just coint ops.
But either way, that is as Snake says, Storm II. Now, is it WORTH $375, probably. Can you find a better table in the same price range? Probably.
With that said, I don't know how many pop up for sale in South Dakota.
Don't we have a regular poster to this forum from South Dakota? Maybe he can help locate one.
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Now Pat how many non-coin op split cabinet Tornado tables have you seen or craigs list? LOL.
Just my 2 cents.
Snake
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Man this is tougher than I thought it would be! So what is a fair price on the coin op? They are asking $650.00. If I can't afford the coin op then what are my best choices of tables for $300.00 to $400.00? I want to have a good table, but Iam not going pro either. Is there a new table that I can get from a store that is quality that fits in my price range? I absolutley cannot tell you how grateful Iam for finding this site AND for all of the help you folks are giving me. I must have got lucky, usually I would have bought the table THEN found this site to find out that I bought a inferior table!
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Scoob-
I know I am being a hog of this post but here is my thoughts. Brown Marble coin-op's $300-500 depending on quality, chipped formica, rusted bars, watch the playing surface and make sure it's not warped!! and the goal to make sure it's not chipped in the corners!! Gray Marbles $600.00-$800 same things to look for. do not buy any Wal-Mart or Target brand table your on the right track, I suggest finding a bar close to you and asking who vends it or maintains it, ask them if they have any used brown marble's they want to sell...Thats how I got mine for $250.00. Or just keep checking craigslist even if it's a couple hours drive if the price is right. $650 is too high for that brown listed keep looking, should be able to get one like that for around $400.00.
Snake
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OK I will keep looking, I sent a email to the coin op guy...............we will see. Are there any other options to look for in the $300.00 to $400.00 range? The only things that worry me about the coin op is the price and then my ability to know what kind of condition it is in considering that Iam really new to this and I have no idea what the parts would cost if I could identify the parts that it would need anyway. I guess that is why Iam wondering if there are any other options in my price range. Like I said we just want to have some fun on a quality table and not break the bank. If I hold out for a coin op I may be too old to play by the time I find one!
Thanks again.
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http://siouxfalls.craigslist.org/tag/2029607971.html
This is the one that has responded, we agreed on $375.00 on the phone if it passes inspection.
http://siouxfalls.craigslist.org/tag/2023495935.html
there rite both these tables u should not buy, they both dont have the dual bearings that make the table so smooth,
both these home version u will find the bars will bend alot the table is so much lighter, in the end its not worth it,
the cost of these tables if it was not the marble finnish but the normal table its self was selling for 600 bucks down here in cannada, i would not buy them unless they ere 300 dollars or less, not more
This is another one that looks the same, but they have not called back yet.
Thanks again!
Scooby
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A different opinion......I recently bought a Storm II table off craigslist for $400 it was in excellent condition. While the bearings are cheaper 1.5 inch snap in it is not like it requires extra effort to move the rods when well lubed...the move fine and smooth. The rods are thinner -though the outside diameter is the same, again not like they are fragile...if not abused they should last on a home table for a long time. The men are the same counter balanced as on the other tables(though not to be confused with the new men). From what I see the playing surface is the same as the other more expensive tables. The biggest factor is the weight, at 225 lbs it is a 100 less than coin op. Before I bought this table I had not played in about 10 years. I have had no problem improving my game and then playing at the local pub on the coin op.
In conclusion I just don't see coin ops-or any tornado table for that matter- up for sale in my area(northern Vermont) and am happy to have found this one. Certainly my preference would be a coin op table but financial considerations have to be taken into account. Having said all this I should now point out the the tables in the pictures look different then my Storm II. The table I have has the ball return on the yellow side not the ends.
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How about this one:
http://siouxcity.craigslist.org/spo/2006354122.html
I can buy this for $500.00
Thanks again
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Scoob-
Now your on the right track!! Thats a older Brown Marble coin-op and possibly the best table Tornado ever made. Looks to be in pretty good condition by the picture but make sure and inspect 1. laminate (chips) pieces missing etc. all around the table. 2. playing surface (no bubbles or warping of the playfield, you can usually see a water warped surface with the naked eye. 3. Goals ( no chips in the corners from constant hammering) 4. Coin Mech ( make sure the ball drop mech is working smoothly and inside is in good shape. 5. Bars (some bent bars are expected but usually the goalie 2 bar is the worst, inspect and make sure it does not look like a bannana) 6. Men and pins (hairline cracks in the men usually start around where the roll pin goes thru the man, If it was me I would knock all the pins out just to check them and the condition of the men) also look at the rubber bumpers to see if they are split. Ok Scoob there is the short course, take a friend to help you load that table weighs about 325 lbs. The top does come off that table for tranport and I highly recommend you do that and take the legs off. Oh ya and offer the guy about $350-$400 and see if he bites. That table will last your lifetime if you keep in maintained. And don't get to addicted!! My wife keeps me in check and this game will stick in your head all day long if you let it. Good Luck!!
Snake
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Oh ya and if you buy this table DO NOT use that WD-40 they have sitting on top the table to lube the rods. It will ruin the plastic bushings, buy some good silicone lube off foosball.com and use BB sized amounts of it on the rods until you get your desired smoothness. The craigs list post says MUST SELL use that to your advantage :).
Snake
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Update:Negotiated price over the phone is $450.00. I will use your punch list and go from there.
Thanks again
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Nice, let all of us know on here if you bought the table and how you like it. Not a whole lot of difference between that table and the ones we play national tournaments on, a few upgrades you can do yourself (if you feel the need). Brown Marbles are awesome I have one myself. Check out the Black Light upgrade kit sometime, pretty cool and the kids really like it. Good Luck!
Snake
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yeah they have the mercuial bars if i remember correctly, those bar's were the best bars ever made for tornado,
in my opinion id rather have that table than a t3k ....the bar is super durable compared to the new bar but thats just my opinion...
it might feel alittle bit heaver, but when u touch every table it will be just like magic ;)
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Snake, I took your punch list with me:
The laminate on one end was broken at one time, all the pieces are there and reglued, so it looks like it is cracked up. Not sure what to do with it, but I will see. I have a buddy in the countertop business, maybe he can help me, or maybe I will have to find a couple of tornado stickers to cover it up and then use the other one on the other end to make it match.
The playing surface looked good, but there are some lighter areas, so this could be the damage you talked about. I can see it, but I cannot feel it. Iam new to this, so I hope I did no make a huge mistake.
Goals are fine
Coin mechanism is fine and he had the key too
2 bars are bent, the 2 you predicted, but it is playable.
Men looked good, but I did not pull the pins.
Rubber bumpers are new.
Final price-$400.00.
He had the tool to remove the bars, 10 balls, and the original owners manual.
Any advice on where to find parts for this old girl?
Thanks again!
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Parts are available right here, from the great people that provide us with this forum! FOOSBALL.COM !!!
http://foosdirect-store.stores.yahoo.net/tornado.html
You got a great table (for the same $400) and this one will last a lifetime.
I still have my brown marble from 1990, still plays great!
Have fun!!
P.S. If you have any questions with regards to any cleaning, repairs and maintenance, feel free to ask! This forum is a wealth of knowledge!
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Thanks for all of the help everyone! We got the table downstairs............this thing is a bruiser! Yes I would like any and all advice I can get on cleaning and maintainence of my new table. When I buy something new and it is older I like to start from scratch if you will, so the first thing I would like to do is clean all of the bars and re lubricate and clean the play surface. It came with 8 of what Iam assuming are the original balls, should I keep playing them, or is there another ball that I should be using? Do you do anything with the wood handles, or just leave the "patina" alone. Anyway to ID how old this is? The counter says it is working on 15,000 plays.
Again, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all of the help in guiding me to a table that is far superior to what I was going to originally buy......................for the same price!
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I would be interested in knowing what the "optional" upgrades are? It has a drink holder on one end, it appears that there was one on the other end at one time too, can I get another one?
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sure u can do anything to your table, the thing with drink holders if its glass, from time to time a shot hit to hard might accidently break the glass or beer, or what ever it is, it has happen, so just be weary if it u put drinks on it, next to know is, u can change the handles to the plastic ones if u choose too, just like the players the handles have pins tooo,
when u do play, if u dont like the feel of the handles, u can buy foosball grips, u can buy these online, or just buy tennis grip, its about the same thing , just dependin on the grip some last longer than others depending on play time, u could clean all the bars, just dont use double D 40, that was never meant to be a lubricant on the bars, get some liquid silicone from, ur nearest supplyer or, goto foosball.com and purchase some.
dont clean your bars untill u get some liquid silicone, that lube is the best for the bars, and only just alittle needs to go into ur dual bearings to lube the whole bar,
u should check all the pins to see if anything is cracked or not, instead of just knocking them out i was just practice controll with the ball, and also check the level of the table,...
what u would do is spin all the feet wheel counter clock wise so the feet are as close to the top, and use a level,, or adjust so there is no slant or anything u can do this your self but it can be alot of work, but once u learn how to u, u can adjust anytable by urself, becareful it is a realy heavy table use 1 knee to lift and adjust dont just lift with your back and adjust u could get a hernia LOL trust me it has happened
after u checked all the pins are good HAVE fun practicing, and if u have any more questions feel free to ask away,
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Scoob-
Upgrades....Where to start here. 1. Tornado offers new handles (one side yellow/one side black) with a thin rubber coating on them >>they are sweet<< 2. New Bearings (called low profile) for the new T3K, they inhibit the near and far wall stick pass a little unless your Tony Spredeman. 3. The new clear side strips in place of the (old white ones) OH YA and a Fooslight,,,,you got to have one of them to reduce eye-strain. They have a website all of their own, good investment you never have to move the table under a light again. Just an FYI I pulled all the old brown marble laminate off my table and put stainless in it's place,,it looks killer and believe it or not the table is heavier than before!! Ha Ha. If you really want to see some good foos look up players like Tony Spredeman, Ryan Moore, Billy Pappas, Rico Collignon, Tray Mcmillin, Dave Gummeson to start. Give you a good feel for what tour players do on a Tornado.
Happy Foosin'
Snake
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Do you have any links so I can check some of this stuff out?
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Scooby,
Check out InsideFoos on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/user/insidefoos#p/u
Not all videos are of Tornado Tables, but probably half are, and that ALL have great players in each video.
You can also just search youtube for "Tony Spredeman", or "Ryan Moore" or whomever, and get many results. If you search Billy Pappas or Frederic Collignon, you will get a wide variety of tables, but the same skills on display :)
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I have an early 70's deutscher meister table how much can these be worth.