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Chat Area => General Chat => Topic started by: navajas on March 06, 2011, 05:33:13 PM

Title: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: navajas on March 06, 2011, 05:33:13 PM
Hey folks,

I played a bit in college though never enough to acquire any fancy skills. We always had a blast. My family just got back from a vacation during which we stayed at a rental house with a, really, really, beat up, cheap flimsy foosball table. Even so, we had a great time playing on it.

So now I'm thinking about getting one for our home. I don't want / can't afford anything super extravagant. I have a bit of spending money from selling off some of my other nerd toys and hope to stretch it into, if I'm lucky, a pinball machine (which I DID play enough in college to acquire fancy skills!) and perhaps a decent foosball table.

I might have a chance to purchase an "On the Edge" diamond plate table with Mike's Hard Lemonade branding on it. From checking retail prices it looks like a good deal, and from the pictures the table appears solid. It also has a built in MP3 player with speakers which is a neat touch. However, looks and prices can be very deceiving so I thought I'd ask some experts if they've played on one of these tables, and if so, if you have any opinions, cautions, advice, etc...

Thanks for your help!
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: papafoos on March 07, 2011, 10:27:39 AM
Most of the serious players probably won't endorse that table.  If you ever have aspirations of getting semi-serious, I'd recommend Tornado or Fireball.  You might also consider Warrior or Bonzini.  Warriors can be pretty cheap sometime but I don't care for the quality.

Try to contact some of your local players for guidance.  Or tell us the general location where you are located and maybe some of them will contact you.
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: navajas on March 07, 2011, 12:01:42 PM
I'm not even sure "semi-serious" will describe me. I mean, I always thought spinning the rods was obnoxious (kind of like guys slamming the buttons on a fighting game), though I never knew until I came here it was actually against the rules, but I doubt I'll ever give a damn about passing requirements and such. How about more, "controlled / refined casual"? I'll mostly be playing with my kids (not the random screaming terrors most seem to be these days, they had a good time actually trying to control the ball for instance, not just flipping the rods around) my wife, family, that sort of thing.

It's entirely possible that I'll get good enough that the official rule set becomes more relevant, but I very much doubt my opponents ever will. What am I going to say, "Sorry first timer, that goal didn't count because you XXX off the YYY too many times."? I doubt that will go over very well. It's like pool: I'm not going to tell my 5 year old the ball he just sunk in the corner doesn't count because he was obviously aiming for the side pocket, you know?

I've been checking craigslist for Seattle (http://seattle.craigslist.org/search/?areaID=2&subAreaID=&query=foosball&catAbb=sss), my closest metro.

Here's the tables that caught my untrained eye:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/for/2249801512.html  <---- That's the "On the Edge" one. Thing retails for $1000.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/spo/2249388828.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/vgm/2248954011.html  <---- same as directly above?
http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/tag/2248758793.html

I very much appreciate your time and opinion!
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: Anderson on March 07, 2011, 07:22:59 PM
If you are only looking for a hobby table to entertain with the kids I think that any of those tables is a good deal. I kinda like the Quarter Million Dollar table because it brings me back to a table that I learned on. As a serious semipro player, I would only buy a table that has a reasonable sized player base and tournaments. I have a Fireball, would love a Bonzini if I could afford one, been told that Warrior is a fun table to play on, and of course there is Tornado which is where the biggest draw for Tournament players in the US. You'll have to spend anywhere between $800-$2500 for a truly great table to practice on for tournament level foosball, but the other choices are fine for beginners. Even if your kids get into it to the point of playing at that level, they probably would want to buy a table that's up to date, so getting an expensive table now is simply not feasible. However, if you can find any of those other tables used for less than $500, well it might be worth the extra cost.
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: alaskan thunder on March 07, 2011, 08:33:47 PM
Just buy a Tornado. If you ever get serious it's what you need. If you ever get bored and want to sell it it will actually have a resale (unlike 98% of other tables aka the one you listed). Read here for a bit and you will see 1000 reasons to not buy some crappy no name table. Not trying to be rude, just giving you the lay of the land.
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: navajas on March 07, 2011, 10:09:32 PM
Anderson: Thanks for the reply and advice! I'll keep an eye out for those brands you mentioned. The main thing is, we had a pile of fun playing on a table with a massive crack in the cheap particle board on one side, a dead spot every six square inches and a couple of goals that allowed a scoring kick fly out the return half the time. I don't want crap, but affordable durable mediocrity sounds fine.

Alaskan: I once went to a saxophone clinic with Branford Marsalis. I was a young and somewhat talented player, but I was also dead broke. I asked him if he had any advice, having heard me play, on how to pick out a new pro mouth piece since there were so many options. He said, "Just buy all of them and play the one that ends up your favorite." Ha! Thanks Branford! Yeah, no chance in the Hell of the Horny Dragon I'm dropping $1000+ on a foosball table just in case I suddenly decide to go pro. I mean, I appreciate it's the no risk choice, and they're the consensus best table, it's just makes no sense for me to do.

Hopefully there's a graded slope of qualities at the lower/mid end of things, you know? Not just Tornado is #1, and the rest all tied at somewhere down by the Wal*Mart $79 special.
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: K-man on March 08, 2011, 04:05:48 PM
I think the consensus here is that you can obtain a quality table for about what you would spend on a big box store table if you're patient.  Personally I've encountered two Tornado tables in my area on Craigslist in the past 3 weeks.  One was advertised for 250 and the other was selling for around 400.  I viewed a thread on this forum where someone actually scored a coin-op for 150 bucks.
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: papafoos on March 08, 2011, 04:15:10 PM
Patience is the key.  If you're in Seattle, there are a lot of players who should be able to help you out.
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: Gwasshoppa on March 08, 2011, 05:16:05 PM

There should be a few of the Tornado Storm II tables on CL, there's usually a few at any given time in my area. I have a coin-op but my friend has a Storm and it plays better than most people here would suggest.

It's not as solid or accurate as a coin-op, but it's also cheaper, usually readily available, and sounds like it would work just fine in your situation. Like all Tornado tables, the parts that are likely to break are replaceable and readily available.
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: navajas on March 08, 2011, 06:13:56 PM
Thanks for the help folks. Any advice on recognizing a Tornado? Craigslist adds are often woefully undescriptive and from what I've seen from their website Tornado's are sort of nondescript looking. I'm sure in person crap is pretty easy to tell from Shinola, but I can hardly tell these things apart from images.  Are there obvious spots to look for branding and such?

EDIT: Oh, and anyone in Seattle area is welcome to hook me up either with a table or a contact. Cheers!
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: snake eyes on March 09, 2011, 08:59:15 AM
First glance look for any table that has a marble type exterior (brown marble,grey marble, even a storm has a blackish marble wrap. Another dead giveaway is on side black men one side yellow men. And almost always wood handles less the new T3000 Icebox. Just look for the T with tornado inside it logo.   Good Luck,  Snake
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: alaskan thunder on March 09, 2011, 12:25:38 PM
Hopefully there's a graded slope of qualities at the lower/mid end of things, you know? Not just Tornado is #1, and the rest all tied at somewhere down by the Wal*Mart $79 special.

Not so much. Either it's a legitimate table (Tornado, Bonzini, Fireball, Warrior, RP, Garlando) all of which are pretty expensive save for Warrior, or its a piece of crap. Seriously, there is little middle ground when it comes to foosball tables. Just be patient and you will be able to find a legitimate table for not much more than the crappy home model you would otherwise buy,
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: navajas on March 09, 2011, 07:50:56 PM
Hmm. Coin-op Great American?
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: Anderson on March 09, 2011, 08:10:22 PM
Fireball is just coming out with a product line and they are advertising a Fireball Sport model which is a lighter weight, economically priced table. Might be worth investigation. There is a thread right now from Brad Laurine about distributors, but there is a link to the product line. I suggest you take a look. I really like my table. I have the ITSF model which I got just under $800. That's a top model table. You might be able to get a good deal on a lower model. Good luck.
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: navajas on March 09, 2011, 08:45:46 PM
I think I'm going to play the waiting game recommended above as long as I can take it. My budget will be depending on my luck with the pinball hunt and how much of my budget that leaves. If I go foosball first I don't really want to go much above $300-400 so I have room left for other nerd room accouterments.
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: bbtuna on March 12, 2011, 08:28:37 PM
you can get a used Tornado coin op for $300-$450 and there is no reason to look for anything else...i have helped many people work through this who come on here with the same ideas and intentions you have shared, trust me you will be proud and happy to have gotten a table that will literally last your life time...in addition, you will not have to compromise in play or abilities AND if you or your kids ever take the game seriously, you/they will have the foundation to do it

if you ever decide to sell it, you will have the biggest market available because you have a coin op

you can contact me any time and I will help answer questions and help you identify a reasonable purchase

start by using Craig's list and make your search as far as you would consider driving to pick up a table...search for Tornado coin op foosball table...that should give you plenty to look for

most likely we will end up with a "Brown Marble"...see the diff tbls in this thread I put together

http://www.foosball.com/forum/index.php?topic=2704.0

Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: navajas on March 13, 2011, 01:09:13 AM
My pinball quest continues, but my guess is $300-$400 will be my absolute ceiling, and probably towards the lower end. It's encouraging to hear you that can work out to a good table. I have a big white box truck with a lift gate, so moving it is no problem. I've searched from the Olympic Peninsula all the way to Spokane and down to Portland but not come up with a Tornado, or any of the other tables mentioned earlier. I think I saw on in this picture (http://wenatchee.craigslist.org/bar/2256020295.html) but it was gone by the time I asked. That's the Tornado logo isn't it? Pretty sure. Since he had jumbled up with all the other stuff I bet it would have gone for a good price too. Bummer.

Anyway, I'll take all the help you can give me.

Thanks a bunch.
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: snake eyes on March 13, 2011, 11:52:46 AM
Yep thats a Tornado a "coin-op mahogany" good table sometimes people ask ridiculous prices for these but if you can negotiate would be a good buy for three to four hundred fifty. Brown marbles can be gotten much cheaper due to production year made and definitely a better made coin-op. I will look for you also on craigslist. Snake
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: navajas on March 13, 2011, 02:15:04 PM
Thanks.

I live on the Olympic Peninsula. Seattle is of course the biggest and closest major metro. I'd very much like to keep any foosball table purchases in and around Seattle, because I don't necessarily want to risk the truck on any major treks. I was looking as far as Spokane, Victoria and Portland, but at those extremes I'd hope to also have a pinball machine to pick up as well. Or, as in that above listing, a dart board or something.

I don't really know how to get Craigslist to search the Silverdale area. From the Hood Canal Bridge, down through Silverdale until Tacoma is pretty well populated with some big malls and such. I'm not sure if a CL "Seattle" search is hitting those areas or not.

Thanks again!
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: alaskan thunder on March 14, 2011, 04:02:29 PM
Thanks.

I live on the Olympic Peninsula. Seattle is of course the biggest and closest major metro. I'd very much like to keep any foosball table purchases in and around Seattle, because I don't necessarily want to risk the truck on any major treks. I was looking as far as Spokane, Victoria and Portland, but at those extremes I'd hope to also have a pinball machine to pick up as well. Or, as in that above listing, a dart board or something.

I don't really know how to get Craigslist to search the Silverdale area. From the Hood Canal Bridge, down through Silverdale until Tacoma is pretty well populated with some big malls and such. I'm not sure if a CL "Seattle" search is hitting those areas or not.

Thanks again!

Try a site like this: www.jaxed.com

You can narrow by state/metro/city/etc


Edit: Better link--> http://www.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/sd.cgi?cat=spo&fil=foosball&state=WA&submit=go
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: navajas on March 22, 2011, 04:54:23 PM
Is this legit? Looks un-Tornado-y to me.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/tag/2280025414.html
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: come back trail on March 22, 2011, 06:05:54 PM
That's a low end home model Tornado. I think its a whirlwind. Not even close to a coin op. Wouldn't hold up to heavy duty play. Doesn't have the split bearings. Lighter rods. Not sure if the men are counter balanced or not. Hold out for a better table. You won't regret it.
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: navajas on March 23, 2011, 02:52:47 PM
Thank you. He sent me a picture. The logo is in white on a green playfield. Three men goalie bar. (Is that standard for Tornado?) I think the logo on the field says, "Twister".
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: come back trail on March 24, 2011, 01:22:12 PM
Oh, Twister, ok. Twister/whirlwind, either way, low end home model.
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: navajas on March 24, 2011, 05:07:26 PM
Oh, ok thanks. Didn't know Tornado made any crap tables. Avoided.
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: navajas on April 05, 2011, 05:52:05 PM
Tornado II? http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/spo/2307497654.html

It sounds like I could probably offer $300 on it.
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: alaskan thunder on April 05, 2011, 06:40:38 PM
looks like a whirlwind/twister
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: snake eyes on April 05, 2011, 06:50:05 PM
Not sure what a Tornado II is. If it's a Cyclone II which I dont't think it is by looking at the rod bushings I would offer $250 and that would be a hell of a deal. Send them an email and ask to clarify what Tornado II is, looks alot like a Twister or Whirlwind both of which are very low end models. If its either one of those offer $200. All Tornado home tables have names (whirlwind) (cyclone) (elite) (twister) etc. make suee which model this is and get back to us on the board before buying.    Snake


Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: big al on April 05, 2011, 11:25:13 PM
go warrior, table is solid for some heavy hitters the blue and red men are a little heavier but plays tops, banks are good from front and back. easy to get replacement parts...for the price cant go wrong. i had a pro from the big island of hawaii play on it thought the men were going to brake but table is just as tuff as a tornado. i own 2 of my own...im just saying if your on a tight budget......rods are solid, but to me theres no difference from the hollow ones...hope you get the one you want...good luck!
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: navajas on May 02, 2011, 04:13:50 PM
Well, the only Tornado's I've seen lately have been listed at $700-900. Here's something supposedly commercial grade:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/spo/2358090665.html

Thoughts, experiences?
Title: Re: Help picking first table // On the Edge?
Post by: bbtuna on May 03, 2011, 02:45:32 PM
70s table good for nostalga but more recommended for a collector or throw back player who was certain they sould not be playing in local DYPs or Regional/National tournys

700-900 is fine, you just need to negociate from there