Topic: Tornado Storm Review

[Joel]

Last fall, the company I work for purchased a Tornado Storm table from Scheels, and I wanted to share my experiences with the table.

First of all, when we started to assemble the table, we noticed that one of the 5-bars was defective. The first four holes on the rod were in-line and perfect, but the last hole was drilled on a different spot on the rod. So when we attached the men, the last man would stick out at a different angle than the other four men.

After a few games on the table, we began noticing metal flakes on the table. It seemed that one of the 2-bars had defective chrome and it was chipping. I must give credit to Scheels because they replaced both rods with a simple call and explanation of the problems. However, these problems are rather disappointing considering the great reputation Tornado tables have.

Another thing that has bothered me is the playing surface for the table. Unlike previous Tornado tables I have played on, the surface is very different. The ball tends to slide around way more, making passing and pinning much more difficult. I'm not sure what the surface is made out of, but it is definitely not the wood surface found on other Tornado tables.

Finally, my last complaint is with the rods themselves. I have found that after just a week's worth of play the rods get incredibly sticky and completely filthy. The other table I play on is a Tornado Whirlwind that is probably 7 years old. If I lubricate and clean both tables at the same time, the Storm will become essentially unplayable after a week or two. However, the Whirlwind's rods stay smooth, clean, and fast for over a month. I have yet to figure out what is causing the Storm's rods to deteriorate so much faster.

(If anybody has some tips for improving the rods, please let me know. I've considered replacing all the bearings, but am not sure if that will actually fix the problem.)

So overall, I would not recommend the Storm to anyone. The table has been one giant letdown. I expected so much more from a Tornado table (even if it is one of their cheaper models). It seems the only way to get a good Tornado table is to purchase a used table that was manufactured before the quality went downhill, or to purchase their top-end tournament tables.

What is everyone else's experiences with the Tornado Storm? Did I just happen to get a lemon and most of them really are great tables?

Thanks,
Joel

[snake eyes]

Watch out this is going to open a box of Whip*** for BBTuna. Charles kindly explain to this gentleman the quality and production issues Valley has had in the last 2 decades....Here is the challenge try to keep it within (2) paragraphs!! Just kidding Charles have fun with this one.

Snake

[alaskan thunder]

Never buy a table that is not a coin op. They are much more heavy duty.

[bbtuna]

no problem Snake...where you been, you need to come out more often

anyway, he said, "So overall, I would not recommend the Storm to anyone."

thats all I have to say too...my thing is just got coin op and this is an example of why, its a waste of money otherwise  - and all in less than one paragraph