Topic: Whats, avid player..some advice for those with lower buget

[hoomanchu]

I have a buddy that plays at my house and the local bar (both have tornado tables) he just got a Storm for 400 bucks, used. I told to order the heavier competition rods, he did, and we installed them...the play is awesome. I personally think for those with a limited budget if you can get a storm or cyclone cheap...invest a bit more in the rods and you can learn the game, and be more prepared to play when you go out and play at tournies. Just a thought since I see alot of threads on the subject here.

[Rios]

honestly if you get the coin-op rods the really only difference between the tables are the bearings and the mere weight of the table...
I would say that the main factor is the weight difference...  a storm would definalty serve as a good practice table if you can get it for cheap enough.  if not, then you are better off getting a coin-op... one good thing about getting a cyclone II is that it has ledges under the bottom of it and you can put some added weight there (which is what I do... 35 pounds on each side)... the storm does not have ledges under the table....

[bbtuna]

but, the weight makes a difference and I am not positive the storm has counter-balanced men and the bearings make a difference as well...it is not just the rods

and, for $400, you are very near being able to pick up a Brown Marble coin-op used

you can learn on these lower tables for sure, but if you end up playing going forward, you will end up buying the table twice...better spend a little more now and do it right and only buy once

[Billings Semi-pro]

BBTuna,

How much are the used brown marble coin ops?  Do you know where a surplus of them are?

[bbtuna]

not a surplus but you can usually find one or two on ebay pretty much all the time...if not, just wait and keep looking until you find one...you may want to cray craigs list too for more local stuff

[bbtuna]

should be able to pick one up for something like $450 to $550 dollars

[bbtuna]

this one needs a lot of work and I wouldn't pay any more than the $350 they are asking and I would look for better shipping and then you could pay to upgrade rods and men...I didn't read to find out what was really wrong with the one part which has the black tape on it, that may be a deal breaker...I am looking for others

http://cgi.ebay.com/TORNADO-TABLE-SOCCER-FOOSBALL-TABLE-COIN-OPERATED-NR_W0QQitemZ110207327062QQihZ001QQcategoryZ36276QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[bbtuna]

no others out there today...unless you are real good with wood working I would let this one pass...you may want to contact charles McIntosh and see if he has a Brown Marble available and in good shape...he will give you the straight scoop but you will pay top dollar for the unit (as far as Brown Marble goes) but you won't have any surprises...he can answer all questions about rods, men, bearings, goal mouth, etc and you can trust what he says 100%

http://tornadofoosb.powweb.com/tornadofoosballcominc/

his phone number is at the bottom of the page...he answers that phone personally...don't let him talk you into another table without talking to me...you don't want a Rosewood and probably not a Blond

you may also want to try Ric Bennett from Tulsa OK...much smaller promoter but he may have a Brown Marble and Ric, like Charles, is 100% reliable...I have a friend that bought a Brown Marble from him 1 1/2 ago and it is a nice table...again, ask all the questions...he payed top dollar for a Brown Marble but it was in good shape and if Ric has one you can talk to him about making sure it is "refreshed"  - Ric's email is rexbennett@tulsafoosball.com and his phone is 918-261-0101 - Tell him Charles the backpin shooter from KC sent you and I said he was the best and that he would make sure you got a good deal and if he doesn't take good care of you, I will start talking bad about him on the net 

[wildcard]

You may be able to find a brown-marble for sale in your own town. Look up "amusement vendors" in the yellow pages and give them a call, they may have some to get rid of cheap that you can refit. Most vendors will just look at the notion they can make some quick dough off of an old table that has been paid off for years sitting in their warehouse and will let it go cheap.