Topic: T2000 question

[tjq]

I am looking to purchase a used t2000- blonde wood for home use. From what I understand, the color changed to dark mahogany in 2002. What would be a good price to pay for a used t2000 blonde? I believe they were made in coin opp and no coin opp version- any difference in the qulaity of each of these versions? I live in CT.

Thanks.

[alaskan thunder]

Always go w/ the coin-op. If you improve you will want the coin-op because it plays much more solidly. If you want to sell it, the coin-op will hold its value much better. Oh and use the search function, this has been posted like 100000000000 times before.

[bbtuna]

here is a link with a history on the tables
http://www.foosball.com/forum/index.php?topic=2331.msg10482#msg10482

also link on selling tables, this has good info for a buyer sprinkled throughout
http://www.foosball.com/forum/index.php?topic=2342.0

I would buy a brown marble over a blonde for sure

Brown Marble: $400-$600 (average to mint like new)
Blonde: what they should sell for is same as Brn Mrbl but they will go for $550 super low end to $700...people will ask more but paying more would be way wrong...
Cherry (which is what I own) same as Blonde
Grey Marble:  multiple versions and they are all worth about the same but the best made and play of them was (and is) the latest of them made late 06-07...I have seen them actually sell for under $700 but only a couple times and that would be a super good deal - they will sell between...$700-$900 but if you are paying $900 you might as well pay a little more and get the newest T3000 - tournament used for around $1175 plus shipping

only thing is, the late Grey Marble has the best rods Tornado has ever used

[tjq]

Thanks for the posts. Aesthetically, I prefer the blonde T2000. Willl I be making a terrible decision going with the blonde vs the brown marble? I am new to foosball but want a good table that will last and that my kids can use.

[alaskan thunder]

Any tornado coin-op will last so that is not an issue. As far as aesthetics, go with what makes you happy. You can probably find a decent price on an older table given the state of many peoples finances. Keep in mind though, there have been some changes over the years. If you have enough $$ and plan on playing tournaments at any point, you may as well order the latest and greatest that Tornado has to offer. As BB said, you can get a tournament used (basically new) coin-op for $1175.

[bbtuna]

tj,

nothing wrong with the blonde, just make sure it is in really good condition...how much are you willing to pay?  I wouldn't make how it looks be the driver, play quality will be the most significant factor for sure...after a while if you are really interested in foos, you won't care about color

however, if you are going to be a casual player, and that is ALL good, then any good condition coin op will provide great play for a life time (literally)

[tjq]

Thanks very much for the helpful posts. I don't think I will be playing in tournaments anytime soon. I just want a good table to play on and have my kids play on and get interested in the game. I was hoping to pay around $600- $650 for a used T2000 coin opp, but maybe that is too little. I have seen the Tornado Cyclone II for reasonable prices ($500 range), but after reading all the posts on this site, it sounds like that is not the right choice- pays to spend more and get more.

[bbtuna]

you can find what you want for that price and find one in decent shape...you may want to stay a little flexible on laminent type...take your time, look on Craig's list and eBay and keep your money ready for when you find the right deal...they are out there, you just have to be patient

competitive foosball is still in its first generation and we are finding at this point that you can play very very good well into your 40's for sure and soon to be shown into your 50's ... no telling how long you can play at this point, we won't know for sure until the first group of players gets to the point where they can't play which hasn't happened yet...I just turned 52 and I am actually still improving

i say this because it is a good game to hand off to kids because it has the potential of being something fun for them when they, literally, are 60+

if you need more help during the process, like you find a table you have questions about, then come on back...once you purchase, if you remember, come and tell us the story

good luck

[ClearScreen]

I purchased a tourney-used T2000 coin-op(stainless steel look) last April.  It was a great deal - $1175 +$200 shipping - delivered via freight to my house.  I had it up and running within an hour once I decided to unpack it.  I am a casual player with young kids and we love it.  This thing is built like a tank and weighs almost as much.  I was able to muscle it into my house by myself because it comes in 2 sections and you have to attach the legs.  To move it now, without taking it apart, I need some help.

Like you, I was looking to spend a little less, but the experts on here convinced me otherwise.  My skeptical wife even agrees now that it was the right decision.  This table will outlast us all.

A few pieces of advice from a casual player - buy a good cover if you are not playing on it every day -  helps keep the dirt and dust off it. 

Try to situate it in a well-lit room under or near a good light source. 

If you have young kids or new players, you may want to purchase a few different balls - I got some Yellow Dynamo balls which play slower than the pink Tornado balls that came with the table and have them in the mix.  The kids can control them a little better and they don't rocket off the walls quite as hard. 

Have silicone on hand.  Small bottle costs like $3 and lasts a long while.

Good luck,

ClearScreen

[tjq]

Thanks for the posts. I'm 48 with 3 kids of varying ages...I'm trying to keep them off the computers and video games and have them interact more together- I thought foosball would be perfect. When I find something, I'll post some pictures to get your opinions. Thanks for all the help!

[tjq]

Does anyone know the dimensions of the Tornado T2000 (without the legs)..also, after the legs are removed, is it easy to take apart the top of the T2000 from the bottom for easier moving/lifting?

[bbtuna]

dimensions can be found on Tornado site http://www.vdlp.net/tornado/Platinumtouredition.asp
this is the newest model but there has been a change with dimensions in 30 years

top portion comes off the bottom portion just by sliding it off the hinges, best and easiest with 2 people

you should not have to remove the rods and you don't want to if you can avoid it...it is a lot of work and 99% of the time won't be needed

if the legs are already attached and the top is removed, you can make through a lot of doorways without removing the legs but taking them off isn't hard and if you get it with them already off

moving the 2 parts and legs around is not that difficult...always best with 2 people but as you have seen with Zeek it can be done with one healthy person but NOT recommended

[tjq]

Thanks for the info. When you say the top slides off the hinges, do I need any tools, or is there just some kind of release? Do you know what tools I should bring when I go to move this? Thanks.

[papafoos]

You should have two people to remove the top.  Open the cabinet, hold it at about a 90 degree angle and slide it off the hinges.  It's really easy with two people.  It's not fun with one.

You need a socket set to remove the legs.  It's not necessary, but I recommend screwing the levelers all the way in or remove them.

Assuming you don't have to remove the bars, no other tools are necessary.  The table should come with the tools needed to remove the bearings and men.  If not, you can get them here on this site.(Jim, do I get a commission?)

[tjq]

I have a few questions regarding a blonde coin op I have:

1. The coin mechanism doesn't work. It takes 2 quarters, but it is difficult to slide the mechanism in (has alot of resistance) and you need to have the table open to physically help the mechanism so that it flips the ball retun over. I don't really need the coin opp (it is for home use)- is there any way to disable this mechansim and be able to easily get the balls to the return so I don't have to open up the table each time I need to retrieve the balls? What do people typically do with this problem in lieu of getting the coin opp mechanism fixed?

2. Any recommendations for cleaning the playing surface?  Damp rag?

3. The rods are in good shape - just meed a little chrome polishing. I assume I can just use a chrome cleaner for that. Any recommendations for lubricating the rods?

4. The table has black men and gold men (do you think the gold men are original- I thought they were supposed to be yellow)...I was considering getting new men if they aren't original..

Thanks for any help!