maple or oak for pool table? (billiards)

[jonnyjack]

we're planning on getting a pool table, so far i only checked out the olhausen dealer, will check out brunswick soon. anyways i noticed oak tables cost on average $100 more than their maple counterparts. what are the advantages? is it worth the extra $100?

so far on one model (olhausen brand) i got a quote for $2,425 and that includes pretty much everything you need (4 cues, balls, bridge, table cover, 2 brushes, racks, etc. and also setup/delivery and lifetime warranty on leveling) i'm still going to check out other places nearby but i was wondering if that sounds reasonable? i have nothing to compare to obviously. so if any of you guys know, post here! thanks in advance!

PS i know that's a crapload of money but i'm not rich or anything, parents we're planning to get new couches for the living room but i was able to convince them to spend a little more and get something more people can enjoy, hehe. if we got couches, we wouldn't even get to sit on it except when guests come over!

 

[Amused]

I'm partial to maple.

Both will play the same, as good tables have slate playing surfaces.

 

[DeadHead]

GET OAK! Maple is waaaaay to soft, if you want it to last longer, be stronger, and not have dents then go for Oak. I think it would be well worth the extra 100 bucks.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: DeadHead
GET OAK! Maple is waaaaay to soft, if you want it to last longer, be stronger, and not have dents then go for Oak. I think it would be well worth the extra 100 bucks.

He's right. But I still think maple is a much better looking wood.

 

[brtspears2]

I like black walnut the best....

But oak will last forever if you take care of it.

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: DeadHead
GET OAK! Maple is waaaaay to soft, if you want it to last longer, be stronger, and not have dents then go for Oak. I think it would be well worth the extra 100 bucks.

Being an amateur furniture builder, I can tell you the above is NOT true. It depends on what kind of maple or oak you get. White oak is much harder than Red oak. Hard maple is just about the hardest wood you can buy. If you get solid hard maple, you can hardly dent it with a hammer. Soft maple is not much harder than a pine 2x4... Maple is the way to go if it's hard maple, but it's very expensive. If it's solid hard maple it should be twice the cost of oak. White Oak costs more than Red Oak.

Maple is also more stable, that is, it doesn't move much with temperature and humidity changes which will make the table last longer and require less adjustments.

 

[yakko]

How about one that combines deep true mahogany with California laurel, burl ash, French walnut, birdseye maple, rosewood, ebony, mahogany and tulip woods inlays? Click on the Monarch.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: yakko
How about one that combines deep true mahogany with California laurel, burl ash, French walnut, birdseye maple, rosewood, ebony, mahogany and tulip woods inlays? Click on the Monarch.

Good gawd that's gawdy.