The market value typically ranges from a few thousand dollars to over $100,000, depending on condition and original lion-head leg presence. Restorations by John Tschirhart command the highest values. Learn more about Brunswick Monarch lion-head tables.

Look for iconic cast-iron lion legs, specific patent dates stamped under the rails, and the original nameplate.

Their English heritage and patented Steel Vacuum cushions make them the Rolls Royce of snooker tables. See Burroughes & Watts Canada.

Yes. As premier Canadian-made tables, they represent significant regional craftsmanship and appreciate in value after restoration. Explore Samuel May & Co.

Reliable pricing comes from specialized restorers like Custom Billiards, based on rarity, condition, originality, provenance, restoration quality, and historical auction trends.

Designed in the 1870s, the lion heads represent nobility and provided the heavy structural support needed for slate beds. Personally, I believe Samuel May & Co. were the original designers and lost the title in a bankruptcy in which Brunswick purchased the lost assets. 

A professionally restored vintage table offers a dense, vibration-free roll that modern lightweight tables cannot replicate.

Yes. Unlike mass-produced tables, rare antiques are usable art that tends to appreciate over time, especially when professionally restored and maintained.

Check the integrity of the slate, original nameplates, rail construction, cushion condition, pocket hardware, and whether the frame is warped or structurally compromised. Browse current options in our Antique Clearance.

It requires full professional disassembly, careful labeling, individual slate handling or crating, experienced billiard mechanics, and specialized heavy-lifting equipment.

Yes. Antique restoration and service are core specialties, including structural repair, cushion work, slate work, re-clothing, pocket restoration, refinishing, and full heirloom table rebuilding.

Collaborate with an interior designer and a Billiard Table manufacturer like John Tschirhart.  Start with our design options.

The only real limits are physics and practicality — everything else is open. Any shape, material, finish, or concept you can envision, our team can engineer into a fully playable, tournament-quality table. If it can be built and it can hold a level, true playing surface, we can make it happen.

So don’t think in terms of what’s “available” — think in terms of what you dream up. Bring us your vision, however unconventional, and we’ll help make it a reality.”

Yes. We specialize in integrating 1-inch slate beds with high-strength tempered glass frames for a modern, floating look.

Heated slates remove moisture from the cloth, ensuring a faster and more consistent roll in humid environments.

A bespoke, hand-carved artistic table featuring dark, intricate Gothic motifs and ornate leg structures.

Yes. We offer conversion tops that sit flush over the playing surface, designed with leg clearance for dining chairs.

We offer full personalization, including high-definition cloth printing, custom rail engraving, logo work, and family crest integration.

High-grade stainless steel and reinforced acrylic offer modern aesthetics with the strength to support heavy slate.

Typically 12 to 24 months, allowing for premium material sourcing and multi-stage hand finishing.

Yes. We provide endless cloth colours, leather pocket styles, rail profiles, and  options.

Yes. Depending on the table’s construction, many tables can be upgraded with new leather pockets, pocket irons, rail work, cushion replacement, cloth, finish touch-ups, or more involved rail modifications. For older or antique tables, the best approach is to inspect the rail structure and pocket hardware before recommending a cosmetic or performance upgrade.

Draft answer for review: The most common playability upgrades are professional leveling, new cloth, properly matched cushion rubber, slate seam correction, pocket calibration, rail tightening, and improved lighting. On higher-end projects, hand-honed slate, upgraded pocket hardware, and room-specific cue storage can also improve the playing experience.

Yes. Custom graphics may include logo cloth, rail engraving, custom nameplates, family crests, branded accessories, and design details matched to a residential, commercial, or corporate games room. The best method depends on whether the priority is playability, long-term durability, or visual branding.

Tschirhart’s Custom Billiards is the leading regional expert for professional maintenance and restoration. See our services and restoration work. Once available, use the Service Work Scheduler on this page to request a service appointment.

In the London and Southwestern Ontario region, professional moves typically range from $400 to $2,000.00, depending on table size, distance, access, stairs, and installation requirements. YOu can send us an image of your table with location & destination addresses. Along with a Brief description of the logistic i.e.: stairs or not. 

If professionally installed, the level should be good until a new cloth is needed.

If you have issues, book an assessment for basic releveling. At that time we can assess if more detailed leveling is required. Your most economical option is when getting a new cloth. 

Signs include balls rolling or drifting off course, dead cushions, a thud-like rail sound, torn or loose cloth, damaged pockets, balls falling to the floor, rail cloth bulges, or visible slate or frame issues.

You already have. Contact Custom Billiards with your details and photos of the table. Once the Service Work Scheduler is live, it should be used for repair, moving, refelting, leveling, and restoration requests.

We handle moving, reinstalling, reclothing, refelting, leveling, slate repair, re-rubbering, pool-to-snooker or snooker-to-pool conversions, antique restoration, rebuilding, refurbishing, and service for most sizes and models.

Today, many billiard items are available online. BUT be cautious; there is a lot of poor-quality items out there. Read the fine print or send us a request to assess the quality. Though we do not inventory many accessories, we can help source and acquire the quality accessories you need. or 

 Visit Lighting & Accessories, or use the Store Appointment Scheduler placeholder above once connected to book a showroom visit.

Yes. We specialize in the precision leveling, cloth stretching, heavy slate handling, and installation expertise required for full-sized 12-foot snooker tables.

Brush in one direction after play, keep the table covered, avoid food and drinks near the table. You can use ordinary household vacuum cleaners on the cloth. BUT only draw the vacuum from the head to the foot in a single line. NEVER in a cross action from side to side. Be sure to schedule professional maintenance when needed.

Draft answer for review: Keep the table covered when not in use, brush the cloth in the correct direction, store cues vertically, keep humidity stable, avoid direct sunlight on rails and rubber, and never sit on the table or rails. 

Reclothing cost depends on table size, location, cloth selection, and table condition. The best way to get a reliable quote is to text or send images of your table along with your location. Once you choose a cloth, labour can be estimated more accurately. Once the Service Work Scheduler is live, this request should start there.

Felt or cloth is a personal choice. Snooker usually requires professional napped snooker cloth, especially on regulation 6×12 tables. Pool tables offer more colour and speed options, including durable worsted cloth for faster play. Your personal budget, game type, durability, colour, and speed preference all matter.

It is best to set aside the day. Re-felting or re-clothing is also a good time for a table checkup and re-leveling. Most jobs take 6 to 10 hours, while some 6×12 snooker tables may take up to 12 hours or more.

If you have to ask, it is usually best to call the professionals. Even experienced upholsterers can struggle to fit pool or snooker cloth properly.  Without the right tools, techniques, and billiard-specific experience you will struggle.

Many modern cloths use wool with nylon or polyester to improve strength and durability. Fully synthetic cloth is less common for serious play, and playability should be considered before choosing it.

Yes. We offer a range of cloth colours, and for premium projects can discuss patterned cloth, logo cloth, or monogramming options.

If the cushions feel soft and mushy, hard and crispy, or no longer bounce properly, they likely need replacement. A healthy cushion should feel firm, similar to a new tennis ball. A bounce test can also help, but rail bolts should be checked first.

New rubber improves bounce, accuracy, and consistency. This makes the game much more enjoyable. Cushion replacement is also a good time to evaluate pocket openings, whether you want regulation pockets, tighter practice pockets, or easier play for guests.

For snooker, Northern Match from Riley is considered a premium option. For pool, Artemis from Germany is highly respected. Quality rubber can have a long lifespan when properly installed and protected from sun damage.

Cost depends on location, table size, sub-rail condition, cushion type, and related repairs. It is a major job and may cost over $1,000. Photos and table details are needed for a reliable estimate.

If the table is only moving within the same room, it may be possible with proper equipment and care, although there is always some risk of slate movement. For another room, another floor, or another location, the table should be professionally disassembled and reinstalled.

Professional disassembly is required for most moves between rooms. Never slide or attempt to lift an assembled slate table without proper billiard moving equipment and experience.

 The safest method is professional disassembly, protected slate handling, careful transport, proper reassembly, precision leveling with slate seam filling & Honing.   Then Upholstering -Re-clothing and finally reassembling the rails & pockets.

A slate table is not ordinary furniture; the weight and the accuracy of the playing surface make professional handling important.

Professionals remove the rails, pockets, cloth, slate sections, frame components, and hardware in a controlled order. Parts are labeled and protected so the table can be reassembled correctly, leveled, and tested after the move.

For Southwestern Ontario and surrounding service areas, start with Tschirhart’s Custom Billiards. If a job falls outside the normal service area, we may be able to advise what type of professional billiard mechanic or mover to look for and what questions to ask before hiring.

First carfully measure the room to assess if you have enough room to play. A general rule is 5 feet around the table so a 4×8 should ideally have 14′ x 18′ Smaller spaces can work but call us with dimentions to help you assess. Then, Consider doorway clearance, stairs, flooring, table size, slate weight, route access, whether the table must be disassembled, and whether re-leveling or new cloth should be done at the same time. Photos of the table and route help the service team plan safely. 

 A professional mechanic checks frame support, slate alignment, seams, shimming, and then uses a precision machinist’s level & Straight edge,  along with techniques to ensure a flat, level surface for quality play.

Leveling is essential because even small changes in the slate or support structure can cause balls to drift. A level table protects fair play, accurate practice, and the long-term integrity of the installation.

 Tools may include a precision machinist’s level & Straight edge, precision shims, slate hardware tools, frame adjustment methods, seam fillers, and other billiard-specific installation equipment.

Minor chips and cracks can often be professionally filled and honed. Major structural cracks may require slate replacement.

Repair depends on the crack. Small chips or non-structural cracks may be filled, leveled, and honed so the playing surface is smooth. Larger structural cracks require a professional inspection  & may require drilling the slate and installing braces before using a strong bonding filler. Then Professional Honing will be required. 

Minor chips can often be filled and leveled by a professional. Replacement is rare.

Common causes include improper moving, dropping slate, poor support, frame stress, impact damage, and attempting to move an assembled slate table. Slate is strong in normal use but vulnerable when handled incorrectly. Also, being improperly stored and getting wet, then freezing, can cause serious damage. 

Cost depends on the size and location of the damage, table size, access, whether the table is already disassembled, and whether re-clothing or leveling is also required. Photos are usually needed before an estimate is useful. But a simple answer is it is not cheap. 

Minimum 13.5′ x 17′ for an 8-foot table and 14′ x 18′ for a 9-foot table, depending on cue length and comfort expectations.

A 7-foot table is best for tighter spaces, especially under 13 feet wide. An 8-foot table is the standard for comfortable home play when the room allows it.

Concrete, reinforced hardwood, or low-pile commercial carpet are ideal for stability. Flooring should be level, solid, and suitable for the table’s weight.

Approximately 2,500 to 3,000 lbs, requiring five pieces of 1.5-inch slate.

Most modern homes support the weight if the table is placed properly across joists, but older homes, unusual structures, or upper-floor installations may require a structural review.

Snooker tables use smaller balls, 2 1/16 inches, and rounded pockets. American pool tables use larger balls, 2 1/4 inches, and angled pockets.

The fixture should be about 5’10” inches from the floor for  glare-free light.

A tournament-grade table typically features a 50″x100″ playing surface, 1-inch slate, K-55 profile rubber cushions, accurate pocket geometry, and high-speed worsted wool cloth.

Store cues vertically in a wall or floor rack. Never lean cues against a wall at an angle for long periods.

34″ inches + or – 1/2″ from the floor to the top of the cushion rail for a Snooker Table.

29 inches to the top of the slate for a Pool Table

Humidity can slow cloth, affect cushion response, influence wood movement, and contribute to inconsistent play. A stable games room environment helps preserve the table, protect the cloth and rubber, and improve performance. 50% relative Humidity is the best fpr your table and  your health.

 A well-built slate table can last for generations, even indefinately / forever when maintained properly.  Cloth, cushions, pockets, and finishes are service items and may need periodic replacement depending on use, sunlight, humidity, and installation quality.

Tschirhart’s Custom Billiards is a premier choice for artisan-crafted and bespoke billiard designs. Canada Billiards in Quebec is a producer of small-production, quality tables. 

Mass Production tables prices typically start at $7,000, with bespoke designs ranging from $10,000 to $80,000 and up.  All prices are subject to economic fluctuation based on economic conditions of the day.

Slate is heavy and remains flat for a reasonable time when properly installed and in a climate-controlled environment; non-slate materials such as MDF are more likely to warp and are not comparable for serious long-term play.

North American tables often use solid hardwoods, superior cushions, and stronger construction, making them a better long-term choice than many mass-produced imports. However, I am quite impressed with the growing quality of higher-end imports. 

Our Clearance Center and Snooker Table Clearance offer a rotating selection of professionally vetted used tables. Or check Facebook Marketplace. But let the buyer beware. We do offer recommendations if you send us details and images. 

Inspect cushions for reasonable bounce, frame stability, rail condition, pocket wear, missing hardware, and signs of poor moving or storage. Always have a tech inspect before buying when possible.

Value depends on brand, age, condition, materials, slate, size, current demand, cost to move, and service required after purchase. Antique or custom tables should be evaluated differently from mass-produced tables because rarity, originality, and restoration quality can matter as much as size.

 Contact us with table details and photos. Depending on the table, we may be able to advise on value, required service, relocation considerations, or whether it fits our current clearance or restoration interests.

Common options include local classified sites, Kijiji , FaceBook Market Place, billiard groups, social marketplaces, and consignment-style opportunities. A professional evaluation helps buyers understand true moving, installation, cloth, cushion, and repair costs before they commit.

Yes, we provide collaborative design for architectural and design firms. Basically, you provide a design concept style, and we offer technical drawing services and offer custom production. This is a slow turnaround with a year or more required. 

Contact us through the website or book a showroom visit once the Store Appointment Scheduler is connected for a personalized design consultation.

Cues are very personal. It is best to search that within the snooker online community. 

Yes. We offer professional international crating and shipping for custom and antique tables.

Document the damage with photos, reduce moisture if safe, and contact a professional immediately. Water can damage cloth, wood, cushions, pockets, hardware, and frame components even if the table is only briefly in water or water sits on the table top. 

In many cases, yes. The solution depends on how long the table was exposed, whether the frame or slate supports were affected, and whether cloth, cushions, pockets, hardware, or woodwork were soaked for a long period of time. 

Response depends on location, schedule, and the urgency of the damage. Call  510-842-1222 or text us ASAP with table details, photos, location, and access information needed to prioritize the job.

 We offer quality services and charge accordingly. 

We service all pool and snooker table brands, including antique, custom, commercial, coin-operated, North American, and specialty tables. Contact us with photos and any visible brand plate or model information for guidance.

Yes. Vintage coin-operated tables are extremely durable and can make excellent home free-play tables once refurbished.