What is the difference between a pool table that is made with one-piece of slate and one that is made with three pieces of slate?

As you can imagine putting a pool table together can be very difficult. Here at Golden West we’ve specialized in building pool tables for over 50 years!

Over the years we have experimented with all kinds of ways to improve on our pool tables, some successful, and some, not so much. Although we have had some set back’s we’ve learned to improve at each step. Leading us to produce the industry leading, quality products, you see today.

One of the many things we’ve experimented with in order to find the perfect recipe is slate.

” Whats better a 1 piece or a 3 piece slate table?”

This is where it gets complicated depending on who you ask you will get a different answer. So, we’ve created a pros and cons list.

1 Piece Slate:
+One piece slate tables don’t have any seams!
-Can way upward of 450 pounds
-One piece slate can also become uneven due to warping or sag in the middle over time due to the weight.
-Less flexible
-Extremely difficult to move: pool table movers don’t want to touch it.
Mostly used for coin-op tables found in bars or clubs

3 Piece Slate:
+ More accurate leveling
+ A fraction of the weight making moving easier
+ Does not sag over time
More common in larger tables
– Depending on the manufacturer’s assembly method you might have slate gap or residue coming up through the cloth.

You see, there are many advantages to having a 3 piece slate table. Here at GWB we produce beautiful 3-piece Brazilian slate tables. We first level the table and proceed to fasten the slate onto the frame, then the gaps in-between each piece of slate are filled with grout and sanded down until it’s so smooth you can’t even tell there was a gap, grout is followed by the cloth, rail’s and

The finished product becomes art with perfect geometric symmetry. The luxury design and the elegance it provides gives a room life calling anyone near to come play.

Give us a call to learn more.

Related articles:

Italian Slate vs Brazilian Slate: Which is Better?

Check out the hot deals you are eligible for when you purchase a Golden West Billiards pool table!

Premier Kling Accessory Kit
Billiard players of all skill levels will appreciate this quality pro-style set-up. Easy clean-up and allows for 4 people play.
$1250.00

(4) Two-piece Customs Cues
(1) Bridge Cue Shaft and Head
(1) Set of Belgian Aramith Pool Balls
(1) Triangle Rack
(1) 9 Ball Rack
(1) Pool Table Billiard Brush
*Including chalk which is matched to your pool table felt.

Deluxe Accessory Kit
This kit allows for teams which is a must for recreational users.
$300.00

(4) One-piece 57inch House Cues
(1) Bridge Cue Shaft and Head
(1) Set of Golden West House Balls
(1) Triangle Rack
*Including chalk which is matched to your pool table felt.

Standard Accessory Kit
This accessory kit comes with all the items you need to start playing right away.
$150.00

(2) One-piece 57inch House Cues
(1) Set of Golden West House Balls
(1) Triangle Rack
*Including chalk which is matched to your pool table felt.

Remember, If you are out of state but within the continental USA you can take advantage of our free shipping with a purchase of any billiard table!

Any questions please give us a call!

The unexpected Portland snow storm that fell over a two day period hung around for nearly a week. Bringing Portland and surrounding areas nearly to a standstill.

The storm started on Tuesday the 10th through Wednesday the 11th. The records show that we received 8 inches at Portland International Airport and 11.8 inches in downtown, making it the biggest snowstorm in about 20 years.

Authorities closed down many roads and even the highly traveled interstate 84 in the Columbia River Gorge due to all the ice. A poor homeless man was found dead due to hypothermia, rescuers responded to roofs collapses in Hillsboro, school classes were canceled for a few days and even the Portland International Airport listed above three-dozen canceled flights and rerouted incoming flights over to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Here at Golden West we were closed for nearly a week, deliveries in and out of the factory where stopped, employees were snowed in and couldn’t come to work and so, like many local business commitments were pushed back. The good news is that it’s now Tuesday the 17th and the snow is finally starting to melt allowing everyone to resume their activities.

With the election recently over and a new president about lead us we may wonder about the president’s special perks and personal life while serving their term.

Here is an interesting article by Ryan Borek titled “What are the surprising perks of being the President of the United States? Are there any exclusive social clubs that only sitting presidents get to enter?” click here to read now

In the article Borek writes about the white house luxuries, such as the in-house movie theater, bowling alley, swimming pool, billiard room, tennis and basketball courts, putting green, groundskeepers, florists, valets and butlers, a pastry chef and 24-hour cooking staff! Can you imagine how much fun you’d have there. How good you’d get at pool, tennis and other sports.

The History of billiards is long and rich. Here are some presidents who enjoy a good game of Billiards, Barack Obama, George Bush Sr., Jimmy Carter, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Teddy Roosevelt, Richard Nixon, and also Abraham Lincoln who was a self-confessed “billiards addict.” He described the game as a “health inspiring, scientific game, lending recreation to the otherwise fatigued mind.”

Pool is for everyone, the game has been played by kings, presidents, commoners, ladies, and gentlemen alike since the 15th century!

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Golden West Billiards, MFG. is a family owned and operated company which started manufacturing in the late 1960’s. Ever since GWB has been providing beautifully manufactured quality products for all to enjoy all over the world.

Walking through the factory you start to understand just how much emphasis the GW team places on detail. Not only the enormous amount of time each individual table must take to make, piece by piece.

The more elaborate the table the longer the building process. It may not be what a prospective buyer wants to hear except for all those extra touches will definitely make your pool table one of a kind, a beautifully crafted piece of furniture that will dazzle all your guests.

Let us take a closer look at the building process behind the scenes at Golden West Billiards.

Laminating

Cutting

Shaping

Designer Legs

A modern yet completely custom table..

Painting & Final Touches

Golden West Billiards is the pool table manufacturer you can trust. We offer every customer specifics on the progress of their pool table through the whole building process. You can give us a call or come chat at our facility located in Johnson Creek.

About our Tables

Our American made billiard tables are constructed with woods harvested from renewable resources. Unlike many imports, we use only ecologically sound techniques and finishing products, such as Formica Decometals.

Formica DecoMetal

“Formica Group is a leading provider of branded, designed surfacing solutions for commercial and residential customers worldwide.”
The heritage and brand reputation of the Formica Group of companies has been founded on quality, service and innovative product lines.

Read More

Custom Modern Series Tables

The Golden West Reflection seen in Aluminum Soft Brush laminate

The GW Bridgeport seen with Mirror Brasstoned Aluminum laminate

The GW multi-textured Halo in all its glory with touches of leather, wood stain and brushed metal.

If you dream it, we can build it.

Custom 6 legged GW Kling

The Kling Billiard Table was named in honor of the All-star Chicago Baseball legend “Johnny Kling”. Who to this day is most recognized for being the starting catcher in the final game of the 1908 world series. Kling was also the manager for the Chicago Cubs, Boston Rustlers, Boston Braves, and Cincinnati Reds.

One of Kling’s hobbies aside for baseball was playing pool. He would play for money and even owned his own billiard room in Kansas. Kling would often win sizable amounts of money so much in fact that he didn’t have to play baseball to make it. Kling enjoyed the billiards so much that he even told the reporters of “Baseball as Business Training” of 1911 that when his baseball career was over, he would devote himself to pool and billiards full-time.

Now we see that Kling’s dream ended the way he had planed.

Learn more about Johnny Kling’s life

If you are local to the Portland area: You can play on The GW Kling billiard table at Kennedy school in the Boiler room located at 5736 NE 33rd Ave, Portland, OR 97211.

Our mission at GW is to provide the best quality service and product to our customers. We are the one-stop, industry leading in design pool table manufacturer that does all laminating, wood turning and carving in-house.

Check out some of our exceptional carvings and all the attention to detail that goes into the manufacturing process.

The pictures do it no justice! come in and explore our showroom. Our talented and knowledgeable customer service representatives will be there to provide a guided tour. Please be sure to give us a call before heading out to ensure the most enjoyable visit.

The Julianne (shown in Maple with Old World finish) was first manufactured in the late 1800’s. Nicknamed the “Jewel” this table is unparalleled and unrivaled in style and grace. The craftsmanship in the hand turned, doweled frame, and legs, lend itself well with any Victorian style décor.

A superbly crafted antique reproduction only found at Golden West Billiards. Custom pool tables hand made just for you…one at a time.

We are the one-stop, industry leading in design pool table manufacturer that does all laminating, wood turning and carving in-house. If you are wondering what some of these processes are we’ve broken them down with examples. Be sure to keep an eye open for these techniques while on your tour!

About Wood Laminating:

What is laminating? Laminating is a technique of assembling a material in multiple layers, mainly in order to improve strength There are different lamination processes, depending on the type of materials being laminated.

About Wood Turning:

Wood turning is a craft using a wood lathe with hand-held tools to cut a shape that is symmetrical around the axis of rotation. Much like the potter’s wheel, with a wood lathe it is simple to generate a variety of forms, this operation is known as wood turning.

Wood Carving:

Wood carving is a way of woodworking by means of a cutting tool in one hand like a chisel and some sort of mallet by the other hand. With one tool you sculpt and with the other you drive the power, as you can imagine this takes time, talent and much experience.

Keep your game room themed with a Golden West Pool table, shuffle board, game table and other custom furniture.

Pool Table

Shuffle Board

for custom furniture ideas please give us a call today!