What is "slatron" pool table. Is it slate?

Question

I have a harvard 8ft pool table and its a "slatron". is that like artificial slate or something?

Answer 1

Slatron is just a cheap substitute for actual slate. It is better than a honeycomb or pressed wood playing surface but still no match for o.i.s. ( original italian slate ). The main problem with slatron is that it will warp over time. I have played on a couple of slatron tables and I don't think they play nearly as good as real slate , but that's just my opinion. There really is no good substitute for real slate , at least at this time. You never know what they may come up with someday though.Technology is always changing.

Answer 2

As was mentioned, Slatron is NOT slate, there are plenty of pool tables out there with real slate that are reasonably priced and still decent, brunswick makes some with a 3/4" slate, olhausen makes a 7/8" slate, a relative newcomer to the scene in Legacy, they used to make for American heritage (Amer. Her. has gone way down hill), but now they do their own with a 1" slate.  you can get a decent table under 2k from any of these companies.  (decent means good, playable will last you years, but not heirloom quality).  If you want good, save up about 3k + for heirloom quality, Top end Brunswick, and Connelly are good ones to go with.  Higher end brunswicks will have a 1" slate, Connelly's a 1 1/4".  Or you can go all out with connelly and get the "Ultimate" with the 2" slate, but now you're talking big $.  There are a lot of other companies out there too, some small ones putting out very nice products.  One thing about slates, the previous person mentioned "Italian slate"  It used to be the best on the market, now they have some good stuff coming out of Brazil, and some even from china, it all depends on which vein they're working, even the same with italy, slate varies from vein to vein, so don't just go by country of origin.  Years ago, the best slate was coming out of Pennsylvania, in the US, but the good veins here in the US are pretty much worked out, who knows, maybe one day they'll find another good one.

Best advice, look around, ask around at your dealers, and take everything with a grain of salt, everyone will talk up their product and talk down everyone elses.