Mizerak Dakota 8' Slatron Billiard Table

First, this is a great product for the price. Yes, the cues and rack stink. Yes, it is 3/4 slate. But a new low end slate table from a local store starts around $5G. This new slate table is cheaper than local stores' used tables. Bottom line, it functions and looks great. And I saved a ton of money.Now some details:Shipping is a crap shoot. My first order had 3 damaged parts, 1 was slate. I took pictures and contacted the manufacturer, they said it was shipping damage and to schedule a return through Amazon. I scheduled a return but Amazon failed to communicate the pick up time with the carrier. It was picked up the next day. I was issued a refund upon arrival of product return. Half heartedly ordered the product again. This shipment was packaged much better, the slate was packaged on a pallet this time. Keep in mind the whole time lugging around really heavy pieces of slate and some large and heavy boxes. The return was free but a huge hassle.Opened second shipment and everything was good. I was excited again. It took me 2 days for assembly, I went very slow and careful and was by myself except when other people were needed for lifting parts. I used about 5 new playing cards to level the slate. I did use the supplied "grout" which is why it took 2 days since it dried overnight. I am glad I used this because it is not typical grout, it is more like an extremely hard glue. DO NOT OVER APPLY. It dries incredibly hard and is very difficult to sand. I also loosely bolted the apron to the upside down bumpers and then attached the metal corners with the screws. This seemed a lot easier and kept the apron square when assembling.

Upon receiving the item, one of the legs was damaged in shipping. I contacted Mizerak directly and they were able to have a new leg sent to me within 3 days. I ordered the slate Most of the work was moving the pieces upstairs to my bonus room. Installation by myself wasn't that difficult, just be sure to take your time to make sure everything is square and level and use your own socket set. I ended up using playing cards to shim out the ends of the slate, and the plastic shims to shim out the middle sections of the slate that come with the order. Be sure to pre-drill the holes in the wood bracing before you secure the slat into place. I ended up using beeswax to seal the seams of the slate and screw holes. Just be sure to scrape off all access beeswax and any left over debris before felting. You will have to glue the felt onto the slate. Spray adhesive is included in the shipment as well. After installing the guide rails and ball return system I did notice the issue with the ball return system to where the balls get caught up on the corner pockets next to the ball return area. After a slight adjustment on the tubes, as well as cutting out some protruding plastic on the inside of the corner pockets left over from manufacturing process where the balls were getting caught up did help some. They still get occasionally caught up, but that's not really a big deal to me. The felt does shed a bit, but I have 3 kids, so I know they're going to mess it up eventually. I will refelt it after they leave the house. Overall it's a great table for the price. The family and I play on it just about everyday! If you have any issues with the table contact Mizerak directly by the phone # that is listed on the instruction manual. They have taken care of every issue I had very promptly!

THIS IS FOR SLATE VERSION. Ordered table, amazon had closest delivery date like 3.5 weeks away, almost didnt order because of that, but anyway shipping company got it to me in just under 2 weeks. Only issue with the shipping was the crate that held the slate was basically destroyed on arrival. shipping guy took pics and added to his report incase there was any issues. luckily slate did not have any damage.it comes in 3 packages. slate, base, everything else. Not sure why some people are saying they could not install or took days to install. Install was pretty easy, Only took about 5 hrs at most, by myself, never put together pool table before, and i took my time, extra time leveling etc. NOTE. dont use tools that come with package, you will be there all day. think i used a 11mm deep socket on just about everything and it was fine. also did not use the grout mix they sent to seal the seams of the slate. i ordered beeswax off ebay, and worked like a charm. and i switched up on how to square the rails. they want you to do it on floor, then put on table, i loosely assembled rails together, then put on table and squared them up, much easier, especially since you are under there anyway to attach rails to slate. and as others have stated, the pocket and ball return is basic. just plastic pvc type tubing for return. i may just buy some drop pockets or redo rail system on my own.table plays fine, It is a little slow roll , but that is mainly cause they felt that comes with it isnt a worsted wool. but when i rolled balls on bare slate rolled fine. upgrade felt at later date and will be perfect. looks durable enough. if you have kids that will be jumping on or banging on you may have some durability issues, but any moderate level of care this table should last a while.All in all i think the purchase is worth the price. My wife and kid are just learning so only reason i left original felt on it. so if they ruin it no big deal. already have simonis ordered and a few months down the road will refelt.EDIT.... fixed ball return problem. removed ball return support board, mounted to metal frame under neath. like in picture. the lip of the board actually acts as a backstop. havent had a single problem since. Problem was whoever designed the table probably never played pool before, they designed the ball return too shallow. not enough room for all balls to collect so they back up in the rails.