About Olhausen Billiards


THE STORY

As kids growing up in New Mexico, Butch and Don Olhausen worked for their dad setting up and re-covering pool tables. Their dad had a shop in every house they ever lived in. Little did they know they were learning a trade that would carry them through the rest of their lives.


In the summer of 1969, Butch moved to California. Donny decided to follow in 1972. That's when the Olhausen boys started their own company, moving and re-covering pool tables. They also delivered new tables for a small manufacturing company in San Diego. They charged $12 to deliver and install a new table, using Butch's classic '59 El Camino and paying for the gas. What a deal! They could be done with a delivery by 10:00A.M. After that, they would go out and "pound the pavement" for any more work they could find.


Then came what they thought was a great opportunity. The owner of the manufacturing company that they delivered for offered to sell them the business for $1000 and take a note back on the inventory. So in 1973, they took everything they had and bought the company lock, stock and barrel. That's when the world changed for them.


The company they bought was making about 35 tables annually. The first year, their goal was to somehow double the business and sell 70 tables. Within two years, they were selling over 300. Olhausen Billiard Manufacturing, Inc. is now selling almost 30,000 tables a year in their 250,000-square-foot facility in Portland, Tennessee. Still family-owned and operated, Butch, Donny and all the people at Olhausen have consistently pursued a tradition of dedication to Quality, Service, Selection and Value. These attributes and four generations in the business have earned their company the title of "The Best in Billiards."


LUMBER SELECTION

Olhausen cures and processes its hardwood lumber to remain stable in any climate. Not only in a particular region such as the humid southeastern United States, but in the most arid climates, like the deserts of Saudi Arabia. We must do this because we are the largest pool table manufacturer in the world, shipping thousands of tables all over the globe each year.


To start we use the highest quality lumber available, "slower growth" trees, coming mostly from the northeastern United States rather than the "faster growth" trees usually found in the warmer climates. "Slower growth" means tighter growth rings for tighter wood grains and far less streaking and discoloration. It is also a much more dense and stable lumber, which is better for precise grain and color matching, the cutting and gluing process, as well as the milling, sanding and finishing that goes into making the best possible product for you.


Because of the immense volume of lumber we use, and our impeccable credit ratings, not only are we able to obtain the best lumber available, but also at the best prices, which allows us to pass the savings on to you.


We use several species of North American hardwoods, including Red Oak, Maple, Cherry, and Walnut. We also use some exotic imported hardwoods such as African Rosewood, Brazilian Cherry and Genuine Mahogany, but only the highest grade. Of course, buying the highest grades of lumber is only part of the process. Unless it is processed properly you will still end up with an inferior product. Olhausen's four generations of experience in this business ensures that this will not happen. This is just one of the reasons we can offer a Lifetime Warranty on our tables. The first step to "The Best in Billiards" is, as we said, to start with only the finest northeastern "slow growth" lumber. It is then dried to the optimum moisture content to allow for the best results in glue up, cutting, sanding and finishing. It is then grain matched to give the best combination of strength and beauty. The lumber is immediately sealed, keeping the moisture content consistent so there is no warping or cracking during the assembly and finishing process. We even ship every carved solid wood leg in its own plastic bag to minimize potential cracking.


In the early days our local lumber suppliers would grade their lumber from "construction" grade to "best available". There was no grading above that except for what was set aside for Olhausen. We knew this because our friends in the furniture business would tell us. The lumber companies also knew that Donny would not accept anything less. Today we buy lumber from the same mills that the "local" lumber companies bought from then and the same policy still applies. Always will.


ACCUFAST CUSHION

Not all 100% pure rubber cushions are created equal. Cheap fillers have been used in billiard cushions for years. However, more and more billiard manufactures are following Olhausen's® lead and making cushions from 100% pure gum rubber. But why settle for an imitation when you can have the cushion that has set the standard for accurate, consistent play-Accu-Fast. Of the five grades of rubber available, only the highest grade is good enough for Accu-Fast. This premium-quality rubber is processed with proprietary chemicals and pigments to increase accuracy and produce consistent play. To prevent the tendency of rubber to revert to its natural soft state, Olhausen also uses special "anti-reversion" chemicals. And because of scientific advances in the curing of rubber, canvas control fabric is not needed with Accu-Fast cushions.


For optimum performance Accu-Fast cushions comply to a true K-66 face profile, which has been the standard of the industry for nearly a century. To help protect the environment, they comply with federal air-quality regulations. What's more, Accu-Fast cushions are made in the good ol' U.S.A. (It would be less expensive to import them, but Butch and Donny aren't willing to sacrifice quality in the most important part of your table.) This is why Olhausen has the confidence to offer a Lifetime Warranty on its Accu-Fast cushions. That's right-a lifetime warranty. So the next time someone says, "All pure rubber cushions are the same," you can straighten them out, right?

Accu-Fast cushions


CUSTOMER STORIES

Wendy Lyon's friends thought she was crazy when she rearranged her living room to accommodate an Olhausen® pool table. But now instead of going their separate ways after dinner, the whole family--mom, dad and two kids--shoots a game or two of pool. And while shooting pool, a funny thing happens. The family talks. To each other. About the next shot, of course. But also about school. About friends. About stuff. Says Wendy, "For the first time, there's actual living going on in our living room."


"For the first time, there's actual living going on in our living room." - Wendy Lyon


"Our home was the neighborhood rec center," says Shirley Garrison. "There were always a zillion kids running around." When Shirley and Jerry's children grew up and moved out, "it got a little too quiet around the house." So last Christmas, they bought an Olhausen pool table. And suddenly, the kids started to drop by more often. A lot more often. "The kids claim they just want to say hi, and I pretend that I believe them," laughs Shirley. "All I know is our home is its noisy, friendly, happy self again."


"Our home was the neighborhood rec center." - Shirley Garrison