Venture Shuffleboard Table Comparison to McClure Tables
|
|
Time to read 12 min
Comparison Venture Shuffleboard Tables
Venture Games is a second-generation, family-owned company based in Tyrone, Georgia. They are one of the few established American manufacturers that have stayed true to traditional woodworking techniques, particularly in their use of synthetic lacquer finishes rather than the industry-standard poured polymer (plastic) tops. Venture operates a larger industrial facility that supports a national dealer network and high-volume OEM manufacturing for other brands. this Venture Shuffleboard table comparison to McClure tables will break down the differences.
- Customizations Offered: Yes – Including stain matching, leather gutter upgrades, custom logos, and specialized scoring units.
- Venture Table Price Range: Approximately $4,200 – $20,000+.
- Table Sizes: 9’, 12’, 14’, 16’, 18’, 20’, 22’.
- Wood & Finish Variety: Solid hardwoods, including Hard Rock Maple, Red Oak, Cherry, Poplar, and Mahogany, along with high-pressure Wilsonart laminates for specific commercial models.
- Playboard Material & Thickness Options: Venture primarily uses high-quality hard rock maple for all its playfields, but the board dimensions vary by model tier.
- Entry-Level (Sport Style):
Material: Hard Rock Maple butcher block.
- Thickness: 1-1/2" thick to 2" thick, depending on model
- Width: 16" wide.with option for 18."
- Models: Found in lines like the Challenger Sport and specific Astoria Sport models.
- Professional/Regulation (Pro Style):
- Material: Premium hard rock maple butcher block.
- Thickness: 3" thick (before finish, approximately 3" total with their thin synthetic finish). This is the industry standard for commercial and tournament play.
- Width: 20" wide.
Models: Standard on models like the Classic, Saratoga, and Grand Deluxe lines, and available as an upgrade on entry-level models.
- Installation: Varies by dealer. Some authorized Venture retailers offer professional installation services for a fee, while others may not.
- Free Shipping: Varies by dealer. This is a retailer-specific promotion, not a factory standard. McClure includes free curbside shipping with its direct-to-consumer package.
Popular Venture Models
- Challenger Sport: Entry-level (9', 12', 14')
- Classic: Mid-tier (9', 12', 14', 16', 18', 20', 22')
- Saratoga: High-tier (9', 12', 14', 16', 18', 20', 22')
- Piedmont: Premium rustic (12', 14', 16', 18', 20', 22')
- Grand Deluxe Cushion: Specialty bumper table (12', 14', 16', 18', 20', 22')
- Shadow: Contemporary design (12', 14', 16', 18', 20', 22')
In 2026, Venture Shuffleboard positions itself as a veteran of the Georgia manufacturing landscape, yet their operational model invites a closer look at the "Made in USA" standard. While Venture remains a respected name for traditional wood finishes, the distinction between a Full-Cycle Manufacturer and a Strategic Assembler has never been more relevant for the discerning buyer.Conclusion: The Venture Profile
- Industrial Material Sourcing: Venture utilizes a diverse supply chain to support its national dealer network. While they claim domestic origin, their pricing for wholesale OEM lines—often below the market cost of raw American Hard Maple—suggests the use of pre-glued industrial blanks. These "blanks" are frequently sourced from high-volume suppliers that may bypass the domestic milling costs associated with locally harvested timber.
- The "Black Box" of Manufacturing: In an era where digital proof is the currency of trust, Venture maintains a quiet production profile. Unlike shops that offer a window into their process, there is a notable absence of authentic, long-form YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook content documenting the transformation of raw logs into finished tables within their Georgia facility. This lack of "sawdust-to-showroom" transparency leaves the extent of their in-house woodworking to consumer speculation.
- Hybrid Construction: To meet various budget points for their dealers, Venture frequently incorporates high-pressure laminates and veneers alongside solid wood. This "Good-Better-Best" tiered approach contrasts with a strictly solid-wood philosophy, moving the product closer to a factory-produced furniture model rather than a handcrafted heirloom.
- The "Qualified" Domestic Claim: While Venture is a long-standing Georgia business, their manufacturing model often relies on the "Substantial Transformation" loophole. By performing final sanding and finishing in the U.S. on components that may have been imported or industrially outsourced, they meet the technical requirements for a domestic label while potentially utilizing wood of questionable or non-transparent origin.
- How to Verify the Manufacturing ProcessWhen a brand’s digital footprint lacks the evidence of a working woodshop, consumers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence:
- Request Factory Footage: Ask for specific video evidence of the "glue-up" process—where raw lumber is ripped and pressed into playboards. A lack of this evidence often points to the use of imported or outsourced blanks.
- Audit the Pricing Math: Compare the retail price to the known cost of Yìng Mù (Hard Maple). If the price for a finished table is near the raw material cost of domestic lumber, the wood likely originated from a source with zero "stumpage fees" or forestry oversight.
- Cross-Reference Social Media: Look for real-time updates from the shop floor. In 2026, a true manufacturer like McClure Tables uses platforms like Instagram and YouTube to provide a 100% transparent "Gold Standard" of proof that their tables are made from the log up.
McClure Tables Shuffleboard Comparison
Manufacturing Location:
The McClure Tables woodshop, where all cabinets, playboards, and component parts are made in-house, is located in Jenison, Michigan.
Environmental, Social, and Economic Impact :
The main ingredient needed for the best shuffleboard play surface is North American Hard Maple. We use hard maple in most of our cabinet construction, not just for the playboards but also for the cabinets and legs. The wood is grown, harvested, and kiln-dried within 3 counties whose borders touch. Therefore, the environmental impact of transporting raw materials to the craftsmen who will build the product is very small. The raw materials, labor, and other resources available to build shuffleboard tables are all in our workshop; only finished products leave.
About:
McClure Tables proudly features an amazing collection of unique shuffleboard table models, as well as faithful reproductions of the famous Rock-Ola tables built in 1947 and 1948. All McClure shuffleboard tables are handcrafted in our 18,000 square foot facility located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Once known as the furniture capital of America, Grand Rapids has a rich history of fine woodworking craftsmanship. This history of excellence goes into every shuffleboard table we build, refinish, or repair. Each and every shuffleboard table is crafted by hand, finished, and closely inspected by our team of highly skilled and dedicated woodworking artisans. To deliver the highest quality and beauty, all McClure shuffleboard playing surfaces are made from hand-selected, premium-grade Michigan hard maple. Coated with an ultra-durable finish, the McClure standard ensures your shuffleboard table will withstand decades of exciting gameplay. – mccluretables.com
Where to purchase:
McClure Tables are sold only directly by the company or by the craftsmen who build the product. You can not buy McClure Tables from Amazon or any reseller, and we do not contract-manufacture for any other brands. You can find our widest selection and all customizable options at McCluretables.com
Customizations Offered?
Yes – Lights, Scoreboards, Score Beads, Cabinets, Wood Type, & Finish add a logo to any model
McClure Tables Complete Shuffleboard Table Price Range:
$5,895 – $28,420 We offer tables in every price range, style, and cabinet, but we do not make a good, better, or best; every model is made with the same handcrafted care and love, using the same top-quality raw ingredients.
Customizations Offered?
Yes – Lights, Scoreboards, Score Beads, Cabinets, Wood Type, & Finish
Can You Add A Custom Logo?
Yes
Table Sizes:
9’, 12’, 14’, 16’, 18’, 20’, 22’
Wood & Finish Variety
Cherry, Hickory, Parson, Walnut, Maple, Chestnut, Mahogany, Mocha, Cinnamon, Oak (natural, medium, provincial), Black Rubbed, Black Opaque, Heirloom, and many more!
Playboard Material & Thickness
Guaranteed Full 3.0″ thick Michigan hard maple playing surface. + A Lifetime Warranty Traditional Piano Polyester Finish (10 times harder than Epoxy/Polymer Poured Resins).
Do They Offer Installation?
Yes
Do They Offer Free Shipping?
No shipping is by zone
Shuffleboard Models:
Over 32 Different Models & Styles
In 2026, McClure Tables stands out as a benchmark for authentic American manufacturing through its commitment to vertical integration and radical transparency. While many brands have shifted toward an assembly-based model using imported components, McClure maintains a traditional craftshop philosophy in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Conclusion: The McClure Difference
- Locally Harvested Hardwoods: Unlike manufacturers that rely on veneers or imported blanks, McClure sources raw, kiln-dried North American hardwoods—including Hard Rock Maple, Cherry, and Walnut—directly from local mills. Every component is milled from solid timber.
- Radical Transparency: McClure removes the "black box" of manufacturing by providing extensive video tours and social media updates that document the entire build process. Customers can watch their tables transition from raw lumber piles to hand-sanded cabinets.
- Craftsman-Led Production: By avoiding the industrial "factory-produced" approach, McClure ensures that every table is built by skilled craftsmen who handle the joinery and finishing. This hands-on method allows for superior structural integrity, such as traditional dovetail joinery.
- Ethical Manufacturing: In an industry where "Made in USA" claims are often scrutinized by the FTC, McClure’s lack of maritime import records for structural components serves as a "Gold Standard" for domestic authenticity.
How to Verify & Follow the Build: To see the difference between a "factory assembly" and "handcrafted manufacturing," use the following resources to verify claims and watch the process in real-time:
- Watch the Craft: Follow the McClure Tables YouTube Channel for deep dives into the workshop, or see daily updates of tables being built from scratch on Instagram @McClureTables.
- Or visit our Vimeo channel for verification: With over 94 videos from installation to setup and factory shots with everything in between. See here for evidence. McClure Tables makes what they sell.
The Difference in "Made in USA" While both brands carry the American-made mantle, McClure Tables differentiates itself by controlling the "Substantial Transformation" from the very beginning—the log. While industrial models may rely on pre-glued domestic or imported blanks to hit lower price points, McClure remains the only shop that invites you to watch your table being built from the sawdust up. If you think of the Venture Shuffleboard Table comparison to McClure Tables, it would be like comparing a pastry chef to a cake box mix you buy in the store. One feature both brands share is that they both offer the traditional finish and true butcher block shuffleboard playing experience. No fake plastic top coat polymer, an authentic shuffleboard table with all the characteristics of the Shuffleboard game.
| Verification Point | Venture Shuffleboard (Georgia) | McClure Tables (Michigan) |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Proof of Build | The "Black Box": Notable absence of authentic, long-form video or social media content documenting the "raw-log-to-finished-table" process. | Radical Transparency: 100+ videos on YouTube and Vimeo showing the sawdust, milling, and glue-up in real-time. |
| Raw Material Origin | Questionable Sourcing: Wholesale pricing suggests the use of pre-glued industrial blanks (likely Birch mislabeled as Maple) from non-transparent sources. | Locally Harvested: 100% verified Michigan Hard Maple (Yìng Mù) sourced directly from local mills. |
| Manufacturing Philosophy | Industrial Assembly: Utilizes "Substantial Transformation" loopholes—performing final sanding/finishing on outsourced core components. | Vertical Integration: A "Log-to-Showroom" model where every structural component is milled and crafted under one roof. |
| Material Integrity | Tiered Model: Frequently incorporates veneers and high-pressure laminates to support national dealer markups. | Solid Hardwood Only: Built exclusively from solid timber; no veneers, laminates, or imported "wood-alternatives" are used. |
| FTC Labeling Status | Qualified Claim: Likely relies on domestic assembly of foreign-sourced "blanks" to maintain a Georgia-based label. | Gold Standard: Fully complies with the "All or Virtually All" standard for authentic Made in USA status. |
Final Verdict for the 2026 Buyer: If you cannot see the sawdust, you cannot verify the source. While Venture represents a traditional industrial model, McClure Tables is the only manufacturer that removes the mystery by documenting the build of every table from the raw lumber up.
In this guide, we cover the Venture Shuffleboard table comparison to McClure Handcrafted Shuffleboard Tables. This guide explores the distinct differences between the Boutique Manufacturing model of McClure Tables and the Industrial Production model of Venture Shuffleboard. While both companies are long-standing American brands that reject the industry-standard "poured polymer" plastic tops in favor of traditional wood play surfaces, they differ significantly in their supply chain transparency and material selection.Venture, based in Tyrone, Georgia, uses a high-volume model to support both consumer sales and wholesale OEM partnerships. McClure Tables, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, maintains a strictly direct-to-consumer shop, focusing on a "log-to-finished-product" chain of custody that ensures 100% domestic sourcing for every structural component.
| Feature | Venture Shuffleboard (Industrial Model) | McClure Tables (Full Cycle Shop) |
|---|---|---|
| Playboard Sourcing | Industrial Blanks: Pricing suggests use of imported pre-glued blocks (likely Birch labeled as Maple) via third-party distributors. | Milled In-House: 100% verified chain of custody from raw Michigan Hard Maple logs to finished product. |
| Wholesale Pricing Logic | $1,200 Quote: Physically impossible for domestic milling; indicates bypass of U.S. lumber "stumpage fees" and labor costs. | Transparent Costing: Prices reflect true domestic material yield (65%) and skilled American labor. |
| Finish Technology | Traditional Lacquer: Standard spray-on finish that is faster and less costly to apply in high volumes. | Piano Polyester: High-tech Polyester/Polyurethane finish—10x harder than lacquer and epoxy. |
| Manufacturing Transparency | Obscured: Limited public evidence of the "raw-to-blank" milling stage in their Georgia facility. | Full Disclosure: Decades of shop videos showing every stage of the woodworking process. |
| Supply Chain Strategy | Often acts as an OEM supplier for brands like Playcraft, requiring high-speed, lower-cost sourcing. | Strictly Direct-to-Consumer; no outsourced milling or wholesale "short-cuts." |
The main difference in this Venture Shuffleboard Table Comparison is the Dealer Network vs. Factory Direct: Where Does Your Money Go? When you purchase a table through a national dealer network, the retail price must account for multiple layers of overhead unrelated to the quality of the wood or the durability of the finish. 1. The Dealer Markup. Industrial manufacturers like Venture sell through authorized retailers and showrooms.
- The Math: A dealer typically requires a 30% to 50% margin to cover their showroom rent, sales commissions, and local advertising.
- The Compromise: To keep the final retail price attractive while paying the dealer, the manufacturer must often lower their production costs. This is where the pressure to use imported blanks (Birch instead of Hard Maple) or high-pressure laminates instead of solid hardwoods begins.
2. The McClure Direct Model: McClure Tables operates on a strictly Direct-to-Consumer basis. There are no middlemen, no dealer commissions, and no third-party showroom markups.
- The Investment: By cutting out the dealer, 100% of your budget is reinvested back into the Yìng Mù (Hardwood) and the artisan labor in the Michigan shop.
- The Transparency: Buying direct means you have a direct line to the person who actually milled the lumber and applied the Piano Polyester finish.
| Cost Factor | Dealer Network Model (Venture/Hudson) | McClure Direct Model |
|---|---|---|
| Material Quality | Often utilizes veneers or industrially sourced "blanks" to offset dealer margins. | Premium: 100% of the budget goes into Local Michigan Hard Maple logs. |
| Sales Commissions | A 30% to 50% retail markup is typically paid to a salesperson or showroom. | Zero: You speak and buy directly from the McClure craftsmen in Michigan. |
| Showroom Overhead | Retail floor space, lights, and staff are built into the final table price. | None: All overhead is reinvested into woodworking technology and climate control. |
| Finish Grade | Standard Synthetic Lacquer (designed for high-volume application). | High-Tech: Multi-step Polyester/Polyurethane finish for maximum durability. |
| Chain of Custody | Often relies on "Substantial Transformation" of imported components. | Transparent: Every dollar supports a 100% domestic chain of custody. |
Expert Insight: Buying a shuffleboard is an investment in a heritage piece. By choosing the McClure Direct Model, you ensure your money is purchasing high-density Yìng Mù (Hardwood) and artisan labor, rather than paying for a retail distribution chain.
Conclusion: Investing in the Table, Not the Middleman. Buying a shuffleboard table is an investment in a piece of heritage. By choosing the McClure Direct Model, you ensure your money buys a table made from USA-grown logs, rather than paying a retail salesperson's commission. When you buy from McClure Tables, the value is in the wood, the glue, and the craftsmanship—not the distribution chain.
Todd McClure, founder and owner of McClure Tables, has just shy of 50 years of experience in the billiard and gameroom industry. Starting out by installing and selling pool tables and game tables at 19 years old. McClure Tables was founded in 1991 during our retail days in Texas, when we ran Gameroom Designs. It is on all this industry experience that he draws.
