Rock-Ola Antique Shuffleboard Table Restoration

What is the value of an old antique shuffleboard table? We often get asked this question, but the value depends on the original condition and the buyer's willingness to pay. We have seen old American, National, and other brands, but the only model that seems to garner some attention and demand a higher price is the Rock-Ola. The antique Rock-Ola tables were only made for two years, back in 1947 and 1948. Considering this fact, along with the Rock-Ola name, is the main reason why these tables are the most sought-after models. However, the value is often based on what the buyer will pay and the table's condition. We have all seen Antiques Roadshow enough to know that the more changes and replaced parts an antique has, the less valuable it becomes. With many of the restorations of the antique Rock-Ola tables we have seen, they are often so far changed from the original that we cannot see any real antique value in the piece. Maybe a little nostalgia, but the antiquity value has been drastically reduced. When we restore a table, we take great pains to keep it as close to its original state as possible. This means keeping the glass inlay and not replacing it with walnut or another simulated inlay. Because we make authentic reproductions, we have all the original replacement parts, but the idea of a restoration is to keep some of the old. So, we would keep the chrome even though it may have some dings or dents. We would keep all the original glass. If we need to replace one or two pieces, we would do it on the side, hopefully next to the wall. The stainless steel covers would be kept original, and basically, you would wash the table down and refinish the parts that wear. However, you would not run the side cabinet boards through a sander and make them look like brand new. Here are some pictures of a fully restored original, which was kept intact for antiquity value: