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Chuck Jacobi From heirloom antiques to bar-room working billiard tables, classic tables to a unique table that reflects its owner’s quirky personality, Chuck Jacobi has in depth knowledge of the facts and values of good design. Serving the eastern seaboard for over 20 years, he shops the world to find the best selection of materials, cloths, finishes, pockets, accessories, bumpers, slates, and more, to ensure the highest quality, constructing billiard tables that strictly adhere to The Billiard Congress of America’s standards.
Have you always worked with your hands? Definitely! My previous occupations (drafting, house painting, field service electronics technician) were all “hands on” jobs.
What drew you to your craft? I kind of fell into it.
What do you enjoy most about your craft? The enjoyment it brings my customers.
How long did it take you to become an expert? I have always felt confident that I could “do a good job,” though it took many years to consider myself an authority, or expert.
Do you feel you are still learning? Absolutely.
How many hours do you spend making each item? It could take anywhere from 30 to 500+ hours to complete a handcrafted custom pool table.
If you could spend a day with a master of your craft (past or present), who would it be and why? The history of my industry is very poor, so I have no idea.
Is there any one person who has bought/used any of your products that makes you especially proud? I feel very proud when I move one of my pool tables from the original buyer’s home to the home of their thankful kids or grandkids,
What does the future hold for you type of work? Are you training young people in your craft? It is a very difficult time for my industry in this country right now and the future is uncertain.
Why is it important for people to make things with their own hands? It allows them to put some of their own personality and values into what they make, while also maintaining quality.
In what ways are handmade goods better than those that are mass-produced? Handmade products are almost always superior in quality to their mass-produced counterparts. They also possess more style and character than mass-produced items chosen by focus groups.
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