Foosball table parts
There are well over 100 different table models on the market today that all have numerous parts and accessories. Knowing the quality of these parts and how their designs can impact the actual game is essential if you are shopping for a table or trying to purchase replacement parts for your table you already own. One tip when shopping for a table is never purchase a table and plan to upgrade the parts on it. It is more cost effective to purchase a higher-end table from the manufacturer with the parts you want. Do yourself a favor and thoroughly research the parts you want by reading the links below and then take a look at our foosball tables section so you can make an educated purchase.
Foosball Men, Players, and Guys - Men have evolved over the years to offer different designs of the man. You want to look for men that have a pointed toe and a cross-hatching design on the foot that allows for better ball control. This will allow you to catch the foosball and pin the ball down for advanced shots like the snake shot. The traditional men that have a round, slick toe design does not allow you to pass the ball to players back and forth on the same rod and is not conducive to shooting bank shots. Bank shots require a sharp edge on the toe because you need to hit the ball off the side at a sharp angle in order to hit a crisp bank.
Foosball Bearings - Foosball bearings are the part of the table where the rods go through the holes in the table. Bearings allow for less friction when moving the rods in and out in order to slide the rods in and out of the table with ease. This is a part overlooked by many players when shopping for a table. Quality bearing parts allow for a smoother gliding of the rods.
Foosball Balls - There are a variety of foosball balls on the market today that all have a different play style and level of quality. You want to find a ball that can be easily gripped or pinned down against the table with your foosball men. You should stay away from any made of plastic or with a slick, shiny finish. Balls are made with a range of materials from cork, textured, smooth, and traditional soccer balls.
Foosball Legs - Legs can provide stability to a table to prevent it from shifting. You want to avoid tables with skinny legs because it will make your table less sturdy and will cause it to shake around during heavy games. Good quality tables will have legs that are 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches or larger in order to provide the stability you want. Some tables also offer additional parts on the legs that have adjustable leg levelers so you can easily level the foosball table.
Foosball Wraps - Wraps are an essential accessory to the sport of foosball. Foosball wraps are used in every foosball tournament and by nearly every professional foosball player. Wraps help your grip on the handles and can make it easier to shoot advanced shots like the pull shot or snake shot.
Foosball Pins and Pin Punch - Pins are used to hold men and handles on the rods. They are installed by hammering them into the middle of the rod to lock the men and handles in place. The pin punch is simply an accessory tool used to provide something to hammer against so you can drive the pins into the middle of the rod.
Scoring Units - Obviously, keeping track of your score is a necessary accessory that comes with each table. However, these scoring units tend to break over time and replacement parts may be needed.
Lighting - Having the proper lights above your table is important to a good quality game. There is nothing worse than a shadow that can ruin your sightline when playing offense or defense.
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Foosball Rods - Rods have a huge impact on the speed of the game. Foosball rods are an expensive part of the table and some manufacturers try to cut corners on their rods because it can be easily overlooked by rookie foosball players. Some tables come with heavy rods that make the game slow and sluggish. This will hinder your ability to perform shots because it will be hard to maneuver the rods laterally. All quality tables are made with hollow light-weight, chrome rods that provide a smooth glide back and forth between the bearings so you can obtain maximum ball control and shot performance.
Foosball Silicone - Though silicone isn't technically a foosball part, silicone is essential to keeping your rods clean and maintained. Silicone can also significantly help extend the life of the bearings on your table. You can use either liquid or spray silicone on your rods. However, we recommend liquid silicone because it will go inside your bearings and keep them lubricated. Spray silicone will mainly clean the rod itself instead of lubricating the bearing. You never want to use WD-40 on your rods. This may provide a short-term lubrication but will wear down your rods and dry out your bearings over time. Make sure you have an extra bottle of liquid silicone on hand at all times to keep your table parts in good condition!
Foosball Bumpers - Foosball bumpers are a part typically made of black rubber and they provide a barrier or a cushion between the wall of the table and the man. However, there are some lower-end tables that are made with spring bumpers that allow you to move the man closer to the wall. Rubber bumpers provide the proper spacing for the movement of the foosball men on the table.
Foosball Handles - Foosball handles are an important foosball part that cannot be overlooked when shopping for a table. Different handles offer better grips than others that can severely impact your shot performance. Some tables are made with plastic handles that are not easy to grip or spin compared to wooden handles. You should also avoid any handles that have a stain, polyurethane, or finished veneer because this will cause your hands to slip off the handle instead of provide the proper foosball handle grip you need to play the game.
Foosball Tubes - Foosball tubes are another common product for adding grip on your foosball handles. These are typically made out of rubber and got their name from people using inner tubes from bicycles before there were commercial foosball tubes on the market. Today, there are a variety of tubes available with different types of tackiness and thickness to suit your needs. Foosball wraps and tubes are completely based on your shooting style and preference. Our suggestion is to try different types of wraps and tubes before finding a fit that works for you.
Foosball Table Covers - Table covers are an aftermarket accessory that you have to add to your foosball table. These rarely come with your table so finding the right fit can be a challenge when shopping around online. We recommend doing your research and comparing your table dimensions against the cover before you make a purchase. Also, you get what you pay for when it comes to the materials that covers are made out of so make sure you review the return policy of any site you buy from before you make a purchase.
Cup Holders - Don't just let people put their drink on the end of your table where it can easily spill and ruin your play surface. Mount a drink holder on the outside of the cabinet to keep your table clean.
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