Tornado Classic Review

The Tornado Classic foosball table introduces a refreshingly modern design on top of rock solid construction. Tornado's devotion to accurate play is apparent in multiple aspects of the table, making the Tornado Classic one of our favorite models.

Specifications

• Made in America
• Black Leather laminate finish on a 1.5" thick cabinet
• 3/4 inch laminate playing field
• Handles made of solid wood
• Counterbalanced men with Tornado's patented “foot” design for more precise ball control
• Adjustable leg levelers
• Dual ball returns for returning balls on either side
• Size is 56"L x 30"W x 36"H
• Weighs in at 225 pounds

Table Construction

Our first impression with the Tornado Classic is that it is an extremely solid design. The 1.5" thick black leather laminate cabinet, the hard laminate field, and the solid wood handles all signify commercial grade quality. When the table is properly leveled and the leg height adjusted, it is rock solid and the ball placed anywhere on the field does not favor a specific direction. The action on the hard steel rods is perfectly balanced. Just touching one of the solid wood handles is enough to cause the men to rotate effortlessly. At the same time, there is no play in the bearings so when you connect with a striker, you get the full force of the impact going into the ball.

Design

Tornado has a whole catalog of top-of-the-line tables. However, what struck us is the design of the Tornado Classic. It is made of wood, yet the matte black leather laminate cabinet is refreshingly modern and at home in any setting. There is no doubt it is a professional table, but the design is subdued enough to fit into any home decor.

Extra Features

The Tornado Classic includes one of Tornado's innovations, special thin bearings on the rods which do not allow the ball to be passed between the man and the wall, but only just barely. The Classic also comes boxed with three balls and a tube of rod silicone (normally about $5 and $20 respectively). The rods are completely dry out of the package so having the silicone made the table instantly playable. The balls are the high-quality urethane type which roll true and resist nicks and chips.

Assembly Tips

The table is very heavy at around 225 pounds or over 100 kilos (that's a good thing). Do your back a favor and get your friends to help you install it. Even though the table is mostly assembled, you still need to attach and level the legs, which is easier with a helper. When installing the rods, make sure all players are facing the correct direction. The shorter rods are the goalie rods. It will take about an hour to go from unboxing the Tornado Classic to playing your first game on it.

Conclusion

The Tornado Classic really impressed us even coming from a company like Tornado. It is made in the USA and includes Tornado's key design features such as dual side ball returns, counterbalanced men, thin bearings, and solid wood handles. For our money we were impressed with the modern, stylish design and sturdy construction at this price tier. It will look good and play well for years to come.