Tip install help

When does it click?

When you say "click", are you saying that is the sound it makes when you are shooting with it? If so, it is possible there is an air pocket between tip and ferrule. Or is ferrule slightly loose and sliding on tenon?

How did you face the ferrule?
Are you sure it's dead square?

When the shaft and butt losen a bit when you hit you hear a click

You say you canged the ferrule, what glue did you use?

What glue do you use for the tip? And do you prep the tip prior to install with a thin layer of glue? Glues also have a limited lifespan, especially when opened and kept in room temperatures. Always use fresh glue if you have issues with installs at any time.

I had similiar issues in the past on my first tip installs untill I fine tuned my install process a bit.
First of all, the tip has to be totally flat, I use p400 sandpaper to roughen the surface and sand it flat. Test fit on the ferrule to see that it doesnt pivot on the surface but sits on it flat and square. Then make sure the surface is free of any sanding dust. I like to use compressed air these days but blowing on the tip works aswell. Then I use a drop of Loctite 401 to prep the tip, a drop of glue on the glue side and use a rubber glove to distribute the glue evenly and wipe off all excess glue. Let harden for a minute or so, then wipe gently on the sandpaper to make sure the surface is flat and free of imperfections. When the tip is prepped and ready for install wipe the ferrules face clean with a paper towel. Apply a single drop of 401 on the tip and press it firmly on the ferrule untill it fixes on a little. I like to apply a little pressure on the tip while it dries. On a lathe you can use a drill bit or something similiar to keep things in place while the glue sets. I made a special tool for this from a bolt and an old tip I had cut off a shaft. Let it dry for 5 minutes for the glue to harden thoroughly.
Once the tip is installed I like to use a very sharp carbide cutting bit to cut it down to correct diameter. Cut the shape with a rest and a razor blade as usual, burnish sides gently and wipe the face of the tip with coarsed sandpaper for a scuff and you should have a pretty well installed tip :smile:

I haven't had a single bad install using the above process so far and dont expect to have one any time soon. Let us know what went wrong once you get it right

if it does it with different tips but not the rubber one, check the weight bolt make sure its tight. a very soft 'rubber' tip will absorb a lot of vibration, but a normal leather tip will not and that can make the weight bolt make noise when loose. Even a loose bumper can make a click noise when you shoot..Try your shaft on another cue, your buddy's etc. If it still does it, then redo the ferrule. If not, then probably in the butt.
Dave

It has to do with either of 2 things. 1 is how do you shape the tip, does the click sound go away if you sand the tip down with a hand file? If so change the way you shape it. Try hand first until you get confortable and use a razor blade to shape it with a steady rest

2 may be a guess is you said you are cutting it at a slow speed. I actually cut layered tips at a faster speed but I do apply a little water to help cut the leather. If you are going too slow it almost sounds like your cutter can possibly delaminate the layers of the tip


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If you tried all that has been advised and it still clicks. Here is what I would like to know. What kind of sandpaper was used to sand the back side of the tip or finish shaping the front side. Regular sandpaper often puts grit into the tip and it cracks making a clicking sound when you hit the cue ball. That is why I only use Red Cloth backed sanding belt type material to sand either side of the tip with. I learned this one the hard way with top pro players wanting to know why their tips were clicking at a tournament I was working in the 80's. Luckily I figured it out pretty fast. At first I though I had a bad box of tips.

Are you blindly relying on accuracy? Did you indicate it? What's the run-out when you face it? Show a profile shot of where the tip and ferrule meet up

This is one of the major reasons I won't use layered tips. Most people don't notice the sound but it drives me bonkers. The old Mooris & 23 layered Hercules tips always sounded solid & firm, but every other layered tip I have used is hit or miss. Some sound great & some remind me of a sneaker with worn out sole. I don't know what was ever broken with a simple, firm, solid leather tip. Still my go to choice.

ideologist said:

Are you blindly relying on accuracy? Did you indicate it? What's the run-out when you face it? Show a profile shot of where the tip and ferrule meet up

Click to expand...

I've seen this before. The face looks flat but has a slight dome.
The gib on those cross slide sometimes move.

Grab a razor blade and butt it on the face. Check if it's dead square. Put a flashlight under.

And when you sand the bottom of the tip, make sure the sand paper is on a dead flat surface ( vice or a lap ).

JoeyInCali said:

I've seen this before. The face looks flat but has a slight dome.
The gib on those cross slide sometimes move.

Grab a razor blade and butt it on the face. Check if it's dead square. Put a flashlight under.

And when you sand the bottom of the tip, make sure the sand paper is on a dead flat surface ( vice or a lap ).

Click to expand...

^^^^ What Joey said and spin the tip in your fingers when you slide it on the sand paper. If you keep it in the same direction when you slide it, it can sand crooked.... I have my old Willard tipping machine sitting on the work bench beside my lathe.. It has a carbide roughed area for scuffing tips... I still use that tool for every tip I install......

JoeyInCali said:

I've seen this before. The face looks flat but has a slight dome.
The gib on those cross slide sometimes move.

Grab a razor blade and butt it on the face. Check if it's dead square. Put a flashlight under.

And when you sand the bottom of the tip, make sure the sand paper is on a dead flat surface ( vice or a lap ).

Click to expand...

I just have to add that if you install a few tips, get yourself a small granite slab, just for the purpose of sanding tips, makes life alot easier.