This is not a joke

Why don't you buy it,then after you have ruined your ferrules and shafts learning how to use it properly, write up a review of your experience.
I have no doubt that the person who invented it was an accomplished artisan and was more than capable of replacing a tip or maybe even a ferrule using nothing more than that machine and a few skews.
But it is unrealistic to expect an inexperienced beginner to achieve similar results on their 1 and only cue shaft.

I agree Neil

That machine will probably get the local repair guy a bumch of work, just repairing the grooves put into the shafts bythe looks of the steady rest

If repairing your own cues is your only goal, It is way cheaper to just have them done by a pro...

The costs involved in getting a decent lathe for tips and shaft cleaning really mean doing work for others, which leads to spending more money in bigger and better equipment, stocking up on materials, learning how to do repairs correctly, etc. etc

All you have to do is a search on them on here by either american cowboy or sharpshooter billiards, and all questions will be answered.
I know from experience with a steady rest that they sell, that a drunk on a saturday nite was more steady than their rest was and the drunk won't leave grooves or black marks.....And then try getting him to refund or remedy the problem......JMO
Dave

Dave beat me to it. Do a Search. Apparently from what has been posted previously, the sellers customer service is less than stellar as well.

I have seen that thing so many times.....

Probably the best comment I have ever seen on the matter:

it is unrealistic to expect an inexperienced beginner to achieve similar results on their 1 and only cue shaft.

Click to expand...

First, the machine is crap. It could be made to work of course....but at risk to your shaft as was said.

The first thing I think about is risk to your person though. Kind of comes with the territory of what I do.......

Think of it this way: You have a quantity of hardwood rotating at a fair velocity in front of your face. This can be fairly exciting if certain parameters are out of tolerances....as in anything is off center, loose, etc....and considering how light this particular machine is I am confident it would become much more exciting much sooner than anything else you could buy.

If that isn't enough: Consider the matter that you are going to contact a quickly rotating mass with a sharp utility razor blade very likely held in your fingers. As the razor is torn from your fingers it will not leave your grasp peacefully. Where it is destined to deposit itself is a mystery, it could be in the wall or the ceiling....or perhaps you will recall that we earlier considered the proximity of your face to all this excitement.

And if that still isn't enough: Consider that people investing in such equipment are unlikely to have a proper shop and will likely be setting this thing up on the dining room table. OK...I'll give you the laundry or garage. If there is a child or spouse around, somebody else you care about....consider it may not be you that gets hurt but them.



I looked at and considered a lot of different options. This was one. I no longer consider such things. I want a cue repair lathe.

Unless you have a really big cue collection or flip a lot of cues, you won't really have enough work to get the experience needed to use the machinery properly.

not so steady rest

The guys are all right on, I was dumb enough a couple of years ago to buy the steady rest piece while putting together stuff to turn my Grizzly wood lathe into a cue lathe..It took a while and the first time I used it, well you guessed it, no matter how light you set it grooves will appear in the shaft, the wheels are not round making the shaft move around, and also the supposed "sealed" bearings sling grease everywhere! He sends a piece of clear tubing to put on the shaft so he is aware if the hard rubber gouging the shaft wood....I can just about bet the rest is "as good" as the steady rest...I contacted them about a refund and he accused me of just using it to get my stuff fixed and then wanting my money back! I wish he could have said that to my face.. All the feedback shows how everyone just loves it, you know he will never post the people that don't.. These guys are right, if you just want yours done have someone do them....And buy the way, the Grizzly wood lathe idea went south also, ended up with $3000.00 in a new cue lathe with a wheel barrow load of extra stuff....Trust me when I say, if your are married, your Wife will not be impressed!

J-Flo said:

What do you think of this unit being offered on flee-bay for $200? Im only considering it so I can do my own tips and shaft cleaning. Not to make money as real cue repair guy. I was looking at the shaft-master but seemed expensive and not very well made
www.ebay.com/itm/360195036167?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_14256wt_1813
I know you pro's out there are just shaking your head but Im serious. Can you offer another option for my needs?

Thanks in advanced!

Click to expand...

J-Flo

I usually have the same answer when someone asks me about an easy or cheap way to work on their own equipment.

Get yourself a drill, a bolt for your shaft threads, and some razor blades. If you can install tips, clean shafts, trim tips that have mushroomed etc. with this setup then you should be able to utilize whatever machine you choose to go with. And, you will have a little knowledge and experience to help you choose what is a good machine to go with.

lathe

Check your pm.

Ha! The joke is thinking you can stop at just doing tips. It will become an addiction that will only end in spending a minum $10,000 to build your oun cue.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Larry

economy cue repair

If he only spends 10 grand he should kiss the ground and give thanks.

Robin

Sorry dude but that thing is not a lathe. I would listen to the above advice from Neil and Chopdoc. You could build this POS out of 4x4's and a drill motor AND make it better and safer. The shaft is only held by that rubber boot so it looks like the shaft could come out if you're not paying attention and it may not even run true. If it wobbles the tip will be off center and hard to trim properly. If the shaft comes out of the boot you could get whacked, the shaft banged up or worse, get cut by a razor blade as someone mentioned above. The main problem I see is safety.... well actually it really is a POS.

The last time I had a tip installed Bob Frye did it for $15 (but I did supply the tip) and he cleaned the shaft as well for free which is fairly typical.

If you really want to try it go ahead. If you pay attention and be safe the worst you could loss is $200, a couple tips and a shaft. My friend George started out that way with a similar "lathe", found he loved doing it and has a real lathe now and lots of customers who are very happy with his work. If you have a fair mechanical ability you should be able to work with it safely and do what you want. But as the saying goes. "you get what you pay for" and $200 doesn't buy much. Later on if you want to move up to a real lathe you may be able to use that motor and foot pedal as a wrap motor. The one thing I'd suggest is to ditch that rubber boot and have a Maintenance pin to match your shaft thread made up. It will run truer and be safer.

J-Flo said:

What do you think of this unit being offered on flee-bay for $200? Im only considering it so I can do my own tips and shaft cleaning. Not to make money as real cue repair guy. I was looking at the shaft-master but seemed expensive and not very well made
www.ebay.com/itm/360195036167?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_14256wt_1813
I know you pro's out there are just shaking your head but Im serious. Can you offer another option for my needs?

Thanks in advanced!

Click to expand...

I have never used one of these machines, but from the looks of it do not expect much accuracy. It appears to able to do tips, and it looks like it will spin so you can do a wrap. But, ferrules and about anything else expect for polishing a shaft I don't think it will be accurate enough.

Then like others have said you are going to have to learn how to use the machine to accomplish whatever, you are trying to do. In the process you will most likely make some mistakes and destroy some shafts or what ever else you are working on.

I would not waste the money, I would wait and buy something better later, I made a similar mistake 15 years ago.

Good Luck

I looked at this thing on eBay which led me to make the post about "can I make my own lathe". I've never owned a lathe big enough to build cues on, so I am definitely not an expert, but even I can tell that machine is not so good. If you are serious about it, put your $200 toward some quality equipment IMO

J-Flo said:

Thanks for all the P.M and Replies.



Spending 10 grand on a good shop is not totally out of the question. Im not afraid to spend on thing as long as you buy them wright so you can get a good return if need be. I know ill never get it all back but Im addicted to all things pool.


Ive decided to ease in to the art of repair and I'm going to start looking for a lathe for around 1500 to 2000.

Ill post again about any progress ive made.

Click to expand...

Welcome to the addiction!

Larry

J-Flo said:

Thanks for all the P.M and Replies.

I guess I should have mentioned a few things about my intentions. The main reason Im looking to this item was because Im a cueaholic. I have about 70 cues that I just cant keep anymore. I want to buy a few other high end cues so the others have to go. Most have dried cracking tips and need replacing. Id like to also clean the shafts.

The other thing I should have mentioned is that I was a finish carpenter for a few years and Im pretty good with my hands. Im not saying Im a pro but Ive changed a ton of tip the old fashion way. I have every tip gadget on the market and do a pretty good job.

Spending 10 grand on a good shop is not totally out of the question. Im not afraid to spend on thing as long as you buy them wright so you can get a good return if need be. I know ill never get it all back but Im addicted to all things pool.

Ive listen and read all the P.Ms and replies and again thanks to all who had positive and constructive things to add. Hey Skuttlefish guy, Id like to meet you in person, hopefully in a dark ally.

Ive decided to ease in to the art of repair and I'm going to start looking for a lathe for around 1500 to 2000.

Ill post again about any progress ive made.

Click to expand...

Do you have any signed Rambows you are looking to get rid of?

Major Mistake

If you do make the mistake of buying this errr.... tool, before you ever place your cue on the sacrificial alter of this "tool", change the black wheels. Get some soft, wide gum or soft, wide urethane wheels. After examining the rut left in your shaft after the first use (even with the "collet"), you'll kick yourself all the way to billiard supply when you go to choose a new shaft. The ShaftMaster is a far superior lathe but that's not saying much - your drill is a far superior lathe. Check some of the home made lathes on You Tube, some are "interesting", then look at the Hightowers or the Unique Lathes

The other AZ'ers that responded here are right. You will not stop at just doing tips. I suggest you talk with Chris Hightower. He has always been more than willing to advise and help.
As far as this 'contraption' on ebay......three words, P. O. S.
I sincerely wish you good luck.