Building A First Cue
- Thread starter 9 ball
- Start date
start by reading the ask the cuemaker threads
lots and lots of good info there to others that have asked the same as you
check out the cue machinery section too
then go take a good look at the for sale section at all the beautiful quality cues there that no one is buying
it sure can be
that's exactly what happened to me
it's a tuff nut to crack to be one of the "big boys"
Welcome. so far it's been pretty handy for me. Never know when someone wants some trees planted!
Yes Chris Hightowers book is a good place to start.
Larry
Step by step
I'll repeat some of the advice you've received so far and then expand on it.
Read this forum from start to finish. That's what I did when I first found it. Not only will you get a real education, you'll avoid asking the questions that have been asked over and over again
Buy Chris Hightower's book and read it from cover to cover. It's one of the best primers for someone thinking about working with cues that I've found. You could buy his videos too. I think he still discounts your machine purchase if you've bought the video.
Now you need to decide if you want to build or just repair. You can get by cheaper buying a repair lathe than a full cue-building lathe (and repair work pays better). Even if you decide to start with repairs and advance to building later, you'll always have a use for that repair lathe.
OK. If you've get to this point and are sure you want to actually build cues, you should have been buying wood back before step one :grin: You also have to decide what type of equipment you want to purchase (specialty lathe, full size metal lathe, etc.). You'll really have to make that decision based on your budget and the space you have available. Once you take the plunge, you'll never have all the equipment (or the room for it) that you want.
I (and many others here) will be happy to help you along the way.
I think the last thing is to ask why you want to do it. If it's to make money, find another business. If you want to do it because you want to make something that's uniquely your own and you just love doing it, then go for it!!!!!!!!
I'll repeat some of the advice you've received so far and then expand on it.
Read this forum from start to finish. That's what I did when I first found it. Not only will you get a real education, you'll avoid asking the questions that have been asked over and over again
Buy Chris Hightower's book and read it from cover to cover. It's one of the best primers for someone thinking about working with cues that I've found. You could buy his videos too. I think he still discounts your machine purchase if you've bought the video.
Now you need to decide if you want to build or just repair. You can get by cheaper buying a repair lathe than a full cue-building lathe (and repair work pays better). Even if you decide to start with repairs and advance to building later, you'll always have a use for that repair lathe.
OK. If you've get to this point and are sure you want to actually build cues, you should have been buying wood back before step one :grin: You also have to decide what type of equipment you want to purchase (specialty lathe, full size metal lathe, etc.). You'll really have to make that decision based on your budget and the space you have available. Once you take the plunge, you'll never have all the equipment (or the room for it) that you want.
I (and many others here) will be happy to help you along the way.
I think the last thing is to ask why you want to do it. If it's to make money, find another business. If you want to do it because you want to make something that's uniquely your own and you just love doing it, then go for it!!!!!!!!
yes, thats the deal
but...... there were a little bit different circumstances in my case
tell ya about it sometime
like when you come to cincy
Run like hell and never look back over your shoulder.
And just where in the heck were you with this advice a year ago, when I was thinking about this. Just think of all the money I could have saved!
Larry
isnt that the truth lol ive spent sooooooooooooo much lol
but i just look at it as i spent a ton on a custom cue made by me lol
"MACHINERY NEEDED"; You will need one cue lathe, at least. No, you can not use a wood lathe. As mentioned, cue building lathes have different additions that make them more able to do all of the jobs needed to complete a cue build. Yes, they cost more than a basic repair lathe. If I were to start over today I would get a repair lathe. You can easily make $20-$50 an hour doing repairs. You probably won't get that making cues. If you don't like repair work, you probably won't like cuemaking. Besides the repair laithe you will need about $1000 in materials. 5-6 different ferrule materials. 5-6 boxes of cue tips. 5-6 packages of sandpaper in different grades. $200- $300 in additional hand & lathe tools. A band saw. Benches, lights, magnifiers, 3-4 spools of linen (for wraps). Shaft sealing liquids. dozens of drill bits. 3-4 types of glue. A micrometer, calipers & oh ya a TAX NUMBER. YOU ARE GOING TO PAY SALES, STATE, FEDERAL TAXES & FICA , ARN'T YOU?...JER
quit fibbin' dave
you wouldnt have had it any other way :thumbup:
I don't mean to be controversial (maybe a little) but Abe Rich built cues on a wood lathe for over half his life. Quite a few of them also....He was in his early 80's when he went to the big pool hall in sky.
As another member mentioned, Chris's book. His DVD set is also worth the money and I'd say a must have if you're serious about cue repair/making.
Joe Barringer's DVD set is also worth watching. If you decide that its not for you, then the book and DVDs can be sold on AZ without too much loss.
The search function and advanced search on AZ work great. You'll have days worth of reading.
Joe Barringer's DVD set is also worth watching. If you decide that its not for you, then the book and DVDs can be sold on AZ without too much loss.
The search function and advanced search on AZ work great. You'll have days worth of reading.