Are wrapped cues more susceptible to moisture related damage?

[Impact Blue]

I was thinking, isn't the wood porous and raw underneath linen wraps, thus leaving them exposed to sweat and humidity.?

 

[Varney Cues]

Many makers choose to use purpleheart or laminated wood under the wrap. Not only for better hit quality but it also is more stable. If I build one with a linen wrap, I always seal the wood very well.

 

[manwon]

I was thinking, isn't the wood porous and raw underneath linen wraps, thus leaving them exposed to sweat and humidity.?

As far back as you can go, the wood in the under wrap area has been left untreated. Cue makers relied upon the Glue used to also seal the wood, however a Major problem I have seen occur in older cues is warped under wraps. Now when I say warped I am not just talking about problems that are a result of a failure at the A-joint, many handles on older cues do warp farther back near the cues butt and must be replaced. However, I think it is common today that those cue makers that are not using laminated under wraps are sealing that area with something. To continue a step farther, I would also recommend sealing a laminated under wrap, it certainly can't hurt anything to be careful, it is simple to do, and I think all Cue Makers would want to build a better product.

Before I started building cues, I was already doing repair work for a number of years. The experience gained taught me to completely seal the wrap area if I cut a wrap area for a cue. I seal the length of the wrap area with a coat or two of Super Glue, I have found that if it ruffed up the Elmer's Glue will stick right to the surface with no problems. I have been doing things this way for more than 4 years without a single problem.

Take Care

 

[dave sutton]

i agree. the handle wood seems to be more prone to warpage then say a finished forearm.

like KV said i seal it up pretty good.

i wonder how well the glue works as a sealer for a wrap area

luckly i havent had a cue returned yet due to warpage.

 

[qbilder]

I core my under-wrap maple handles. The ones I don't core are straight grain koa, which doesn't warp anyway.