ivory ferulles-how to cut from a Qball

C

canwin

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I need help in making ivory ferulles and wanted to ask/inquire about info. on how to go about cutting out/making ivory ferulles from ivory balls for some sticks I have. I have access to a metal lathe and 3 ivory balls from the early 1900's. Is there a certain way (grain-wise I should cut the ivory) for strength? Is there a technique to get the maximum amount
from the cueball? Any helpful techniques. It sounds fairly simple, I just know that it might not be
and was looking for someone who can shed some light on this. It is appreciated!

Canwin
 
First, make sure the balls aren't worth more than the ferrules you're going to make from them.
Second, if the balls are all crazed(cracked) they may not make good ferrules.
Third, if you do decide to cut them, cut them with the grain. Look at the balls closely.....the two little black dots are the nerve vein that ran down the center of the tusk. Make your cuts following those.

Last word of advice......after you get ferrules cut out and before you install them....dip the ends of the ferrules in some leather dye and do a very light facing on both ends....you'll immediately know if they're any good for cues.
 
ivory balls/ferulles

If I dip them in leather dye and do a light facing, how will I know they're not any good or how will I know they are good/acceptable. Will the dye absorb throughout the ivory if they're not any good? I have no idea of the value of an ivory Qball, I just thought a man could make multiple ferulles out of one Qball, if he knew what he was doing. Are ivory ferulles expensive? Thx for your response.
 
The dye will wick into the smallest of cracks. Some may not even be seen using magnification. If it faces off clean they should be good to go.

When ivory was being sold on ebay, balls in good shape were going for $100 plus.....I remember some that were in great shape getting close to $200 each.

You can buy ivory ferrules for $15-17 a piece.
 
It's not worth your time. Buy them here for $14.50. Don't cut up those vintage balls, they're part of billiards history.
Mr H
 
Most cue makers have been getting their legal, pre ban ivory from David Warther for years now. He is very knowledgeable about working with ivory, easy to deal with, prompt shipping, competitively priced and best of all, very friendly.

http://www.ivorybuyer.com/sales/

Dick
 
To get started I put the ball on my belt sander, to make a flat. That makes it easier to run through your band saw. To save your fingers from the band saw you might take the ball with the flat down & glue it to a piece of scrap Masonite, panaling or 1/4' under flooring. then you can push it throgh from the side. After I have cut the ball into squares I use the belt sander to round the edges. This allows me to use a 3 jaw chuck, but the 4 jaw is better...JER
 
BLACKHEARTCUES said:
To get started I put the ball on my belt sander, to make a flat. That makes it easier to run through your band saw. To save your fingers from the band saw you might take the ball with the flat down & glue it to a piece of scrap Masonite, panaling or 1/4' under flooring. then you can push it throgh from the side. After I have cut the ball into squares I use the belt sander to round the edges. This allows me to use a 3 jaw chuck, but the 4 jaw is better...JER
Click to expand...

I do like Jerry except that once the ivory is cut into squares I mark the center with a pencil and center drill with a cordless drill. Next I put the square between centers and turn round with a router. From there it's like any other ferrule work.
 
Mr Hoppe said:
It's not worth your time. Buy them here for $14.50. Don't cut up those vintage balls, they're part of billiards history.
Mr H
Click to expand...

I'm with Mr. H on this one.
Buy your ivory ferrules (if you must buy ivory) and leave this ball be.
It's not always about the money.
 
Qballs for ivory ferulles

I never considered the value/historic importance of the ivory Qballs til now, after listening to the board members. I have 3 Qballs and 1 of them has a small chip/chunk missing from it. If I try to cut ferulles, it will be from this Qball-or should I leave that one be as well? I was curious to see what the grain pattern would be on the cut ferulles. The 2 good Qballs I have appear cracked in a circular fashion around the exterior but are smooth to the touch and have no feel of the cracks.
Is it ok to use machine oil when drilling for the inside diameter or should I just stay with forced air. Thx for all the responses!
 
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