Tip Lathe

IbeAnEngineer

IbeAnEngineer

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hello all,

I have been doing my own tips and a few for friends for years with a razor blade, roll of masking tape, some sandpaper and a lot of patience. Lately, I have decided that I would like to invest in a lathe to do tips and possibly a ferrule every now and then.

For just a player like myself that wants to get a lathe for re-tipping what would be the best suggestion equipment wise (from a cost and a quality standpoint)?
I am just looking to do tips and ferrules right now.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
 
One option would be to find a cheap mini lathe and make a steady rest for it. I see used ones on craigslist every now and then for a couple hundred. IIRC there were a couple of threads here in the past showing pics of steady rests made for mini metal lathes, and one guy even had two extra beds (one on each side) giving him the capacity for other cue work as well. They're not very portable though, so taking it to tourneys and such would be a little difficult.

If you're looking for portability, the unique travel tipper is a decent machine. I have more experience using the micro lathe from Chris Hightower, and it's a quality portable machine. I won't name names, but some of the other portable tip lathes are pretty much worthless.
 
i just got a micro II from chris hightower and i love it! i have had the leather flying since i got it!
 
tip lathe

Hi,

One thing I think every cue maker has experienced is buying a piece of equipment and finding out later that they should have bought the next level of product line.

If I were you I would buy a repair lathe that allows you to do tips and ferrules as well as doing shaft sanding on the left side of the chuck using a steady rest and maintenance pins to hold the shafts. Both Unique and Hightower lathes would be a great choice.

One more thing, if you think you are going to want to build a cue at sometime in the future consider the Hightower Deluxe or Unique Cue Maker.

Buying a metal lathe is a great way to go as all pros use them but you will have to do modifications that will take time and cost money. If you buy the lathes I suggested with the accessories you will be ready to start learning to do repairs right out of the box.

Rick Geschrey
 
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It's Just a Thought.

scdiveteam said:
Hi,

One thing I think every cue make has experienced is buying a piece of equipment and finding out later that they should have bought the next level of product line.

If I were you I would buy a repair lathe that allows you to do tips and ferrules as well as doing shaft sanding on the left side of the chuck using a steady rest and maintenance pins to hold the shafts. Both Unique and Hightower lathes would be a great choice.

One more thing, if you think you are going to want to build a cue at sometime in the future consider the Hightower Deluxe or Unique Cue Maker.

Buying a metal lathe is a great way to go as all pros use them but you will have to do modifications that will take time and cost money. If you buy the lathes I suggested with the accessories you will be ready to start learning to do repairs right out of the box.

Rick Geschrey
Click to expand...

It has been my experience that if a person purchases a small good quality set-up that will do a good job with the basics (tips and ferrules), when they out grow it they usually have no problem getting most of their investment back. So it may be wise to start out small and grow into it, so if you find out it is not for you, then you don't have a lot invested. Just a Thought :smile:
 
jcueman said:
This set up is real nice..
http://www.uniqueinc.com/travel_tipper
Click to expand...

I don't like this unit for one reason. There are no increments on the dials/handwheels.
I mentioned it to them once and got the sense that they didn't feel it was all that important.
I'm sorry, but when I'm cutting a ferrule or tenon, I want to know where I'm at, where I'm going and how much it's going to take me to get there.
 
tsp&b said:
It has been my experience that if a person purchases a small good quality set-up that will do a good job with the basics (tips and ferrules), when they out grow it they usually have no problem getting most of their investment back. So it may be wise to start out small and grow into it, so if you find out it is not for you, then you don't have a lot invested. Just a Thought :smile:
Click to expand...

You don't want your money back, you will always find a use for most every piece of equipment you buy. That is why cue makers, even small ones, have 5,6 and even more lathes. They set them up for dedicated uses. You almost never regret a purchase as long as the price was right. The truth is, you can hardly do anything on just one lathe. It takes you forever. Then someone comes in with a small repair you could make a quick buck on and your one and only lathe is tied up. The more the better.
 
that looks like a hightower lathe...I didnt know he used cheesey sewing machine motors..Must be an older unit...I have a new hightower deluxe, hightower inlay machine and a hightower taper machine and none of them use a sewing machine motor..
zx
 
i bought one of these

socks said:
not set up for ferulles but the the price is right for tipping with blades and cleaning..

http://cgi.ebay.com/PORTABLE-DRILL-...ash=item53dc1f246d&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262

http://cgi.ebay.com/PORTABLE-POOL-C...ash=item19b375817d&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262
Click to expand...

i bought the second unit shown here, it is now sitting in my garage collecting dust since i received my hightower lathe. I would give the american cowboy lathe to anyone if willing to pay shipping.

mike
 
mm4pool said:
i bought the second unit shown here, it is now sitting in my garage collecting dust since i received my hightower lathe. I would give the american cowboy lathe to anyone if willing to pay shipping.

mike
Click to expand...

What is an "American Cowboy Lathe"?...JER
 
Click on mm4pool's post..2nd ebay one

2nd ebay auction link. i know nothing about lathes, but i have wondered if this would be a cheap option to see if i like doing tips.
 
HarborFreightUSA <mktdelano@harborfreight22.com>

They just sent me a coupon for %20 off any 1 item. I would think you could buy their minilathe for under $400 brand new.
I have seen alot of people doing tip and ferrule replacements.
They have the adantage of being able to cut threads and you have a compound assembly , so you can turn tapres and make parts for something else.

I don't see alot of these lathes for sale Used, so that tells me there must be alot of people that still find them usefull to have even if they buy something else for bigger things.
With these mini lathes , you do need to make something to support the shaft hanging out the back of the lathe.
With the HighTower set up or Porper to name a couple, they offer turn-key set ups.It is just a matter of time and money.
If you don't know much about lathes etc, I don't recomend buying from sight unseen.
 
mm4pool said:
i bought the second unit shown here, it is now sitting in my garage collecting dust since i received my hightower lathe. I would give the american cowboy lathe to anyone if willing to pay shipping.

mike
Click to expand...

What is your zip code? Or what would shipping to 80126 be?

Gary
 
Mini Lathe

Hi,

I have a mini lathe that is set up for cutting ferrules or making very small parts only. I bought one of those steady rests from the Cowboy people and built a mounting stand aligning it with the spindle bore center. The only problem with that steady rest is you have to put a lot of tape on the shaft or the wheels can put a dent line on the shaft. I made delrin collets that fit all shafts and that is worth the time and effort.

For cutting ferules it is best to have a precision dial that indicates dimensions on the cross slide. The mini lathe is very accurate for this work. I still prefer to put all my tips on using my unique repair lathe because I can sand and polish the tip & ferrule area without worrying about getting bit by the chuck. Safety First!!

Rick Geschrey
 
scdiveteam said:
Hi,

I have a mini lathe that is set up for cutting ferrules or making very small parts only. I bought one of those steady rests from the Cowboy people and built a mounting stand aligning it with the spindle bore center. The only problem with that steady rest is you have to put a lot of tape on the shaft or the wheels can put a dent line on the shaft. I made delrin collets that fit all shafts and that is worth the time and effort.

For cutting ferules it is best to have a precision dial that indicates dimensions on the cross slide. The mini lathe is very accurate for this work. I still prefer to put all my tips on using my unique repair lathe because I can sand and polish the tip & ferrule area without worrying about getting bit by the chuck. Safety First!!

Rick Geschrey
Click to expand...


I've seen those cowboy steady rests, and didn't like them at all, mostly for the reason you describe. Even with tape you still have to be careful. A bearing mounted in a piece of scrap wood works much better, and is much cheaper. You can either line the bearing with felt, or make a delrin bushing to press fit inside.
 
desert1pocket said:
I've seen those cowboy steady rests, and didn't like them at all, mostly for the reason you describe. Even with tape you still have to be careful. A bearing mounted in a piece of scrap wood works much better, and is much cheaper. You can either line the bearing with felt, or make a delrin bushing to press fit inside.
Click to expand...

Here is what I set up for tournaments but now use in the shop also for tips. works very accurately.

DSC_0001-12.jpg


DSC_0001-11.jpg


Dick
 
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