Tip cutting tool for lathe

[SK Custom Cues]

Can any of you guys point me to a good cutting tool to use on a (make-shift) lathe that I put together using the front and back pieces from American Cowboy for cutting cue tips flush?

I've been using a very sharp wood chisel on a homemade tool rest, and its ok, but not knowing much about lathe cutting tools, I'll bet there is something much better I could buy to cut the tips.

thanks.

Utility blade..... Just gotta know how to use it properly. Oh, the sharper the better. You'll need just a blade and one with a blade holder. I like those quick change ones that you can get from home depot.

see link

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

[3andstop]

Utility blade..... Just gotta know how to use it properly. Oh, the sharper the better. You'll need just a blade and one with a blade holder. I like those quick change ones that you can get from home depot.

see link

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Hi. thanks for the suggestion and link. Actually, this is the exact tool I used and prompted me to start the thread.

This tool, I'm sure works just fine on a real lathe where there is no "give" in the cue shaft's movement on the chuck and no runout. However, with this thing, you can move the shaft an 1/8th inch just applying a tad of pressure to it as you cut. It's far from a good lathe.

The best I've found so far is a razor sharp flat chisel. I thought perhaps there was a special chisel with some type relief in it made just for this type cutting.

 

[ArizonaPete]

Hi. thanks for the suggestion and link. Actually, this is the exact tool I used and prompted me to start the thread.

This tool, I'm sure works just fine on a real lathe where there is no "give" in the cue shaft's movement on the chuck and no runout. However, with this thing, you can move the shaft an 1/8th inch just applying a tad of pressure to it as you cut. It's far from a good lathe.

The best I've found so far is a razor sharp flat chisel. I thought perhaps there was a special chisel with some type relief in it made just for this type cutting.

If your shaft moves 1/8th of an inch then you certainly don't have your shaft mounted correctly in your setup. Just have about 2" of the shaft extending from the rollers. Did you see how little of the shaft extends from the chuck jaws in the youtube video?

 

[pulzcul]

I also use a cutch tip/drill motor setup.

Anyone know of an inexpensive variable speed motor for cue tip work? Id like to replace my drill motor.

I have looked on ebay a few times and never seem to find what I want. Im thinking a sewing machine motor with speed control might work good.

Thanks for any TIPS of finding a motor :wink:

My variable speed controller!!

 

[Ball Banger]

My variable speed controller!!

pulzcul

Nice jury rig or Presidential solution. I find a wall light dimmer switch to be my best presidential solution. I can work it with my big toe. I really like to use different speeds for different jobs. Refinishing shafts I start at slow speeds and Ruff sand paper. As I get closer to polishing with fine and extra fine sand paper I like to spin faster.

Crowning a Tip I use a Scuffer either nickle or Dime, held by hand and it seems to work well.

If you look at a Cue Smith Lathe, Tim uses Flange bearing for his cue rests when chucking the tip. My homemade lathe uses Flange bearing for the tail stock but with a insert that is concave and presses against the tip. I believe a Flange Bearing like Tim uses as rest, would work better than rollers

 

[pulzcul]

pulzcul

Nice jury rig or Presidential solution. I find a wall light dimmer switch to be my best presidential solution. I can work it with my big toe. I really like to use different speeds for different jobs. Refinishing shafts I start at slow speeds and Ruff sand paper. As I get closer to polishing with fine and extra fine sand paper I like to spin faster.

Crowning a Tip I use a Scuffer either nickle or Dime, held by hand and it seems to work well.

If you look at a Cue Smith Lathe, Tim uses Flange bearing for his cue rests when chucking the tip. My homemade lathe uses Flange bearing for the tail stock but with a insert that is concave and presses against the tip. I believe a Flange Bearing like Tim uses as rest, would work better than rollers

Well I don't actually have a lathe. I use a willards cutter and then shape by hand using my "rotisserie".LOL

 

[3andstop]

If your shaft moves 1/8th of an inch then you certainly don't have your shaft mounted correctly in your setup. Just have about 2" of the shaft extending from the rollers. Did you see how little of the shaft extends from the chuck jaws in the youtube video?

Maybe it's not an 1/8, maybe a 1/16th, but it's out only an inch and the rollers are far from a lathe chuck. Where the chuck turn with the cue shaft, this set up the cue shaft spins "against" the rollers and too tight a preload binds the drill and still results in movement.

It's FAR from the perfect tool, but ... it was only about 100 bucks after I bought all the extra stuff like variable speed foot pedal and hardwood base wood.

I couldn't find the exact foot pedal I bought for 15 bucks but here is the answer to the questions on speed control for our homemade setups ...

http://cgi.ebay.com/RHEOSTAT-FOOT-P...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3a52a12795

 

[Ball Banger]

Maybe it's not an 1/8, maybe a 1/16th, but it's out only an inch and the rollers are far from a lathe chuck. Where the chuck turn with the cue shaft, this set up the cue shaft spins "against" the rollers and too tight a preload binds the drill and still results in movement.

It's FAR from the perfect tool, but ... it was only about 100 bucks after I bought all the extra stuff like variable speed foot pedal and hardwood base wood.

I couldn't find the exact foot pedal I bought for 15 bucks but here is the answer to the questions on speed control for our homemade setups ...

http://cgi.ebay.com/RHEOSTAT-FOOT-P...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3a52a12795

3andstop

The foot peddle is nice but I like my wall switch dimmer better because I can set a speed and keep it. I guess when I add it up I have about the same money in it.

pulzcul

Looks like you have it together. but I question marking the shaft because your block doesn't turn with the cue. Now I always polish a shaft after putting a tip on. I might not be trying to make money doing it but I still want to do a good job. How far I go or start on a shaft depends on it's condition. Keeping my own stick polished was my original reason for getting into this. Now I do sticks for friends but don't advertise.

 

[pulzcul]

3andstop

The foot peddle is nice but I like my wall switch dimmer better because I can set a speed and keep it. I guess when I add it up I have about the same money in it.

pulzcul

Looks like you have it together. but I question marking the shaft because your block doesn't turn with the cue. Now I always polish a shaft after putting a tip on. I might not be trying to make money doing it but I still want to do a good job. How far I go or start on a shaft depends on it's condition. Keeping my own stick polished was my original reason for getting into this. Now I do sticks for friends but don't advertise.

Same here. Its just what I put together with what I had. But after seeing the setup that 3andstop has I'm gonna upgrade. Thanks

 

[Ball Banger]

Same here. Its just what I put together with what I had. But after seeing the setup that 3andstop has I'm gonna upgrade. Thanks

pulzcul

Wished I had digital camera to show my Homemade Lathe. The base is a straight edge used for cutting wall paper and has grooves. It is 7 foot long and can take a house stick. The Chuck and motor can slide in the grooves. I didn't make it but bought it from the guy's wife that did make it. He turned down shafts and made pro tappers with it but I am not ready to try that. After he passed I bought it from his wife for peanuts. I also got many arbors and other supplies with the deal. The Chuck alone it worth money.