Shaft work turn around time - What can I expect?

Alot of cuemakers, repairmen state that in order to receive a fast retaper, you have to be present while the work is being done, and then theres no guarantee. Hes probably doing it proper so your shaft won't warp.
If you're concerned after 2 weeks, give him a call.
I had 2 shafts retapered last May in Vegas, on the spot. One ended up with a small roll thats so miniscule and the other is straight as an arrow.
Mr. Orlandi got a fair piece of my Vegas money last year.
 
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I'm having some work done to my cue shaft, ferrule-tip replacement and re-tapering. I've never been to a cuemaker for any repairs before. What 's an acceptable average amount of time for the work to be completed?.

It's been two weeks with no word, wondering if I should light a fire, lol.



First, to replace a ferrule in most cases I get the cue back to the customer over night. I don't know exactly what you mean by a re-taper, but I will take a guess and say that you want the shaft diameter reduced and possibly extended farther back.

Unless you are taking off a full Millimeter or more it can be done over a couple of days in most cases. The entire job should not take more than 1 or 4 days maximum, but this also depends on the persons work load.

JIMO
 
I'm having some work done to my cue shaft, ferrule-tip replacement and re-tapering. I've never been to a cuemaker for any repairs before. What 's an acceptable average amount of time for the work to be completed?.

It's been two weeks with no word, wondering if I should light a fire, lol.

The work you seek could have been done in an hour, coffee break included.
If the work hasn't been started, pick it up and take it elsewhere.
Obviously this guy is too busy to accommodate you. It happens.
But the fact that it's been there 2 weeks now is as much your
fault as it is his. You've ALLOWED him to dally. When's the last time you called him?

Hopefully you won't be starting any fires here as they're totally unnecessary.
Nobody wins, EVERYONE loses and those that find them entertaining are totally bored with life.
Sorry to be blunt but I hate this type of thread.
 
I called him one week after I dropped the work off and again a week after that. Both times he wasn't at his shop.

What I meant by "starting a fire" was to call his shop more frequently but I know that will only cause him to rush the work and I don't want that.

I'm not looking to bash anyone publicly, I just wanted to know what the "normal" amount of time for this kind of work should be.

I've since called another cuemaker and was told he could do the work for me while I wait. He's a lot further away but IMHO, it's worth it if I can get the shaft back faster. I'm going to get my shaft back today and take it to the other guy.

Thanks all for your input.:)

As it should be. I agree with KJ on this repair. An hours worth of work means someone is killing time. However some people have priorities in different directions. I do an awful lot of repair work and build cues. Walk in customers are taken first and I take care of them while they wait in most cases. If I'm building a shaft for them while they wait I let them know that if a tip job or something simple like that comes in then I'll stop work on the shaft to take care of the simple, quicker repair. Next comes repairs that are left to be done as they are in a hurry to leave or in no hurry for their equipment and last is the cue making.

Dick
 
There might be 50 jobs that came in first??? You would not want someone that came in later than you put in the front of the line would you? Retapers can be tricky, was your shaft dead straight to begin with? I am sure no repair person worth his salt would want to hurry a job and warp a shaft. You always have the option of calling for a status update, if done politely I am sure no cuemaker would get offended.
 
In my neck of the woods, this time of the year. Two weeks is about a week and a half to long. In the future you should probably ask what the lead time is for such a repair, and if it doesent suit you, ask the other guy. I would probably go get it this time and take it to the other guy. This guy might be an outstanding repairman but just needs to be reminded he is not the only game in town.?
 
I've called for a status update three times now. All times the cuemaker was not at his shop and I spoke to his wife instead. She was no help when asked if the work had even been started and I was told the cuemaker would call me back. The call never came.

I understand your order of priority point, but I also understand that there are steps in any repair and while a cuemaker is waiting for something to cure they could easily install a ferrule and tip. The re-taper is being done by sanding and the shaft is straight.

Today I was asked what kind of material I would like for the ferrule. I advised them of this two weeks ago. Obviously the repair has not even been started.

Ahhh, OK, your definition of 'setting a fire' is one that I would agree with.
And the fact that he's not returning your calls is generally not a good sign either. So I again suggest that you 'pull' your work from him.

No CM/CueTech likes to have work pulled from them. It's a little bit like a slap to the ego. But if the CM/CT is honest to himself, then he interprets it as a wake-up call with regards to his business practices. Sometimes it's necessary.

You as the client have done nothing to deserve being put-off. Other than selecting a CM/CT that wasn't honest with himself about how much work he already had in front of him, I can see where you've done nothing wrong.
This is a common occurrence and unfortunately, it happens probably a little too much. I myself have walked this line on many occasion. Knowing what you've got in front off you and the contemplating of taking on more work can lead to problems.
But at the same time, it's hard to tell a client NO.
 
There might be 50 jobs that came in first??? You would not want someone that came in later than you put in the front of the line would you? Retapers can be tricky, was your shaft dead straight to begin with? I am sure no repair person worth his salt would want to hurry a job and warp a shaft. You always have the option of calling for a status update, if done politely I am sure no cuemaker would get offended.

When someone walks into my shop needing a tip because they're on their way to a tourney or whatever, they generally get it done like right now.
No, they don't go to the back of the line because that line is about 6 mos. long. No one waits 6 mos. for a tip. I do his tip in about the same amount of time it takes for me to answer the phone.
I want to get the quick ones done & gone ASAP so I can devote my time to the major rebuilds that are going to keep me tied-up for a while.

I don't know about T/Ds being at all 'tricky'; they're pretty much all straight forward. The OP is asking for .35mm to be removed. That's .011" or .0055" per side. I guarantee you that the dust hasn't settled out of the air before I'm applying the sealer. At that point, the cappuccinos are on me.
 
When someone walks into my shop needing a tip because they're on their way to a tourney or whatever, they generally get it done like right now.
No, they don't go to the back of the line because that line is about 6 mos. long. No one waits 6 mos. for a tip. I do his tip in about the same amount of time it takes for me to answer the phone.
I want to get the quick ones done & gone ASAP so I can devote my time to the major rebuilds that are going to keep me tied-up for a while.

I don't know about T/Ds being at all 'tricky'; they're pretty much all straight forward. The OP is asking for .35mm to be removed. That's .011" or .0055" per side. I guarantee you that the dust hasn't settled out of the air before I'm applying the sealer. At that point, the cappuccinos are on me.

You are right on with this one KJ. The job in question is a very simple job. I get most of my tip business because pool players love it when they can drop by and get a tip and shaft cleaning and reconditioning done while they wait.
 
We have league pool just about every night of the week. If someone is nice enuff to throw some work my way, I go straight downstairs to the man cave and start on their cue. These guys want their cues for league play tonight, not next week. I have an old loner cue thats in pretty good shape that I offer if any of my customers need one in a pinch.
 
One question that hasn't been asked is does he do this full time, or does he have another primary job and do the cue repair on his spare time and weekends?

This makes a huge difference! Time planning is pretty tough when you don't know how much time you have to start with.
 
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