sealing, decals, getting started.

All4Moose

All4Moose

Moose
Silver Member
Gentlemen-
This week I decided to modify my Barbox cue just to get my hands busy on a project. heres a link to it http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=236217
I have always been interested in cue building but I never knew where to start. needless to say I modified the paint on my barcue and I'm looking for feedback from you.

1. what kind of finish is needed to seal the cue so the decals dont come off?
2. on the lucasi hybrids, If i cut off the rubber grip, what are my options as far as replacing the wrap.

3. How much would it cost to really get into basic building...like how much would a lathe run and what kind etc etc.

4. how did you learn and stay motivated to continue your craft?

well I think thats enough for 1 post, please respond as I am really in need of a hobby as the army has just detailed me out as a Recruiter for the next 3 years and without a serious hobby to let me release my frustrations I feel I may just go "postal" lol

Any advise is greatly appreciated!
sean
 
I'll answer just question #3 and this may negate the need to go any further.
We'll see.

Buying everything brand-new so you can start right now (instant gratification),
you're probably looking at $5K to built a cue.
If you think you may want to build a few more, start looking at $10K.
CNC, depending on how many for different purposes, you're easily at $15K/20K.

Now, what were the other questions?

There was an adequately stocked turnkey shop posted for sale recently.
Check the threads.

KJ
 
well ill start by saying i think its great you want to get started in cue building and that you should take a stab at it, at the very least you will have a new respect for what cuemakers do and why they charge what they do.

but...
decals and spray paint are not going to cut it in the custom cue world.


to get started (heres what i wish i would have done) find a nice size metal lathe 14x40 with at least a 1 3/8 through hole now on this you can build a whole cue from start to finish with some attachments.
i would suggest hightowers rear chuck and the DECO metal taper bar set up, even buying it all new you can come in under 6K for this set up.

then you will need some wood, and some el-cheapo blanks to practice on ebay is a great place for that i think you can get some for around 10 bucks a piece.

tooling, pins, taps, bumpers, wrap meterial, finish, sand paper, sealer, slu of diffrent glues, band saw, table saw, drum sander, dust collector, calipers, phenolic, routers.

this list goes on and on but theres a ton of people who have asked the same question as you do a search you will have the info you need.

do your self a favor tho and find out what your budget is and stick to it or you will be in deep! and Fast

Good Luck
 
Hi,

Buy a basic cue repair lathe and start doing tips and ferrules. You can progress to butt cap repairs and eventually build a sneaky pete from a house cue.

If your still interested after that, hold on to your pocket book. Once you have committed to being a cue maker their are different levels of participation. Hobby, side business, and professional full time cue maker.

If you are going to make a living doing this it becomes a matter of how much time you spend for each task. The best way to accommodate this time v. labor issue is to have dedicated machines for each task.

Cue making is a time bandit. There are hundreds of detailed tasks that need to be mastered and after you acquire high skill levels in all of the disciplines, then you have to sell your cues. If you master all of these detailed tasks to perfection, your cues will sell themselves.

Figure out how much time you spend on a cue and then decide how much you want to make per hour minus the materials and overhead.

Good Luck,

Rick Geschrey
 
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All4Moose said:
Gentlemen-
This week I decided to modify my Barbox cue just to get my hands busy on a project. heres a link to it http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=236217
I have always been interested in cue building but I never knew where to start. needless to say I modified the paint on my barcue and I'm looking for feedback from you.

1. what kind of finish is needed to seal the cue so the decals dont come off?
2. on the lucasi hybrids, If i cut off the rubber grip, what are my options as far as replacing the wrap.

3. How much would it cost to really get into basic building...like how much would a lathe run and what kind etc etc.

4. how did you learn and stay motivated to continue your craft?

well I think thats enough for 1 post, please respond as I am really in need of a hobby as the army has just detailed me out as a Recruiter for the next 3 years and without a serious hobby to let me release my frustrations I feel I may just go "postal" lol

Any advise is greatly appreciated!
sean
Click to expand...

Sean,
I have no doubt that the best initial investment that you can make is to pick up Chris Hightower's instructional videos on cue building to see just exactly what you're thinking about getting into. At just $50 each, it's a no brainer before even thinking about spending thousands on the machines, tools, and materials that are necessary to build even a single cue. Here is a link to Chris' videos.
 
Mr Hoppe said:
Sean,
I have no doubt that the best initial investment that you can make is to pick up Chris Hightower's instructional videos on cue building to see just exactly what you're thinking about getting into. At just $50 each, it's a no brainer before even thinking about spending thousands on the machines, tools, and materials that are necessary to build even a single cue. Here is a link to Chris' videos.
Click to expand...

Hi,

Mr. Hoppe is giving very good advice.

I like Chris Hightower's videos but don't forget about Joe Barringer's videos. He uses a variety of machines as opposed to just the Hightower machine. Both are great but come at the subject from a different perspective.

Plus it's great to watch Joe smoke during the video chat. He's an old school throwback which is fun but he also gives you a lot of facts as well as his vast experience. Joe is a "dedicated machine" for each process kind of a guy which I totally agree with.

Rick Geschrey
 
Mr Hoppe said:
Sean,
I have no doubt that the best initial investment that you can make is to pick up Chris Hightower's instructional videos on cue building to see just exactly what you're thinking about getting into. At just $50 each, it's a no brainer before even thinking about spending thousands on the machines, tools, and materials that are necessary to build even a single cue. Here is a link to Chris' videos.
Click to expand...

Don't spend a dime on machines or equipment..Buy videos, books or any other learning material and then if you still like to spend money and not make any,,by all means go on a buying spree. :)

Mario
 
LOL - all you you guys are great and I really appreciate the feedback. I do believe I will start with the videos and books first as to see exactly what it is I would be jumping into. After that, who knows... but I do know for the last 5 years or so billiards and cues have been my therapy from Iraq. Everyone needs a release and for me it just so happens to be pool. I think that is the way it is for alot of us here on AZB. Thankyou all for the input, keep it comming!
 
All4Moose said:
LOL - all you you guys are great and I really appreciate the feedback. I do believe I will start with the videos and books first as to see exactly what it is I would be jumping into. After that, who knows... but I do know for the last 5 years or so billiards and cues have been my therapy from Iraq. Everyone needs a release and for me it just so happens to be pool. I think that is the way it is for alot of us here on AZB. Thankyou all for the input, keep it comming!
Click to expand...

The ability to be creative rebuilds your soul and its priceless for those that have been expose to destruction. I say buy the books, videos, equipment, and submerge in creating.

IF I can be of help let me know.

Mario, who never changes his mind :)
 
well im glad most of the posters took the op's thread seriously. advice is great. i have too been sparking a lot of thoughts in the building department. being from a construction background i know how much time and material costs. but who doesn't like new tool day?
 
Well, I'm not a cue maker.....YET lol

I bought Chris Hightower's book and dvds and absolutely LOVED them. After watching the vids 3 times now (trying to etch in my brain) I still pick up something new....it's ALOT of info.

I came up with $6000 for an initial investment. I figure if I enjoy it, great! if not, I could try to sell the equipment for a loss and chalk it up to an experience. You never know how it'll go till you try and give it your all.

I bought a Hightower Deluxe (cant wait till it comes in :happydance: ) And bought some products to get me into an "entry level" if thats what you want to call it. If I enjoy doing that with some practice and time, I'll move into actual squares and doing it from the ground up.

Oh, that initial $6k?....gone in the matter of 2 days lol so figure $7k - $10k start-up, and as from what i'm seeing....there will ALWAYS be a tool you don't have that you WILL want lol

But give it a go and good luck! :thumbup:

P.S.

If you decide to try it...whatever you do, DO NOT SKIMP ON SAFETY!!! By that I mean get a good respirator, use gloves when dealing with epoxy, glues and stains, get a good dust collection setup (it seems like most of these woods are toxic to some degree), air filters, goggles..etc. There is no reason to need a trip to the hospital or God forbid, the cemetary, just to build a piece of wood! So be smart and careful!
 
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