Cue building

zigcue

zigcue

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I am interested in learning the art of cue building. I have seen videos and books for sale. I would like a collection that shows me the beginning steps and goes through some advanced steps. I figured this section would be the best to get what i am looking for. Thank you in advance for any imput and advise.
 
zigcue said:
I am interested in learning the art of cue building. I have seen videos and books for sale. I would like a collection that shows me the beginning steps and goes through some advanced steps. I figured this section would be the best to get what i am looking for. Thank you in advance for any imput and advise.
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Chris Hightower cue building books and dvd's series will do it for you you. :)

Mario
 
zigcue said:
I am interested in learning the art of cue building. I have seen videos and books for sale. I would like a collection that shows me the beginning steps and goes through some advanced steps. I figured this section would be the best to get what i am looking for. Thank you in advance for any imput and advise.
Click to expand...

1) Go here: http://www.cuesmith.com/

and

2) Go here: http://http://www.cuecomponents.com/cuebuvi.html

These are considered the two best sources of cue building instruction.

3) Start reading every post in this forum and in the Cue Machinery and Supplies forum every day - even if you think they are not of interest to you (OK, you can skip some of the whining, pissing match threads LOL). Information gained in those threads will start to make sense after a while.

4) Start thinking about buying wood. Wood needs to sit in your shop (you have a shop, right?) for months, if not years, before you start turning it to help reduce the likelihood of warping - but there are no guarantees - some guys here won't touch a piece of wood for 3 - 5 years.

5) Start thinking about buying equipment - figure out how much you have to spend and then multiply that by 10 and you'll be close to getting started.

Hope this helps,

Gary
 
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GBCues said:
1) Go here: http://www.cuesmith.com/

and

2) Go here: http://http://www.cuecomponents.com/cuebuvi.html

These are considered the two best sources of cue building instruction.

3) Start reading every post in this forum and in the Cue Machinery and Supplies forum every day - even if you think they are not of interest to you (OK, you can skip some of the whining, pissing match threads LOL). Information gained in those threads will start to make sense after a while.

4) Start thinking about buying wood. Wood needs to sit in your shop (you have a shop, right?) for months, if not years, before you start turning it to help reduce the likelihood of warping - but there are no guarantees - some guys here won't touch a piece of wood for 3 - 5 years.

5) Start thinking about buying equipment - figure out how much you have to spend and then multiply that by 10 and you'll be close to getting started.

Hope this helps,

Gary
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Gary

Just to add a little to your already good information............ go to the archives on this forum (bottom right) and read all the "ask the cumaker" from the beginning of time.

Kim
 
whammo57 said:
Gary

Just to add a little to your already good information............ go to the archives on this forum (bottom right) and read all the "ask the cumaker" from the beginning of time.

Kim
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Kim,

Agreed, and that will give him time to save up his dollars!! (Notice I didn't say "Save up his pennies) :smile:

Gary
 
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you might want to see if theres a local cuemaker you can visit and see his shop so you get a idea about how much investment this stuff takes, or go to diekmon's school (sp)
that way atleast after you learn something if you decide its not for you, you will atleast get a custom cue out of it (i think you build your own cue?? been awile since i was on his site)

good luck
 
What was mentioned. Chis's book is a must have above all else. The book delves a little deeper than the DVDs, obviously. If Chris were to put all the info available on the DVDs that is in the book, the DVD collection would have to 4 times as big.

The DVDs supplement visually what is in the book for some of the procedures that one might find it hard to get you head around unless you see it being done.

Second, Joe Barringers DVD set. Pretty thorough from beginner to advanced techniques but offers a different perspective on some of the techniques.
As in, there is more than one way to skin a cat. I can't remember what Joe's set is worth but when they are on sale, they can be had for $150. Thats $15 per DVD. That in itself is priceless info. There is some info on Joes that is not on the other DVDs. For example, the cutting of point grooves on a Mill, the gluing of veneers to point stock and then gluing the veneered point stock into a forearm. Chris's vids show this in a different fashion. The point grooves are cut in on a Deluxe lathe rather than a Mill. See what I'm getting at? You get to see it done on both a lathe and a Mill.

Both are must haves if you want to get your feet wet.
 
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Blue Hog ridr said:
What was mentioned. Chis's book is a must have above all else. The book delves a little deeper than the DVDs, obviously. If Chris were to put all the info available on the DVDs that is in the book, the DVD collection would have to 4 times as big.

The DVDs supplement visually what is in the book for some of the procedures that one might find it hard to get you head around unless you see it being done.

Second, Joe Barringers DVD set. Pretty thorough from beginner to advanced techniques but offers a different perspective on some of the techniques.
As in, there is more than one way to skin a cat. I can't remember what Joe's set is worth but when they are on sale, they can be had for $150. Thats $15 per DVD. That in itself is priceless info. There is some info on Joes that is not on the other DVDs. For example, the cutting of point grooves on a Mill, the gluing of veneers to point stock and then gluing the veneered point stock into a forearm. Chris's vids show this in a different fashion. The point grooves are cut in on a Deluxe lathe rather than a Mill. See what I'm getting at? You get to see it done on both a lathe and a Mill.

Both are must haves if you want to get your feet wet.
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Tap Tap Tap!!:thumbup:
 
Thanks Bud. I can honestly say that I would have been totally lost without the book and both sets of DVDs.

That and all the cue makers, that I either called or PMed and got so much
info. I can't put a price on either the info or friendship.
 
Blue Hog ridr said:
Thanks Bud. I can honestly say that I would have been totally lost without the book and both sets of DVDs.

That and all the cue makers, that I either called or PMed and got so much
info. I can't put a price on either the info or friendship.
Click to expand...

I have both sets of DVD's and the book. You are correct, they are a must have for a beginner. There is a lifetime of knowledge in the DVD's and the book but they only scratch the surface of what you need to know.

There are a million things that you must learn on your own through experience. The learning never stops. You can't hurry making cues, it is a procedure that takes time. You can't hurry wood, especially shafts.

I hope you get the idea that you just can't ask here...... "hey how do you make a cue???" (you won't get many ans) But feel free to ask "hey, I tried to do this and I messed it up, how do I do it right next time??" (you will find those willing to help)

Kim
 
Thank You

I want to thank everyone for their imput. I really appreciate it. Again Thank you.
 
Someone is selling a set of Barringer's DVDs

Look on the other thread (equipment). He is asking $110.
 
I agree with all of the above. Been at it almost 4 years now and still watch the Hightowere videos as well as Cue Components stuff.
If you decide to take the plunge and can swing the cost go with the Cuesmith Deluxe. No matter how far you advance this machine will serve you well and Chris Hightwower is the consumate provider of advice and council.
The man is priceless.
Weegee
 
weegee3 said:
I agree with all of the above. Been at it almost 4 years now and still watch the Hightowere videos as well as Cue Components stuff.
If you decide to take the plunge and can swing the cost go with the Cuesmith Deluxe. No matter how far you advance this machine will serve you well and Chris Hightwower is the consumate provider of advice and council.
The man is priceless.
Weegee
Click to expand...

Chris Who?:groucho:
 
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