Help Needed - This May Require A Cuemaker or Machinist . . .

Kickin' Chicken

Kickin' Chicken

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I'm mad at myself. :frown:

I received a lovely holiday gift of a miniature ivory billiard table, just 2 inches long, with green cloth, neat turned legs, 2 cues, and a cue ball.

Missing were the two other balls and so, naturally, in keeping with my desire for a perfect world, I planned on doing a recloth and was gonna see about getting a couple of beads to use as replacements for the 2 missing balls.

I retrieved my trusty caliper and this table so I could get a size on the existing ball and as I was getting the measurement, the table slipped from my hands and came crashing down onto the floor breaking off all four legs. Damn it! :mad:

As you can see from the pics, it's gonna need more than just glue. And, unfortunately, it's beyond any skill (or tools) that I have to get her fixed up.

Any suggestions are very appreciated.

best,
brian kc
 

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Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.
jeff-spicoli-fast-times-ridgemont--large-msg-131430589563.jpg
 
That's a very nice gift. Maybe you could ask for ideas in the "Ask a Cuemaker" forum as they have experience working with ivory. Also, if you have a friend who's a dentist they may have some thoughts on working on the bone.

The size is a challenge but perhaps some small dowels inserted into the base of the table and pockets drilled into the legs is the answer. Again, you'd need to have a very steady hand for it.

Just some thoughts, good luck with your gift.




.
 
Since you say that this is beyond your skillset and tools, I assume that you're open to paying someone to fix this for you. If that's the case, I'd recommend doing an internet search for dollhouse furniture makers. Those folks have the tools and skills to create miniatures of just about anything, and could probably handle this repair quite well. In fact, your miniature pool table looks like something originally created for a doll house anyway.

Good luck with this.
 
Nothing Ernie Gutierrez (and maybe about 1K) couldn't make better than new.

Kevin
 
fix it

turning the old legs down into new legs is going to be tough because there are tapered. i would suggest new ivory legs but you are looking at over 150.00 in ivory alone I could make a set of ebony legs it and use parts of the old ivory legs in making of the knew ebony legs with ivory rings or tips . both ebony and ivory go together well and both is from africa.

Or you could use water buffalo horn and the old legs to make new legs.

MMike
 
Brian,

The easy fix I see is to cut the upper part of the legs flat - you can use a hand coping saw with a fine blade, nice and steady easy strokes. Wrap the legs in soft rubber like an old inner tube and hold them gently in a vice. Sand off the back of the table with a detail sander or fine file or or carefully with an orbital sander - glue the legs flat to the back.

If you want the legs angled out, you can cut them at an angle with the coping saw.

The legs seem disporportionately long now anyway - should look fine.

It would be a pain to fix the 3 broken legs - they would have to be cut as I described, a new piece glued on, then turned again - may not be worth it.
 
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Call RealkingCobra

I'd get a hold of Glen, not sure when he'll be in your area but, as you know, it's worth the wait.

I'd see about getting some new rails too...I bet those play long.

Merry Christmas,

Jeremy
 
No big deal

Looks like no big deal to repair. Are there any small pieces that broke off? First check to be sure each leg fits perfectly. Then You can fit each leg hold in place with tape to the proper position. Glue with 30 min epoxy and be sure all is perfectly aligned. Or send it to me.
Kickin' Chicken said:
I'm mad at myself. :frown:

I received a lovely holiday gift of a miniature ivory billiard table, just 2 inches long, with green cloth, neat turned legs, 2 cues, and a cue ball.

Missing were the two other balls and so, naturally, in keeping with my desire for a perfect world, I planned on doing a recloth and was gonna see about getting a couple of beads to use as replacements for the 2 missing balls.

I retrieved my trusty caliper and this table so I could get a size on the existing ball and as I was getting the measurement, the table slipped from my hands and came crashing down onto the floor breaking off all four legs. Damn it! :mad:

As you can see from the pics, it's gonna need more than just glue. And, unfortunately, it's beyond any skill (or tools) that I have to get her fixed up.

Any suggestions are very appreciated.

best,
brian kc
Click to expand...
 
They look like clean breaks to me. Are there missing chunks or splinters?

If not, I'd go with super glue.
 
TATE said:
Brian,

The easy fix I see is to cut the upper part of the legs flat - you can use a hand coping saw with a fine blade, nice and steady easy strokes. Wrap the legs in soft rubber like an old inner tube and hold them gently in a vice. Sand off the back of the table with a detail sander or fine file or or carefully with an orbital sander - glue the legs flat to the back.

If you want the legs angled out, you can cut them at an angle with the coping saw.

The legs seem disporportionately long now anyway - should look fine.

It would be a pain to fix the 3 broken legs - they would have to be cut as I described, a new piece glued on, then turned again - may not be worth it.
Click to expand...

This seems to be the simplest solution. After cutting the legs flat and sanding the table flat, you may want to drill a small hole in each leg and pin it. Then drill a similar hole in each table corner. Then epoxy or CA the legs in place. The pins will add strength to the bond. Let us know what you decide to do.
 
ArizonaPete said:
This seems to be the simplest solution. After cutting the legs flat and sanding the table flat, you may want to drill a small hole in each leg and pin it. Then drill a similar hole in each table corner. Then epoxy or CA the legs in place. The pins will add strength to the bond. Let us know what you decide to do.
Click to expand...

BINGO!!!!!!! That's the way you need to do it.
 
this is it

the kidd said:
Looks like no big deal to repair. Are there any small pieces that broke off? First check to be sure each leg fits perfectly. Then You can fit each leg hold in place with tape to the proper position. Glue with 30 min epoxy and be sure all is perfectly aligned. Or send it to me.
Click to expand...

I would def do it this way and it will work well for someone who is not skilled. Don't start drilling or sanding stuff as its not needed and will take away from the original design. Drilling pegs and having them fit right is pretty difficult for a non skilled person. The new epoxys they have will most likely hold stronger than the ivory itself. You probably won't even need to tape them into place because they are so small and clear epoxy will be hardly noticable. Just wipe off the excess before you do the final set up. Don't over think this, just glue it... GL John.
 
I'm going to second the Dentist approach, provided you are on good terms. They should be able to easily use their handpiece to place some pins and then bond it all back together with some composite, provide they are clean breaks and all indexes back together well. Good Luck, Steve
 
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