Why is Tascarella the Bushka expert?

The irony of all of this is that the first ivory piloted joint that I remember was from Gus Szamboti. Could always be wrong, but...
 
So would every cuemaker and cue enthusiast be.

I'm sure he changed something, but there are specific design construction details that are in those notes. I assume you know how a cue is built. I assume every cue builder has construction notes. If I built cues, I certainly would.


How very peculiar, this question is. We're talking about Balabushka.

Equally peculiar analogy.

They are his notes. Plain and simple. I'm sure as his craft developed (every cue was different after all), he took notes. I'm not sure why (I assume) you think this would be odd (since you're comparing to baking bread without a recipe).

As both an engineer and a lifelong cook, let me tell you there's no comparison. But I still have notes all over my recipes. When someone asks me, for example, about a past engineering project or even my Balabushka articles, I tell them I have to check my notes.

These Balabushka notes were absolutely private, not for the public, design notes just like every good designer (engineering, dress-making, and yes, culinary) would take down. And as meticulous as the man was reported to be, I would expect those notes to follow suit.

I have only Pete's description of the notes, but there's no question what they are. They're his notes. Just like Bell or Edison, or Da Vinci for that matter. We all understand the value of finding these greats' notes.

Again, I would expect every good cuemaker today to have notes.


Freddie <~~~ taking note

There's something to it, for sure. I remember being in Steve Klien's shop, and he was telling me he gets lots of orders from up NE way where they want very bushka like cues, and that he's had to build up his own set of notes on the bushkas he's seen and been able to measure. I remember him saying that the butts don't have straight taper.
 
What is the definition of an Ivory piloted joint?

An ivory piloted joint is an ivory joint with close to the same dimensions of a steel joint, with space for the brass insert and tenon for the shaft to enter the joint, either against the wall of the joint, or close to it. Think of a regular 5/16 X 14 steel joint, with brass insert shaft, but the joint material being ivory, rather than steel.

There are some variations to be aware of. Pete lines the inside of the ivory joint with steel. Tony from Black Boar places a thin layer of steel on the top of the joint where the joint makes contact with the shaft collar. Be aware of what you're looking at.

All the best,
WW
 
An ivory piloted joint is an ivory joint with close to the same dimensions of a steel joint, with space for the brass insert and tenon for the shaft to enter the joint, either against the wall of the joint, or close to it. Think of a regular 5/16 X 14 steel joint, with brass insert shaft, but the joint material being ivory, rather than steel.

There are some variations to be aware of. Pete lines the inside of the ivory joint with steel. Tony from Black Boar places a thin layer of steel on the top of the joint where the joint makes contact with the shaft collar. Be aware of what you're looking at.

All the best,
WW

Good answer:thumbup: was seeing what kind of answers we would get. Shoulda told you and skins not to answer lol
Jason
 
Yes. That's part of the innovation of the Tascarella piloted ivory joint: it includes a hoop-strength bushing (I'm assuming the bushing for hoop strength).

Yes, the use of an inner stainless bushing ( not sleeved ) is what was "inovated" and the idea came from his son Pete Jr. It was to protect the ivory joint from blowing out because of the compression fit tongued shafts.
 
Yes, the use of an inner stainless bushing ( not sleeved ) is what was "inovated" and the idea came from his son Pete Jr. It was to protect the ivory joint from blowing out because of the compression fit tongued shafts.

We have a winner!!!
 
The irony of all of this is that the first ivory piloted joint that I remember was from Gus Szamboti. Could always be wrong, but...

I could swear I saw a few early Gina's with piloted ivory joints but then again I thought I just saw the Cubs win the World Series...:eek:
 
The irony of all of this is that the first ivory piloted joint that I remember was from Gus Szamboti. Could always be wrong, but...

I have a confirmed 1974 Joss with a piloted ivory joint. Only one I've ever seen though I'm sure there are more. The Gus you saw earlier than that?
 
I also thought I've seen a Bushka with an ivory joint before? On the interweb somewhere...
 
We'll keep it simple... on Bushka's production...

1200 lets assume, because that is all we can do, 500-600 are titlists... most of those are very plain, in fact some are Hoppe's, some just have black collars and delrin caps, some are split and jointed with no collars. He did not have to glue blanks, I believe Burton supplied them already rough turned. Early cues were French polished, not finished.

How quick can a house cue be converted? Or just keep in mind, most of his cues are plain. His shafts were purchased pre-turned..

Plus the guy was a machine, from all accounts. He didn't have to read the internet, and read second guessers. He didn't have to argue about his cues, or contribute to forum wars to justify his cuemaking. All his time in the shop, was for cue making.

85-90 cues a year is not a stretch when you have all the above to factor in. There is another unknown cuemaker here in NJ, that GB liked, in fact sold him his shaft seconds. He said GB used to bring 5-6 "extra" cues to tournaments to sell.

Don't underestimate a guy who is committed, and excels at his craft. Just because you cannot do it, doesn't mean it can't be done.

JV
 
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