I'm in the market for a hard tube 3x6 or 4x8 case. I went to the only billiard store in the Metro area but all they had were of the hard molded plastic inside top variety. I don't want that because I think that could scratch the cues or rip a wrap. I'm careful but I know accidents DO happen. I've gone online but I can't seen to find one without inconclusive desciptions. I'm leaning toward a Sterling 4x8 wheeled one but there are no pictures of the inside. Is it one tube with fabric deviders or is it 12 individual tubes? I would have thought someone would be making a case with a soft molded rubber top to both protect & hold the cues. The old Instroke owner is overseing production of the Sterlings. He seems to be using foam backed fabric to hold the cues, but as I mentioned the description does not give a complete picture & there are no pictures of the case opened. Any guidence will be appreciated & I thank you in advance.
This is the interior of the Sterling Rolling case.
It is constructed using a foam-core interior with 12 individual cavities each is lined with felt. That is then capped with a molded rubber piece that you can see. This rubber piece is semi-soft so that it will not harm the cue. It is also completely smooth. There is nothing in this interior that will scratch or harm your cue. John worked with the manufacturer to improve this interior as much as possible and still retain the same function. It is planned that some time in the future this interior will be changed to one of our JB Case interiors but that change has no set date. Further more we do not offer any type of retrofitting for this case to change it to our interior.
John has some ideas about ways you could alter the case yourself to have it hold the cues somewhat snugly which he will tell you if you contact him directly. Although this case will not retain the cues if inverted it does not allow the cues parts to clack against each other in transit. This is still not the level of protection that John feels should be present in every cue case made but according to John it is better built than similar looking cases made by other manufacturers. Or at least it was several years ago says John. Since he does not purchase cases from each manufacturer each year he doesn't really know exactly how any of the recent production by others is done.
Sterling Gaming also offers a full satisfaction guarantee should you receive this case and be unhappy with it's performance. Thank you for your interest in our cases.