One of my customers bought a new Schon a few days ago,but asked me to change the ferrule from Ivorine-4 to real ivory,and wanted it turned down to 12.5 from 13mm. I tell him I can't actually cut it down but can sand it like that,he says that's ok with him.
I quote him a price,he agrees.
He asked me if I can have it ready by the next morning. I tell him no that won't work for me,I'm awake and want to hit some balls with it so I'll know it's right,have it ready TONIGHT. I left with it and started on it in 20 min.
I did it this way because I've started trying to pin down how long it takes me to do common processes like this,the same as mechanics,guitar shops,etc.
I've been wanting to actually use a stop watch,so I did. The top guns for doing tournament repairs can quote a specific time frame if you catch them at the right time,so I set myself a target,even factoring in drying time for the glue I decided to use.
I'm still an hour ahead of schedule,and I've got it screwed onto my Schon butt,admiring my work,I'm DONE,or so I thought.
After a pause for the cause I go back and measure everything again,and even though it was as nice as I could make it,I still haven't met his standard.
He asked for a 12.5 reduction,and I told him it might change the taper,he said try to keep it the same taper just make it smaller.
My finished product was way off. I only reduced the diameter at the ferrule .006,while maintaining taper and left no seam that could be felt,and due to no glue line you couldn't tell this wasn't the original ferrule.
I went back and redid it and got within .002 of my goal,still maintaning the profile.
It went back to as nice as I could make it,and still delivered on time.
Working time was under 2 hours
. Tommy D.