1st timer

[GoldCrown]

I assisted in a bunch of plastics work. Face, eyes, breast, butt.....not for me. I ended up headed for vascular surgery when I left to teach.

My dad was an anesthesiologist. His hobbies gravitated toward wood and leather. I gravitated toward engines, metal, and leather. Leather was where we came together. I grew up in a log cabin out in the woods, so the outdoors thing was a given. Guns, trees, anything to do with the land.

The hardest thing for me is time. I was helping manage a stroke in an ED online while identifying a cue in the main forum today. I am sitting at a computer, so I can do that.

Right now I am simply enjoying what you are doing. I am happy to see you do it.

It's 11:13PM and I am still working. Started at 7AM.

First thing. I want to thank the cuemakers that post here. Everything about them and their willingness to share. Without them
there is no us.

 

[DaveK]

That doesn’t sound right. Phenolic is made out of epoxy. ...

Not sure if me not being a cue maker leads me to misunderstand the terminology/descriptions, but phenolic resin is not the same as epoxy resin.

Epoxy vs Phenolic Resin: Key Differences, Applications, and Benefits

Epoxy resin and phenolic resin will be discussed regarding the differences between them, properties of the two, uses, and benefits in determining which one should be used.

elchemy.com

Like I say, might just be me misunderstanding the cue maker terminology but chemically they are not the same.

Dave

 

[SSDiver2112]

Not sure if me not being a cue maker leads me to misunderstand the terminology/descriptions, but phenolic resin is not the same as epoxy resin.

Epoxy vs Phenolic Resin: Key Differences, Applications, and Benefits

Epoxy resin and phenolic resin will be discussed regarding the differences between them, properties of the two, uses, and benefits in determining which one should be used.

elchemy.com

Like I say, might just be me misunderstanding the cue maker terminology but chemically they are not the same.

Dave

Thanks for this Dave,
Looks like I totally misunderstood this. I think I saw someone layering epoxy and linen for something and assumed this was the same thing.

 

[DeeDeeCues]

Not sure if me not being a cue maker leads me to misunderstand the terminology/descriptions, but phenolic resin is not the same as epoxy resin.

Epoxy vs Phenolic Resin: Key Differences, Applications, and Benefits

Epoxy resin and phenolic resin will be discussed regarding the differences between them, properties of the two, uses, and benefits in determining which one should be used.

elchemy.com

Like I say, might just be me misunderstanding the cue maker terminology but chemically they are not the same.

Dave

You are correct, but at this point it seems to be like calling all 'facial tissues', 'kleenex'. Phenolic resins were traditionally used to make laminated materials, generally as insulators. Micarta is the most famous brand name, and technically, saying, 'Westinghouse Micarta' is redundant. Using the term, 'Phenolic' in both knife-making and cue making (and I expect many other endeavors) is basically only referring to the end product, the laminated plastic/composite that is made into usable parts. Whether the product is epoxy bound, or phenolic bound is subject to who makes it.

This link explains the common usage in knife making: https://www.makermaterialsupply.com...1gzs8zz0NzxdL2AW9WEnFssiYvKwaNX1-Y0sL0zxfuGN2

Technically, it seems like most are simply purchasing 'fiber-reinforced plastic', which is an extremely encompassing term which would include fiberglass (which includes g10), CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic, or simply (and incorrectly), 'carbon fiber'), CEM (composite epoxy material), etc..

Due to the nature of cue and knife making, where the 'phenolic' or, 'micarta' are used, we generally aren't concerned about all the engineering properties that really make a difference--nobody is putting in a G10 pin or a 'micarta' ferrule for their electrical insulating properties, for instance. Mostly we are concerned with aesthetics since most reinforced plastics are strong and tough enough for our needs. I do have some paper based phenolic that I use which is definitely phenolic (makes a fishy smell when cutting), and it is brittle compared to CEM materials.

 

[DaveK]

You are correct, but at this point it seems to be like calling all 'facial tissues', 'kleenex'. ...

I agree in general, but just in case the properties (for example brittleness) are of interest it's best to know exactly what one is dealing with.

Dave

 

[DeeDeeCues]

I agree in general, but just in case the properties (for example brittleness) are of interest it's best to know exactly what one is dealing with.

Dave

Maybe, maybe not. The stuff I have that is brittle isn't so brittle that it is unusable, but I wouldn't make thin or sharp parts out of it. Perfectly adequate for a joint collar or bumper.

My point was more from the engineering perspective where I'm not going to do calculations based on the material properties. I'll turn a part and see if it holds up to reasonable abuse.