American Cuemakers Association Membership

[bob c]

Either Billiards Digest or Pool & Billiards Magazine recently ran an article that contained a membership roster for the American Cuemakers Association. I was puzzled by the lack of representation by so many of today's cue makers.

A surprising number of our most respected cue makers did not seem to be on the list including: Searing, Bender, Wayne, Stroud, Hercek, Mottey, Gold, Showman, Black, Kikel and many, many more. The Blue Book Cues lists hundreds of makers yet there seem to be fewer than 70 or 80 on the roster. Some of these cue makers may be represented by a name on the list with which I am not familiar, but nonetheless these omissions are a source of bewilderment to me.

Why do so many of today?s most notable cue makers fail to support their organization?

Here is the list of their members as shown on the ACA web site today:

AE Cues
Barnhart Cues
Bella Sera Custom Cues
Bill Schick Originals
Blackcreek Custom Cues
Capone Custom Cues
Coker Cues
Cue and Cushion Billiards
Dan Dishaw Custom Cues
Dayton Cues
DP Custom Cues
Espiritu Custom Cues
Ginacue
Gilbert Custom Cues
Hunter Classics Custom Cues
Jackson Custom Cues
Jacoby Custom Cues
Jerry Olivier Custom Cues
Jim Buss Custom Cues
John Madden Custom Cues
Josey Custom Cues
Joss Cues Ltd.
J. Pechauer Custom Cues
Klein Custom Cues
M. Stacey Custom Cues
McWorter Cues
Mueller Recreational Products
Nitti Cues
Prather Cues
Richard Chudy Custom Cues
Reeves Custom Cues
Ron Haley Handmade Cues
Samsara Cues
Schuler Cue, Inc.
Sherm Cues
Showcase Custom Cues
Shurtz Custom Cues Inc.
South West Cues
Szamboti Cues, Inc.
Tim Scruggs Custom Cues, Inc.
Tonkin Custom Cues, Inc.
TT Custom Cues, Inc.
Woodworth Cues

Bob

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

Their Web-Site answer most questions about ACA.

 

[bob c]

Their Web-Site answer most questions about ACA.

I noticed on the web site that there are some restrictions relative to involvement with foreign cue making activities, the submission of a cue and a $300 membership fee, but certainly there must be some other compelling issues that limit the membership so drastically.

From the ACA web site:

"Voting Membership is restricted to cuemakers whose primary occupation is making cues (or whose company makes cues) wholly within the fifty states of the United States of America. Cuemakers who make cues outside of the United States, or use parts (other than raw materials) imported from outside the United States are not eligible. Cuemakers importing cues sold under their name are not eligible. Cuemakers providing design, construction, procedural or equipment consultation to foreign cuemakers, or in anyway aiding in the manufacturing process of cues outside the United States, are not eligible. A sample cue (see requirements below) must also be submitted and given a full acceptance by the Membership Committee. Exceptions can be made by the Board of Directors for cuemakers whose past and current contribution to cue making, make a sample cue unnecessary. This membership status is the only membership allowed to vote or hold office."

Bob

 

[worriedbeef]

i don't know anything about this subject so apologies if this is a noobish question.

but is there any benefit, any point to being in the ACA? maybe many cuemakers simply haven't bothered to join because they don't really feel the need.

 

[ratcues]

I've heard that people don't want to jon or leave the association because of politics within. I've never seen it but I don't really get involved. Muellers is in the ACA which indirectly includes me.

One benefit is legitimacy. Another is shared knowledge. Discounts on booth space always helps.

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

I noticed on the web site that there are some restrictions relative to involvement with foreign cue making activities, the submission of a cue and a $300 membership fee, but certainly there must be some other compelling issues that limit the membership so drastically.

From the ACA web site:

"Voting Membership is restricted to cuemakers whose primary occupation is making cues (or whose company makes cues) wholly within the fifty states of the United States of America. Cuemakers who make cues outside of the United States, or use parts (other than raw materials) imported from outside the United States are not eligible. Cuemakers importing cues sold under their name are not eligible. Cuemakers providing design, construction, procedural or equipment consultation to foreign cuemakers, or in anyway aiding in the manufacturing process of cues outside the United States, are not eligible. A sample cue (see requirements below) must also be submitted and given a full acceptance by the Membership Committee. Exceptions can be made by the Board of Directors for cuemakers whose past and current contribution to cue making, make a sample cue unnecessary. This membership status is the only membership allowed to vote or hold office."

Bob

I am sure if you were really curious a phone call to an ACA Officer would answer all your questions.

 

[ShootingArts]

membership and two bucks for a cup of coffee

Two reasons for lack of membership, both already given. Politics and return on time and money invested. I'm not speaking of the ACA in particular here, however speaking of all business associations in general, most do very little good for the average member. I have occasionally joined organizations over the years. I have yet to find one that wasn't a net drain of money and time. Maybe there were real benefits to belonging but most successful business people don't have the time or need to take advantage of the benefits so they find themselves just donating yearly dues for little or no return.

I don't belong to the BBB, the Chamber or Commerce, or the other seemingly 743 organizations that want a piece of my profits. Why? That is to improve their bottom line! I am more concerned with improving mine. Keeping a thousand or so of net profit by not joining every organization that someone thinks I should belong to is one way of doing it.

I once passed out over a thousand a month in memberships and charitable donations. I soon realized that the memberships had less value to me than soft toilet paper and the people with the charities weren't satisfied with my money but demanded my time also. I shut down all memberships and all but two charities that I supported in or out of business. Result: Instant increased net of over $15,000 a year and a savings of a full day a week of my personal hours.

Memberships alone can nickel and dime a business to death. We all draw our own lines as to how many we join if any. Looking at membership in any group or association as a way to judge a business is a bad idea. Membership gives a new business instant credibility with the people that don't look closely so they are likely to proudly display and advertise memberships. Older solid businesses don't need and often don't have time to be bothered with memberships so they are the ones least likely to be members of this and that.

Hu

Either Billiards Digest or Pool & Billiards Magazine recently ran an article that contained a membership roster for the American Cuemakers Association. I was puzzled by the lack of representation by so many of today's cue makers.

A surprising number of our most respected cue makers did not seem to be on the list including: Searing, Bender, Wayne, Stroud, Hercek, Mottey, Gold, Showman, Black, Kikel and many, many more. The Blue Book Cues lists hundreds of makers yet there seem to be fewer than 70 or 80 on the roster. Some of these cue makers may be represented by a name on the list with which I am not familiar, but nonetheless these omissions are a source of bewilderment to me.

Why do so many of today?s most notable cue makers fail to support their organization?

Here is the list of their members as shown on the ACA web site today:

AE Cues
Barnhart Cues
Bella Sera Custom Cues
Bill Schick Originals
Blackcreek Custom Cues
Capone Custom Cues
Coker Cues
Cue and Cushion Billiards
Dan Dishaw Custom Cues
Dayton Cues
DP Custom Cues
Espiritu Custom Cues
Ginacue
Gilbert Custom Cues
Hunter Classics Custom Cues
Jackson Custom Cues
Jacoby Custom Cues
Jerry Olivier Custom Cues
Jim Buss Custom Cues
John Madden Custom Cues
Josey Custom Cues
Joss Cues Ltd.
J. Pechauer Custom Cues
Klein Custom Cues
M. Stacey Custom Cues
McWorter Cues
Mueller Recreational Products
Nitti Cues
Prather Cues
Richard Chudy Custom Cues
Reeves Custom Cues
Ron Haley Handmade Cues
Samsara Cues
Schuler Cue, Inc.
Sherm Cues
Showcase Custom Cues
Shurtz Custom Cues Inc.
South West Cues
Szamboti Cues, Inc.
Tim Scruggs Custom Cues, Inc.
Tonkin Custom Cues, Inc.
TT Custom Cues, Inc.
Woodworth Cues

Bob

 

[CrownCityCorey]

Either Billiards Digest or Pool & Billiards Magazine recently ran an article that contained a membership roster for the American Cuemakers Association. I was puzzled by the lack of representation by so many of today's cue makers.

A surprising number of our most respected cue makers did not seem to be on the list including: Searing, Bender, Wayne, Stroud, Hercek, Mottey, Gold, Showman, Black, Kikel and many, many more. The Blue Book Cues lists hundreds of makers yet there seem to be fewer than 70 or 80 on the roster. Some of these cue makers may be represented by a name on the list with which I am not familiar, but nonetheless these omissions are a source of bewilderment to me.

Why do so many of today?s most notable cue makers fail to support their organization?

Here is the list of their members as shown on the ACA web site today:

AE Cues
Barnhart Cues
Bella Sera Custom Cues
Bill Schick Originals
Blackcreek Custom Cues
Capone Custom Cues
Coker Cues
Cue and Cushion Billiards
Dan Dishaw Custom Cues
Dayton Cues
DP Custom Cues
Espiritu Custom Cues
Ginacue
Gilbert Custom Cues
Hunter Classics Custom Cues
Jackson Custom Cues
Jacoby Custom Cues
Jerry Olivier Custom Cues
Jim Buss Custom Cues
John Madden Custom Cues
Josey Custom Cues
Joss Cues Ltd.
J. Pechauer Custom Cues
Klein Custom Cues
M. Stacey Custom Cues
McWorter Cues
Mueller Recreational Products
Nitti Cues
Prather Cues
Richard Chudy Custom Cues
Reeves Custom Cues
Ron Haley Handmade Cues
Samsara Cues
Schuler Cue, Inc.
Sherm Cues
Showcase Custom Cues
Shurtz Custom Cues Inc.
South West Cues
Szamboti Cues, Inc.
Tim Scruggs Custom Cues, Inc.
Tonkin Custom Cues, Inc.
TT Custom Cues, Inc.
Woodworth Cues

Bob

Politics has the most to do with why some are not members.

P.S. Add Tiger Products/Cues to the ACA Member list

 

[Cornerman]

Either Billiards Digest or Pool & Billiards Magazine recently ran an article that contained a membership roster for the American Cuemakers Association.

I don't know about the others, but I'm fairly certain that InsidePOOL Magazine ran an article on the ACA.

I was puzzled by the lack of representation by so many of today's cue makers.

Being a member of the ACA isn't advantageous to many cuemakers, while it is very advantageous to others. Only the cuemaker can decide whether or not being a part of the Association would be beneficial.

Fred <~~~ okay, more than "fairly certain"

 

[rhncue]

My ex partner joined the ACA in 1994 and has tried to talk me into joining for a number of years after that. Since that time it has become slightly harder to be accepted into the org. but still to this day, if you can't build a cue that meets their specifications for membership, you shouldn't be selling your cues as you need more experience.

At the time of his acceptance, I asked him what you got for 300.00 a year and his response was that they pushed cue making as an art and membership gave you some credibility with customers and you could use their emblem. I told him I could see where that would help the top cue makers but I don't care about making real fancy cues to hang in galleries.

Some of the better known cue makers belonged to the org. in the past but have since dropped out for a number of reasons. Complaints for bad business ethics, internal squabbling, being pushed into spending to much money doing shows and to few benefits for money spent to name a few. I'm sure there are some who have benefited from the ACA but I would rather swim or drown on my own merits.

Dick

 

[Snapshot9]

One of our other

cuemakers here, Dennis Cash of Cash Cues is not in the ACA, but is in the ICA (International Cuemakers Association), so you might take that group into consideration also.

http://www.internationalcuemakers.com/

Cuemaker and Repairman Members:

Abe Rich/Star Cue

Axia Cue Repairs

Bob Meucci

Brantley's Cues

Cameron Cues

Carter Custom Cues

Cash Custom Cues

CB Custom Cues

Chris' Cues

C K Custom Cues and Repairs

Crown Cues

CSL Sasaki Cue

Cues By Dave Sucher

Cues By W. Zincavage

David Hunter

Denali Pool Cues

Dieckman, Cue Builder

Gardner Billiards Company

Gorbenko Andrey

Greg's Kues

Hightower Custom Cues

Jack Flanagan

JAM Sticks

Jerico Cues

Jim Six

J L Custom Cues

JLC John LaLonde Cues

Ken Kirchner Custom Cues

K. F. Cues

King's Custom Cue Repairs

KnobbyCue

Layani Cues

Lebow Custom Cues

L. G's Cue Repair

Lomax Custom Cues and Repairs

Longoni Cues

Mark Smith Custom Cues

Meucci Originals

Myron 808 Custom cues

Nelson Custom Cues

Norman Custom Cues

Norwela Cues

Paul Harrison Custom Cues

PFD Studios

Phillips Custom Cues

Que Perfect Cues

Raven Custom Cues

Rocket Cues

Roger Stempel Cues

Schrager Cues

Sneaky Pete Custom Q's and Repair

South East Cues

South West Cues

S & S Cues

Star Cue/Abe Rich

Tad's Custom Cue

The Cue Masters

Ting Custom Cues

Triple Cross Cues

True Heart Billiard Cues

TT Custom Cues

Waldo's Cue Repair

Zac Cues

Zimmerman Custom Cues "ZCC"

See Below for Contact Information:

Apprentice Members:

Alan Scrivner

Mireles Cues



Check Out Our

Advertising Sponsors

*See below for complete member contact information*

At the bottom of each members contact information you will find their membership title, the year they started building or repairing cues regularly, starting price of their cues and year they became an ICA member.

Supplier/Merchant Members:

Bell Forest Products (Wood Supplier)

Cue Man Billiard Products (Cue Machinery and Cue Parts Supplier)

Masecraft Supply Company (Inlay Material Supplier)

Sticks By Six (Wood Supplier/Merchant)

Wood River Veneer Inc. (Dyed Veneer Supplier)

SEE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ABOVE COMPANIES!

Associate Members:

Howard Rich / Richwood Turning & Stairworks Inc.

Cue-Collector Members:

Chris Hightower

Check Out Our

Advertising Sponsors



Regional Directors:

Chris Hightower International Director

Barry Cameron Northeastern USA Director

Dennis Dieckman Midwestern USA Director



Membership Levels:

Cue-Maker: Members with at least one years experience in making quality cues on a regular basis and are currently hands on cuemakers. Must submit pictures or actual cues for ICA quality assurance.

Cue Manufacturer: Must have been in business manufacturing cues for at least five years and have at least 5 employees. Must submit pictures or actual cues for ICA quality assurance.

Cue-Repairman: This level will include those who primarily repair cues and possibly build extra shafts and may only occasionally do lower level cuemaking.

Apprentice: This level is for those who have less than one year experience in repairs and cuemaking or who have not supplied examples of quality work for determining they have earned the title: Cuemaker or Cue-Repairman.

Supplier/Merchant: Suppliers are those who sell products pertaining to cue making or the cuemaking industry. Merchants are those who manufacture or sell other billiard related or non-related items.

Associate Member: These are members who just want to support our association and participate as non-voting members. Examples are Authors, Cue Collectors, Pool Room Owners, Magazine Editors and any one else who is interested in cuemaking .

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

Being a member of the ACA isn't advantageous to many cuemakers, while it is very advantageous to others. Only the cuemaker can decide whether or not being a part of the Association would be beneficial.

Well said.

 

[bob c]

Politics has the most to do with why some are not members.

P.S. Add Tiger Products/Cues to the ACA Member list

The header was lost in the cut & paste. This list is only comprised of voting members which, I believe, are all cuemakers. I did not list the Merchandising or Associate members. Sorry for the confusion.

Bob

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

The header was lost in the cut & paste. This list is only comprised of voting members which, I believe, are all cuemakers. I did not list the Merchandising or Associate members. Sorry for the confusion.

Bob

I was not confused.

Also when the Japanese were buying lots of cue some of them leaned toward ACA Member as it gave the Cue more status with the Janpnese buyer/collectors.

 

[geocheren]

internal politics is definitely one of the reasons why cuemaker either dont want to join, or drop out.

 

[d_flash]

Why do so many of today?s most notable cue makers fail to support their organization?

who said it was "their" organization. it is an organization, no more, no less. it's not like a union shop where everyone has to join to work. thank goodness that we are free to join whatever groups/organizations that we choose.

most if not all trades have a variety of organization to choose from. some organizations make their requirements too strict so that they can (1) deny membership to some, (2) control their group in some perverse way, by limiting what members can or cannot do, or (3) try to project to others that they are a be-all-elitest organization and all others sell only inferior products.

in my life, I've found that # (1) is the primary goal/function of most of these type groups.

....my Wednesday night rant,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, goodnight and may the group that you want to join deny you membership and you become successful without any group membership.

 

[cueandcushion]

Since I see Jim Buss on a regular basis I probably know some of the behind the scenes part of the organization. All cuemakers have to submit a cue for examination that is made from scratch to determine a certain level of craftsmanship. They also have to abide by a set of rules of ethics when dealing with customers. I know Jim Buss has personally went to bat for customers that were not his in order to solve an issue with an ACA member. I am sure there are politics involved and a difference of opinions of what should be there mission in the industry. Overall they work hard to keep cues being made in America. They work hard to keep the level of quality high. They work hard to install confidence in the buying public when dealing with their members. I am sure that not all cuemakers think it is right for them, depending on your income or business model. But I do believe they have the right idea to organize and promote quality in the industry and to promote pool in general. Jim Buss is also starting a website just for Saint Louis Pool to promote tournaments. They (ACA) are doing a lot more right than wrong for the sport of pool.

Its just a set of links right now but www.stlpool.com

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

I think $300.00/year is a small investment in a cue builders business, and if I was a cue builder I would try, and join ACA.

 

[bob c]

I think $300.00/year is a small investment in a cue builders business, and if I was a cue builder I would try, and join ACA.

What about $1,500 the first year and $500 a year for the next ten years?

I just received the April, 2008 issue of "Pool & Billiard" magazine and in the 3rd part of a 3 part article on the ACA it says:

"Many members wanted to see more rigid standards in place before 'any old cuemaker' could call himself an ACA cuemaker. As a result, a motion was passed requiring aspiring new ACA members to pay a $1,000 initial application fee and a $500 a year dues for the first ten years, as opposed to the grandfathered rate of $300 for existing members. In addition, cuemakers wanting an ACA membership won't get it right away. A cuemaker must be sponsored (spoken for) by at least two existing ACA members, and submit to a two year probationary period, during which current members can evaluate the product and character of the potential new member."

Bob C

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

What about $1,500 the first year and $500 a year for the next ten years?

I just received the April, 2008 issue of "Pool & Billiard" magazine and in the 3rd part of a 3 part article on the ACA it says:

"Many members wanted to see more rigid standards in place before 'any old cuemaker' could call himself an ACA cuemaker. As a result, a motion was passed requiring aspiring new ACA members to pay a $1,000 initial application fee and a $500 a year dues for the first ten years, as opposed to the grandfathered rate of $300 for existing members. In addition, cuemakers wanting an ACA membership won't get it right away. A cuemaker must be sponsored (spoken for) by at least two existing ACA members, and submit to a two year probationary period, during which current members can evaluate the product and character of the potential new member."

Bob C

PRESS NEVER GETS ANYTHING RIGHT


http://www.cuemakers.org/aca-mr.htm



ACA Membership Details



PURPOSE OF THE AMERICAN CUEMAKER?S ASSOCIATION


The American Cuemakers Association was founded in 1992 to promote the American made Cue as a unique art form. In order to preserve the public?s respect for the quality of work performed and the professionalism by members of the ACA, certain minimum membership requirements are necessary. Not all cuemaker members need to be able to make cues valued at thousands of dollars. All applicants do, however, need to be able to produce a quality cue that meets the minimum standards of the association, and to conduct themselves and their business in a professional and ethical manner.


MEMBERSHIP CLASSES


Voting Membership is restricted to cuemakers whose primary occupation is making cues (or whose company makes cues) wholly within the fifty states of the United States of America. Cuemakers who make cues outside of the United States, or use parts (other than raw materials) imported from outside the United States are not eligible. Cuemakers importing cues sold under their name are not eligible. Cuemakers providing design, construction, procedural or equipment consultation to foreign cuemakers, or in anyway aiding in the manufacturing process of cues outside the United States, are not eligible. A sample cue (see requirements below) must also be submitted and given a full acceptance by the Membership Committee. Exceptions can be made by the Board of Directors for cuemakers whose past and current contribution to cue making, make a sample cue unnecessary. This membership status is the only membership allowed to vote or hold office.


Merchandising Membership is restricted to individuals or companies doing business in the Billiard industry, but who are not cuemakers.* This would include, but not be limited to, American case makers, cue material suppliers, resellers of American made cues (not necessarily exclusively), collectors of American cues (not necessarily exclusively), billiard associations, billiard equipment manufacturers, billiard publications, tournament promoters etc.* The Board of Directors can accept others if they feel it is of benefit to the ACA.


*


All membership types are allowed to come to meetings and/or express their ideas at any time.* .


*


CUEMAKER MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS


An application must be completed and accompanied by a check for $300. If membership is accepted, this check will be used for the first year?s dues. If membership is denied, the check will be returned.

A sample cue must be submitted to the Membership Committee at one of the events where the majority of the membership committee will be in attendance. Currently, this includes the Allen Hopkins Super Billiard Expo and the BCA Trade Show. To be accepted, at least 4 members from the Committee must judge the cue. The cue must have at least (1) a minimum of four ?V-bottom? points with at least 3 true veneers, (2) inlays in the forearm and butt with at least 4 being multi layered, (3) ring work in the joint, forearm and butt, (4) an Irish linen or leather wrap, and (5) a butt cap and bumper. All work must be done by the cuemaker in the United States. Only raw materials as defined below may be purchased.* Pre-assembled parts or kits will be strictly prohibited. The Committee will not be judging the visual design, but only the construction and workmanship.

The cue will be returned to the applicant after judging along with feedback from the Membership Committee. If the cue receives full acceptance, the applicant will become a member in accordance with membership status requirements. If the cue does not meet the full requirements of the committee, the applicant's money will be refunded along with his cue.


NOTE! In special cases where the Board of Directors is familiar with a cuemaker's work and ability, the cuemaker may be granted membership without having to go through the judging of his cue. These applications will be handled on a case by case basis.


DEFINITIONS


Raw materials: Items used in the making of cues. These include natural materials such as wood, ivory, metals, shells and stones, as well as basic manufactured items such as brass inserts, joint pins, rubber bumpers, tips, linen, leather, metal rings, glues, plastics, phenolics, finishes etc. These manufactured items are typically one piece and commonly purchased by custom cuemakers.