Becoming A Cuemaker

JMS

JMS

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have always wanted to make my own cue. I asked one local cuemaker (that I've known for about 2yrs) if I could help him out a couple times week. Hetold me I would just be in the way. I was just wondering to the cuemakers on here how did you guys get started? I have been looking into buying a Hightower Lathe just to do basic cues for now, but can I really learn from a book and DVDS?
 
I started by opening a can of worms then a pandora's box.
K, I apprenticed on and off for two years.
I brought in work, repair and orders for my mentor.
I swept the floor, vaccuumed and worked on the woods I bought.
Cut shafts till midnite sometimes.
 
I started by doing cue repairs on the 1 piece cheapies from my local watering hole with just hand tools for the most part. Then as I gained more experience, and money, and desire, bought a lathe, then a router, then a quick change toolpost, and so on and so forth. after 10 years of desire, I now have 3 lathes, 1 cnc inlay machine(still not setup yet), a variety of bandsaws, sanders, 3 routers toolpost mounted, about $2500 of wood, and mutilpule jigs for doing various types of repairs, cuts, etc.I also own Chris's book, 4 of His DVDs, also Barrenger's complete set of DVDs and have learned alot from all those.
I have only sold one cue as of now, but that's because I won't make, just to sell, it has to be as good as I can make it.
I have gone to my local repair guy and wanted to apprentice under him, but he got very defensive and rude. I then discovered this forum and now have dozens of mentors, rather than just one:thumbup: and they are willing to help, I think mainly, due to their own love of it, and the willingness to share it.
 
Last edited:
JMS said:
I have always wanted to make my own cue. I asked one local cuemaker (that I've known for about 2yrs) if I could help him out a couple times week. Hetold me I would just be in the way. I was just wondering to the cuemakers on here how did you guys get started? I have been looking into buying a Hightower Lathe just to do basic cues for now, but can I really learn from a book and DVDS?
Click to expand...

The best way to start is like with anything, at the bottom. The first thing you should learn to do is PROPERLY install tips. You do not need a lathe to do this, there are many methods, however, to start off and do a good job buy a Willard's Tip Machine. It will cost you around $350 new, and even when you buy a lathe it will still be a useful tool, for facing and trimming tips. Practice on your own cue first, and when you have mastered it start taking your little machine with you when you go out, and install tips for others in your area.

Also, if some one breaks a cue and throws it away, take it and disassemble it. It will give you an idea how cues go together, while the methods used may not be the way you would like to did it will give a reference point good or bad. I would also contact cue man here on the forum and buy either his book or his cue building DVD set. It will be very useful, and it should help you not to buy equipment you don't really need.

Hope this helps
 
As I always tell people who ask....buy Hightowers book & read it first. You'll either learn tons & get very excited....or realize its really not for you.;)
 
In this thread, I like that the emphasis is on learning, be it books, video or whatever. You can't have too much education. I'd go so far as to say that you might want to work in a machine shop for a year or 2 or get into a few semesters at a trade school for machining. That would be a solid foundation for all that comes after. Also, you need to learn about wood, all woods. You don't want to limit yourself by your lack of knowledge. There are a few posters here that have a combined knowledge of wood that is astonishing. My hat goes off to these guys.

If all you're looking to do is tips then the Willard may suffice.
My advice would be to add another $75 to the Willard's cost and buy one of the generic mini-lathes, 7x10, readily available from Harbour Freight and elsewhere. This machine allows you to not only do tips but ferrules as well and to make joint protectors, etc. Use some creativity to extend the ways of the machine and you can also clean shafts and perform turn-downs. If your ways' extension is done correctly you can wire-in a foot control and do wraps, both linen and leather. I'm not knocking the Willard but for another $75 you greatly increase the range of the tasks that you can perform. Also, the knowledge & experience that will be gained from the mini-lathe will easily carry-over when you decide to graduate to a real lathe. I've known Mike Stacey for many years. I watched him do repair at some pretty big tourneys at a place called Billy's in Fort Wayne with an extended mini many many years ago. The rest is history. Good Luck, KJ
 
There is a guy in NZ who makes cues using REWAREWA (Knightia excelsa).
He does not turn the shafts on a lathe, but hand works them.
The two piece cues are obviously faced in a lathe , and when pinned .
I have not seen a cue in person , but have seen pictures of them.
They do not say how they do it and get the cue straight, but the front shaft is not turned. Rewarewa is a funny wood to work with. If it gets hot while sanding or turning, it will move and stay warped.
But if you want to make a cue just for something to do and a hobby, go for it. Lots of skills will be learned in the process.
From metal turning to woodworking.
There are alot of good books on the subject, but it is not a cheap hobby to get into.
Sounds like you really want to do it. Contact one of the cuemaking lathe people, buy there book, read it, then make your decisions. Books are cheap compared to the outlay for machinery, and then you will be getting what is apropriate for you.
I am sure the guys selling the lathes, would not put you wrong in setting up something for your needs.
There is alot of good advice in other threads here as well.
Have fun, hope you get the pleasure of building your own cue and playing well with it. If the 1st cue is no good, then you will have learnt what not to do, and improve for the next one.
Neil
 
JMS said:
I have always wanted to make my own cue. I asked one local cuemaker (that I've known for about 2yrs) if I could help him out a couple times week. Hetold me I would just be in the way. I was just wondering to the cuemakers on here how did you guys get started? I have been looking into buying a Hightower Lathe just to do basic cues for now, but can I really learn from a book and DVDS?
Click to expand...
I bought a Mike G lathe in 1994. Did a lot of reading and then bought a Enco lathe later that year. And started experimenting with building cues. I was fortunate enought to Move to Springfield Mo and met Andy Gilbert! He was kind enough to teach me and pay me at the same time. So I learned a large amount about the building process from Andy. The rest is trial and error! I have owned a couple of machines from Chris H. also. They are very good machines. I now have several machines from Jet to Enco to one still one of Chris's machines and a gorton 3U. Everytime I buy something new I have to learn more.
 
patrickcues said:
I bought a Mike G lathe in 1994. Did a lot of reading and then bought a Enco lathe later that year. And started experimenting with building cues. I was fortunate enought to Move to Springfield Mo and met Andy Gilbert! He was kind enough to teach me and pay me at the same time. So I learned a large amount about the building process from Andy. The rest is trial and error! I have owned a couple of machines from Chris H. also. They are very good machines. I now have several machines from Jet to Enco to one still one of Chris's machines and a gorton 3U. Everytime I buy something new I have to learn more.
Click to expand...
\

I was fortunate enought to Move to Springfield Mo and met Andy Gilbert! He was kind enough to teach me and pay me at the same time. So I learned a large amount about the building process from Andy.

You were very fortunate indeed, Andy is certainly one of the best around, and one hell of a nice guy to boot. Many would do anything to be lucky!!

Take Care
 
manwon said:
\

I was fortunate enought to Move to Springfield Mo and met Andy Gilbert! He was kind enough to teach me and pay me at the same time. So I learned a large amount about the building process from Andy.

You were very fortunate indeed, Andy is certainly one of the best around, and one hell of a nice guy to boot. Many would do anything to be lucky!!

Take Care
Click to expand...
I agree totally! Andy is a great person. Still to this day we are very good friends.
 
patrickcues said:
I agree totally! Andy is a great person. Still to this day we are very good friends.
Click to expand...
I miss the days of living in Missouri, but not enough to move back. I took Andy to his first trade show and let him put some cues in my booth. His cues caught on right away and he has been non stop ever since. The poor guy had to put up with my ultra loud snoring the whole trip. He is a great guy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top