Bent Pin!

Jeff

Jeff

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I saw a nice looking older Mali on ebay that I was thinking of bidding on, looked like it was in real nice shape, nice colors, etc.

I had to ask the guy twice before I got an answer if the cue had any wobble to it. I want the answer in print in case of any surprises later.

On the second question of any wobble, he tells me that the shaft and butt roll true apart but together there is a "small" wobble because the pin is bent a "little". Then he says that it could "probably" be fixed cheap.

Now there wasn't ANY mention of this in the ad of course......and at least he told me....even if it took a little prodding.

So just a reminder to not let your guard down when you are thinking of bidding on something because once you pay you really don't want any surprises when you open the box.
 
nick serdula said:
Repinning a cue is a low dollar fix.
Click to expand...

How much does it usually run? I think I might have a slightly bent pin in one of my cues - that's what I get for slamming the cue after missing :(
 
Pin

tsw_521 said:
How much does it usually run? I think I might have a slightly bent pin in one of my cues - that's what I get for slamming the cue after missing :(
Click to expand...

I had one replaced by the cuemaker who made the cue for what was a really low price.
It all depends whom you know...but he waived the fee because I bought a second shaft when I sent it in to him. Barry Cameron a really fine gentleman and fine cuemaker.
 
I guess it all depends on what the stick is worth. This is a stick that will probably sell for under $150. I was thinking of buying it for a teammate who doesn't have a lot of money (college). He asked me if I ran across one in his price range that was still a good looking stick, to pick it up for him.

It's not worth the time and effort to send it off for repairs when the buying price is that low.

But in the end, that is something you shouldn't have to drag out of a seller.
 
I would say that you should keep looking. Send money with someone who is going to Vegas for one of the national league tourneys... They can buy a Mali (new) for less than $150 there. I bought a one-of-a-kind Mali prototype that was beautiful for $125 a few years back. I gave it to a friend who had broken his Viking (a real accident) that year. It really picked him up and got him back into the game.
 
I like looking for the older vintage cues, especially Helmstetters. But I've seen nice old Mali's and Hueblers too. I would rather have them than the new ones being produced today.
 
changing pin taboo?

I thought changing the pin was the biggest no no. I didnt think that cuemakers ever recommended it. Im curious how common it is?
 
I changed pins out on cues before...I had a customer bring me a nice Sailor that looked like the pin had been slammed into concrete or something....sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do....;)
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It is not a big deal or very expensive for a really good cuesmith to do, but it should be done by a very experienced cuesmith who will also inspect the joint area for cracks, etc.
 
Here's a picture from the ad. Could that be straightened fairly easily?

Bent.JPG
 
Assuming there is no structural damage to the joint, the cuesmith would heat the pin to break it loose from the glue, and replace it with a new pin, reset in the joint in fresh epoxy. Actually, they don't straighten the pin, they replace it. Again, it depends on whether or not the lick that bent the pin did any deeper damage. If there is no more damage, then yes, they could fix what is in the photo. There are several cuemakers/repairers right here on AZB. If one is close to you, send it to them for inspection. Worst case scenario is that you have to pay some shipping to/from them.
 
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