Best way to hang shafts?

T

tg_vegas

Well-known member
If I'm hanging shafts from the tip end using small eye screws, I end up with holes (obviously). I'm trying to get to 30" finished length shafts and don't like the hole in the tip end from the eye screws while the shafts hang between turns.

Any secrets to solve this one?
 
You can buy rubber tips like they use for canes in most hardware stores. They fit snug over the tip and you can use a spring clamp attached to the rubber tip along with a loop of string to hang the shafts.
 
Double stacked milk cartons (found most of mine at garage sales) with the right sized holes work nice. I put a solid bottom on them. They hold quite a few shafts. Easy to move around when you need to cut shafts or do some joint/ferrule work. And you don't have to mess around hooks, clamps or anything else. Just drop 'em in and go.
 
You can also rack them
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20220221_000005286.jpg
    IMG_20220221_000005286.jpg
    181.6 KB · Views: 120
That rack looks like a great solution. However, given my low volume, it would be a waste of space and money for me. I was going by a recommendationon this forum to hang the shafts from the tip end with small hooks to minimize movement over the OD reduction and drying processes.

I'm starting with 1-1/4" squares and am very much a rookie so anything I think I know, is only what I've learned here. I have about 15 shafts turned in various states right now, a few of which are exotic woods that I'm very excited about. It's hard to turn them and then wait weeks to turn them again, and repeat, repeat, repeat..... part of the game I guess, patience has never heen part of my DNA.
 
tg_vegas said:
That rack looks like a great solution. However, given my low volume, it would be a waste of space and money for me. I was going by a recommendationon this forum to hang the shafts from the tip end with small hooks to minimize movement over the OD reduction and drying processes.

I'm starting with 1-1/4" squares and am very much a rookie so anything I think I know, is only what I've learned here. I have about 15 shafts turned in various states right now, a few of which are exotic woods that I'm very excited about. It's hard to turn them and then wait weeks to turn them again, and repeat, repeat, repeat..... part of the game I guess, patience has never heen part of my DNA.
Click to expand...
Hanging does not minimize movement.
Hanging was done to save space.
If you're starting with 1 1/4 square , you have a ton to cut. You also have a great chance to follow the grains and manually center them according to grain direction.
 
tg_vegas said:
That rack looks like a great solution. However, given my low volume, it would be a waste of space and money for me. I was going by a recommendationon this forum to hang the shafts from the tip end with small hooks to minimize movement over the OD reduction and drying processes.

I'm starting with 1-1/4" squares and am very much a rookie so anything I think I know, is only what I've learned here. I have about 15 shafts turned in various states right now, a few of which are exotic woods that I'm very excited about. It's hard to turn them and then wait weeks to turn them again, and repeat, repeat, repeat..... part of the game I guess, patience has never heen part of my DNA.
Click to expand...
That's part of the game. When you get the woods you have turned down around half way to finish size, buy some more and get them in rotation.
If you want to build cues, you can never have too much wood. It's just impossible ;)
Even if you have limited space to deal with you'll be thinking out of the box on how to store it. (it'll be in boxes under your bed, sitting the corner of your dining room, on the top shelves in your wife's closet. Just tell her it's a valentines day gift for next year :unsure:)
From the time I started building to now, I've seen supplies dwindle drastically. I've seen suppliers disappear because of it.
I used to be able to walk into one of my wood suppliers and pick thru 100's and 100's of Tulip and King and Coco squares that would cost $12-14 each. It's all but a distant dream now! And it's not going to get any better for the guys just starting out.
Shaft wood is no different. Think about it. How long is going to take to down your 15 shafts? You need to be buying shafts in groups where you are throwing out 15 because they aren't worthy.
You should be looking and buying and dreaming of wood every spare minute you have. If you're not doing that, you're not a cue builder! :cool:
patience has never been part of my DNA.
Click to expand...
You better make it part of your dna if you want to build cues. Nothing good comes from getting in a hurry.
Two of the hardest things in building cues....learning how to keep a 30" dowel straight when cutting it down to 1/2" in diameter and having patience!
 
Patience is by far the hardest thing for me to overcome. Watching glue/epoxy dry is miserably long, thankfully I'm just busy enough to have 3 or 4 projects drying in order
 
PracticeChampion said:
Patience is by far the hardest thing for me to overcome. Watching glue/epoxy dry is miserably long, thankfully I'm just busy enough to have 3 or 4 projects drying in order
Click to expand...
It's hard when getting started in your new found hobby. This is why you need more than one or two projects happening at the same time.
Buy wood! When your glue is drying, you are preparing for the next 2 projects and the next 2 and the next 2.
Glue it and forget about it while you're prepping for the next.
Pretty soon you'll no longer have time to clean your shop and you'll be a real cue builder! ;)
 
Thanks for the insight, I am already experiencing some of what you guys are saying. It seems that you're either all-in, or not-in, when it comes to cue building. Not much chance to "dabble" in it and be successful, if generating an income is your goal. I do find the projects therapeutic though, it is quite satisfying to see the work develop and finally take a cue to the table and play with something you made from simple blocks of wood. I know that I'll never get to the level that you guys are at, this is simply a hobby for me, and it comes at a cost. I appreciate your advice and insight, honestly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top