Black linen thoughts

[macguy]

As a suggestion for the double black linen dilemma here is something I have been doing for years. I like to use the linen for joints because I believe it give extra strength, but I never liked the way it looks, I like the looks of natural wood collars.

What I do is sleeve the wood over the linen rod so I have the best of both worlds, some of the strength of the linen rod and the looks of the wood and it doesn't matter how crappie the linen rod looks, it's not seen. If you want black use ebony or you can use woods that match other design elements of the cue.

You can just buy linen rod from any supplier for a very reasonable price no need to pay a fortune for it. It doesn't have to be black either, in fact the natural looks better next to the maple although it is only seen from the end when the cue is apart.

Of course this is only good for original work and if you need to make a shaft for someone with linen collars you will have to match them. At least it does not leave you stuck without something to do on your own cues and the wood collars allow you to be a little more creative anyway.

If you create designs that don't depend on the black linen then who cares if they ever have it again, you are off in your own creative directions and not at the mercy of your suppliers. The flaws in the black linen only shows up in larger collars, it can still be used for the very thin rings and looks fine. Just some thoughts.

 

[Cue Crazy]

I've done a bacote sleeve over it before, but that was the original idea to use a wood joint, I sleeved over it to keep expansion from cracking the wood down the road, but also because I was curious how it would feel. The cue plays very well, in fact I could'nt put it down while testing it out on a few racks the first time.

The rings You are correct, they rarely have any issues. I guess because they are so thin that you just don't see it. Not really sure, but I know weave showing is not as much of an issue with rings.

I think Chris made some good points in the other thread, I have found a few ways of working around the problems also, and usually they work, but on rare ocasion I may cut a small piece off that wants to be more stuborn then usual. I feel that's to be expected with alot of materials though. You should see me in the hardware stores when I pick out wood

I have no problems with the supplier mentioned, Chad has always answered the tough questions when I asked, even when that meant me changing My mind about a material I was interested in. In turn, I have had nothing but good dealings with Him. I truelly believe He's doing what he can for us.