Blanks...

tank69

tank69

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
So I have my list of things to buy at the SBE and I'm really want to buy some blanks. Hightower has some nice ones, good price also, as does Prather. So I have some questions for those that have taken on a "blank" project.

Are most blanks at a size where I can finish with sandpaper or do I need a taper cutting system?

Most blanks are 30". I take it I would cut to size if I wanted to install a butt cap, steel/ivory joint, joint collars, etc.?

Are they pretty much, do as you please? Leather wrap, no wrap, angel wing wraps? No joint? No buttcap or fancy buttcap? Maybe throw in some pre made ringwork?

I'm assuming I can purchase in "near ready" shaft, finish it, ferrule it and match it up and I'm ready to rock?

Balance and Weight...I'd like to make it as forward balanced as possible...maybe biting off more than I handle, but is there some process/equation or is it more of trial and error?

As for finishing, I'm going to use automotive clear...A benefit of having a very good friend who owns a body shop.
 
Don't plan on anything almost cut almost to size. Needing only sanding. Most leave plenty of room for the person doing the conversion to put their taper on it.

Larry
 
I bought a blank from cue components and it was almost a log! My cue maker had to turn it down quite a bit. It worked out for the better because that gave him some room to straighten it out and get the points pretty even.
 
When buying a blank you should acutally want it to be oversized. As stated in earlier posts you have room to even the points up, put your own taper on it, and add inlays if you want. So yes you would need a "taper cutting system". If you get one at finished size there is little to no room for error, unless you want a large fancy pencil.:eek: Schmelke has some blanks also. Good luck. Post pics when you get done. I always like to see other peoples work.
 
Bring your moisture meter and calipers with you.:D
Check the center holes, they might look funny.

Also, sorry but, you should have your own taper.
Find old house cues and start cutting them and keep making dust.
 
I may have to stick to converting one piece cues for the time being...Seems this may be a bit more than I can handle at the moment. OOOORRRRR...I buy something I can taper with! :)

I do plan on doing some more conversions over the next few months, it's great practice, and then moving onto blanks. Still gotta get a tapering system...I really like that CNC deal Todd has...Anyone have that?
 
JoeyInCali said:
Also, sorry but, you should have your own taper.
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That's exactly why I haven't even "attempted" to even start to build a cue. The lack of equipment........ oh yea......... and the lack of ALOT of knowledge. :wink:


I'm a little surprised at the amount of people that go buy a lathe and expect to start BUILDING cues right away, with the lack of experience, the lack of equipment, and the lack of knowledge to do it. I for one, know I don't have the right equipment, the experience, or the knowledge to BUILD cues as of right now. I've still gotta cut my teeth doing repairs for right now.
 
If you want to buy a butt blank and cut it down with a straight taper there's no need for a "tapering system"- just offset your tailstock.
There are a number of vendors out there who sell "finish" sized shafts. that you can just blend the joint and sand as desired.
Of course, it is better to cut the wood to size and minimize sanding, but if you're just trying to get started and figure out if you like converting cues, it'll let you try it out with a minimum of tooling cost.
 
Dirtbmw20 said:
That's exactly why I haven't even "attempted" to even start to build a cue. The lack of equipment........ oh yea......... and the lack of ALOT of knowledge. :wink:


I'm a little surprised at the amount of people that go buy a lathe and expect to start BUILDING cues right away, with the lack of experience, the lack of equipment, and the lack of knowledge to do it. I for one, know I don't have the right equipment, the experience, or the knowledge to BUILD cues as of right now. I've still gotta cut my teeth doing repairs for right now.
Click to expand...

What makes you assume I don't have the knowledge? Where did i say i was going to build cues? My process seems viable, convert some house cues, do some blanks and then maybe tackle a "full" build. I knew what I was getting into and yes, I know what I can and can't do with the lathe I have....hence the questions. I'm an engineer by trade, maybe OCD to a point, so I tend to ask more questions than needed. Now that I have my answers, I know the approach.

My father was a master machinist for 40+ years and I was lucky to grow up in his shop. By 13. I was machining and turning my own motorcycle parts and helping him fabricate and machine parts for the mining industry. Granted, I haven't done anything major in 15 years, I do feel I'm ahead of the game.

I don't expect anything, but I have the time, money and knowledge to figure it out. Will any of my cues ever be sold? Probably not because I'm not it in for that. I'm doing this mostly as another hobby and mainly because my father and I had talked a out doing it a few years ago as a father/son hobby. He unexpectedly passed away 13 months ago, so I'm going at it solo.
 
tank69 said:
What makes you assume I don't have the knowledge? Where did i say i was going to build cues? My process seems viable, convert some house cues, do some blanks and then maybe tackle a "full" build. I knew what I was getting into and yes, I know what I can and can't do with the lathe I have....hence the questions. I'm an engineer by trade, maybe OCD to a point, so I tend to ask more questions than needed. Now that I have my answers, I know the approach.

My father was a master machinist for 40+ years and I was lucky to grow up in his shop. By 13. I was machining and turning my own motorcycle parts and helping him fabricate and machine parts for the mining industry. Granted, I haven't done anything major in 15 years, I do feel I'm ahead of the game.

I don't expect anything, but I have the time, money and knowledge to figure it out. Will any of my cues ever be sold? Probably not because I'm not it in for that. I'm doing this mostly as another hobby and mainly because my father and I had talked a out doing it a few years ago as a father/son hobby. He unexpectedly passed away 13 months ago, so I'm going at it solo.
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Tank..... with all due respect, what makes you ASSUME I was even talking about YOU in particular ????? Just because I posted in your thread ???

Please excuse me for making a "generalized" notation in your thread. As you stay on the forum longer and read some of the posts from the new guys (and the NEW guys includes me too), you will see and understand what I am referring to.

My condolences about your father, very sorry to hear that. Good luck with your quest.


Lee
 
You know Lee...I jumped the gun on that one and I apologize. Not that it's an excuse, but having a bad day and coupled with a few other pitfalls, I took what you said in the wrong way. Honestly, I didn't see who wrote it. I know how you meant it, I just chose to take it wrong as you have been nothing but helpful with all the questions and posts I've made. Thank you for the condolences!

Again, my apologies!
 
tank69 said:
You know Lee...I jumped the gun on that one and I apologize. Not that it's an excuse, but having a bad day and coupled with a few other pitfalls, I took what you said in the wrong way. Honestly, I didn't see who wrote it. I know how you meant it, I just chose to take it wrong as you have been nothing but helpful with all the questions and posts I've made. Thank you for the condolences!

Again, my apologies!
Click to expand...


No apologies necessary my friend, we all have bad days, I completely understand. I hope the weekend gets better for ya. :smile:


Lee
 
Do you have Chris Hightowers(cueman) book?

A good place to start is the book.....

tank69 said:
So I have my list of things to buy at the SBE and I'm really want to buy some blanks. Hightower has some nice ones, good price also, as does Prather. So I have some questions for those that have taken on a "blank" project.

Are most blanks at a size where I can finish with sandpaper or do I need a taper cutting system?

Most blanks are 30". I take it I would cut to size if I wanted to install a butt cap, steel/ivory joint, joint collars, etc.?

Are they pretty much, do as you please? Leather wrap, no wrap, angel wing wraps? No joint? No buttcap or fancy buttcap? Maybe throw in some pre made ringwork?

I'm assuming I can purchase in "near ready" shaft, finish it, ferrule it and match it up and I'm ready to rock?

Balance and Weight...I'd like to make it as forward balanced as possible...maybe biting off more than I handle, but is there some process/equation or is it more of trial and error?

As for finishing, I'm going to use automotive clear...A benefit of having a very good friend who owns a body shop.
Click to expand...
 
Dirtbmw20 said:
That's exactly why I haven't even "attempted" to even start to build a cue. The lack of equipment........ oh yea......... and the lack of ALOT of knowledge. :wink:


I'm a little surprised at the amount of people that go buy a lathe and expect to start BUILDING cues right away, with the lack of experience, the lack of equipment, and the lack of knowledge to do it. I for one, know I don't have the right equipment, the experience, or the knowledge to BUILD cues as of right now. I've still gotta cut my teeth doing repairs for right now.
Click to expand...

Ummmmm, the only way you are going to get said knowledge is by doing it. Tap all of the resources you can, sure, read every book, watch every video, certainly, but until you put cutter to wood in a lathe, you can never say you've done it. ONLY way to REALLY learn is by doing it.

Jim Notestine
 
Piratejethro said:
Ummmmm, the only way you are going to get said knowledge is by doing it. Tap all of the resources you can, sure, read every book, watch every video, certainly, but until you put cutter to wood in a lathe, you can never say you've done it. ONLY way to REALLY learn is by doing it.

Jim Notestine
Click to expand...

Ummmmmm, with all due respect to you also Mr. Jim, I disagree with the way you worded your statement. The only way to gain said "knowledge" is by doing it............... that is not correct.

There are MANY ways to gain said knowledge. Now if I want "hands on experience" then YES, the only way is by doing it. But there are many other ways to gain said "knowledge" other than just doing it.

Also, "just doing it" takes TIME, it is not something that just happens overnight. I learn something new just about everytime I am at my lathe, we'll refer to that as "hands on knowledge" ;)
 
my suggestion would be to find the crappiest, most warped house cues you can get your hands on. Then try to make them perfect. This will be the most valuable knowledge you can get at this point.
 
if your dead set on getting a blank at finish size prather will take taper passes on their blanks for Xamount per cut.....

expensive for trial and error tho...

what equipment do you have you may be able to taper but dont know it.
 
Dirtbmw20 said:
That's exactly why I haven't even "attempted" to even start to build a cue. The lack of equipment........ oh yea......... and the lack of ALOT of knowledge. :wink:


I'm a little surprised at the amount of people that go buy a lathe and expect to start BUILDING cues right away, with the lack of experience, the lack of equipment, and the lack of knowledge to do it. I for one, know I don't have the right equipment, the experience, or the knowledge to BUILD cues as of right now. I've still gotta cut my teeth doing repairs for right now.
Click to expand...

I did repairs for a dozen years before I started building cues.
And there's still a lot for me to learn!!
 
If you are going to the SBE, Why not talk to Chris or Dan about it while you are there. They will the most knowledgeable people you could ever talk to about their blanks that they sell.
They both will put you in the right direction. Neither will sell you something that you can not complete or make up.
Both are really nice people to meet and talk to.
There will be other vendors of cue machinery and ideas of making cues as well.
It is up to you as to what info you can obtain and what direction you will finally take.

If time is not the object, you can hand taper a cue and not use a taper bar at all. Just as good a job can be achieved, but takes a lot more patience.

Have fun, and some really great people in the cue business will be there as well to talk to and throw ideas around.




tank69 said:
So I have my list of things to buy at the SBE and I'm really want to buy some blanks. Hightower has some nice ones, good price also, as does Prather. So I have some questions for those that have taken on a "blank" project.

Are most blanks at a size where I can finish with sandpaper or do I need a taper cutting system?

Most blanks are 30". I take it I would cut to size if I wanted to install a butt cap, steel/ivory joint, joint collars, etc.?

Are they pretty much, do as you please? Leather wrap, no wrap, angel wing wraps? No joint? No buttcap or fancy buttcap? Maybe throw in some pre made ringwork?

I'm assuming I can purchase in "near ready" shaft, finish it, ferrule it and match it up and I'm ready to rock?

Balance and Weight...I'd like to make it as forward balanced as possible...maybe biting off more than I handle, but is there some process/equation or is it more of trial and error?

As for finishing, I'm going to use automotive clear...A benefit of having a very good friend who owns a body shop.
Click to expand...
 
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