Books on Cuemaking?

Thanks to all the cuemakers who responded. Yesterday I saw an advertisement for the Hightower book but it costs 70 bucks so I'm not sure I want to spend it on a book or save it for in-person training. I don't expect a book to teach me the art of cuemaking, but I do think it would help me understand Bluds', Webbs', etc... posts better and that might be worth it in itself. I think Blud made an excellent point about starting with cue repair- you would learn a lot about different cues and how they are constructed.

Just because you're trained by someone doesn't mean you can't find your own way to do things later on; information rarely hurts and often helps.

If anyone has a used copy of the Hightower or Dieckmann books or videos and would consider selling or trading (Accu-Stat videos maybe?) feel free to PM me. I may never get around to building my own cue, but I'm an information junkie so just understanding the process a little better would be worth my time.

**Update: just went on Dieckman site ( looked under "Dieckman cue book" on Google) and he has some articles posted on cuemaking and he also sells a six hour video....for 600 bucks. Good lord that is expensive! His cues do look nice though and he seems to be character. Blud was a hoot to talk to on the phone,too. One thing is for sure, these guys are interesting and have strong opinions.
 
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go for it

bud green said:
Thanks to all the cuemakers who responded. Yesterday I saw an advertisement for the Hightower book but it costs 70 bucks so I'm not sure I want to spend it on a book or save it for in-person training. I don't expect a book to teach me the art of cuemaking, but I do think it would help me understand Bluds', Webbs', etc... posts better and that might be worth it in itself. I think Blud made an excellent point about starting with cue repair- you would learn a lot about different cues and how they are constructed.

Just because you're trained by someone doesn't mean you can't find your own way to do things later on information rarely hurts and often helps.

If anyone has a used copy of the Hightower or Dieckmann books or videos and would consider selling or trading (Accu-Stat videos maybe?) feel free to PM me. I may never get around to building my own cue, but I'm an information junkie so just understanding the process a little better would be worth my time.
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Hey Bud, go for it, pal. I wish you well. if i can help please call me.
blud
 
bud green said:
Thanks to all the cuemakers who responded. Yesterday I saw an advertisement for the Hightower book but it costs 70 bucks so I'm not sure I want to spend it on a book or save it for in-person training. I don't expect a book to teach me the art of cuemaking, but I do think it would help me understand Bluds', Webbs', etc... posts better and that might be worth it in itself. I think Blud made an excellent point about starting with cue repair- you would learn a lot about different cues and how they are constructed.

Just because you're trained by someone doesn't mean you can't find your own way to do things later on; information rarely hurts and often helps.

If anyone has a used copy of the Hightower or Dieckmann books or videos and would consider selling or trading (Accu-Stat videos maybe?) feel free to PM me. I may never get around to building my own cue, but I'm an information junkie so just understanding the process a little better would be worth my time.

**Update: just went on Dieckman site ( looked under "Dieckman cue book" on Google) and he has some articles posted on cuemaking and he also sells a six hour video....for 600 bucks. Good lord that is expensive! His cues do look nice though and he seems to be character. Blud was a hoot to talk to on the phone,too. One thing is for sure, these guys are interesting and have strong opinions.
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$70 dollars to get you started is cheap... cuemaking lessons run thru thousands of dollars... it would probably be a good primer on things and if you feel like it, take the plunge and start savin' money. Good luck!
 
((VH)) said:
$70 dollars to get you started is cheap... cuemaking lessons run thru thousands of dollars... it would probably be a good primer on things and if you feel like it, take the plunge and start savin' money. Good luck!
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I've read Hightowers book, for what is in there, $70 is cheap. Little tips and tricks to help save money, buy not screwing simple things up. As far as some of the basics go, it's a good read, but from what i remember, he doesn't go into any real detail on some things, as in he want's you to figure it out on your own.
Overall, it's the best $70 my buddy ever spent! :D lol

Thanks,

Jon
 
I've been doing this 13 years now, two years ago I bought Chris Hightowers books and video's. It was good to see how some one else does things. The books can only give you a basic understanding. Every thing past is the time and experience.
 
If I may I wood like to expand on my privious post
There's nothing wrong with learning a trade from another, that is the way it has bin done for centuries.A good basic knoledge in machining,wood work as well as pool are all prerequisites these three things are essential for a solid foundation.BUT if you wan't to be a leader and innovator you must be able to look at old problems and find new solutions, re-invent the wheel so to speek.This is where the "rookie"(rookie being someone who already has the prereq's)sometimes has the advantage over the "pro".The "pro" will rely on what he feels already works instinctively,where as the "rookie" has no answers at his disposal so he must create one. Most of the time his solutions will resemble that of another,but there is the chance he will find a new way of doing something which may prove innovative and change the standard practices.This is what i call "evolution".If one exposes himself to too many of the standard practices it makes innovation more difficult.My previous post was only an encouragement to expand your own limits.
 
learning cuemaking

Canadian cue said:
If I may I wood like to expand on my privious post
There's nothing wrong with learning a trade from another, that is the way it has bin done for centuries.A good basic knoledge in machining,wood work as well as pool are all prerequisites these three things are essential for a solid foundation.BUT if you wan't to be a leader and innovator you must be able to look at old problems and find new solutions, re-invent the wheel so to speek.This is where the "rookie"(rookie being someone who already has the prereq's)sometimes has the advantage over the "pro".The "pro" will rely on what he feels already works instinctively,where as the "rookie" has no answers at his disposal so he must create one. Most of the time his solutions will resemble that of another,but there is the chance he will find a new way of doing something which may prove innovative and change the standard practices.This is what i call "evolution".If one exposes himself to too many of the standard practices it makes innovation more difficult.My previous post was only an encouragement to expand your own limits.
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I agree with that. When I first became interested in cuemaking there was nobody to ask, and most cuemakers would not share anything anyway. I did lots of repairs and as Yogi said, "You can observe a lot just by watching". I saw things I liked about certain cues, and many things I didn't like. I talked to players, I measured shaft tapers, I asked questions about how various cues played, and I began to get definite ideas about how a cue should play. Watching some cuemaking videos provided some understanding of what others were doing, but each aspiring cuemaker must find his or her own limitations, and find ways to enhance capabilities. It's more fun to find your own way of doing things instead of copying what others have done. As an example, the book on aeronautic design says that the bumblebee cannot fly, due to considerations of sound aeronautic principles. In fact, what the bumblebee cannot do is read. A novice cuemaker is not put off by knowing something is impossible, so he just might find a way to do it. Sure, there are right and wrong ways to do things, but the list is not closed. Go ahead and make firewood, and you will be in good company. Cuemaking starts as a series of mistakes that we learn from, and if any cuemaker thinks he has made his last mistake ever, then, A: he is not capable of further learning and growth, or, B: he is deceased.
Books, tapes, and talking with other cue nuts is great, but you have to find your own way to make cues that are yours. Learning to do competent repairs is the best way to start. Put your earnings into materials and machinery. The more you can do on your own with your own imagination will be rewarded if you stick with it, learn from mistakes, and have fun doing it. It is a great joy to be able to make something you are proud of and is appreciated by others. Keep in mind that for the most part, those who work with their hands will not get rich, but if you do good work, it leads to personal satisfaction, and you might make a few bucks in the process to keep you going.
So keep the lathes turning, and good luck.

paul
 
cues

I would guess I was lucky when I started building my cues. I had little fire wood as some speak of. A few VEE pointed cues were thrown away. I, never sold seconds, this would of made me, a second class cuemaker.

I was raised building lots of boats, mast for sail boats, sail boats, cabinets, arrows, bows, and many things built of all kinds of wood.

Being raised in the shipyard, helped out a lot

I am looking at my very first cue, built many years ago. I have not changed the general construction of my cues to date. [ it ain't broke], I have improved on many of my work habits, and steps in general with my cues.

The best experance was repairing cues for so many years on the road.

blud
 
blud said:
I would guess I was lucky when I started building my cues. I had little fire wood as some speak of. A few VEE pointed cues were thrown away. I, never sold seconds, this would of made me, a second class cuemaker.

I was raised building lots of boats, mast for sail boats, sail boats, cabinets, arrows, bows, and many things built of all kinds of wood.

Being raised in the shipyard, helped out a lot

I am looking at my very first cue, built many years ago. I have not changed the general construction of my cues to date. [ it ain't broke], I have improved on many of my work habits, and steps in general with my cues.

The best experance was repairing cues for so many years on the road.

blud
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Blud,

I'd bet that first cue, is worth more to you than any you have built. Am I wrong???

Thanks,

Jon
 
I bet that first cue is worth more to a tru collector than any other cue that he has built. Don't die and let that thing end up on the Antiques Road Show!
 
What should be prioritized, saving up and stacking on wood, shafts and fronts (takes time to have 'em ready) or getting the machineries and tooling needed... I think this would help Bud to weigh things before he starts 'em rolling
 
The best time to buy wood is 10 years ago. The longer you spend gradually cutting wood for various cue parts (shafts, butt sleeves, forearms, handles), the better will be the chances of having a finished cue remain straight and sound. There is no substitute for seasoning wood, and gradually stress releiving by taking small cuts over a period of time. Dipping or otherwise treating wood chemically may help prevent moisture exchange, but cannot prevent warpage if the wood is cut too fast, too soon. So that means that at least some equipment will be necessary (at least a lathe and a saw) very early on. There are some sources of old stocks of wood available if you search (cue manufacturers closing down, etc), and some cuemakers will make available seasoned stock to other cuemakers, some of it already turned round. Dieckman is one that I know of that offers such things. Patience is a necessary ingredient to making good cues, unless you have a ton of money to spend on an instant setup, training, and an aged wood supply. Even then, it may take years to nurture your own talent to the point where you are happy with what you build. If you're young, don't be in too much of a hurry, pool will not go away and there will always be a demand for good cues. The payback for your labors will not come overnight. In no way is cuemaking a get rich quick deal, as many have found.

paul
 
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