Brian's Cue Progress

[scdiveteam]

Hi Brian,

I will post pics of the progress of your cue here so you can check it to see the development.

Curly Forearm on core, stock for 5 point geometry, PH handle, ebony butt sleeve, hoppe ring, Juma butt cap & joint, and shaft stock.

Tapering forearm on core before v grooving on the mill

Sealing with schelak on lathe

Cutting PH Point Stock

Milling V Grooves and Gluing Points

Turning in the point stock on my butt tapering machine. To the left is your shaft being cut .008 on the taper.

The points may seem a bit too high at this time but they will move back about 1 more inch or so when we reach the final tapered dimension.

After the cue is fully assembled and turned to final, I will expose it to sunlight for about 5 days so that the purple heart gets blood red. When ever you take a fresh cut on PH it looks brownish, by exposing it to UV it turns to the color you want.

 

[scdiveteam]

Hi Brian,

Here are some new pics of your cue design in progress.

I am taking small turns on your shaft every other day at this time.

I turned down your points this morning to reveal the 5 point geometry you chose.

Everything is going good and I am going to be assembling the handle and butt sleeve tomorrow. I suggest that we put a thin 1/8" Juma Ring on each side of the handle to highlight the fact that this is an assembled cue. It will look great as it will frame the handle and match the 1/4" hoppe ring in the butt. If we don't do this the cue will look like a 5 point full splice cue and not what it really is, a 5 point fully cored cue. Let me know.

Your horseshoe inlays are in process at this time and I will be performing the inlay pocket testing this weekend.

Tomorrow I will turn in the whole cue and glue up the butt cap, hoppe ring and Joint collar and rings. Stay tuned.....

Thanks,

Rick

Coring the handle

Checking annulus fit up before gluing

Glue up using tail stock for clamping pressure

Cue is now .020 over size ready for inlays. Just because the cue is built does not mean it will be ready sooner than my deadline. We are right on schedule but there is a lot of work left to go and a lot of the things require curing times and we also have to let the Purple heart season in the sunlight to get color after I take the final pass next week some time after the inlays are installed.

I wanted to get the rings on each side of the handle so that you would have the option to go with a wrap if you did not like the look. PH is a very good wood for cue but it does not have any figure. We will see how this one changes color.

 

[Renegade_56]

pretty work,,,,,,,

 

[thommy]

what a wonderful concept, post progress for the buyer!!

Lookin' good!!:thumbup:

 

[scdiveteam]

Thanks guys,

I have found that when the player is involved in the process and sees and understands the progression, they are in a position to understand their order is being given the proper attention in a timely fashion.

Customers who have to wait for a custom cue feel more satisfaction when they know their CM is doing his best to meet the time line for completion. It is my job to make sure they are not frustrated or in the dark.

Whatsmore, I like to work with people who like to design their own cues. It makes me feel good about my work knowing they wind up with a very special cue that they had control over from beginning to delivery.

Thanks,

Rick

 

[1outofthe$$$$]

MY new cue

I just wanted to thank everyone for there comments, I have had more than a hand full of cues made and Rick is simply the best to deal with! IMO

Thanks agian Rick,
Brian

 

[1outofthe$$$$]

my new cue

Looks fantastic! I can't wait to see the inlays

Brian

 

[scdiveteam]

Hi Brian,

Here are some more pics. I went to cut ivory parts yesterday and I am having a problem with my program not responding. I am currently doing some disk defraging and I hope I can cut inlay parts today.

Rick

Inlay part and pocket geometry verified.

Cue is still slightly oversized, ready for inlays

 

[scdiveteam]

Brian,

All of your parts are cut and the pocket has been fitted.

I will be cutting the pockets in your cue tonight and glueing them it.

Rick

Parts and pockets done.

Cue tapered to final size ready for a pin a butt feature machining.

 

[1outofthe$$$$]

The inlays are crazy perfect

Brian

 

[scdiveteam]

Brian,

We still need to seal and sand the cue before the finish process but will will let it get purple agin with some UV and O2 to this freshly tapered finish.

Rick