Can you straighten a warped shaft?.....Manwon can!

I've done the cold bend on three shafts in the past, one just over a year ago, one many months ago and yesterday. The cue from over a year ago is still straight, as is the one from a few months ago. The shaft I did yesterday was an old c series McD that I got from Jayman. I like the heat idea. I had thought about keeping a shaft a hot bathroom during a shower too see if that would help. Thanks for he write up.
 
I've done the cold bend on three shafts in the past, one just over a year ago, one many months ago and yesterday. The cue from over a year ago is still straight, as is the one from a few months ago. The shaft I did yesterday was an old c series McD that I got from Jayman. I like the heat idea. I had thought about keeping a shaft a hot bathroom during a shower too see if that would help. Thanks for he write up.

Be careful of the hot shower idea as the wood could absorb and awful lot of moisture.
 
The cold bend method works great on a laminated shaft.

If you are going to put a shaft in a shower with you, you might be better off using a steam gun or a kettle on it. That way, you can concentrate the flow of steam to the affected area of the shaft.
 
Craig, I have a question.

Since I've tried the "cold bend" method without success, should I skip it and
immediately go to the single burner method?


To be honest I would start over from scratch, and use the method I outlined in my previous post. I don't know how long ago you tried the cold bend, I think that using the cold bend helps prepare for further steps.

If you have any other questions please let me know, lets try and keep this post alive as long as possible so other have a chance to copy and paste it. It seems for some reason thing get lost in the archive or people do not know how to search properly for what they are trying to find.
 
I'm not a cue maker (yet:grin:) but I have been a carpenter for over 40 years and a "fine woodworker" (whatever you consider that to be;)) for most of them so i do know a little about wood.

I'd be VERY CAREFUL about the indiscriminate use of moisture to do what Craig does with dry heat!! You are inserting a new variable.
Might work, if you could get the shaft into a straight condition and hold it there until it dries sufficiently, and, and, and . . . .

I guess if you've got a shaft that you can't straighten using the dry heat system and Craig can't straighten it, ya might as well try anything . . .
 
I'm not a cue maker (yet:grin:) but I have been a carpenter for over 40 years and a "fine woodworker" (whatever you consider that to be;)) for most of them so i do know a little about wood.

I'd be VERY CAREFUL about the indiscriminate use of moisture to do what Craig does with dry heat!! You are inserting a new variable.
Might work, if you could get the shaft into a straight condition and hold it there until it dries sufficiently, and, and, and . . . .

I guess if you've got a shaft that you can't straighten using the dry heat system and Craig can't straighten it, ya might as well try anything . . .



You make a very valid point here with your comments, I can only hope that people pay close attention to what you have said. I also do not think that moisture is necessary and I certainly would not recommend anyone to use it. I think the results could be very very hit and miss, I also think that if the method I posted earlier in this thread doesn't work after a few tries nothing will work.

Like I said in a previous thread the gentleman who taught me how to do this was a very experienced Japanese cabinet maker who has more than 60 years experience working with woods of all types, and according to Mr. Yamaura if this method doesn't work nothing will.

Thanks for making your post.
 
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Great info Craig!! My wife seen me reading your thread on this and wanted to know if you can fix warped minds??:thumbup: I guess she is referring to me.
 
I've cold straightened shafts before. Not that big of a deal for a very mildly warped shaft. Just "bend it back". Getting them to stay that way has been another matter.

I have often wondered if heat or something could enhance the ability to accomplish the deed. I really appreciate the post and instructions on the matter. :thumbup:
 
You make a very valid point here with your comments, I can only hope that people pay close attention to what you have said. I also do not think that moisture is necessary and I certainly would not recommend anyone to use it. I think the results could be very very hit and miss, I also think that if the method I posted earlier in this thread doesn't work after a few tries nothing will work.

Like I said in a previous thread the gentleman who taught me how to do this was a very experienced Japanese cabinet maker who has more than 60 years experience working with woods of all types, and according to Mr. Yamaura if this method doesn't work nothing will.

Thanks for making your post.

Thank you sir, for validating my opinion.:thumbup:
 
I've cold straightened shafts before. Not that big of a deal for a very mildly warped shaft. Just "bend it back". Getting them to stay that way has been another matter.

I have often wondered if heat or something could enhance the ability to accomplish the deed. I really appreciate the post and instructions on the matter. :thumbup:

Chopdoc,
We've all done that, at least with a house cue, roll it on the table, see the hop, sight down it and put the tip on the table and bend it. . .Never stayed straight for me either:grin: I can't wait to try the heat on my old Willie Hoppe:thumbup:
 
If anyone is interested, here is a warp jig that you can built with a few pieces of scrap, a cheap dowel and a piece of surgical tubing.

Warpjig.jpg
 
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If anyone is interested, here is a warp jig that you can build with a few pieces of scrap, a cheap dowel and a piece of surgical tubing.

Warpjig.jpg

You ever try using a heat gun when you've got a shaft strapped in??

Just trying to think out of the box with this new info from Craig??

Just a thought, a piece of plywood cut to form a hook on each end to hook over the shaft and under the dowel would allow for more control of the bend . . .
 
I will be looking forward to the post Craig. Most generous of you to share.
KJ showed me how to do a laminated shaft and it does work.
I built a shaft warp taker outter and have had varying degrees of success with it as well.

Craig has been at it for some time now so if he says it can be done, I will take his word on it.



Partially correct. I have been practicing the Jedi mind trick on shafts but not very good at it as of yet.
Much like my pool game.

I met a girl in a bar once that told me she could make her opponents balls miss the pocket using her mind.
I believed her. She had big Tatas.

That was no big deal anyhow. I can make my own balls miss a pocket by using my stroke.

At your age you should have also learned how to take the wrinkles out of your shaft>!!!! :D :D :D
 
Thats why I use the surgical tubing. I wrap it around twice and tie it. There is no pressure at that point. Depending on how much pressure you want to exert, you move each side of the tubing outward. The further outward you stretch it, the more downward pressure you exert on the shaft.

I have a heat gun but never thought of using it. I will give it a try.
I use a steam gun. I sand the shaft to bare the wood and steam the area with the bend. This is after I have tied the shaft down and is already exerting pressure. But I think the heat gun definitely has some merit.

There is only so much steam I want to apply to the shaft and with heat, I may be able to heat it up a tad more without wetting the shaft as much.

But of course Thommy, you're a carpenter so implementing your idea with a piece of plywood with a couple of hooks cut into the ends
would be more up your alley. Just wondering how you would make the hooked plywood so you could adjust varying amounts of pressure
on the shaft. I will leave that one up to you. The only thing I can think of at the moment is to cut the piece of plywood in half and make them shorter. Then join them back together with a bolt and nut on either side. The more you tighten the nuts, the more you will pull the plywood together to create more pressure. I know you can think of something easier than that.

Anyway, I have had varying degrees of success with this jig. I have had both fantastic luck and the shafts have stayed straight and I have had shafts that were not going anywhere in 100 years. But, for a bit of your time and a couple of pieces of scrap wood, its something anyone can make and have some fun with. If it works, its better than tomato stakes.

PS - Hustler, I will be 54 on Monday. There is so many other body parts that are not functioning properly any longer, that wrinkles on my shaft is not a major worry right now. But good catch there.

PSS - See, at 54 my mind is also going. It was a timed joke but I finally got it. I see now where you were going with that one. Hahaha!

PSSS - And just so everyone knows, I copied this design and it is not some brain storm from me. I get brain farts more than anything.
 
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Great info from Craig!! I also think that intoducing moisture could cause more problems than it would fix.

BHR - Keep UP the good work!!
 
butt warped

manwon is there a possible a warped butt can be straight again?have you tried straightening a butt?tnx
 
If anyone is interested, here is a warp jig that you can built with a few pieces of scrap, a cheap dowel and a piece of surgical tubing.

Warpjig.jpg


Wouldn't that be a an un-warp jig?

I think it's a cool idea.

This is a great thread.

:thumbup:


.
 
I agree with all you have said. I use a one hundred watt light bulb in a drop light as the heat source. Clamp the bend in the opposite direction just slightly more than the bend with a shim directly under the bend. Place the drop light over the bend with the guard resting on the shaft. Leave the light, heat on for 45 minutes. Remove the light and let cool for 45 minutes. Check results and adjust shim if necessary with another cycle of heat and cool.
 
Yes it is an Un Warp thingy.
I have tied the tubing too tight on occasion and made the warp go the other direction. So then it would be the opposite warp jig.

I know a few people that use the term, Un thaw. If you Un thaw something, aren't you freezing it?
 
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