Changing My Own Tip

stljohnny

stljohnny

knowledge > execution. :(
Silver Member
So... I keep reading that a lot of people do their own tips, and from what I can see - it's not that difficult. However, I have some questions about the process.

I went through the Ask The Cuemaker forum and didn't see it there - and you can't search for "how to install tip" because "how, to and tip" are too short and get excluded from the search.

1) I've heard that superglue is NOT the glue you want to use (I actually didn't even know that the tips were glued on, lol). I saw one mention of Gorilla White - is that the preferred glue?

2) I don't have a lathe, nor access to one. How much of problem is that going to be?

3) I would like to try a Kamui tip - but it appears I can't buy them, so I guess I'll try something else. A Moori perhaps?

4) I only have one playing cue, so if I F--- it up, I'm screwed, should I just forgo the hassle and keep taking it to my local place?

5) Is there a thread here or somewhere (easily found) that gives a good set of instructions?
 
Take it to you friendly neighborhood cue repair person. They'll do a professional job and you can probably stand there and watch while they do it. :)
 
For the $20 to $30 some odd bucks is may cost depending on what tip you want, it's worth it to have it done right and not mess with it. Unless you want to invest in a small repair lathe and tools for just a hobbie like I did you will be better to take it to a repairman so it's done right <<ED
 
It's a drop-off kind of thing. The place I take it has Jim Buss do the tips, he comes by every other day to pick up/drop off cues/shafts, so...

I just watched the "how to" video for the seyberts cue tip replacement kits...that looks pretty darn good. :)
 
johnny, there isn't a thing wrong with wanting to learn do-it-yourself tip installing, but the reasons why I always suggest that the work be done by your friendly neighborhood repair person are (1) they'll do a professional job, and (2) they have to put beans on the table just like all the rest of us do. :)
 
Oh, I fully understand that, TS. I was thinking about keeping some beans on my own table - in the long run, heh. But really, it's a convenience factor; I hardly ever get up to the part of the town where I used to take it (since I changed jobs), and it's hard to find a more reputable local resource than Jim Buss...
 
Take it straight to Jim Buss's shop.

STLJohnny, I would suggest that you take it straight to Jim Buss. He will replace the tip while you wait. He is a real gem in St. Louis. He has alot of knowledge and happily shares it with his customers. I have been a satisfied customer for 10 years, if that means anything. BTW 12 dollars for most tips is the charge. Sportscenter also does tips if they are closer to you, not sure of the quality there as I am loyal to Jim Buss
 
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DoubleD said:
You don't need a lathe. In fact, you are more likely to screw up using a lathe. I only use three tools--file, razor blade, sandpaper. I've never damaged a shaft.

Every pool player should learn how to change a tip, just like every driver should be able to change a tire and their oil.
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Well said. I too used only a razor and sandpaper, but then got a Tweeten Rapid Cue Top Sander. This is not rocket science, and I the only cue that has been in any of my three (3) metal lathes had a phenolic tip/ferrule that a buddy wanted faced-off for a regular tip.

Dave
 
stljohnny said:
So... I keep reading that a lot of people do their own tips, and from what I can see - it's not that difficult. However, I have some questions about the process.

I went through the Ask The Cuemaker forum and didn't see it there - and you can't search for "how to install tip" because "how, to and tip" are too short and get excluded from the search.

1) I've heard that superglue is NOT the glue you want to use (I actually didn't even know that the tips were glued on, lol). I saw one mention of Gorilla White - is that the preferred glue?

2) I don't have a lathe, nor access to one. How much of problem is that going to be?

3) I would like to try a Kamui tip - but it appears I can't buy them, so I guess I'll try something else. A Moori perhaps?

4) I only have one playing cue, so if I F--- it up, I'm screwed, should I just forgo the hassle and keep taking it to my local place?

5) Is there a thread here or somewhere (easily found) that gives a good set of instructions?
Click to expand...

Why can't you buy a Kamui? http://www.azbmarketplace.com/products/Black_Kamui_Pool_Cue_Tips-100201-80.html ... For sale right here on AZB.

Also, for what it's worth, I did not like Moori when I tried it. Try the new Tiger Onyx and us all know what you think.
 
stljohnny said:
So... I keep reading that a lot of people do their own tips, and from what I can see - it's not that difficult. However, I have some questions about the process.

I went through the Ask The Cuemaker forum and didn't see it there - and you can't search for "how to install tip" because "how, to and tip" are too short and get excluded from the search.

1) I've heard that superglue is NOT the glue you want to use (I actually didn't even know that the tips were glued on, lol). I saw one mention of Gorilla White - is that the preferred glue?

2) I don't have a lathe, nor access to one. How much of problem is that going to be?

3) I would like to try a Kamui tip - but it appears I can't buy them, so I guess I'll try something else. A Moori perhaps?

4) I only have one playing cue, so if I F--- it up, I'm screwed, should I just forgo the hassle and keep taking it to my local place?

5) Is there a thread here or somewhere (easily found) that gives a good set of instructions?
Click to expand...


A couple of thoughts:

First, invest in a Williard's Classic Tip-Trimmer -- it's the block of machined metal that comes with collets and nicely trims the tip. (And no matter what anyone claims, almost every tip out there mushrooms a bit.) Though a bit of an expensive initial outlay, over the ten years or so that I've owned one, I have found it invaluable.

Second, have your tip professionally installed with a pad, black or red.

Third, buy yourself a small supply of quality tips.

Fourth, after the professionally installed tip wears out, carefully razor-blade off the old tip, sand down the pad a bit and glue on a new tip yourself.

Fifth, use Tweeten's glue -- it's water soluble. And, if you use it right and let dry overnight, it's more than up to the task of keeping a tip on. Do not use super glue -- you'll get it all over your ferrule and won't be able to get it off. Don't use Gorilla glue, I think we talked about that one on RSB a long time ago and someone reported that it expanded when curing (big glue line).

Last, use your Williard's to trim your tip. Used correctly, you won't touch your ferrule and you'll have a nicely trimmed tip.

If you don't sand down the pad excessively, you should be able to use for a few years for multiple tips.

Lou Figueroa
 
stljohnny said:
It's a drop-off kind of thing. The place I take it has Jim Buss do the tips, he comes by every other day to pick up/drop off cues/shafts, so...

I just watched the "how to" video for the seyberts cue tip replacement kits...that looks pretty darn good. :)
Click to expand...


Actually, though I could be wrong, I don't think Jim does the tip jobs. His brother, George, does them. Not that there's anything wrong with that. George is pretty meticulous.

Lou Figueroa
 
jacob said:
STLJohnny, I would suggest that you take it straight to Jim Buss. He will replace the tip while you wait. He is a real gem in St. Louis. He has alot of knowledge and happily shares it with his customers. I have been a satisfied customer for 10 years, if that means anything. BTW 12 dollars for most tips is the charge. Sportscenter also does tips if they are closer to you, not sure of the quality there as I am loyal to Jim Buss
Click to expand...

Yeah, i've watched the guys at sportcenter put on some le pros for people, and it looks to be a pretty standard process - aside from the super-glue aspect. but i dont think they do too many layered tips, so i'd have to be sure to tell them about the different way of cutting it down. i'm there pretty often nowadays since i don't get up to C&C too much anymore, so i might ask them about it.

Jim (or George) has done my last 2 tips and they've been excellent, so I definitely don't have a problem with going to them (although so far through C&C).
 
I once replaced a tip with no problem.A little lite sanding and some Tweentens.
Then i tried to do it again at a later date and the tip i had was wider then the shaft size.I couldn't razor off the excess without a lathe so i took the tip off and brought it to a pro.
Its a lot easier and there is no worrying that it is done correctly.
I will never try to replace a tip again myself.
 
9BallMarksman said:
Why can't you buy a Kamui? http://www.azbmarketplace.com/products/Black_Kamui_Pool_Cue_Tips-100201-80.html ... For sale right here on AZB.

Also, for what it's worth, I did not like Moori when I tried it. Try the new Tiger Onyx and us all know what you think.
Click to expand...

I was actually just noticing that! I was initially looking through the Kamui site and they had some notice about not selling directly to the public, so I didn't even think to look around for them.

I have only played with a triangle (or whatever comes on lucasi standard) - and Talisman medium; which is now in need to replacement. I'd like to try a bunch of tips - including moori, kamui and sniper; and probably a few others. The Everest that comes on the OB-2 shaft is of interest as well. (since i'll likely be getting one soon)
 
ARROWCRUSHER said:
It doesn't matter to me what the guy does, or you do but when you may be worried about the price of a tip change and if he wants the job done right everytime take it someone that knows what they are doing, thats all I said . Sure it can be done I did it for years that way but he was worried about messsing it up cause he only has one playing cue and needs it. So in that case take it to someone if he doesnt want any chances of cutting into the ferrule or messsing up the tip he is putting on, chances are he will only have one tip and if he needs another the price of two tips is more then he would pay to have a repairman to do it right the first time.<<ED
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that's exactly why i was wondering about it. I'm fairly handy with tools and whatnot - but the first time is always a little... scary. I think I'll see if I can get some practice in by replacing tips on the house cues at my local place. they always have some to do and won't turn away free labor. haha
 
stljohnny said:
that's exactly why i was wondering about it. I'm fairly handy with tools and whatnot - but the first time is always a little... scary. I think I'll see if I can get some practice in by replacing tips on the house cues at my local place. they always have some to do and won't turn away free labor. haha
Click to expand...

Yea thats what I would do and I originally posted. I was just saying from my experience. Some just try to save money but in the long run it may wind up costing them more then it would have been to get it done right the first time , Good luck to you and Im sure you can buy kamui's at different place's check around you will find them <<ED
 
DoubleD said:
Totally disagree with everything you just said.

You don't need a lathe. In fact, you are more likely to screw up using a lathe. I only use three tools--file, razor blade, sandpaper. I've never damaged a shaft.

Every pool player should learn how to change a tip, just like every driver should be able to change a tire and their oil.

dld
Click to expand...

I totally disagree with "you are more likely to screw up using a lathe" statement.:D

I've done 'em many ways and now have my own repair lathe as a hobby. I can do a lot cleaner and faster tip replacement on the lathe.
 
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