common mistakes

[Murray Tucker]

I was reading a thread a few minute ago about new/young cuemakers. What do you feel are the most common mistakes made by cuemakers when first starting out? What mistakes did you make that you wish you could have done differently?

Don't use paint stripper to take the old finish off a cue.

 

[cueman]

Don't use paint stripper to take the old finish off a cue.

I have always used a razor or utility blade to scrape the finish off, but I found a new carbide scraper at Home Depot and it is much easier to control. Stays sharp and less likely to dig in and gouge the wood. Wish I had discovered them years ago.

 

[DaveK]

acetone melts plastic! That's another one of the mistakes I've made.

Yes, as does open flame, but done properly both will also 'polish' the plastic. In reality you are 'melting' the top surface of the plastic and when it returns to solid the surface is smooth / polished ... in both methods. Your mistake might have been using too much acetone. To polish a golf ferrule takes less than a drop.

Acetone can be nasty stuff, so if you are not comfortable with it do not use this method .... it's just so fast and effective that I thought it worth mentioning.

Dave

 

[Cue Crazy]

acetone melts plastic! That's another one of the mistakes I've made.

It cuts through CA, and a host of other stuff also, I've found that out the hard way before too. The stuff can make a real mess.

 

[rhncue]

It cuts through CA, and a host of other stuff also, I've found that out the hard way before too. The stuff can make a real mess.

That's what Acetone is, a solvent. Finger nail polish remover is Acetone as is super glue remover.

Dick

 

[Cue Crazy]

That's what Acetone is, a solvent. Finger nail polish remover is Acetone as is super glue remover.

Dick

yep, it will cut Ca quicker then most other solvents i have used. I reconized the smell from the first time I got a wiff of It. Funny thing, but My lady is doing her nails right now, and I smell the nail polish remover. It does smell the same.

I get about three to four different kinds of stuff that comes in the same kind & size can, are the same brand, and so they all look alike. One time after sealing, I went to grab something else that i thought was in the can closest to me, to wipe down with, and grabbed It by mistake. I quickly wet the rag with it, and slapped It on there before I could even get a wiff of what it was. It instantly melted everything, and smeared it all to @#$% and back. It didn't even take a couple of wipes to screw everything up, One swipe and back to square one for me Now i remember that smell, and know better then to make that assumption again, so I double check. if only I had that time, I could have saved myself an extra headache.

 

[Dave38]

yep, it will cut Ca quicker then most other solvents i have used. I reconized the smell from the first time I got a wiff of It. Funny thing, but My lady is doing her nails right now, and I smell the nail polish remover. It does smell the same.

I get about three to four different kinds of stuff that comes in the same kind & size can, are the same brand, and so they all look alike. One time after sealing, I went to grab something else that i thought was in the can closest to me, to wipe down with, and grabbed It by mistake. I quickly wet the rag with it, and slapped It on there before I could even get a wiff of what it was. It instantly melted everything, and smeared it all to @#$% and back. It didn't even take a couple of wipes to screw everything up, One swipe and back to square one for me Now i remember that smell, and know better then to make that assumption again, so I double check. if only I had that time, I could have saved myself an extra headhead.

But you wouldn't of learned the important lesson, grasshopper

 

[Cue Crazy]

But you wouldn't of learned the important lesson, grasshopper

That which costs ya time or money sure does help the learning, and even more important the remembering proccess, learning the first time is all part of that, but to actually make the same mistake twice or more is down right embarasing. Unfortunately I can't say I haven't learned any lessons more once I guess they don't call It the school of hard knocks for nothing.

 

[RocketQ]

Proper planning. When you get into building a custom. Plan everything out from step one. Didn't like doing things twice back then and really hate it now...

 

[ratcues]

In high school, I learned that trial and error is the most effective way to learn. Its not always the easiest, but it is the most effective.

 

[Dave38]

That which costs ya time or money sure does help the learning, and even more important the remembering proccess, learning the first time is all part of that, but to actually make the same mistake twice or more is down right embarasing. Unfortunately I can't say I haven't learned any lessons more once I guess they don't call It the school of hard knocks for nothing.

Speaking of which, I just did a good one today. I'm trying to finish my first, from scratch cue and I just trimmed the trim rings on the butt and then started to size up the space needed for the stainless collar and trim rings at the joint. The collar didn't thread all the way down, and for some unexplained reason, I thought it was that the tenon was to long and was bottoming out in the threader, so I trimmed the tenon length down, and as soon as I finished doing that I realized I had just cut off the center hole on the joint end! I still need to install the collar trim rings and collar, but nothing on that end is running true, by at least .015" and I'm already down to .005 above final finished size. I still haven't figured it out how to fix it, if it can, but I thru my hands up, and left the building, and went for a few brews, and will tackle it tomorrow....or a week from now. Not much I can do right now, but it was coming out sooooo good, before this.
My spindle bore is too small so I can't chuck it up in the headstock and re-drill the hole.
Dave

 

[Michael Webb]

Speaking of which, I just did a good one today. I'm trying to finish my first, from scratch cue and I just trimmed the trim rings on the butt and then started to size up the space needed for the stainless collar and trim rings at the joint. The collar didn't thread all the way down, and for some unexplained reason, I thought it was that the tenon was to long and was bottoming out in the threader, so I trimmed the tenon length down, and as soon as I finished doing that I realized I had just cut off the center hole on the joint end! I still need to install the collar trim rings and collar, but nothing on that end is running true, by at least .015" and I'm already down to .005 above final finished size. I still haven't figured it out how to fix it, if it can, but I thru my hands up, and left the building, and went for a few brews, and will tackle it tomorrow....or a week from now. Not much I can do right now, but it was coming out sooooo good, before this.
My spindle bore is too small so I can't chuck it up in the headstock and re-drill the hole.
Dave

Steady rest and an indicator.

 

[olsonsview]

A bearing in a steady rest

Once you dial it in the pin can be drilled and tapped in a flash. I never have had one run out much at all after i set mine up. Best thing I ever did to speed up my work.

 

[KJ Cues]

Dave,
If you can't readily do the steadyrest thing, take the cue to somewhere where you CAN chuck the whole butt in the headstock. You can center the butt section in the spindle using 'O' rings. Rear chuck???? Are you kidding me ?
Seriously, you need to get your pin center back DNP.

 

[Dave38]

Today, I was less stressed about it, and tried again. I have made up an assembly containing a pillow block bearing that it's I.O. dia. is 1-3/8" and had purchased Chris's collets. Using a previously machined blank dowel of ABS for butt caps, I used that to align everything, then put the cue in, and chucked up, put a dial on it, and came away with less than .003 off. I glued the rings on and you can't feel the .003 difference.
Kj, I thought of that and the only person I know that has a setup that allows a 1-1/2" item in the headstock is a local repairman with a Deluxe cuesmith, but he won't have anything to do with me after a discussion at a local regional event that he does repairs at, expressing my desire about building cues. He likes being the only one on the block and even though that's all he does is repairs and 'makes' shafts, I always refered more difficult repairs to him due to me not having the experience or the correct machines, he has snubbed me at every turn. He doesn't even build cues or even make his own shafts, he buys finished cut shafts, but takes offence to me having the passion to. To me, my opinion would be that if we worked together, he could do what I can't and I could do what he doesn't want to, and help each other in the process. But sometimes, life is just life, and we deal with it, and move on....
Dave

 

[jazznpool]

Glad to hear you salvaged your project Dave! We're hoping to see a photo or two of the finished product.

Martin

Today, I was less stressed about it, and tried again. I have made up an assembly containing a pillow block bearing that it's I.O. dia. is 1-3/8" and had purchased Chris's collets. Using a previously machined blank dowel of ABS for butt caps, I used that to align everything, then put the cue in, and chucked up, put a dial on it, and came away with less than .003 off. I glued the rings on and you can't feel the .003 difference.
Kj, I thought of that and the only person I know that has a setup that allows a 1-1/2" item in the headstock is a local repairman with a Deluxe cuesmith, but he won't have anything to do with me after a discussion at a local regional event that he does repairs at, expressing my desire about building cues. He likes being the only one on the block and even though that's all he does is repairs and 'makes' shafts, I always refered more difficult repairs to him due to me not having the experience or the correct machines, he has snubbed me at every turn. He doesn't even build cues or even make his own shafts, he buys finished cut shafts, but takes offence to me having the passion to. To me, my opinion would be that if we worked together, he could do what I can't and I could do what he doesn't want to, and help each other in the process. But sometimes, life is just life, and we deal with it, and move on....
Dave

 

[bob_bushka]

A way to shine softer plastics (acrylic, ABS, PVC, lexan and such) is to pass an open flame over it quickly after your sanding is complete. You don't want it to catch on fire or to melt but just briskly move the object across the flame until the shine is totally back. This comes in handy for places hard to polish like if you want to bore out a piece of acrylic to have someones name encased or such like Vikings and others have done in the past.

Dick

i like burnishing it with the flat side of a razor blade

 

[GatzkeCues]

Me 2

The learning was and is always aggravating but it defines who we are.
Very similar to wood, Everything has to be seasoned. If I just listened and never did what I was told not to do, I wouldn't understand half of what I think I understand.

Uhh yah me 2. What he said.
Mr. Webb, your statements usually ---- almost always get my attention .
Thanks Mike Gatzke

 

[Duce]

Getting in a hurry to finish a cue was my first problem I can remember. It took me 2 days to go from lumber to finished cue. I think the wood store ripped me off because it didden't stay straight. Seriously it is very hard to take your time and season wood to finish the first few cues. I recomend people look at their first few as dry runs. Build them to try out techniques and see what way you like doing things. Burn them when you finish.
As others have said, NEVER sell anything that is not the best you can do! You will hear all the "I don't mind that"s and "I won't tell anyone you made it"s but in the end it is your reputation you will hurt. I still have my first pointed cue that I keep around, It is hiddeous. I will post some photos when I get a chance. Chris.

I've made a whole lot of mistakes that you guys are talking about.

1. I had an idea that I would like to be a cuemaker. Mistake #1
2. I tried to make and cue and or restore a cue and failed.
3. I have no money and no machines and I am thinking about buying a $400-500 Taig Lathe.
4. I sprayed a clear coat on a cue and was not patient, and totally messed up the finish.
5. I was turning the butt end of a cue, and messed up real bad today.
I took my Jigsaw and was angry and Cut the darn butt of the cue in half.

I just bought an old sneaky pete and it has a warp in it and I thought in my mind I could fix it.

I went for a job interview today at LEXUS and they told me that I should come back tomorrow for another interview, which I will certainly not go. Sales and Commission isn't worth my time. All I thought about during the wait for the interview was, "Man, I wished I was rich and could by all the CNC lathes I wanted." I was dressed up in leather shoes and a tie and was uncomfortable as hell.

I realized, man, I rather do what I love and not make much money, than look and act like a schmuck to make a buck. I wish that the economy and billiards gets a boost.

Maybe billiards and cuemaking is just another phase, but I'll have fun and gain knowledge and probably live longer not dealing with stress (Stress from the outside world anyway).
Cuemaking takes my mind off the B.S. or the world. Even though I suck at it right now, but in 10-20 years, who knows.

But there's always good news, I might get a free pool table from my brothers friend. Hopefully a Gold Crown 3. LoL. Going to check it out this weekend.

 

[WilleeCue]

I think most people start out building cues as opposed to repairing cues to see how cues are made and why. Any monkey can build a cue but to build one that plays well is a trick.

Well ... that is good for a laugh but it is just not true.
It is along the lines of the "kit cue" and the "one button cue machine".
Funny but just not true.
Just as in the car business they say there is "a butt for every seat" in the cue business there is a player for every cue.

I dont know any cue maker that produces perfect work (they all have some flaws hidden or not) so under a "perfect or nothing" rule there would be no cues out there. (J Pechauer cues excepted)

I make what I make, it is what it is, like it or not, I am not perfect and neither are my cues.
However, they seem to be good enough that others try them, like them, and buy them.
I would prefer that the guy with the money in his pocket judge me and my work to be worthy or not.
I think most other cue makers feel the same way ... or not :thumbup: