Cue case repair...

[jdelcue]

While I was walking home last night across campus I heard a sudden crash on the pavement behind me...it did not startle me, as it did not sound threatening or anything like that...more like sticks of some sort had hit the ground, but not from too high up or anything like that...

Lo and behold! My custom Nitti and Sledgehammer butts were rolling down the dark & wet gravel streets of Emory at 1am! Needless to say, they have acquired a few "beauty marks" that did not come standard with their original finishes...lol (trying to laugh to stop from crying ) -- I'll just have them refinished in the future sometime, I guess...

::sigh::

In any case, what happened was the bottom of my case just came loose on one side and the butts came a'tumblin' out (I was relieved that the shafts were stuck in their tubes! Had my Searing shaft hit the ground, I would seriously have had a heart attack!). The case is actually a black Vincitore 2x4 handed down to me by another friend of mine here at Emory...

I'll start by saying that the case looked like it took a bit of a beating before I got it. In all honesty, guess I should have had it repaired by now anyways, so this in no way goes against the quality of the Vincitore cases -- I maintain that they're great cases for the money...

Thing is I don't think I can just put the bottom back in there and nail it up again. Would kind of like to get some help on this one...

The oval bottom which fell out seems to be comprised of a few layers...layers of padding on the inside and leather on the outside, and then cardboard inbetween...needless to say, the cardboard layer (which is where the nails are hammered into to fix the oval to the bottom of the case) is pretty "used," so I'm thinking maybe just have a new bottom made and installed on the case?...and the brass nails on the bottom of the case are all bent out of shape, so I'd need new nails, too...

I'm sure that there are many of you who would just recommend buying a new case, but I actually really like this one...

I like that its worn and I don't have to worry about scratches or scuffs or leather maintenance. Lol. Also, it has a big "Emory University" decal across the back of it which is no longer available in my bookstore (the kind that you would fix onto your car's rear window and then peel off the plastic sheet and leave just the self-adhesive letters behind). I'm hoping that this sort of repair wouldn't be too much money...



So...is there anyone out there who would like to pick up the job? I'd send the case along with the bottom...you could either try to repair the existing bottom, or install a new one if that wouldn't work...


Thanks,
- Joaquin.

 

[paulybatz]

Get a....

get an instroke case...the best protection for your cues...I bought a vincitore and sent it back the same day I received it...and got an instroke vinyl cowboy...it may not look as nice outside as the vincitore but has the same tubes and protection and quality top notch construction as all other instroke cases.

If you have at least 1K worth of cues why not spend 150-200 on a case to protect them.

 

[jdelcue]

get an instroke case...the best protection for your cues...I bought a vincitore and sent it back the same day I received it...and got an instroke vinyl cowboy...it may not look as nice outside as the vincitore but has the same tubes and protection and quality top notch construction as all other instroke cases.

If you have at least 1K worth of cues why not spend 150-200 on a case to protect them.

Fine, fine....

Who's got a deal on a case for me, then?
Lol

But still interested in repair, so both options stand. Repairing my case or buying a new one...

 

[ABall]

Fine, fine....

Who's got a deal on a case for me, then?
Lol

But still interested in repair, so both options stand. Repairing my case or buying a new one...

They make duct tape in all colors now...even clear. Seriously, if you get a decent case, you'll never need another.

 

[rackem]

Your case is most likely not worth fixing. I need $140 delivered for this brand new 2X4. It is made in the same factory as Instroke but without the logo. If you want I can toss it around and scuff it up before I ship it. Please PM if interested.

 

[grc]

heh same thing happened to me but i was on the second floor outside. 3 cues going down between concrete stairs onto grass (thank goodness). Not fun. It was a vinticore. Pics later maybe. But yeah, gl to you about that.

 

[ribdoner]

Fine, fine....

Who's got a deal on a case for me, then?
Lol

But still interested in repair, so both options stand. Repairing my case or buying a new one...

If you get an Instroke get one of the newer ones with the diamond shaped base for the top latch gromut. MUCH IMPROVED!!

The old style can be retrofitted--apprx cost $50 ($25 roundtrip frt + $25 for latch upgrade)

 

[paulybatz]

I bought mine...

when they switched over and the place I bought it had old stock...instroke told me if the latch ever broke they would replace it for me for free...its still as nice as the day I received it.

Unless a case says Instroke on it...its not an instroke...that is what they said about Vincitore...its made the same way...I can tell you first hand it is not...the tubes and lining are not the same at all.

Ive never heard of the bottom dropping out of an instroke.

Another really quality case though Ive never had one in my hands but have talked to people with them is the Talisman cases.

 

[jdelcue]

when they switched over and the place I bought it had old stock...instroke told me if the latch ever broke they would replace it for me for free...its still as nice as the day I received it.

Unless a case says Instroke on it...its not an instroke...that is what they said about Vincitore...its made the same way...I can tell you first hand it is not...the tubes and lining are not the same at all.

Ive never heard of the bottom dropping out of an instroke.

Another really quality case though Ive never had one in my hands but have talked to people with them is the Talisman cases.

I hear ya. Not sure I like how they look, though...all that tribal design and what not...and they're a tad expensive for me.

I like the idea of an InStroke...I saw a used one on eBay. Not sure I'll be "chasing" it but I like the very dark brown color a lot...weird, cuz I haven't seen any others like that...

But yeah, guess I'll just wait a few days and see what everyone on here has to offer me as far as cases go. Anything InStroke quality and up. Cap at $300 (but I'm definitely looking to spend way less -- around $125 to $200 is my realistic range...but when I see something I REALLY like, I always seem to find a way to make that extra buck materialize out of nowhere...lol ).

 

[rackem]

Unless a case says Instroke on it...its not an instroke...that is what they said about Vincitore...its made the same way...I can tell you first hand it is not...the tubes and lining are not the same at all.

Vincitore and Instroke as I know them were never the same quality.
Yes, it must say Instroke to be an Instroke. But it does not have to say Instroke to be the same quality import or for that matter the same case.

 

[ChrisOnline]

Joaquin, i sent you a few pm;'s reguarding introke cases.. let me know.. i will get you the best prices i can.. talk to you soon..chris

 

[jdelcue]

I really like the color of this case:

Instroke 2x4 Dark Brown

I've never seen them that color elsewhere, though...
...what's up with that? Lol.

 

[jdelcue]

I think I'd like an Instroke Buffalo 2x4...

Anyone happen to have one for sale at a good price?
The darker, the better...

 

[deep]

I think I'd like an Instroke Buffalo 2x4......

Tho I would recommend Instroke case for there cue protection i wouldn't recommend the buffalo for there build quality.

 

[Rangercap]

....I'll start by saying that the case looked like it took a bit of a beating before I got it. In all honesty, guess I should have had it repaired by now anyways, so this in no way goes against the quality of the Vincitore cases -- I maintain that they're great cases for the money...

Thing is I don't think I can just put the bottom back in there and nail it up again. Would kind of like to get some help on this one...

The oval bottom which fell out seems to be comprised of a few layers...layers of padding on the inside and leather on the outside, and then cardboard inbetween...needless to say, the cardboard layer (which is where the nails are hammered into to fix the oval to the bottom of the case) is pretty "used," so I'm thinking maybe just have a new bottom made and installed on the case?...and the brass nails on the bottom of the case are all bent out of shape, so I'd need new nails, too...

I'm sure that there are many of you who would just recommend buying a new case, but I actually really like this one...

.....So...is there anyone out there who would like to pick up the job? I'd send the case along with the bottom...you could either try to repair the existing bottom, or install a new one if that wouldn't work...


Thanks,
- Joaquin.

I repaired a Bentley for a friend 2 years ago. Same thing happened. It was a P.O.S. case. Cheap leather, cheap "cardboard" backing. The bottom was a ultra cheap wood, about 1/4" thick. The nails even sucked. What happened is the nails split the wood, and weakened the bottom of the case. I replaced the bottom with a thicker piece of plywood, and renailed through the old holes.

In your case, the leather may have torn, so you would be able to reuse the bottom, and tack around the previous holes that blew out. It is really not that hard to do. All you need are some 3/4" "escutcheon" nails. You can get them at the hardware store. They come in brass or nickel.

If the wood split, you could get someone to cut you a new piece. I couldn't see more than $10 to fix it yourself. You can peel off the old material, and reglue it to the new bottom. Same for the feet.

I also have some full grain leather 2b4s cases for sale, if you are interested.

Brian
www.nittanyleather.com

 

[ribdoner]

I repaired a Bentley for a friend 2 years ago. Same thing happened. It was a P.O.S. case. Cheap leather, cheap "cardboard" backing. The bottom was a ultra cheap wood, about 1/4" thick. The nails even sucked. What happened is the nails split the wood, and weakened the bottom of the case. I replaced the bottom with a thicker piece of plywood, and renailed through the old holes.

In your case, the leather may have torn, so you would be able to reuse the bottom, and tack around the previous holes that blew out. It is really not that hard to do. All you need are some 3/4" "escutcheon" nails. You can get them at the hardware store. They come in brass or nickel.

If the wood split, you could get someone to cut you a new piece. I couldn't see more than $10 to fix it yourself. You can peel off the old material, and reglue it to the new bottom. Same for the feet.



I also have some full grain leather 2b4s cases for sale, if you are interested.

Brian
www.nittanyleather.com

100% agreement about BENTLEY's.

FWIW your work looks top shelf

 

[jdelcue]

I just duct taped the bottom, nailed it in a few different places with a hammer, and that's that. Lol.

Thanks everyone!

 

[JimS]

I just duct taped the bottom, nailed it in a few different places with a hammer, and that's that. Lol.

Thanks everyone!

It's got "character", it works, and it'll be last on the list of cases to get the attention of a thief.

 

[poolcuemaster]

I'm in a bad way now since I bought a new black vincitore from Chris a few months ago and my wife has a beautifull Bently 2 x4 that I bought her for christmas 3 years ago from Billiards Warehouse so do I nail now or silicone or duct tape . Really though the Bently is a pretty case for a gal and she has played league 3 nights a week with it for several years with no problems.I have tools ,saws and wood so they will be looked at real close. Leonard

 

[cardsfan]

Tho I would recommend Instroke case for there cue protection i wouldn't recommend the buffalo for there build quality.

What's wrong with the build quality of the Instroke Buffalo?