I'm interested in learning the art of cue making. I love seeing some of the fantastic work, and reading through some of the processes involved with turning some wood into a beautiful piece of work. I know cue makers are very particular and protective of their trade. Is it possible for someone with no cue making experience to get involved with a cue maker? Perhaps something like an apprenticeship program? Work for cheap in exchange for some knowledge and basic experience/exposure? Take out trash, sweep, clean, etc., for the opportunuity to see and learn some of the basics of cue making? I'm in Dallas btw, if anyone is looking for a free helper for a few hours a week. :grin: Thanks for reading.
Cue maker apprenticeship?
- Thread starter 4.0x3.48
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You have to ask yourself..."why would a Qmaker do this & what is in it for him". Basically he shows you his equipment., his methods & you take this experience & are now his competitor. WHY, would he do this? It is very hard to make a living in this endever, but to instruct a new competitor is cutting his own throat. I'm afraid that you will have to learn the way most of us did...THE HARD WAY. I mean no disrespect in this, but what is the advantage for the Qmaker?...JER
There are plenty of people willing to share most of what you will need to know to get started.
Is Deikman still offering his cue making college? There are many instances of cue makers sharing their knowledge with an apprentice. You could conceivably search the cue builder forum and become an AZ apprentice, many have done so, I believe. Good luck and let no one keep you from your dreams.
As those who have been here for awhile will tell you, I am more than willing to answer any questions, to help someone new. I am still in the caveman era. Contact me after you have taken the steps, to purchase equipment & are willing to commit to this occupation. Whether your title is CUE REPAIRMAN or CUEMAKER, I can help you. If your title is, I THINK I WANT TO MAKE MONEY MAKING CUES, I'm sorry you don't understand what's required, for this job...JER
non-competitor
i beg to differ. i was in a similar situation and wanted to learn more about how to make a cue, simply for the love of the art of making cues.
i got lucky and found a shop to work in.
in no ways was i looking to learn the trade to start a new profession.
i looked at it more of a scenario of, if someone had a chance to clean the brushes of picasso or monet, is there any other reason not to?
i agree that there are some out there that want to learn, simply for the purposes of building a brand; however, there are some out there, like myself, that did it for pure respect for builders like you.
AND, to tell you the truth, before i started working in this shop, i would have NEVER thought to spend 1000 on a cue; however, now that i know how much actually goes into making a cue, and the subtleties of cuemaking, i most definitely would consider spending a lot more on a cue. as a result, i have a few cues in the works from CMs i found on AZ
so, to sum up
1. i did it not be a builder but to learn
2. hopefully i helped a CM
3. as a result, from a passive player, i have become an active consumer in this niche market.
i beg to differ. i was in a similar situation and wanted to learn more about how to make a cue, simply for the love of the art of making cues.
i got lucky and found a shop to work in.
in no ways was i looking to learn the trade to start a new profession.
i looked at it more of a scenario of, if someone had a chance to clean the brushes of picasso or monet, is there any other reason not to?
i agree that there are some out there that want to learn, simply for the purposes of building a brand; however, there are some out there, like myself, that did it for pure respect for builders like you.
AND, to tell you the truth, before i started working in this shop, i would have NEVER thought to spend 1000 on a cue; however, now that i know how much actually goes into making a cue, and the subtleties of cuemaking, i most definitely would consider spending a lot more on a cue. as a result, i have a few cues in the works from CMs i found on AZ
so, to sum up
1. i did it not be a builder but to learn
2. hopefully i helped a CM
3. as a result, from a passive player, i have become an active consumer in this niche market.
If a cue maker is afraid to share with somebody else because he's afraid of competition, maybe he should find another profession. There are new cue makers popping up on this site almost weekly and that doesn't include the ones that don't read this site.
I wouldn't be afraid to teach every person in my town how to build cues. If a customer wants to by a cue from me, they will call me. If they don't, they won't. It makes no difference to me either way.
I don't consider myself in competition with anybody, except maybe the voices inside my head.
I wouldn't be afraid to teach every person in my town how to build cues. If a customer wants to by a cue from me, they will call me. If they don't, they won't. It makes no difference to me either way.
I don't consider myself in competition with anybody, except maybe the voices inside my head.
Honestly, in such a litigous society, the liability is astounding. If you allow someone to work with your machines, you are probably asking for trouble.
If you don't have a commercial business location and that person gets hurt at your house, what are the chances your insurance company will walk away? They will probably even cancel your policy. Good luck after that.
Even if you don't get sued you should expect to cover their medical. This is reasonable anyway. Ask yourself if you have ever worked for another and not expected to be taken care of while helping them earn money.....I never have and never will.
There are no friends in business because business involves money. There are associates. Money and friends don't mix.....ever.
My friend is a Master Carpenter and I won't let him touch my stationary tools....
I'm not trying to be a jerk. These are facts as I understand them and I know all too well about how money and friends mix.
If you don't have a commercial business location and that person gets hurt at your house, what are the chances your insurance company will walk away? They will probably even cancel your policy. Good luck after that.
Even if you don't get sued you should expect to cover their medical. This is reasonable anyway. Ask yourself if you have ever worked for another and not expected to be taken care of while helping them earn money.....I never have and never will.
There are no friends in business because business involves money. There are associates. Money and friends don't mix.....ever.
My friend is a Master Carpenter and I won't let him touch my stationary tools....
I'm not trying to be a jerk. These are facts as I understand them and I know all too well about how money and friends mix.
Unfortunately Pesc, that is probably the most valid point, and one that I'm sure that a couple here will agree with as this has been discussed previously.
Its one of the reasons that Dick has mentioned that he won't build a shaft machine for any one else.
Unless signing an injury waiver is considered to be legal.
Its one of the reasons that Dick has mentioned that he won't build a shaft machine for any one else.
Unless signing an injury waiver is considered to be legal.
I would offer the suggestion that whether you find a mentor locally or simply on here, that you're going to learn more and faster if you have already tried to "do it" on your own. Get a lathe, try installing some tips and ferrules. Get some cheap 1" "hardwood" dowels from Home Depot and do a little turning on them - at $2-3 bucks apiece you haven't lost anything if you booger one up. It's not going to be a useable shaft piece, but the experience you get is very useable.
The guys on here are REALLY helpful.
My 2 cents,
Gary
The guys on here are REALLY helpful.
My 2 cents,
Gary
Take machining 101 at your local college for one semester then go from there.
Eric Wynne
Banned
There are lotz of builders who are willing ... logistics would limit your side . There are lots of videos . I personally don't need the distraction unless you were willing to pay . Time is money and I would consider most cue makers machinists and charge accordingly . It's not really a hobby because you must spend a chunk of money in tools , machines , and wood to produce a quality product . taking someone in on a free ride is not as easy as you think ... Think about it ...
Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply. I appriciate everyones ideas and suggestions. My desire to learn more about cue making comes from more of a hobby level interest, as opposed to a career. I am actually a machinist myself, and have been running a prototype machine shop for the last 12 years. So, with that said, I also understand why a tradesmen would be proctective of their processes, and concerned with the liability of letting someone around potentially dangerous equipment. I will keep reading the forums, and learing as much as I can from some of the skilled folks on the board. Im planning on swinging by the local library to pick up a book or two on the subject, as well as buying a couple chunks of wood that I wouldn't mind throwing away. 
I can only inagine that wood acts much different than a billet of 7075 or titanium. I do have a C-axis lathe, 5 axis mill, and a MasterCAM certification, so with all that I should be able to make some kind of chips...
Thanks again for everyone's time, and thanks to the folks that PM'ed me on my question. Also, I live in Richardson, not very far from Anna...(hint hint)! :grin:
I can only inagine that wood acts much different than a billet of 7075 or titanium. I do have a C-axis lathe, 5 axis mill, and a MasterCAM certification, so with all that I should be able to make some kind of chips...Thanks again for everyone's time, and thanks to the folks that PM'ed me on my question. Also, I live in Richardson, not very far from Anna...(hint hint)! :grin:
Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply. I appriciate everyones ideas and suggestions. My desire to learn more about cue making comes from more of a hobby level interest, as opposed to a career. I am actually a machinist myself, and have been running a prototype machine shop for the last 12 years. So, with that said, I also understand why a tradesmen would be proctective of their processes, and concerned with the liability of letting someone around potentially dangerous equipment. I will keep reading the forums, and learing as much as I can from some of the skilled folks on the board. Im planning on swinging by the local library to pick up a book or two on the subject, as well as buying a couple chunks of wood that I wouldn't mind throwing away.
Thanks again for everyone's time, and thanks to the folks that PM'ed me on my question. Also, I live in Richardson, not very far from Anna...(hint hint)! :grin:
With that resume, you just might get some serious offers. Mastercam can do some serious stuff, and if you can walk that dog, there are surely some that want to go hunting.
pass on your legacy ?
what if George Balabushka had taken this attitude with Pete Tascarella ?
That's all I'm sayin' . . . .
what if George Balabushka had taken this attitude with Pete Tascarella ?
That's all I'm sayin' . . . .
Then quite simply, Pete would have to learn for himself.
If you have to hold someone's hand for them to become a CM, you better be holding both of them or one of them might wind-up in your pocket.
In order to understand a CM's perspective, it helps if you actually are a CM.
If you have to hold someone's hand for them to become a CM, you better be holding both of them or one of them might wind-up in your pocket.
In order to understand a CM's perspective, it helps if you actually are a CM.