Cue Points

[pocono]

Does anyone know what the acceptable standard is for even points on a six pointed cue. I was under the understanding that the points should be within 1/8 of an inch of each other. Someone told me that 1/4 of an inch was the acceptable standard. I have a brand new Southwest Cue in my possesion with uneven points that are about 1/4 of an off. If anyone had this cue would they keep the cue or send it back to Southwest Cues? Any help in this matter will be greatly appreciated. Regards! Charles

 

[Rackin_Zack]

That's why I ordered my 6 point cue from Skip Weston! I know that if the points aren't perfect they will be damn close.

I just received my 4 point ebony into curly maple Skip Weston from Joe at classiccues.com and I can tell you that Skip's work is unbelievable. The cue is so smooth and well balanced it feels as though it's part of your arm! Just my $0.02.

 

[Brandon79ta]

If I paid the kind of money for a cue that Southwest requires there's no question if they were more then a 1/16th off it would be sent back in a heartbeat. If I could turn the cue and tell they were off at all it would be gone, specially a high dollar cue like a Southwest.

 

[TATE]

Does anyone know what the acceptable standard is for even points on a six pointed cue. I was under the understanding that the points should be within 1/8 of an inch of each other. Someone told me that 1/4 of an inch was the acceptable standard. I have a brand new Southwest Cue in my possesion with uneven points that are about 1/4 of an off. If anyone had this cue would they keep the cue or send it back to Southwest Cues? Any help in this matter will be greatly appreciated. Regards! Charles

Personally, I wouldn't let 1/4" bother me a bit. Southwest's are genuinely spliced, hand made cues, so there will be some variation. Remember, it only takes a few thousandths of an inch to make the points uneven. Such things as veneer thickness or an slightly off center lathe (when the cue is turned) can do it.

Should a Southwest cue be perfect? The answer is no. I have a six point KC cue made in China. The points are absolutely perfect. That's because they are cut by a computer. For $100 you can have a perfect copy of your fantastic imperfect Southwest cue!

If I see perfect points, it's usually the sign of inlaid or CNC cut points.

Chris

 

[Gerald]

I would be unhappy with a 1/4 difference. 1/8" would seem to be acceptable.
But--if the hit is what I hear it is that is the bottom line. I would definitely call them and see what their reaction is to your disappointment. It is alot of $ and a long wait and seems strange that they would let that out of their door. But when they have a line of people willing to wait 6-7 years for one of their cues maybe quality control gets a little bit lax. Let us know what their attitude is when you call.

 

[SSach]

I have a Southwest that is due shortly and would really like to know the outcome.... I have a Samsara cue and all the points are perfect...you can actually see the points fade into the ebony, very sharp and clean...

Let us know what they say. By the way how many veneers on the points..any pics??

 

[SUPERSTAR]

Does anyone know what the acceptable standard is for even points on a six pointed cue. I was under the understanding that the points should be within 1/8 of an inch of each other. Someone told me that 1/4 of an inch was the acceptable standard. I have a brand new Southwest Cue in my possesion with uneven points that are about 1/4 of an off. If anyone had this cue would they keep the cue or send it back to Southwest Cues? Any help in this matter will be greatly appreciated. Regards! Charles

Ok...let me get something straight. You are talking about a 6 point cue where 3 points are "longer" and 3 points are "shorter"?????? Or do you think that all the points should be the same height.

If you were talking about a 6 point cue where all the points are supposed to be the same height, then i can see a problem with some points being off by 1/4" but the fact of the matter is...i've seen many southwests, and if i'm not mistaken...the majority of THEIR 6 point cues have 3 points that are long (every other point) and 3 points that are shorter...(the other points)

If you are talking about the long points vs the other long points or the short vs short, then please say that so. I mean....i think that is what you are saying, but i'm not sure and therefore can't give an opinion.

If you could just clear this up for us, that would be great.
SUPERSTAR

 

[drivermaker]

Personally, I wouldn't let 1/4" bother me a bit. Southwest's are genuinely spliced, hand made cues, so there will be some variation.

Should a Southwest cue be perfect? The answer is no.

If I see perfect points, it's usually the sign of inlaid or CNC cut points.

Chris

If I see perfect points that are genuinely spliced, hand made and perfect...it's a sign that the cuemaker is a genuine artisan at his craft and deserves the kind of reputation that comes from that. He takes his time, doesn't cut corners, and doesn't break the golden rule of measuring twice and cutting once. There's no excuse for as much as 1/4", especially Southwest. Should they be 1/4" off? The answer is HELL NO!

 

[pocono]

Rackin_Zack, Enjoy your Skip Weston, he does make a beautiful cue. Regards! Charlie

 

[pocono]

Brandon79Ta, Thanks for the response. Personaly I don't think the points should be off by more than a 1/8 of an inch on high end cues. Regards! Charlie

 

[pocono]

Chris, Thanks for your input. I agree and disagree with your opinon. I agree that a Southwest Cue doesn't have to be perfect. I disagree with the 1/4" dimension, my personal opinon points that are a 1/4 of an inch off are not acceptable on higher end cues. Regards! Charlie

 

[pocono]

Gerald, Thanks for the input. I sent a email to Laurie from Southwest Cues. I will post a reply when I receive a response from Southwest. Regards! Charlie

 

[pocono]

I have a Southwest that is due shortly and would really like to know the outcome.... I have a Samsara cue and all the points are perfect...you can actually see the points fade into the ebony, very sharp and clean...

Let us know what they say. By the way how many veneers on the points..any pics??

SSach, Thanks for the input. The cue has three veneers, no I don't have any photos of the cue. I was going to buy the cue from a reputable dealer but I sent the cue back when I seen the points. I also sent a email to Lori from Southwest cues, I will keep you posted when I receive her response. Regards! Charlie

 

[pocono]

Superstar, Thanks for the input. I will try to clarify what I'm trying to say. The cue has three short points and three long points with triple veneers. Two of the three short points are uneven, they are off by a quarter of an inch. One of the long points is uneven, off approx. 1/4 of an inch. Hope this helps. Regards! Charlie

 

[pocono]

If I see perfect points that are genuinely spliced, hand made and perfect...it's a sign that the cuemaker is a genuine artisan at his craft and deserves the kind of reputation that comes from that. He takes his time, doesn't cut corners, and doesn't break the golden rule of measuring twice and cutting once. There's no excuse for as much as 1/4", especially Southwest. Should they be 1/4" off? The answer is HELL NO!

Drivermaker, Thanks for the input, I agree, I sent the cue back to the dealer. Regards! Charlie

 

[racer rx]

Hey Pocono,

sorry to hear of your troubles, but more importantly, how does it play?

I've shot with a few cues before such as Predator, Meucci and Viking. How does the Southwest hit in comparison?

Does anyone know what kind of taper the Southwest cues have as well as what ferulle they use? How are they for Deflection characteristics?

sorry for all the questions, but I was just wondering how they play since nooooo-one around here can afford that type of cue.

 

[pocono]

Hey Pocono,

sorry to hear of your troubles, but more importantly, how does it play?

I've shot with a few cues before such as Predator, Meucci and Viking. How does the Southwest hit in comparison?

Does anyone know what kind of taper the Southwest cues have as well as what ferulle they use? How are they for Deflection characteristics?

sorry for all the questions, but I was just wondering how they play since nooooo-one around here can afford that type of cue.

Racer rx, The cue played great and has a good balance. The cue is solid with a soft hit. I was impressed on how well the cue transferred energy from the cue ball to the object ball. Little efferot was required moving the cue ball around the table. To my knowledge, the standard ferrule is plastic, I don't what material they use. Ivory ferrules are available upon request. They offer a standard pro taper and extended Pro taper. In my opinon the cue is worth the money and the eight year wait. Take care. Charlie

 

[pocono]

I have a Southwest that is due shortly and would really like to know the outcome.... I have a Samsara cue and all the points are perfect...you can actually see the points fade into the ebony, very sharp and clean...

Let us know what they say. By the way how many veneers on the points..any pics??

SSach, I received a response from Southwest Cues, they stated that uneven points are a cosmetic issue and the playability of the cue is in no way affected. Southwest would prefer to have every cue come out perfectly. They are working with wood which does move and change with the environment. Uneven points off by 1/4" does not deem a cue garbage. Rejecting the cue for my collection is my prerogative. Our primary purpose is making a cue that plays well. We still have to be realistic in our expections for the finished product. Sorry for the inconvenience. The cue did play well. Hope this helps.

 

[TATE]

SSach, I received a response from Southwest Cues, they stated that uneven points are a cosmetic issue and the playability of the cue is in no way affected. Southwest would prefer to have every cue come out perfectly. They are working with wood which does move and change with the environment. Uneven points off by 1/4" does not deem a cue garbage. Rejecting the cue for my collection is my prerogative. Our primary purpose is making a cue that plays well. We still have to be realistic in our expections for the finished product. Sorry for the inconvenience. The cue did play well. Hope this helps.

I reiterate what I said before about imperfection in custom cues, except I will add to it.

Most of the cues with perfectly even points are inlaid CNC or engraved
points. They might be finished up and sharpened by hand, but not too many truly spliced cues are perfect in this regard. Points that are a little off, and I consider a total of 1/4 " off in three points to be within reason, are the sign of a custom hand-made cue. Therefore, the sign of a hand milled true spliced cue is slightly uneven points.

However, if I were Southwest Cues, if a customer objected and rejected the cue, I would definitely give them their money back - no questions asked. After all, their cues can be re-sold and there are many buyers who would be perfectly happy with uneven points in a Southwest cue.

I remember once buying an semi-expensive rifle. I had a choice between one with a beautiful straight grain french walnut stock, and one with a wild curly figured dark streak french walnut. I chose the straight grain stock. The dealer looked at me puzzled and said "most collectors would choose the other one because of the character of the figure". He viewed it as beauty and I viewed it as imperfection. I said "OK" and took the wild stock instead.
To this day, I am grateful to the salesman because it is the most beautiful imperfect wood I have ever seen.

Chris

 

[Tommy-D]

Uneven points

> There was a discussion about hand-spliced vs CNC points on RSB a while back,and one guy said I was the only person he had ever heard of that preferred the rounded,pantographed or CNC cut points to the spliced,and several others just thought I was NUTS. I would be upset over 1/4 inch variation in the points of a Southwest I waited that long for and paid that much for to the point that I would probably go to the shop and cause a scene. This is why I have yet to buy a spliced point cue from anyone. I like the way a well made spliced cue plays,but that much variation would drive me nuts in a cue I paid 1000 or more for. I am not debating which is better as far as a construction method,or which one takes the most skill or time,merely the aesthetics of this phenomena. Does this mean if the right cue came along,or I had to extra cash to seek out a nice SW,Scruggs,Searing or other spliced cue I would turn it down based on that? No,but the hit would have to be pretty spectacular to replace my Runde era Schon,which is the best hitting cue I've ever picked up,and has perfect rounded points to boot. I have always preferred the rounded points that Joss,Schon,and several other popularized,and probably always will. I could accept 1/16,maybe 1/8 if the hit was too good to pass up,but 1/4 would set me off. Tommy D.