Cue repair, build to completion delema/question

Salamander

Salamander

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hi all,

I have the following delema: Recently, as has already been reported, Ernie Martinez has closed up shop and will presumably never be building cues again. Unfortunately, Ernie did not complete two of the cues that I had on order with him. The cues were handed over to me as payment for down deposit that I made. My delema is whether to have someone finish them, sell them "as is", or use them as lamp posts. I'd love to get some suggestions as well as potential offers or price quotes to have the work done.

The following is the current status of both cues:

1) All wood (no wrap needed). Butt needs to be turned down slightly to fit two shafts (the shafts are completed). Need a butt cap and bumper added. Needs a finish. Would like a weight bolt added (need to be tapped).

2) All wood (no wrap needed). Butt is complete and has an epoxy coating. Needs a finish. I have two shafts that are at the final sanding stage...they need ferrules, tips, silver check joint rings (matching the butt), and need to be tapped and fitted to the cue. The joint pin will probably have to be removed and replaced since nobody probably has Ernie's unique joint pin (I believe 3/8-12). Needs a weight bolt added (butt needs to be tapped). Butt cap end needs to be smoothed out??

As you can see, I have the delema of whether to make these whole, or let them go as is. Any suggestions are much appreciated.

Best Regards,

Doug
 
You should at least have the nearly completed one finished up... Even if someone else finishes it, it will be worth plenty. Keep the joint pin, most cuemakers can cut threads for it with no problem. Get ahold of another pin for the first cue if you can.
 
Thanks guys, actually both cues have a joint pin already. I simply thought that it would be difficult to find someone to be able to tap the uncompleted shafts. I guess if 3/8-12 is fairly common that might not be too big a deal. I'm conserned that the ringwork on the two shafts might be difficult to duplicate??

Any offers to help out? Or should I just start calling cuemakers?

Regards,

Doug
 
Salamander said:
Thanks guys, actually both cues have a joint pin already. I simply thought that it would be difficult to find someone to be able to tap the uncompleted shafts. I guess if 3/8-12 is fairly common that might not be too big a deal. I'm conserned that the ringwork on the two shafts might be difficult to duplicate??

Any offers to help out? Or should I just start calling cuemakers?

Regards,

Doug
Click to expand...

I believe EM's 3/8 12 pin is an ACME, square bottom type pin like SW or Bender ( different pitch ) so the regular tap might not work.
 
JoeyInCali said:
I believe EM's 3/8 12 pin is an ACME, square bottom type pin like SW or Bender ( different pitch ) so the regular tap might not work.
Click to expand...

Cutting the threads with a router on the lathe is the bomb for that type of pin. Extremely accurate and true.
 
Salamander said:
Hi all,

I have the following delema: Recently, as has already been reported, Ernie Martinez has closed up shop and will presumably never be building cues again. Unfortunately, Ernie did not complete two of the cues that I had on order with him. The cues were handed over to me as payment for down deposit that I made. My delema is whether to have someone finish them, sell them "as is", or use them as lamp posts. I'd love to get some suggestions as well as potential offers or price quotes to have the work done.
Doug
Click to expand...

It would be nice if Ernie would agree to inspect the cues after they were finished and if they met his standards sign them.
 
WilleeCue said:
It would be nice if Ernie would agree to inspect the cues after they were finished and if they met his standards sign them.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good job for you Willie.
 
WilleeCue said:
It would be nice if Ernie would agree to inspect the cues after they were finished and if they met his standards sign them.
Click to expand...
Willee, I don't mean to be rude, but I believe "standards" should also include personal integrity. Rather than being afforded an opportunity to sign work he did not complete, the man should get his tail back to the shop and meet his obligations.
 
Hi all,

Thanks for the advice. I don't think Willee was trying to undermine anyone's integrity. I guess there is a fine line as to when a cue is no longer considered made by the cuemaker? If a scruggs is refinished...is it still a scruggs? Buttcap replaced...still a scruggs? Shafts replaced...still a scruggs? etc....

I totally agree that Ernie should get his ass back in the shop and finish them. If and when these cues are ever completed, I have no intention of ever trying to get Ernie to sign them (he actually uses a logo anyway). I'm well aware that the value of the cues will be significantly less than if Ernie were to complete them. This is obviously part of the reason why it is important for me to decide whether it is worthwhile to have them completed, or am I throwing good money after bad.

If these cues are ever sold down the road, their history will be revealed.

Regards,

Doug
 
Salamander said:
Hi all,

Thanks for the advice. I don't think Willee was trying to undermine anyone's integrity. I guess there is a fine line as to when a cue is no longer considered made by the cuemaker? If a scruggs is refinished...is it still a scruggs? Buttcap replaced...still a scruggs? Shafts replaced...still a scruggs? etc....

I totally agree that Ernie should get his ass back in the shop and finish them. If and when these cues are ever completed, I have no intention of ever trying to get Ernie to sign them (he actually uses a logo anyway). I'm well aware that the value of the cues will be significantly less than if Ernie were to complete them. This is obviously part of the reason why it is important for me to decide whether it is worthwhile to have them completed, or am I throwing good money after bad.
If these cues are ever sold down the road, their history will be revealed.
Regards,
Doug
Click to expand...
I don't believe he did, I know Willee is devoted to his trade just as most makers are. The point I was attempting to make is, for a cm (EM) to leave several people hanging like this, is totally unacceptable. I venture to say that conduct such as EM's is frowned upon by by every maker that visits this forum (and I'm sure many that do not). I see the custom maker as being the foundation for the entire industry. They should be setting the good example, and I do believe most do. As for the fine line, when an artist signs a painting, he is saying "I painted this". Likewise, when a cm signs his/her cue (or applies a logo), they are saying "I made this". Refinishing, replacing a shaft, or replacing a butt cap, I believe, would fall under the heading of maintenance, or repairs. The original "painting" is still the works of the artist (or cm).
I wish I could offer up good advice to help you with your dilema, but I cannot. Speaking only for myself, I really dislike completing a cue someone else has started. In fact, I won't. There are just too many unknowns. Best of luck to you.

Willee, apologies if I offended you. You & I both know what it's like to work our tails off and treat people honestly in this business, only to hear stories like this one.
 
You know I was just wondering does anyone know what the $ is for szambotis last unfinished piece????
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top