Cue Repair resource
- Thread starter Matt_24
- Start date
Try Unique Products, Inc. They have repair lathes starting at $695, with videos on how-to-do cue repair.
http://www.uniqueinc.com/
http://www.uniqueinc.com/
There more expensive, but I like the Porper lathe. You can do everything with it and it is heavier built. I have two.
How much money you want to spend is the key. You want a $700 answer, or a $4000 answer?
Also to consider is what all repair you want to do. If you want to do shaft cleanings, ferrules and tips only, then that can be achieved with a $300 lathe from Harbor Freight, a table, and a 2x4.
If you want to add wraps and refinishing, you will need a 30 inch lathe of some sort. The question then becomes a matter of the quality of the machine. There are cheap ones and good ones. In my opinion, you won't find both cheap and good in one machine, and cue work is not something you will succeed in if you cut corners and go cheap on everything.
Lastly, if you want to build new shafts and do joint work, you need nothing short of a machine lathe or a Porper Model B. The model B is an entry level machine for cue making also, and can do almost everything. If $3200 is too much, then consider a 40 inch Grizzly lathe or something like it. They are about $2k, but you won't get tapering with that price.
This subject could turn into a book very easily, huh guys?
Also to consider is what all repair you want to do. If you want to do shaft cleanings, ferrules and tips only, then that can be achieved with a $300 lathe from Harbor Freight, a table, and a 2x4.
If you want to add wraps and refinishing, you will need a 30 inch lathe of some sort. The question then becomes a matter of the quality of the machine. There are cheap ones and good ones. In my opinion, you won't find both cheap and good in one machine, and cue work is not something you will succeed in if you cut corners and go cheap on everything.
Lastly, if you want to build new shafts and do joint work, you need nothing short of a machine lathe or a Porper Model B. The model B is an entry level machine for cue making also, and can do almost everything. If $3200 is too much, then consider a 40 inch Grizzly lathe or something like it. They are about $2k, but you won't get tapering with that price.
This subject could turn into a book very easily, huh guys?
Well, I bought the Hightower book and I've started reading it. I'm coming from a background of zero machinist/tool experience (besides some basic bandsaw/drill press usage)...so it is a learning experience, but everything seems quite fascinating. I'll definitely do all of my homework before I purchase any equipment. Thanks everyone.
Matt-Matt_24 said:
I was in your shoes about 4 years ago, NOT one clue about machining, tooling or a lathe. I bought Hightowers book and both videos, read the entire book and watched the videos along with the book. This gave me written and visual direction at the same time, plus it helped me learn some machinist "lingo". I highly recommend Chris Hightower's equipment!
I have the Mid-Size Lathe and am soon getting a Deluxe Lathe. Chris is available thru email or phone to answer any questions you may have about his lathes and other cuemaking questions. There are a few lathes out there that are capable of building/repairing cues, but for the price, portability and customer service....I chose a Cue Smith Lathe from Chris Hightower.
Are you still in the AF? If so, these are the lathes you want, solid enough for work, but portable and lightweight enough to move in your HHG Shipment and still have plenty of weight left over for your HHG!
Just my opinions,
Zim
Zims Rack said:
Thanks for the information Zim! Ragbug- Thanks for your pms. Wow, what great support and all I've done is mentioned an interest. Seems like cuemakers are more supportive in helping other build, than PLAYERS were in helping me learn how to play...hahahahha.
I'm still in the Air Force and I actually was planning on purchasing a really nice bandsaw and drill press for some other projects I'm working on...so the lathe won't make a huge difference in shipping. I will have to come out of pocket to ship these items when it comes time to move, but no biggie.
I really just want to get my hands wet with cue repair at first, but I figure when I'm ready I will invest in a quality lathe from Chris. My question is this...what did the "Masters" use? My long term (way on down the road) is to build classic looking cues like Bushka/Szamboti - all done by hands with minimal tools (from what I've heard). Of course, this could be a pipe dream, but that is the "long term" vision. Building your classic four pointed cue with veneers and some inlays. I've yet to see if this is covered in the book (just got it yesterday and I'm kind of browsing through it right now, but I'm going to start reading it more intensely tonight) but I hope so.
Anyhow, that is all for now. Thanks for the support and I'll bring up more questions as they arise.
Well - here is the first one if anyone wants to share. How does one build a 4 point forearm with veneers? I guess the correct terminology is a "blank"?
Thanks.
PetreeCues said:
The first new lathe I bought was an Enco 13X36. I made a full length tapering attachment for it the first day I had it for less than 10.00. Also on the first day I made an adapter for the back of the spindle and mounted a chuck there for centering.
Dick