Cue Shop Requirements...

[Zims Rack]

What would you say is the bare minimum someone would need in a cue shop to make cues, nothing with elaborate inlays, just plain janes and simple cues?

1) cue lathe
2) band saw
3) work table
4) table/lathe for adding finish
5) fans/heaters
6) shop vac

I am going to be very limited on the space available, but would have access to a full wood shop within minutes to do the big work. Just looking to have a little shop to do cue repair and maybe make some Plain Jane cues or Sneaky Petes.
I just thought I'd get some opinions from others doing something similar.

Thanks,
Zim

 

[blud]

Zimmer, you forgot a couple of things,
a spray booth and a rotation system that will turn your cues and shafts....

It would be very hard to use the same lathe for sanding and spraying finish. You really need a dust free booth. Fans and heaters, what for? You should have a regular heating system in your shop.

I just completed a new shop that's 12'X24'....

It's got a dual head, CNC mill that cuts, parts and pocketswith a rotation system to turn cut shafts and butts.
1.- thickness sander, 1.- thichness plainer, 1.- 14" band saw, and a spray booth, that is 6'X6' and racks to hang 60 cues, and one small inlay bench.
1.- roll around rack which can hold about 100 shafts, and 1.- shaft and butt sander. 1.- 4 head press, used for glueing parts to cues and handles, [this is bolted to the wall].. 1.- small 110 volts motor with a cone grinder attached, [this is used for cleaning up trash on freshly cut ring work].1.- small A/C with a built in heater. Pleanty of over-head two bulb lights. That's about what it takes for a good clean shop.
Nice "little" shop.

hope this helps
blud

 

[Zims Rack]

Since I'm in the Military and moving around often (every few years or so), I thought about building a 10x16 portable cue shop that can be split in half for portability if needed. I would have a table with a cue lathe, a small rollable (with locking wheels) for a band saw, a work table for little work, a table with a small turning lathe for my spray booth (app 3x4)with a ventalation system, some racks built for storing wood, a rack up top to hang wood and shafts from, a dremel tool to do the small sanding jobs, shop lights above, on the wall behind the cue lathe I would have peg board to store small parts (pins, rings, bumpers, tips, etc), and a shop vac, all this doesn't include the little tools (too many to list) and a dust mask. I will have access to planers, table saws, mitres, large sanders and anything else I might need.
This will obviously be just a temporary building that can in the future be used for something else or sold when I'm ready to build a permanent cue shop.

Thanks,
Zim

 

[qguy]

Can you live w/o a Band saw if you order your woods pre cut ???

like those you see in Atlas...basically you would be just assembling the parts.....

 

[Zims Rack]

I will still need a band saw IMO. I will need it to cut oversized butt caps, butt sleeves, ferrules, inlays (might get experimental), joint collars, etc. I think I'll need a small belt sander also, maybe a 1". I've got a pretty good idea of what my shop will look like, but am making minor adjustments to save space. I had a little help from Blud on it. Thanks Blud!!

Zim

 

[bandido]

Iinlays (might get experimental),

Zim

Don't even try this with a bandsaw as you may end up loosing your fingers. Use a scroll instead. Safety First.!

 

[hustlefinger]

Since I'm in the Military and moving around often (every few years or so), I thought about building a 10x16 portable cue shop that can be split in half for portability if needed.

What about a trailer like an 8’ x 20’ Wells cargo?

Rick