Cue Smith vs. Unique's Cue builder???

[pooljunkie75]

Hey Guys,

I'm in the market for a cue builder lathe and was wondering if anyone has experience with either one of these? I know a lot of guys are using the Hightower Deluxe, and I'm wondering about the quality differences. I am looking for the best quality, yet have to be budget minded. I would like to get the lathe that offers the best rigidity and percision. I have been repairing for many years using some smaller lathes, but the lack of rigidity drives me nuts. I am an aerospace machinist by trade, so any work I do that requires rigidity I have to do at work. Any info and oppinions would be greatly appreciated....

Thanks!!
Bruce

 

[olsonsview]

with your trades background

you may just want to get a used 13X40 metal lathe, spend some time reworking it for cue making, make some jigs and such. Then just enjoy the precision and repeatability. A good used metal lathe can be had for a grand, give or take, in used condition. Ready for an experienced set of hands to give it renewed life and purpose.

 

[MirelesCues]

Hightower Deluxe

I cant speak for everyone but I personally love my Cuesmith Deluxe. This was a great begining lathe when I was learning the ropes and as Ive progressed into more and more cue work it is still a rock solid reliable machine I use everyday of the week. I also enjoy the fact that Mr Hightower really does stand behind his products and has on hand every other item you could possibly need to be succesful. I highly recommend any product that Mr Hightower puts out. Here is the third cue with points we ever built and the first inlayed cue. We made the deco rings also. Everything was done with Hightower equipment. Not the fanciest I know but its our style of cue building.

Thanks
Oscar Mireles

 

[pooljunkie75]

you may just want to get a used 13X40 metal lathe, spend some time reworking it for cue making, make some jigs and such. Then just enjoy the precision and repeatability. A good used metal lathe can be had for a grand, give or take, in used condition. Ready for an experienced set of hands to give it renewed life and purpose.

I agree 100% that a metal lathe is the way to go. I'm concerned about the foot print it will take up in my garage though. Does anyone make jigs and attachments for metal lathe cue building?

 

[pooljunkie75]

I cant speak for everyone but I personally love my Cuesmith Deluxe. This was a great begining lathe when I was learning the ropes and as Ive progressed into more and more cue work it is still a rock solid reliable machine I use everyday of the week. I also enjoy the fact that Mr Hightower really does stand behind his products and has on hand every other item you could possibly need to be succesful. I highly recommend any product that Mr Hightower puts out. Here is the third cue with points we ever built and the first inlayed cue. We made the deco rings also. Everything was done with Hightower equipment. Not the fanciest I know but its our style of cue building.

Thanks
Oscar Mireles.

Very nice!!!

 

[mortuarymike-nv]

cue making lathe

i have a cue smith lathe not delux model i like my lathe for cue repairs.
in my opinion i would look for a bigger metal lathe to make cues with.
min 36in between centers and yes you can buy taper bars for a bigger metal lathe.
chris hightower has given me great service.
never had any problems of any kind his sevice or honesty to customers
im sorry i dont know anything about a unique cue lathe.
mike

 

[olsonsview]

If you are a machinist

You may have no need for a Cueman Deluxe, or Unique system. I have most of the equipment out there, and like my Deluxe, but know its limitations too. I have the Taper shaper, love it, but it has its place too. Have a CNC Cuemonster, no complaints. But I can get by without all those and more that I have, with either of my metal lathes. There are Taper bars offered if you do not want to take the time to make them. Just do a search here you will see some very nice ones for sale, but if you have the machinists skills, why not be patient and make some yourself? The same with collets, mandrels, etc. I have both, the production stuff, and my own custom tooling, they both do a superbe job.
If you were getting into all this cold without your background I would have never suggested the metal lathe route, I always tell a beginner to get a Deluxe, then perhaps a taper shaper as his volume of work goes up. Since you are a machinist, I suggest you use your skills. Save the money for the exotic wood that you need to stockpile.
A bigger footprint on a big lathe is too much? Well there are SouthBend Heavy tens with long beds that can do it all for you, just hunt on Craig's list and EBay. They do not take all that much more bench space than the Deluxe, and are still more solid by far if you demand precise results, and total repeatability. Most of us are driving smaller cars nowadays, that leaves room in the garage, or take it all apart like I did one of mine, haul it all into the house! I set my largest one up in the basement workshop, makes for a convenient time to rebuild it all when you have it apart. Good Luck!

 

[whammo57]

lathe

Yes..... a big metal lathe is probably the best end result. More stability, more repeatability, more precision. BUT.... you are on your own...... make your own jigs, modify for a back chuck... mount a router,,,rig up a set of taper bars.....get QCTP......etc

Or buy a Hightower Deluxe and turn it on and make a cue.............


JMHO


Kim

 

[snipershot]

Yes..... a big metal lathe is probably the best end result. More stability, more repeatability, more precision. BUT.... you are on your own...... make your own jigs, modify for a back chuck... mount a router,,,rig up a set of taper bars.....get QCTP......etc

Or buy a Hightower Deluxe and turn it on and make a cue.............


JMHO


Kim

The rear chuck isnt that hard to put on, and the qctp isnt that expensive either. Taper bars can be bought from DECO CUE for $900, aand then its just a matter of doing the work. Ive never used a hightower deluxe, but im sure theres some setup and tweaking you have to do before you make a cue. I could be wrong, but thats just how i see it.

Joe

 

[cuebuilder]

I've been using my Hightower Deluxe for over 10 years. Its the best and holds up well. Chris also gives awesome service. Non better. You can't go wrong with the Hightower Deluxe along with the pleasure of dealing with a true gentleman and great cue/lathe builder.

 

[Guerra Cues]

Both machines are awesome. Unique makes an awesome product as well Chris Hightower.
I've owned both and both machines do their job. You need to get a metal lathe regardless.
However I do own a couple of metal lathes and the Deco Cue taper bar, it looks like it was a build by a NASA scientist. It is that good

 

[snipershot]

I have a nice metal lathe, but id still like to have a hightower deluxe. It seems like theres a lot more accesories and add-ons for the hightower. Also, Chris is right here on AZ, and he will help you with whatever you need. Im not sure unique will provide that kind of service for you.

Joe

 

[Guerra Cues]

I have a nice metal lathe, but id still like to have a hightower deluxe. It seems like theres a lot more accesories and add-ons for the hightower. Also, Chris is right here on AZ, and he will help you with whatever you need. Im not sure unique will provide that kind of service for you.

Joe

Joe...
I own 2 products from Unique and let me tell you that Unique support it is as good as Chris, or better. Depends how you see it. I would be careful talking about stuff you don't know. I know Chris Hightower is awesome as well Jim Sickles from Unique. Just because Unique does not post on AZ does not mean their support is poor.

 

[Varney Cues]

Joe...
I own 2 products from Unique and let me tell you that Unique support it is as good as Chris, or better. Depends how you see it. I would be careful talking about stuff you don't know. I know Chris Hightower is awesome as well Jim Sickles from Unique. Just because Unique does not post on AZ does not mean their support is poor.

Agreed 100%. As a owner of several from both...Chris is indeed awesome with support. With that said...the gentlemen from Unique have been every bit as outstanding. Jim has even more than once sent me a part that I busted no fault of theirs...he just sends a replacement. You can't ask for more.:smile:

 

[snipershot]

Joe...
I own 2 products from Unique and let me tell you that Unique support it is as good as Chris, or better. Depends how you see it. I would be careful talking about stuff you don't know. I know Chris Hightower is awesome as well Jim Sickles from Unique. Just because Unique does not post on AZ does not mean their support is poor.

I didnt say they wont help you. I just said i didnt know if they would help as much. With Chris being right here, and usually very quick to respond to any pm's or questions, that itself is a huge bonus compared to unique. I wasnt bashing unique, i was merely stating my opinion man.

Joe

 

[Guerra Cues]

I didnt say they wont help you. I just said i didnt know if they would help as much. With Chris being right here, and usually very quick to respond to any pm's or questions, that itself is a huge bonus compared to unique. I wasnt bashing unique, i was merely stating my opinion man.

Joe

I understand that Joe. I don't think you were bashing Unique either. Unique is only a phone call away like Chris is as well. Keep in mind just because Unique does not post here often does not mean they don't read AZ.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[pooljunkie75]

You may have no need for a Cueman Deluxe, or Unique system. I have most of the equipment out there, and like my Deluxe, but know its limitations too. I have the Taper shaper, love it, but it has its place too. Have a CNC Cuemonster, no complaints. But I can get by without all those and more that I have, with either of my metal lathes. There are Taper bars offered if you do not want to take the time to make them. Just do a search here you will see some very nice ones for sale, but if you have the machinists skills, why not be patient and make some yourself? The same with collets, mandrels, etc. I have both, the production stuff, and my own custom tooling, they both do a superbe job.
If you were getting into all this cold without your background I would have never suggested the metal lathe route, I always tell a beginner to get a Deluxe, then perhaps a taper shaper as his volume of work goes up. Since you are a machinist, I suggest you use your skills. Save the money for the exotic wood that you need to stockpile.
A bigger footprint on a big lathe is too much? Well there are SouthBend Heavy tens with long beds that can do it all for you, just hunt on Craig's list and EBay. They do not take all that much more bench space than the Deluxe, and are still more solid by far if you demand precise results, and total repeatability. Most of us are driving smaller cars nowadays, that leaves room in the garage, or take it all apart like I did one of mine, haul it all into the house! I set my largest one up in the basement workshop, makes for a convenient time to rebuild it all when you have it apart. Good Luck!

My Chevelle and Corvette may disagree with you...lol I'm not exactly a beginner, I just don't have a lathe specifically for building. Any big precision stuff, I do at work. Cue repairing/novice building is more of a hobby that I love doing than a full time business. Don't get me wrong, I have the machining skills to build anything, but I already have a career that takes up a lot of my time. So building jigs, taper bars, and spending hours tweaking in a metal lathe isn't something I want to do right now. Plus any lathe you find for $1000, may cost you thousands fixing it. There is a reason it's only $1000. Most used metal lathes have been used and abused. I am more looking for something I don't need a cherry picker, fork truck, or fork lift to move. I wan something I can move on my own if I need to.

 

[pooljunkie75]

Yes..... a big metal lathe is probably the best end result. More stability, more repeatability, more precision. BUT.... you are on your own...... make your own jigs, modify for a back chuck... mount a router,,,rig up a set of taper bars.....get QCTP......etc

Or buy a Hightower Deluxe and turn it on and make a cue.............


JMHO


Kim

I agree. That's why I am asking for opinions on the "cue builder" lathes, and not metal lathes.

Has anyone used the Unique lathe that can give me some pros and cons?

 

[Vincent]

Unique Cuemaker Lathe

I purchased the Unique Cuemaker lathe with the Power Feed and Crossfeed / Axial Digital Readouts about one year ago. I could not be happier with the unit or their support. The unit is very solid, accurate and repeatable. With just a bit of tuning I can get less than .001 inch runout. I also really like the chuck that will not rap you in the knuckles when working up close. Initally, I was unhappy that you could not offset the tailstock like you can with a Taig based lathe. I wanted to be able to take a tapered cut. Jim at Unique fixed that by sending the Taper Shaper attachment to me at no cost. He did not want me to be unhappy with their product. Vincent

 

[pooljunkie75]

I purchased the Unique Cuemaker lathe with the Power Feed and Crossfeed / Axial Digital Readouts about one year ago. I could not be happier with the unit or their support. The unit is very solid, accurate and repeatable. With just a bit of tuning I can get less than .001 inch runout. I also really like the chuck that will not rap you in the knuckles when working up close. Initally, I was unhappy that you could not offset the tailstock like you can with a Taig based lathe. I wanted to be able to take a tapered cut. Jim at Unique fixed that by sending the Taper Shaper attachment to me at no cost. He did not want me to be unhappy with their product. Vincent

Thank you!! Is it pretty rigid? I was wondering if anyone had a Unique Cue builder lathe...lol It seems like most people on here have a Hightower Deluxe lathe. Now, my next question is, is it because the Unique and Porper lathes are more expensive?