Cue storage question

[KingCarom]

I often wonder thar if you are storing your cues, even within your case, leaned up against a wall for a period of time, can it cause warpage?

I know that leaning a cue against a wall can cause it to warp after a short time. Who can tell me what the best methods are for storage both in and out of a case?

I do use a wall rack for some storage.

 

[CaptainJR]

I don't do this, as a matter of fact I harras my friend about this from time to time.

His que stick stays in his car year around. Now we live in Pennsylvania. It gets real cold here in the winter. And the temperatures of a closed up car here in the summer can get upwards to 130F. He just doesn't seem to worry about his stick at all. It's still as straight and warp free as ever. While I'm typing this I'm trying to remember the brand, but it is a good stick. Well good to me, I think I remember him paying 500 or 600 for it about 7 years ago.
LOL

I'm so careful with mine, I guess I just don't want to take a chance on having to replace it.

JR

 

[TATE]

I often wonder thar if you are storing your cues, even within your case, leaned up against a wall for a period of time, can it cause warpage?

I know that leaning a cue against a wall can cause it to warp after a short time. Who can tell me what the best methods are for storage both in and out of a case?

I do use a wall rack for some storage.

We're talking two piece cues. Fist off, it is important to protect the cues from inadvertant damage - not just warpage. A cat, for example, may make short work of your original Joss cortland linen, or something might fall on your cues - you know...Here are my picks:


First choice for storage, hard case (any type) standing up or laying down, it doesn't matter. Probably safer to lay them down. Less chance of the case falling over and breaking a latch.

Second choice - any wall or counter case built for two piece cues to be stored broken down. I like this for storage in a house. I think the broken down cue is less prone to warpage.

Third choice - any wall rack with cues screwed together. They can warp in this position if the cue is prone to warpage.

Fourth choice - toss up between a soft case, standing up. (I think soft case laying down is asking for trouble because something may inadvertantly be put on it). Or just standing up the broken down cue in a cardboard box upright. I rubber band the shaft collar and joint collar together (but never putting pressure in the center of the handle or shaft).

I keep my house within a certain temperature range and I have not had a straight cue warp on me - ever. Even my one piece house Dufferins (about 12 years old) are straight as an arrow. We never let it get really hot or humid in the house. The main problem with warpage is in the wood's absorbtion of moisture through high humidty and heat. The unsealed part of the shaft is wide open for this and so is the handle under the wrap.

The way solid wood is bent in furniture making, for example, is to steam it until it is pliable and bend it around a form. Cues that are built from wood not properly dried (or stored in the shop) in the first place are subject to warpage and some wood is just going to warp no matter what. Good cue makers can spot this in the shop and get rid of the stuff.

Chris