Cues in cars

W

whatthehell

Registered
Hi All,

Not too sure if this has ever been addressed, but what is everyone's take on leaving your cue in the car? For the most part, I hear that a good rule of thumb is to not subject your cue to temperatures you would not like, as the cue will warp since it is expanding and contracting with the cold and heat.

On the other hand, I know some players from a different school of thought on the subject, who leave high end cues in their cars (and even break with them) and have had no issues at all.

Thoughts? Thks for any info either way.
 
I've always heard it is bad for the cue because it will cause warping. Cue makers can probably give you the reason why.

Then again, in this day and age, you can pretty much be sure the cue will get stolen if it's at all visible in the vehicle.
 
Storing a cue in your car is not the issue or concern.

HEAT and HUMIDITY are the issues and will ruin a cue.

If you need to keep a cue in your car, buy a cue with a lifetime warranty like a McDermmot.

When it warps, return it for an exchange!

Russ.....
 
Cue in your car

This is a huge issue.Our car is a nightmare scenario for any cue.The temperature is rapid changing and the humidity is not good at all for your lumber.I do break with my playing cue sometimes and have no issues with that at all.I feel it is preference.It is high end cue and have never had any damage.I agree with poolhustler and the McDermott selection for a cue you might leave in your car for an extended period they will replace it with their lifetime guarantee. :D
 
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I leave mine in the car always. Have for years. It doesn't warp it. As long as you're not getting it soaking wet and then baking it, you'll be ok. Maybe a LD shaft with a hollow core and several spliced pieces might be more prone to it? From my experience, this is not an issue.
 
I once left a guitar in my car for about 2 days during the summer, and when I tried playing it next the 5 or so highest frets didn't work on one of the strings. This clearly indicates that the neck was warped. I have never taken a chance with leaving a pool cue in my car, but I certainly wouldn't want to risk it.

I do sometimes break with my playing cue, and I think the only concern there is having to reshape your tip a bit more often than normal.
 
I have a break cue but also break with my playing cue. My thought is that if you can't break with your playing cue, what good is the cue? How did players break before the "specialized" break cue was invented?
 
I have yet to warp a butt, but I have warped two shafts in just one day.....one in Texas in August, and one in Florida in July.....it's my experience that leaving a cue in a car is a bad idea......I try to NEVER, ever do it if at all possible....
 
Treat your cue like a child.

Don't leave it in a boiling hot or freezing cold car (or any other place that might be subject to extreme temperatures). If you have no choice but to do so, make sure it is in a nice thick and solid case, so the temperature inside the case changes slowly.

Once the cue is out of the oven, leave it in the case for an hour or more in the new environment before opening the case. Let the temperature equalize slowly. If you have an ivory joint, it is always good practice to warm the joint with your hand before putting the cue together (if in the freezing cold) to prevent a sudden jolt from hitting a ball to send a crack down the joint.

Breaking with the cue? Sure, why not. If you have good aim and a good stroke you know you can bust a rack just fine with a minimal of fanfare. If you tent to end up with the cue five feet off the table and one foot in the air like a ballerina, you may want to stick with a break stick, or a house cue for breaking.

Tips will need additional grooming if used for breaking- no question there. Properly installed ferrules (even Ivory) will be fine too- but be prepared for the worst in the case of Ivory... As a natural material, it can react suddenly and unexpectedly as wood sometimes can.

In general, I don't break with my Black, because I don't want to risk the original ivory ferrules. That being said, I have broken with it in the past.

My cue will have ivory ferrules, and I will break with it (because I know I can spin a new ferrule on if I have to). I could also fix the Black; however I respect the man's hard work and will keep that cue nice as long as it is in my care.:thumbup:
 
Cue Guru said:
Treat your cue like a child.

Don't leave it in a boiling hot or freezing cold car (or any other place that might be subject to extreme temperatures). If you have no choice but to do so, make sure it is in a nice thick and solid case, so the temperature inside the case changes slowly.

Once the cue is out of the oven, leave it in the case for an hour or more in the new environment before opening the case. Let the temperature equalize slowly. If you have an ivory joint, it is always good practice to warm the joint with your hand before putting the cue together (if in the freezing cold) to prevent a sudden jolt from hitting a ball to send a crack down the joint.

Breaking with the cue? Sure, why not. If you have good aim and a good stroke you know you can bust a rack just fine with a minimal of fanfare. If you tent to end up with the cue five feet off the table and one foot in the air like a ballerina, you may want to stick with a break stick, or a house cue for breaking.

Tips will need additional grooming if used for breaking- no question there. Properly installed ferrules (even Ivory) will be fine too- but be prepared for the worst in the case of Ivory... As a natural material, it can react suddenly and unexpectedly as wood sometimes can.

In general, I don't break with my Black, because I don't want to risk the original ivory ferrules. That being said, I have broken with it in the past.

My cue will have ivory ferrules, and I will break with it (because I know I can spin a new ferrule on if I have to). I could also fix the Black; however I respect the man's hard work and will keep that cue nice as long as it is in my care.:thumbup:
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so your telling me i should beat my cue and make it stand in the corner for timeout? lol
 
My cue is in the car long enough for me to drive to the pool hall. Period. Rapid temperature changes WILL ruin a pool cue. I've seen inlays pop out, wraps come loose, joints swell, etc. In some locations, day and night temps can vary by 40-50*. That's a living hell to put a wood based product, relied upon for accuracy, through. No thanks.
 
I don't think that leaving a cue in a hot or cold car will automatically warp a cue, but it can greatly increase the chance. Personally I never leave the cue in the car unless I don't have a choice, and when I have to, I don't worry about it too much. However I will not leave the cue in the car for extended periods of time.
 
KillerCane said:
so your telling me i should beat my cue and make it stand in the corner for timeout? lol
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Yep. In fact ther are a large number of players who DO stand their cue in the corner, and beat it every time "IT" misses a shot.

These same people wonder why their joints are loose or their forearm broke just below the joint "all of a sudden"...:)
 
BHW said:
My cue is in the car long enough for me to drive to the pool hall. Period. Rapid temperature changes WILL ruin a pool cue. I've seen inlays pop out, wraps come loose, joints swell, etc. In some locations, day and night temps can vary by 40-50*. That's a living hell to put a wood based product, relied upon for accuracy, through. No thanks.
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my cue is in the car sometimes because when im in atown i dont know if im going to stay so at times its in the car.
never had a problem.
 
BHW said:
My cue is in the car long enough for me to drive to the pool hall. Period. Rapid temperature changes WILL ruin a pool cue. I've seen inlays pop out, wraps come loose, joints swell, etc. In some locations, day and night temps can vary by 40-50*. That's a living hell to put a wood based product, relied upon for accuracy, through. No thanks.
Click to expand...

Agreed, I left my cue in the car for 3 hrs. one night, thinking since it was only 75 degrees outside, it would be OK. A few days later the wood joint rings on one of the shafts had lifted. Had it been warmer and stayed there longer, more could've happened I'm sure.
 
Why take the risk of it being stolen or warped? I think people get lazy and leave it in their car. No way am I going to leave my cue in a car and have it be sticky or warped or leave the possibility of it being stolen. That is what a closet is for when not using it.
 
If all the wood is cured properly, it might not be a problem. But, how do you know? I chose not to take the chance and never have.
 
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