customcuelathes vs hightower
- Thread starter the breed
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The biggest difference is who you will be dealing with. One is second to none with a proven product. Good luck with the other.
What he said! I have bought from both and wouldn't hesitate to spend $4,000 with Mr. Hightower.
Larry
In my opinion there is someone else you should also check out ......http://www.midamericapool.com/index.htm
I have Todds big bore lathe and also the cnc for shafts and butts and both do the job and Todd is great for support. I bought a used hightower inlay machine and while i had it if I had any questions or issues I would get a hold of Chris and he always answered my questions even thought I didn't buy the used equiptment from him. So again in my opinion either one of these two guys you really cant lose with...
Joe
I have owned and used Chris Hightower's cuesmith deluxe and it is a very good well thought out cue making machine.
Lots of years of cue building experience have went into the development of his equipment and it will do everything he says it will.
I highly recommend his cue making equipment.
Also you might want to consider Unique Products Cue Maker lathe.
It is built a bit different but it is very heavy duty, precise, and smooth operating.
Willee
Lots of years of cue building experience have went into the development of his equipment and it will do everything he says it will.
I highly recommend his cue making equipment.
Also you might want to consider Unique Products Cue Maker lathe.
It is built a bit different but it is very heavy duty, precise, and smooth operating.
Willee
There is a few differences in the design. The Cuebuilding lathe II dont have a feed screw, so you cant do live threading. The headstock on the lates from Customcuelathes is less ridgid, than the one on the Deluxe cue lathe.
But most importantly, Chris Hightower is an active member of the forum and he will reply to you here, in PM or through email very quickly.
Having bought a lathe from both and experienced Bassels lack of support and even willingness to reply to email. If you check customcuelathes history, you will find that the last time he was logged in was 11 February 2015, that shold tell you something about his commitment to the billiard industry.
But most importantly, Chris Hightower is an active member of the forum and he will reply to you here, in PM or through email very quickly.
Having bought a lathe from both and experienced Bassels lack of support and even willingness to reply to email. If you check customcuelathes history, you will find that the last time he was logged in was 11 February 2015, that shold tell you something about his commitment to the billiard industry.
A couple of things I forgot...
Midamericapool (Todds) lathes, I have no experience with his lathes, but I have bought other things from him and he is a really nice guy to deal with.
But if the purpose is to build cues, Todds lathes is not for you, it says so right on his site: "It is not designed, nor is it intended to be a cue building lathe"
WilleeCue mentioned Unique`s Cue Maker. I have no experience with the brand, but I did contact them when I was shopping for a lathe and they where very polite and seemed to have exellent customer service.
Midamericapool (Todds) lathes, I have no experience with his lathes, but I have bought other things from him and he is a really nice guy to deal with.
But if the purpose is to build cues, Todds lathes is not for you, it says so right on his site: "It is not designed, nor is it intended to be a cue building lathe"
WilleeCue mentioned Unique`s Cue Maker. I have no experience with the brand, but I did contact them when I was shopping for a lathe and they where very polite and seemed to have exellent customer service.
Hightower deluxe, mine is 12 years old and runs like a champ. Chris has the best customer support IMO.
Well let me say this if you are going to quote someone you should include all of the quote, not just the part of the quote that serves your purpose.."However in the hands of a qualified and skilled technician it is capable of preforming all the operations necessary to build a simple cue with the exception of making of parabolic taper." I have built cues with this lathe as have others on this forum.,with the addition of the cnc tapering machine or you can add taper bars.
http://www.midamericapool.com/index_files/Page331.htm
Joe
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Hi Joe it was never my intention to put down Todd`s equipment and if it sounded like that, I`m sorry.
With a taper setup like his CNC tapering setup or a taper bar, you could build cues with Todd`s large bore lathe. At $2700 combined it`s a very nice price.
@Bigdog: I didn`t mention the Porper model B lathe bacause I have no knowledge of that lathe or the Porper company. It seems like a very well built turn key system and in a way the least proprietary system as it`s main components seem to be compatible with metal lathes.
No problem, and you are right for 2700.00 with the added cnc shaft and butt taper it does give you the best bang for your buck, I know because I do have the cnc add on,it works great.
Joe