Cutting Tips Off Cues

[Mase]

I know that this sounds like a simple procedure but I just wonder if there is a better way to do it.

Occasionally I will have someone come in and ask for a new ferrule but want to put the same tip on that was on the old ferrule. Assuming the tip will fit the new ferrule, I have always just cut it off with a razor knife, sand it flat and put it back on. The problem is that when I cut it off I always lose a bit of tip (expected) but often it is at a slight angle. By the time I sand it flat I have lost a little more of the tip.

Do any of you have a better way of cutting a tip off so you can reuse it??

 

[macguy]

I know that this sounds like a simple procedure but I just wonder if there is a better way to do it.

Occasionally I will have someone come in and ask for a new ferrule but want to put the same tip on that was on the old ferrule. Assuming the tip will fit the new ferrule, I have always just cut it off with a razor knife, sand it flat and put it back on. The problem is that when I cut it off I always lose a bit of tip (expected) but often it is at a slight angle. By the time I sand it flat I have lost a little more of the tip.

Do any of you have a better way of cutting a tip off so you can reuse it??

I have had guys want to change say an expensive layered tip and ask if I can save the old tip. I very carefully go around the tip with a razor knife right at the ferrule making a fine groove. Then start the lathe it it will part right off perfectly.

 

[nksmfamjp]

From a customers point of view, why would I ask for the old tip to be put back on? Is the old tip sacred for some reason, or are you not charging to take off, prep and reinstall? If I had to guess, I would say it is yo save a buck. Maybe you could retip in these cases and reduce the tip install price in half or free, since the cue is already setup in the lathe, etc...

Just a thought.

 

[conetip]

I mount a box cuuter blade to the side of a piece of 3/8 key steel.
Works amazingly well on urathane rubber and for slicing off tips.
You can also slice off single layers if you wish.

 

[Cue Guru]

I don't know if I'd do that....

I mean, if there is a problem with the tip (for any number of reasons), the guy might blame the ferrule! (because it was 'fine' on the old cue)

Sounds like a bad idea to me.

I'm sure it could be parted off with a razor clamped to the side of a parting tool (on the lathe) but I personally would advice against re-using old tips. Sounds like re-using an old oil filter on an engine rebuild "but I JUST changed the oil a week ago!"... Maybe discount the labor as mentioned above for the new tip, but don't re-use it.

My opinion anyway...

 

[Mase]

Thanks for the help. I will try a couple of the suggestions.

It is not me that wants to put a used tip back on, it is the customer. It may be that I just put a new moori on a couple weeks ago and they don't want to pay for another. I always charge to put tips on, even if it is a used one.

 

[rhncue]

I don't know if I'd do that....

I mean, if there is a problem with the tip (for any number of reasons), the guy might blame the ferrule! (because it was 'fine' on the old cue)

Sounds like a bad idea to me.

I'm sure it could be parted off with a razor clamped to the side of a parting tool (on the lathe) but I personally would advice against re-using old tips. Sounds like re-using an old oil filter on an engine rebuild "but I JUST changed the oil a week ago!"... Maybe discount the labor as mentioned above for the new tip, but don't re-use it.

My opinion anyway...

I've used the same tip over for a number of people for a number of reasons. They may have just had a 30.00 kamui or Moori installed or perhaps they just like the feel of that tip. I just a couple of hours ago installed a ivory ferrule and he wanted the Lepro tip reinstalled as he liked the way that it played. On hard ferrules it is no problem cutting off a tip very close to the ferrule, then a quick sand and replace. With the cheap tips such as Lepro's, if you get a good one you like to hang onto it as it may take 10 more re-tips to find one like it.

Dick

 

[conetip]

My blade cutter.

 

[BryanMordt]

My blade cutter.

Cool idea, I bet it works well.

Bryan

 

[BLACKHEARTCUES]

If the customer makes that request I tell them NO, take it somewhere else. It's more trouble than it's worth...JER

 

[conetip]

Cool idea, I bet it works well.

Bryan

Yeah it does. You can also put the back end of the OLFA type blades into it as well or use the blades that have only a single bevel .