DC Motor Mount ....

Dale,
Don't ever be afraid to disagree, respectfully or not. Lol. :rolleyes:

There are very few CMs that are in my particular situation. Yes, I derive the majority of my annual income from building and repairing cues. I also do ALL of the custom (and not so custom) work for the world's largest Predator dealer.
I thought that was common knowledge but maybe not.

Most entry-level builders and even some more experienced builders have made the decision to go the cue-specific machinery route. I don't think that many of them regret that choice. They wanted to get into the cue-building game and this machinery fits the bill.

I own a weld & machine shop. Fully staffed with the machinery, etc. required for me to perform my tasks. When I decided to start building cues (more than 20 yrs. ago) I realized that I already had most, if not all of the tools I needed to build cues. I opened the shop to cater to the marine industry. It's located on Lake George. One drawback to that desicion is that by late Sept. into Oct., all the boats were in storage and I was sitting around twiddling. Bingo! Build cues.
The income derived from this now far out-weighs even my best yrs. as a stand alone machine shop.

Now, could I do all that I do on just one cue-specific machine? Probably not, but I didn't start with just one machine either. In my shop, I have 5 lathes and two mills. I'd have more if I had the room. I may move to a larger building.

As far as Birmingham on a lawn mower, it depends on how quick I wanted to get there. Not everyone is production minded. Some like to take-in the scenery. I take my time when building cues and that's the way I believe it should be to do it right. But when Sey has clients waiting, it's up to me to get the product delivered ASAP. Before anyone starts thinking that maybe the quality will suffer, let me say this. I have built well over 1,000 custom Predator shafts and have learned how to do my job very well. There was a time when even Predator couldn't tell the difference btwn their work and mine.

Dale, you should know that I appreciate your posts, they make for interesting reading and you seem to have your head on straight (for the most part).
I welcome the opportunity to engage you in intelligent conversation at any time but if you'll forgive my early exit, Sey has clients waiting.

Peace Out Bro.
 
rhncue said:
Let me start buy asking you just how easy is it to make this adapter that is being referred to on your equipment? Just how many other appliances or fixtures can be made on your equipment? Using the lathe or mill to make many of the jigs or fixtures needed to make cues at a very low cost is what was being discussed. How did you jump from a discussion by me of making jigs to you coming to the conclusion that I am knocking your equipment on it's ability to make cues? You sound like Sarah Palin. But since you have opened it up let's do discuss the differences.

"But the thing that really amuses me is that Dick says he has never used one of the smaller lathes,"
No, I didn't say that. I have used one of your lathes once to put on some tips and polishes and I have used a Unique a number of times, just not to build cues.

"We have had our rounds on here because he said my lathes could not do this or that and were not real lathes and so on. So I went and made my lathes do threading, just because I got tired of hearing Dick say over and over they can't thread."
Actually I believe I said that in one thread only, but I could be wrong. Just how much does this little option cost? I believe it is standard on most larger lathes. Will this threader make odd size metal pins for driving shafts?

"He says get a mill and a lathe and you can build everything else."
Once again, would you mind showing where I said this?

"You would most likely wind up buying a indexer to build your indexer with. Or you want to make steady rests or other tooling to mount on the lathe bed. You have to machine angles there instead of slots so more expensive tooling to buy. So in reality you have to invest in a lot of tooling to make the mill and lathe build all the metal parts needed to modify them for cue work."
Yes, you need some cutters and an indexer. You don't need any cutters on your equipment? How nice.

"Ease of going from one operation to another is often faster IMO with the smaller lathe."
Oh really. I think you would find it much, much quicker for most operations on larger equipment. The last time you said this you gave mounting a steady rest as being so much quicker on your equipment so I timed it in my lathe. Took it off it's hook, mounted it on the lathe and installed a collet and the turning dowel - 25 seconds. Just how much time will I save using yours?

Your machine is smaller but it still takes up a foot print not a whole lot smaller than a larger lathe unless you fold it up and put it away when your done. You say the bigger machines need so much expensive tooling. Just what is this expensive tooling that is needed and what is needed is usually pays for itself with it's first use. I've got some indexers that cost between 30 and 40.00 set up on jigs. I've got cutting tools for my lathe which are the same price as the ones for yours. I've got cutting tools and hold down clamps for my mini-mill. Big deal.

When's the last time you built a full length tapering set-up on your lathe for less than 15.00? Can your equipment build saw shaft machines or full size CNCs? Just what else can your equipment do besides make cues? How long does your equipment last with out maintenance work needed? Just how much needs to be invested for your cue making lathe with the options that are needed to build the cue such as threaders and taper attachments and so on and so on. I would say a whole lot more than a lathe, mill/drill and all the tooling needed.

What started this thread was a man complaining about the cost of a bracket to go on your lathe as he thought it was overpriced. I tried to explain why something as simple as that, cost what it does when having to be made one at a time compared to mass produced and then explained how it could be cheaply made with larger equipment by ones self in spare time. Sorry to hurt your feelings but by having the larger equipment does have benefits other than just the capability to turn wood. Nothing was said about which system did a better job at cue making. In fact in the follow up post to Willlee this was addressed. You are just so quick to defend your cash cow that apparently you didn't take the time to read the post. No worry. You've got plenty of disciples using and loving your system and they will keep on purchasing all of your add ons trying to accomplish what is standard on larger equipment.

Dick
Click to expand...
Dick I stated that I did not want to get into a feud with you. And to answer your questions would turn into a tit for a tat. The advantages of both have been discussed at length and you have only axknoledged two advantages to the smaller ready to go machines. So my curiosity was what is your motive for continually knocking the smaller machines. Is it that you are jealous that others were able to get to quality level cue building than you did, since you had to make all your own attachments? Many of the tones of your previous posts sounded almost bitter toward the smaller machines or their makers. I can't tell which. You are wanting to know how much cue building equipment I can build on my machines. I can build some and do, but my point is that the machines are for making cues, not equipment. You did state in a year or two ago that you had never even seen one of my Deluxe lathes in person until the expo. Yes they can keep adding things to my lathe to make them do what is standard on a large metal lathe and you can keep adding things to your metal lathe to make it do what is standard on my lathes. So I hope we can both keep on doing just that and continue enjoying it.
 
Last edited:
rhncue said:
I agree. This bears on what we were talking about at the DCC. These small hobbiest lathes and such are nice and light, portable, and can get someone into building cues in a short time. HOWEVER, all is not roses as when people go this route as you are almost always stuck with others making their tooling, jigs and fixtures. There is always something else that is needed to be purchased. It is expensive making small, seemingly easy to build items to be sold one at a time for a profit. Nobody is happy working for free. If you start off with a used, full size lathe and even just a small mill/drill you are then capable of building almost everything that is needed for cue making for pennies on the dollar. You don't get started building as quickly but you need time to be amassing your woods anyway. A number of years ago I got into an argument over which was the best and cheapest way to get into cue making. My adversary was lamenting that the small equipment could be bought at a fraction of the cost of a full size lathe and equipment and I had to laugh. I've bought full size engine lathes , used for as little as 200.00 and I've seen Bridgeport mills, go for 800.00. With these two pieces of equipment and a 150.00 metal cutting band saw there is very, very little that is needed that I couldn't build for building cues for the price of scrap aluminum at the price of 1.00 a pound. That means I could make a plate as you have there for around a dollar and the time that I waste each day on these forums.
I'm certainly not knocking the price you have on that bracket as shop time and your material can be expensive when you are doing it for a living but a home hobbiest could do it in the time that he watches some T.V. drama and save quite a few bucks.

Dick
Click to expand...


I object to my Deluxe being called a HOBIEST LATHE like its was made by MATTEL or some toy company..
 
I have and had some of the smaller lathes and the HighTower lathe is the nuts for ease of setup and use ... Smooth and precise ... I'm not going to make comparisons and not going to knock anyone else ... I've used Willee's Deluxe at his shop and it works extremely well ... Don't knock anything till you try it ... I have to admit I was skeptical before I tried it ... :cool:
 
Chris deserves alot of credit, his innovation probably brings about jealousy in alot of the cm's who have had to learn the hard way. The versatility and ease of use of the deluxe accelerates the learning curve exponentially. Thanks Chris.

BTW, can't wait to see the new deluxe when it comes out!
 
pdcue said:
I guess It's time for me to chime in:)

I have said in the past that in a way I wish Chris had offered his
equipment 20 years before he did. I would have gladly bought one
and much appreciated all the free advice.

However, you have repeated an oft cited advantage that is not correct.
I'm not trying to be critical, but the idea that you can't make a cue
"straight out of the box" with a metal lathe is particularly misinformed.

You can most certainly build cues with an entirely unmodified lathe,
you just can't do it very efficiently.

You could even make a very playable cue with a wood lathe,
if you are clever and determined enough,
and can come up with a steady rest - someone more clever than
I might not even need the steady rest.

FWIW - there are a few more pressing arguments on this subject,
but that is material for another thread on another day.

Dale
Click to expand...

I purchased a new Enco 13x40 a few weeks back. 1st off I either had to buy and install a rear chuck or try to make some kind of collet set for the rear side. I made a few collets and now it works great for joint work, and its just as acurate as my deluxe is. I am still new as a cue maker and havn't figured out how to taper my shafts with my enco lathe with out taking the time to fabricate and install a taper bar, router mount, buy a router and take the cross slide nut out and all the other stuff you have to do to taper shafts. Untill i wanna spend the time and money, i will continue to taper my shafts with my out of the box complete cue making deluxe lathe and my hightower taper machine.
 
cueman said:
....... How would I make an indexing fixture with just a lathe and mill in my shop? No cheating here. You would most likely wind up buying a indexer to build your indexer with. .......
Click to expand...

Here is one method, with no cheating :

http://www.lindsaybks.com/dgjp/djgbk/series/index.html

There is a picture of the dividing head, which is a bit like a super-indexer, by the Deluxe Accessories book. You can build this with only a lathe and a mill, of course the plans are in the book. <edit : I should mention that to build the dividing head you need to buy a worm gear and worm, but based on this design one could build a direct-indexer which is what I assume the question was about ... what is often called a SPIN INDEXER >

For a better understanding of the man who published this book :

http://www.lindsaybks.com/dgjp/dave/philos/index.html

Remember that Henry Maudsley built the first screw cutting lathe without the use of a screw cutting lathe. Of course he may have just bought one had they been available ;)

Dave <-- not a cuemaker but does design-or-copy and build machines
 
Last edited:
zx24 said:
I object to my Deluxe being called a HOBIEST LATHE like its was made by MATTEL or some toy company..
Click to expand...

A hobbyst lathe, or any other machine, is just that.

Toy machine is a toy - not a hobbyst machine.

Dale<certified toy machinist>
 
WilleeCue said:
Got few requests for some photos of the DC motor mount on my lathe so I will just post them here for all to see.

This is the mounting bracket from Lee at Brianna.
The motor and speed control box is the one offered by PennState Industries for $99.

Runs smooth and quiet with plenty of power for drilling.
Click to expand...

Willee or anyone else who has one,

What is the shaft diameter on that motor?

Thanks,

Gary
 
GEBrown said:
Willee or anyone else who has one,

What is the shaft diameter on that motor?

Thanks,

Gary
Click to expand...

It has a step the first inch or so is approx. 0.549 the the second part is approx. 0.593.
 
Last edited:
just got one the penn state motors...anyone else have a problem getting the factory pully off the shaft...appears to be pressed on. I beat on it pretty good but didnt want to bend the shaft.

yes i did remove the set screw...any help would be appreciated
 
LGSM3 said:
just got one the penn state motors...anyone else have a problem getting the factory pully off the shaft...appears to be pressed on. I beat on it pretty good but didnt want to bend the shaft.

yes i did remove the set screw...any help would be appreciated
Click to expand...

I heated the pully up a little and it came off very easy.
 
Nice set-up Willee. Just a few questions, how slow can that set-up turn? I'm wondering if I can slow it down enough to use as a finishing station with the standard pulleys you have there. Oh, and where do I get the belt for the motor?

Thanks,
Alan
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top