Extra work - CNC vs. sharp points?

[r9ball]

I was wondering about how many extra hours of work it takes to splice or v mill in sharp points as compared to using CNC or pantograph and routing them out and having round tipped points?
Lets say 4 points with 4 veneers.

I realize both methods take some time but personally I like when a cuemaker takes the time to make points razor sharp and even.

Also what would be a cost difference in the cue?


Thanks,,, Rick

 

[bruppert]

I was wondering about how many extra hours of work it takes to splice or v mill in sharp points as compared to using CNC or pantograph and routing them out and having round tipped points?
Lets say 4 points with 4 veneers.

I realize both methods take some time but personally I like when a cuemaker takes the time to make points razor sharp and even.

Also what would be a cost difference in the cue?


Thanks,,, Rick

Since nobody answered, I'll give you one from a machinig view.

The main difference would be writing the program and testing it. There is no reason you can't make razor sharp points on a CNC. Obviously, if you cut the points like an inlay (a pocket) then you will have a radius at every corner from the cutter. The setup time for both would be about the same if setup the same way.

One thing I like about a CNC is that you have no issues with climb cutting which gives a better finish. I know the finish doesn't matter but it's nice not to have bumps or gouges.

If you're asking about a Full Splice than that a different story.

I would think the CNC would be more expensive. Although you can do other work while its running and generally faster since all you have to do is feed it parts, a larger CNC is pretty expensive. I saw one guy here that bought a HAAS Maching Center recently and I'm darn sure it cost more than my Lexus. So add in the monthly nut for the machine, plus electricity, maintenance, repairs, etc... In a production shop with employees than the cost might similar. The guys that do a lot of CNC work would have to chime in on this one.

Can't tell you about a Pantograph. I am not sure why you'd want to cut points with it.

 

[avscue]

i think the question has to do with "floating points" vs "full splice" 4 prong cues. both these construction methods take detailed time so its hard to say which one could be "more appreciated". schueler made wonderful floating points while others like davis make wonderful 4 prong. only the player could determine which is best for him/her. it seems that you (r9ball) enjoy hand built cues, i do to, but that doesn't mean that cnc cues are less quality. both techniques have unique challenges and both can produce quality.

 

[TomHay]

You are talking day and night here. Your CNC points are going to come out dead nuts even around a cue that is but one pass away from being completed.

Your V grove points you may have to offset the cue more than once to bring them tight and lined up.

The larger the bit in your CNC the faster it will be but the larger the radius you will have in the pocket.

I know people who use 15 thousands bits and others that use 5 and 3 thousandsths bits.

There is also many tricks you can do just by changing programs and bits after cutting the pocket. Your parts you can make super sharp no matter what bit you use.

Than again I am answering the question just on Points, not the neatly fashioned fuctional art done.

 

[Chopdoc]

From what I understand there are too many variables to provide a straight answer to the question.

If you want "traditional" short splice, go to a builder that builds those. If you want inlaid CNC go to a builder who builds those. Of course sharp points can be made with CNC....so as I said it isn't a straightforward question or answer.


It's interesting to compare and contrast the methods and I read closely what the makers have to say as well as study their pictures and equipment. But I think the way the question is posed simply isn't as straightforward as the asker would like.



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[patrickcues]

I was wondering about how many extra hours of work it takes to splice or v mill in sharp points as compared to using CNC or pantograph and routing them out and having round tipped points?
Lets say 4 points with 4 veneers.

I realize both methods take some time but personally I like when a cuemaker takes the time to make points razor sharp and even.

Also what would be a cost difference in the cue?


Thanks,,, Rick

By the time that you take to write the program and do a test run. vs gluing up the veneers and v grooving them gluing them again. cut you your v groove in the forearm. Its about the same amount of time!! The cost is close to the same either way!!

 

[Trent]

I think it depends on your shop as far as what dedicated equipment you may have.

another time restriction would be the radius of your points on your cnc. if your doing large radius points like joss or schon I could cut points and pieces in under a hour or 2. if you want sharp cnc points in anything other than ebony it would take tons more time.