I am looking to practice putting ferrules on some cues around the house or just wood dowels for that matter. I am new to cue repair and want to do it the right way when it comes time for a real customer. Any suggestions on a cheap alternative to ferrule material instead of buying from a cue repair site? something I could pick up at a hardware store maybe?? I was thinking PVC rod. Thoughts ?
Pvc rod will work but it isn't the best to actually use on real cues but if your going for practice it will work. So will just plain old wood for that matter.But if you want to really practice, get something that is harder than the wood shaft, like hard plastic or something. this way when you are practicing you actually get a feel for how to actually get two unlike materials to match up after sanding since they don't sand the same and one is softer.
Honestly if you are just going through the motions it is irrelevant what you use.
If you really want to practice, start with every shit cue you have in your house, house cues two piece whatever you got. Then start asking friends with tables at home to bring you their shit cues. Everyone has one or two at home that are broken ferules or cracked ferule or missing tips. Then order either a shit ton of ferules to play with or if you are on a budget and really want to get down and dirty, order a 3 foot piece of abs rod or something similar and a box of lepros. Tell them you need to practice and that you will replace the ferule for free and put a new tip on. Most of them will bring you two or three.
If that option doesn't suit you then get an old shitty shaft or even a dowl rod. Then start installing ferrule and tip on it then when done cut it off about a 1/4 inch behind the ferrule and do it again.
Honestly its all about repetativeness.
But remember it is not practice makes perfect. Its perfect practice makes perfect. If i practice something a thousand times but i am practicing it the wrong way All i have perfected is how to screw it up. Take pride in every one you do no matter if it is a customers or a dowl rod you plan to cut off. Take pride in it and finish it to completion every time. Then you will see perfection, or at least as close as you yourself can come to it.
