Finding Your Own Path

BLACKHEARTCUES said:
I started with one lathe & a pile of broken & discarded house cues. I took the band saw to 2 broken cues. A Mcdermott & a Schon. Being a design engineer I measured everything about them. I made drawings of how they were constructed. That's how I got started. For 2 years I made Hustler type cues. In the 3rd year, after about a dozen failures, I made my 1st cue, from scratch. I cut up bleach bottles for my white rings & plastic oil bottles for green, black & red rings. I don't know why I didn't give up. There were no books, videos or many people that would help you get started. I still go back to those basic structural designs today. today I have 6 lathes, A bunch of other equipment, but basis construction is the basis for all cues. You'll figure out how to make them pretty & don't feel bad about "barrowing" designs from those that came before...JER
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That is a neat story JER. Thank you for sharing.
 
Make what you like to see. If it's Rambowish, so be it. Your tastes will evolve from there as you get bored with basic cues and decide to push yourself. Don't limit yourself by refusing to make cues that have been made before. Woods are different, so your cues will be as well. As your inventory of wood grows the ideas will as well. Okay, maybe you should stock enough for 3 cues so your ideas don't outgrow the time you have to make them.
 
pescadoman said:
I try and avoid looking at other designs because the last thing I want is to make copies. I have a gifted friend who has been making cues for over twenty years and every time he shows me something I say to myself "that is a really great idea" and then eliminate it from anything I would do.
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Why???

If you are looking for any type of acceptance as a cuemaker your potential customers and your peers require that you do what has been done by many before.

ACA membership application requires you make a cue that is far from original:
A sample cue must be submitted to the Membership Committee at one of the events where the majority of the membership committee will be in attendance. Currently, this includes the Allen Hopkins Super Billiard Expo. To be accepted, at least 4 members from the Committee must judge the cue. The cue must have at least :

(1) A minimum of four "V-bottom" points with at least 3 veneers (spliced or recut).

(2) Inlays in the forearm and butt sleeve with at least 4 being multi layered. (inlays within inlays)

(3) Ring work in the joint, forearm and butt sleeve.

(4) An Irish linen or leather wrap.

(5) A butt cap and bumper.
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The 2 styles of cues that I have chosen to make would never be accepted as they do not meet more than 2 of these requirements. I have only made 1 cue to please someone else since becoming capable and I didn't have any fun doing it. And I just won't do it again for any reason. To me they might as well rename the ACA to the (insert famous deceased Cuemaker name here) Tribute Cuemaker Association.

Then look at the repetitive designs and severely lacking in originality cues that get the praise from members of this forum and it becomes painfully clear that this industry does not want innovation from new Cuemakers. The handful of accepted exceptions to this rule just go further in proving this fact. My advice is to either prepare yourself to make a bunch of CCCs (Cookie Cutter Cues) or embrace the fish stick label and the rest of the ridicule that will come along. JMO...
 
I like the fish sticks.

I used to say I was going to change my name to "Miracle Cues". Just think of all the slogans. "If it hits good it's a Miracle" "If it plays good it's a Miracle" etc.

BTW I've been at this going on 15 years now and have not found my path. Guess I'm not in a hurry.
 
Thnx!

scdiveteam said:
Wow, great story.

In the winter we called it liquid death and it sounds like you kept your head when things were going to hell. When you panic, all is lost.

Maritime environments can grab you in a moment's notice. You have to be two steps ahead with eyes in the back of your head or you will pay the price. As a marine professional working in those waters you are well aware of that.

Like you, I miss it also. Thanks for sharing that ordeal with a great outcome.

Rick
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Thanks for the note Rick, I've always liked your avatar! I had a good friend back in Gloucester who was an underwater welder. One of the toughest SOB's I ever new. He used to arm wrestle folks for drinks and cash, he always went at them right handed but I knew he was actually left handed. He'd beat em right handed and then laugh at em and tell them he was actually a lefty. The look people gave him when they heard that was priceless!
 
Murray Tucker said:
I like the fish sticks.

I used to say I was going to change my name to "Miracle Cues". Just think of all the slogans. "If it hits good it's a Miracle" "If it plays good it's a Miracle" etc.

BTW I've been at this going on 15 years now and have not found my path. Guess I'm not in a hurry.
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........:).........
 
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