Finish Damage Question

[Chopdoc]

So I picked up a nice old Schmelke 2x2 box case in great condition. It was a Dufferin cue for sale, but the case was probably worth more than the cue, so I grabbed it and ended up with the cue too.

It is a Dufferin cue, and the finish is cracking all over the butt. I can grab pics tomorrow if you need them. I might experiment with refinishing it but that's a separate adventure and I have other even crappier cues to experiment on first.

I was planning on storing a matched set of 2 cues in that case that are perfect, likely unplayed early 90's McDermott cues. Nothing spectacular, but it makes a nice set.

I have a thing for building sets, or cues grouped in themes. Yeah, OCD, I know. LOL!

But it occurred to me that something about that case could have damaged the finish on the cue that came with it. Maybe outgassing over time from adhesives? Over 30 years or more? That was my thought. The solvents in adhesives can seep out for a long time as far as I know.

I certainly don't want to put perfect finish cues in a case that could damage the finish.

So I though to ask the cuemakers since you guys are the experts on finishes.

Am I crazy? Is it possible this case is toxic to a cue finish?

I have plenty of nice cases so I can sidestep this one and use it to store old shafts or something. But I got it specifically for these two cues and would like to use it for that if it is reasonably safe.


Thanks for any thoughts on this matter.

 

[GoldCrown]

How about put a beater in for a few weeks/months. See what happens. As for the Dufferin I bought a few new in 1998. One has cracks on the butt area near the bumper. Hardest part is sanding.., then I hand rub light coats of BirchwoodCasey Tru-Oil until finished.
Edit. Call Schmelke and run the case by them.

 

[Chopdoc]

How about put a beater in for a few weeks/months. See what happens. As for the Dufferin I bought a few new in 1998. One has cracks on the butt area near the bumper. Hardest part is sanding.., then I hand rub light coats of BirchwoodCasey Tru-Oil until finished.
Edit. Call Schmelke and run the case by them.

I have seen this happen to Dufferin cues before, just never owned one that had the issue. I always just figured it was a problem with the cue finish they used, and how the cue was stored in general. But when I got this cue/case it gave me pause.

Call Schmelke? I had not even thought to ask them about an old case. OK. Might do that.

 

[Chopdoc]

How about put a beater in for a few weeks/months. See what happens. As for the Dufferin I bought a few new in 1998. One has cracks on the butt area near the bumper. Hardest part is sanding.., then I hand rub light coats of BirchwoodCasey Tru-Oil until finished.
Edit. Call Schmelke and run the case by them.

I changed my mind. I didn't put the McDermott pair in there. I put these. 1976 Rich Q.

 

[erikjohn67]

I just bought a like new early/mid 90's Meucci cue that has been stored in a 1B-2S Schmelke that appears to be the same vintage as the one you have shown there (can't tell for sure since only showing inside of case). What I was told from the owner the cue has been stored in the case since new and the case has not affected the finish on the Meucci at all and definitely not what you are describing on the Dufferin. Sounds like and expansion contraction situation on the Dufferin.

 

[Chopdoc]

I just bought a like new early/mid 90's Meucci cue that has been stored in a 1B-2S Schmelke that appears to be the same vintage as the one you have shown there (can't tell for sure since only showing inside of case). What I was told from the owner the cue has been stored in the case since new and the case has not affected the finish on the Meucci at all and definitely not what you are describing on the Dufferin. Sounds like and expansion contraction situation on the Dufferin.

This is the only picture I have of the outside of the case at the moment. I'll try to get some better pics of the outside, including the Schmelke label.

I don't know how to date these, if you do, I would love to know.

 

[Hard Knock Cues]

Sounds like and expansion contraction situation on the Dufferin.

As an amateur with minimal experience, I would have to agree with this statement. The question would be if this old case and cue had been stored in say a storage unit that was unconditioned. Maybe the old owner kept it in the trunk of his car in the past.
what area of the country did it come from?
Did Dufferin use lacquer for a finish back then?

These two look happy in there

 

[Chopdoc]

what area of the country did it come from?

Good question.

Maryland.

I asked for any history on the item, seller didn't know. They are some kind of resale shop.

I am pretty convinced it had nothing to do with the case. I figured since the notion occurred to me I would see what anyone here thought.

These two look happy in there

Yup!

My daughter can do vinyl graphics. It's pretty cool. They are so thin they look printed on, and they will take on the texture of what they are applied to. I am thinking to have her do a Pabst logo on the case. The case is in darn nice condition as are the cues. Just enough age/patina to go together perfectly.

She made this, the red graphic is her art done in vinyl.

 

[erikjohn67]

This is the only picture I have of the outside of the case at the moment. I'll try to get some better pics of the outside, including the Schmelke label.

I don't know how to date these, if you do, I would love to know.

The one I got looks just like yours on the inside but smaller, only 1x1 and no area for chalk/accys. Based on the cue mine came with it was early to mid 90's. I tend to agree with you that it is not the case. Although it is not the highest quality hard box case I have it definitely isn't the worst as it has nice fabric and padding and it doesn't feel flimsy. Your case is nice a 2x2 to have, definitely worth of a couple PBR cues.

 

[cueman]

A lot of old lacquers spider web crack. It has nothing to do with the case.

 

[Chopdoc]

A lot of old lacquers spider web crack. It has nothing to do with the case.

Thanks so much.

I had the notion so I asked.

Someone just today asked me how I know so much. (Fair warning, I don't know as much as some observers think I do.).

My response? I am never afraid to ask a dumb question. The dumbass is the one that assumes he knows and just never asks.

Your input is invaluable in these forums, so I will take a moment to say thank you here and now.

If it wasn't for the guys that really know, the ones with real experience like yourself, the rest of us would remain dumbasses. I like to think I am at least one rung up from dumbass.

So: