I just finished my first cue, and would like to thank AZB for everything I've learned here. It's a simple cue, but I like it. I haven't been active on the forum, but I've been lurking and learning in the background.
Here are some specifics for my cue:
Fully cored forearm and handle with flat laminated maple.
Bird's eye maple forearm and buttsleeve.
Aluminum 3-inch 3/8-10 A-joint pin.
SS 3/8-10 joint pin.
Final tapered shaft from Atlas
Aegis-II ferrule and black phenolic rings.
Target Coatings EM9300 clear coat finish.
I made some of my own tools, which I will detail below, with pictures.
I watched Joe Barringer's DVD's, and I read Chris Hightower's book. I still made lots of mistakes. There's no substitute for experience.
Lessons learned:
- Put those pins in straight and concentric! I had to plug and re-drill those holes a couple times to get it right.
- Live threading a deep hole with a long skinny thread mill isn't very accurate. I'll just buy a 3/8-10 tap for those holes, and only use the live threading on shafts (joint and ferrule).
- Glue relief! Cracking forearms sucks.
- Waterborne clear coats need to go on in many thin coats, not piled on in a heavy coat, unlike automotive clear coats. I got much better results once I figured that out. I went through a whole quart of the stuff practicing! I'll be doing another cue shortly, I think I'll video the finishing process, to help other newbies like me out.
Since everyone loves pictures, here are a few:
To core the forearm, I made my own drill using 3/4" steel rod, and ground a "D" tip on the end. I also turned down the rod an inch or so behind the tip, for some relief from rubbing on the inside of the bored hole. Cost me less than $20, and works pretty well. It drills quite straight. The downside is it does get hot, and I have to keep backing it out and blowing it out, both to clear the chips and keep everything cool. But if you're on a budget, this is a good start before splurging on a gun drill.
I also made my own boring bar for boring 1/4" holes 3" deep. I didn't feel like spending $50-$100 on a solid carbide boring bar, so I ground one out of 1/4" round HSS tool steel. Total cost: $3.
Thanks!
-- Kevin
Here are some specifics for my cue:
Fully cored forearm and handle with flat laminated maple.
Bird's eye maple forearm and buttsleeve.
Aluminum 3-inch 3/8-10 A-joint pin.
SS 3/8-10 joint pin.
Final tapered shaft from Atlas
Aegis-II ferrule and black phenolic rings.
Target Coatings EM9300 clear coat finish.
I made some of my own tools, which I will detail below, with pictures.
I watched Joe Barringer's DVD's, and I read Chris Hightower's book. I still made lots of mistakes. There's no substitute for experience.
Lessons learned:
- Put those pins in straight and concentric! I had to plug and re-drill those holes a couple times to get it right.
- Live threading a deep hole with a long skinny thread mill isn't very accurate. I'll just buy a 3/8-10 tap for those holes, and only use the live threading on shafts (joint and ferrule).
- Glue relief! Cracking forearms sucks.
- Waterborne clear coats need to go on in many thin coats, not piled on in a heavy coat, unlike automotive clear coats. I got much better results once I figured that out. I went through a whole quart of the stuff practicing! I'll be doing another cue shortly, I think I'll video the finishing process, to help other newbies like me out.
Since everyone loves pictures, here are a few:
To core the forearm, I made my own drill using 3/4" steel rod, and ground a "D" tip on the end. I also turned down the rod an inch or so behind the tip, for some relief from rubbing on the inside of the bored hole. Cost me less than $20, and works pretty well. It drills quite straight. The downside is it does get hot, and I have to keep backing it out and blowing it out, both to clear the chips and keep everything cool. But if you're on a budget, this is a good start before splurging on a gun drill.
I also made my own boring bar for boring 1/4" holes 3" deep. I didn't feel like spending $50-$100 on a solid carbide boring bar, so I ground one out of 1/4" round HSS tool steel. Total cost: $3.
Thanks!
-- Kevin