First pool cue

F

Fireside

Registered
Hey guys, new to the forums, and owning a pool cue at all actually.
Was just curious if anyone could give me a crash course in basics? Or if there is a sticky (I looked, but there is a ton of content here. Even tried the search function.) that I should read kindly point me to it?

for example a question I have is how important are things like:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TIP-MASTER-...539?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c847bcb6b

I am not new to the game (FAR from a pro, I still consider myself mostly a beginner) but am clueless about pool cue care. The cue I have is not expensive, but better to learn now than regret it later.
 
Your first post. My how you have grown. Why just the other day I was asking SJDinPHX if he ever thought you'd make it. He said. "Not a chance in hell!"
I knew you would, though. Yes sir, I knew you would.

Now, what was you question? :smile:
 
Fireside said:
What is the point of:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TIP-MASTER-...539?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c847bcb6b

If a tip gets worn out don't you just replace it?
Also, what is a good way to store my cue? I have a hard case for it, but is there anything special I might want to know about?
Click to expand...

Your tip will take less chalk over time from the compression, scuffing it with a tapper will make the surface rough again without affecting the shape of the tip so it will take more chalk.

Most 'tappers' also have a shaper so if your tips gets a bit worn or out of shape you can fix it up quickly without a tip replacement.

Eventually it will need to be replaced, this tool keeps it in playing shape for it's lifetime.

b
 
Straightpool_99 said:
Welcome!

You're going to get lots of input on this I'm sure. One of the more important things is to keep your hands clean. When you put your hand down on the table you get chalk on it, which gets transferred to the cue. Therefore it's smart to take a break now and then to clean your hands. You need a towel or microfiber cloth to wipe down your stick. You need it to be barely moist on one end and dry on the other. First wipe down with moist end, then with dry end. Keep moisture off the tip itself, as it can ruin it, especially layered tips. The tip tools are sort of important, when the tip gets shiny and won't hold chalk you need to rought it up somehow. The tip can also become flat, and you might need to shape it back into a more rounded shape. You can use a little sandpaper or a tip tool for that (but be gentle, you only need to scratch up the surface of the tip a little bit).

The other stuff is optional. I use wax on my cue, but not everybody does.
Click to expand...

I wondered if there was something to use to keep the cue wiped down. I read online about a slightly abrasive cloth to wipe it down with (forget what its called, sure I could find a link later) but that kinda screamed bad idea to me considering the finish on these. I have a few microfiber cloths laying around from my electronics work but I'll prolly pick up a new one to keep in the case.
 
WillyCornbread said:
Your tip will take less chalk over time from the compression, scuffing it with a tapper will make the surface rough again without affecting the shape of the tip so it will take more chalk.

Most 'tappers' also have a shaper so if your tips gets a bit worn or out of shape you can fix it up quickly without a tip replacement.

Eventually it will need to be replaced, this tool keeps it in playing shape for it's lifetime.

b
Click to expand...

This is probably stupid obvious, but assuming the shape should be the round shape it is now. Looking at the bar room cues, the ones that look like mushrooms are probably the ones that need shaping?
 
I keep a cpl things in my case for cue care, a scotch brite pad, and bowtie tip tool, a bottle of cue silk, a piece of magic eraser, and a piece of a wife beater shirt lol......my buddy actually has just a plain ol willard tip tool and I actually like it alot also......A hard case is a good case I always try and remember to wipe the chalk off my tip before puttin in the case tho but other then tht wash your hands a cpl times here and there and I usually always clean my cue after each time i play or every other time......
 
Rampage8408 said:
I keep a cpl things in my case for cue care, a scotch brite pad, and bowtie tip tool, a bottle of cue silk, a piece of magic eraser, and a piece of a wife beater shirt lol......my buddy actually has just a plain ol willard tip tool and I actually like it alot also......A hard case is a good case I always try and remember to wipe the chalk off my tip before puttin in the case tho but other then tht wash your hands a cpl times here and there and I usually always clean my cue after each time i play or every other time......
Click to expand...

What's the scotch brite pad/magic eraser for?
 
So you have a cue and a case, that's a pretty good start. If it were me, I would add the following:

  • Willard tip shaper (nickel radius) or Ultimate tip tool to reshape/scuff tip occasionally. You want to keep it round and roughed up enough to hold chalk well.
  • Q-Wiz which is basically a light grade of sandpaper to clean up the shaft, use sparingly
  • Couple pieces of chalk for when you find the place your playing only has really worn out ones
  • Towel for drying hands, wiping down cue, etc. (though I would keep it dry and not get your cue wet or damp unless you're really trying to clean a dirty shaft and plan to do a little sanding, resealing, and burnishing again to get it smooth)

When I get my cue out to play I take a look at the tip first, most of the time it's okay but if it looks glazed (shiny and too smooth) I'll scuff it up a little (I use a Kamui tool, but it's overkill). Then I chalk up and start playing.

During play I will wash my hands a few times over the course of a few hours. When I do so I will sometimes grab an extra paper towel (they're the brown paper kind) and use that to give my shaft a little wipe down (dry).

When I'm done playing I will take another paper towel and wipe the chalk off my tip (keeps the inside of your case clean and prevents extra chalk from then getting onto your shaft from your case), then take my soft towel and wipe down the cue (butt and shaft). Then I put on my joint protectors (not necessary, but nice to have. Can prevent chips to the edges of the joint rings and also can protect against a bent pin in case of a drop) and slide it into the case so it's ready to go for next time.

Occasionally I will use a Q-Wiz on some shafts if I don't like the feel of the finish. I've had some cues that started out too waxy and glossy smooth...gets sticky when it gets humid. I find the Q-Wiz puts on a very nice but not super high polished finish which is my preference. It does remove material, whether that is wood or mostly just wax that is on the shaft depends on what the shaft finish is like, so use it sparingly. But it's a handy thing to have sometimes. Other shafts start out with a great finish and I just let them go and they seem to get better with time.
 
Fireside said:
What on earth is a greenie? >.>
So something slightly abrasive (magic eraser) is good? Guessing you'd wipe down with that, then polish with microfiber cloth?
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Greenies are those green boxes under your name. If they were red then no one would have anything to do with you.

Being new to this forum and being able to play pool are two different things, Fireside.
If you are new to pool then seek out the services of a professional instructor. Buy books, CDs, and hang out in a pool room. Pool is a learning process that can last the rest of your life.
If you are just new to the forum, use the search function as much as possible. It lessens repeating ourselves. Having said that, if you need to know something, ask away. :)
 
slide13 said:
  • Willard tip shaper (nickel radius) or Ultimate tip tool to reshape/scuff tip occasionally. You want to keep it round and roughed up enough to hold chalk well.
  • Q-Wiz which is basically a light grade of sandpaper to clean up the shaft, use sparingly
  • Couple pieces of chalk for when you find the place your playing only has really worn out ones
  • Towel for drying hands, wiping down cue, etc. (though I would keep it dry and not get your cue wet or damp unless you're really trying to clean a dirty shaft and plan to do a little sanding, resealing, and burnishing again to get it smooth)

When I get my cue out to play I take a look at the tip first, most of the time it's okay but if it looks glazed (shiny and too smooth) I'll scuff it up a little (I use a Kamui tool, but it's overkill). Then I chalk up and start playing.

During play I will wash my hands a few times over the course of a few hours. When I do so I will sometimes grab an extra paper towel (they're the brown paper kind) and use that to give my shaft a little wipe down (dry).
Click to expand...

I looked up that Q-wiz you mentioned and am curious why you don't use the polishing side of the pad instead of a soft towel? I may have been looking at a different product, not sure.

Would something like http://www.ebay.com/itm/Q-WAX-CLOTH...171?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cef35b143 (or even http://www.ebay.com/itm/0-99-NEWl-C...097?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27fff86f81) be usable for quick cleaning/a lazy evening? Sorry to link to ebay so much, easiest place for me to find anything/everything though I rarely buy from there.
There are just so many products I feel like I could spend days shopping and spend hundreds and still miss important things all while ending up with a giant pile of useless stuff.

Tramp Steamer said:
Greenies are those green boxes under your name. If they were red then no one would have anything to do with you.

Being new to this forum and being able to play pool are two different things, Fireside.
If you are new to pool then seek out the services of a professional instructor. Buy books, CDs, and hang out in a pool room. Pool is a learning process that can last the rest of your life.
If you are just new to the forum, use the search function as much as possible. It lessens repeating ourselves. Having said that, if you need to know something, ask away. :)
Click to expand...

Going out on a limb and guessing that box is a "reputation" thing?

To be entirely honest an instructor probably won't happen, primarily because financially we're pretty tight, but also because I really enjoy learning things myself without a teacher (red flag, I know I know).
As far as hanging out in a pool room I live in Clay Center, KS. For those who don't know this place, don't worry. Almost no one does :P The closest pool halls I've found are in Hays and Olathe, both a few hours away. There is a bar with some tables here but the players are, well, generally not even as good as I am. None have there own cue, so I tend to shy away from asking them questions about cue care.
I will be ABUSING that search function this weekend when I have a little more spare time. Most of what I'll ask and read about here is just pointers, and big things to avoid when learning (bad form, or bad habits to avoid before they happen type thing) :D

I will also be searching for some closer pool halls/players. I've only just started browsing, I stopped playing pool almost 2 years ago just now getting back into it. And I really appreciate the warm welcome and all the awesome advice so far. Thank you very much :)
 
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Fireside said:
I looked up that Q-wiz you mentioned and am curious why you don't use the polishing side of the pad instead of a soft towel? I may have been looking at a different product, not sure.
Click to expand...

The "burnishing" side of the Q-Wiz is still slightly abrasive, use it and you'll get a find dust from either the wax or wood on your shaft that collects on the surface. Soft towel is just to wipe off any surface dirt, moisture, etc.

Sorry, not really familiar with those other products you mention.
 
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