Fix A-joint?

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I have a custom cue that was built in '97. and has developed a rattle. The cue maker has since retired. I believe the problem is in the A-joint, and if i understand correctly, fixing the a-joint would require cutting the handle and putting a new handle on. I am curious about how much this would cost, vs. having a whole new butt made to match to old one. Six points, 3hi,3lo, 3veneers in each. I would appreciate your opinions and advice on what i should do.
 
First off I would just get with a local qualified repair man/cuemaker so they can tell you for sure where its coming from.

could be a number of things.........but IMOP I wouldn't even worry about it. I would cut up a "good" cue that was warped to fix that problem but just to remove a "A" joint rattle its too much work and not cheap.

One of my old heublers when you pop the cue at the joint with your palm has a buzz in the "A" joint.......the cue doesn't play any diff than it did b/f the buzz started and you can't tell it does it when shooting, only when hitting the cue with a side force such as your palm...........

my 2C
-Grey Ghost-
 
It would really help to know the maker there are certin makers affiliated with other makers that may be able to help with construction techniques or makers secrets a repair man may not know.
 
If you're serious about getting this cue repaired, you want someone with extensive experience in this area. The procedure is straightforward in nature but very easy to get wrong.
I do a lot of repairs of every type, but given your location, I'm going to suggest that you contact Ryan Theewen at Mueller. They're in Nebraska, only a few minutes from you, (by bullet, Lol). He posts here under the name 'ratcues'.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?p=2771233#post2771233

Gotta luv that attitude, he's your man.
Oh, and his prices are far too reasonable.
 
That is exactly it Greyghost, when i tap the but of the cue to the palm of my hand it buzzes. Unfortunately it buzzes when you hit a ball too, making it unpleasant to play with. The maker is RT Cues. Tom H. and Rich R made it in Florida. Very pretty with great shaft wood. I did talk to Tom a while back, and he told me he sold his equipment to his friend Dennis Searing, and that perhaps he would help me fix it. I talked to Dennis a shortly after and he said he would look at it when he got done traveling in a couple months. Since then i havent been able to get ahold of him. (this was 9 months ago) He sounded like a great guy on the phone, i assume my emails went to his spam or something. If anyone on here know Dennis, ask him if he would still be willing to take a look at it.
 
Ill try to add a picture
 

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Dennis would be a great choice but he will probably have your cue a long time. I would go with scot at proficient or ryan tweeden aka ratcues at muellers
 
If there is a weight bolt check it and tighten it. You might be suprised at how much noise they can make. I have had players swere they needed a ferrule only to tighten the weight bolt and have the noise disapear.
 
If there is a weight bolt check it and tighten it. You might be suprised at how much noise they can make. I have had players swere they needed a ferrule only to tighten the weight bolt and have the noise disapear.
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yep,wise statement there.

also you could have a ferrule problem or even a tip problem too.
 
masonh said:
yep,wise statement there.

also you could have a ferrule problem or even a tip problem too.
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It buzzes without the shaft on too. I took the weight bolt out and that didnt do anything. I sure wish it was something that easy, anything else to check?
 
Going out on a limb here, does it have a SS jnt. collar?
If not, then your process of elimination has pretty much reduced it to your initial suspicion, the dreaded 'A' joint.
Good Luck.
 
Another option that has not been mentioned is Chris Byrne. The reason I mention him is he has a tool that instantly heats up the screw in seconds. With that cue wrapped and it being glued end grain to end grain possibly causing the buzz, he might could run a cut off tool in until it touches the screw then get take it apart without having to replace a larger section of the handle, do some minor things and glue it back together and rewrap it.
I wish I had that little tool he has, but not enough to spend the hundreds of dollars to buy one. :)
 
It buzzes without the shaft on too. I took the weight bolt out and that didnt do anything. I sure wish it was something that easy, anything else to check?
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maybe joint pin,but you are probably right.cueman had a good idea if it turns out to be the joint pin.
 
cueman said:
Another option that has not been mentioned is Chris Byrne. The reason I mention him is he has a tool that instantly heats up the screw in seconds. With that cue wrapped and it being glued end grain to end grain possibly causing the buzz, he might could run a cut off tool in until it touches the screw then get take it apart without having to replace a larger section of the handle, do some minor things and glue it back together and rewrap it.
I wish I had that little tool he has, but not enough to spend the hundreds of dollars to buy one. :)
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I didnt understand all that, but it sounds good. Thank you to everyone who has chimed in. Hopefully ill get it fixed up and playing again soon.
 
cueman said:
he might could run a cut off tool in until it touches the screw
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Do you mean take the joint pin out and run a cut off tool in from there to another screw? Is there a metal screw in the A-joint? More than likely, the problem was not enough glue during assembly, am i right?
 
greenlight said:
Do you mean take the joint pin out and run a cut off tool in from there to another screw? Is there a metal screw in the A-joint? More than likely, the problem was not enough glue during assembly, am i right?
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Probably. As you can see, the buzz could be coming from a handful of glue bonds. Screw a joint protector on the pin and try to make it buzz. That could eliminate the bond of the collar and/or pin. If it is the A-joint, I may be able to fix it without cutting the cue a part.
 
greenlight said:
Do you mean take the joint pin out and run a cut off tool in from there to another screw? Is there a metal screw in the A-joint? More than likely, the problem was not enough glue during assembly, am i right?
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Or it could have been a glue with poor bonding abilities.
 
Maybe, but the glue's held for 13yrs.
Don't forget, the cue was built in Florida.
Maybe where the OP is at now is a much drier climate.
Wood has been known to shrink.

I'm intrigued by Ryan's post.
The only thing that comes to mind is a water or alcohol injection(or fresh glue). But then you gotta wonder, is it in the handle or is it in the forearm?
 
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