Frozen Cue???

1

15cherries

15cherries
Silver Member
I just received a cue that I purchased, it was shipped from a cold climate and probably was very cold for 8-10 days. I believe the cue was in very good condition when shipped but when I received it there were three long cracks in the finish from the top of the wrap to the top of the points, I think the cue might have gotten cold and hot and that caused the finish to crack, does this make sense? thanks Sam.
any advice on shipping cues in the winter???
 
I just shipped 2 cues to Birminham , Al . from Seattle , and it has not bee real cold , but when they arrived in Birmingham , both cues had crackes in finish , I dont have them back yet , but they are on the way . ???? They were perfect when they left . Jim
 
what is the answer?

Jim, you are very experienced and knowledgeable in this field, do you have an answer or do we just not ship cues in the winter because of the risk, thanks Sam.
 
Shipping cues

I guess one could controll how fast the temp. changes by wrapping the cues in an insulator of some sort. This may help in slowing down how fast the cue gets cold, then, hot again. Just my 1.5 cents worth.
 
I sent a cue to Japan in the mid 90's that the finish cracked on while in transport.
I guessed at the time that it must have froze and the package got bumped real hard.
 
One of the cues had a Auto clear coat , the other was a cyro finish . I still do not have them back . I should have them any day , Holidays ???

The cues were shipped in felt sleeves , inside a plastic pipe inside a 3 sided Priority box .

I wish I did have some answeres , I do Not . Jim
 
One of the cues had a Auto clear coat , the other was a cyro finish . I still do not have them back . I should have them any day , Holidays ???

I also shipped 2 cues and a jump handle to Montana , then the owner flys to Tampa Fl. then to Montana , then to Vagas , and back to montana . The ebony handle in the jump handle is cracked for one end to the other . The shooting cue has a slight warp in the forearm , this cue is cored from one end to the other with a purple heart core , 1 pc. core .

I just received a cue from Ky. today , came like 2 day , when i opened the package I could not beleive how cold the cue was .

I wish I did have some answeres , I do Not . Jim
 
cueman said:
I sent a cue to Japan in the mid 90's that the finish cracked on while in transport.
I guessed at the time that it must have froze and the package got bumped real hard.
Click to expand...


I don't think it froze.
In transit to Japan, the molecular structure of your glass finish changed and turned to glass.
When the cue was bumped real hard, it just shattered.
 
seems to me like it would take a very drastic sudden change
from cold to hot or vice-versa to damage the finish

i'd be more inclined to think it's got something to do with the handling by one of these two morons

fedx
http://tv.yahoo.com/daytime/delivery-driver-throws-flat-screen-tv-27651996.html
ups
http://tv.yahoo.com/daytime/another-delivery-debacle-27676039.html

can you imagine these two jackwads throwing around a cue package :rolleyes:

this was an example of extreme heat for weeks
dumass buddy of mine left it in car under back window in AUGUST
see post #2
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=175415
 
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Yeah, my cue went to John Wright in Chicago by UPS and then from him to Japan by Fed Ex. The finish just opened up cross ways on the cue. It looked like a knife wound. Maybe both of those guys handled it. The other cues that shipped with it did not crack or get mamaged. It was a super glue finish. My guess is the temperature or pressure in the cargo unit of the plane allowed something bad to happen. I once saw an production cue that the whole finish had cracked all over the cue like a spider web.
 
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I'm not a cuemaker......but I am a trained A&P mechanic. At 35,000 feet in an unheated baggage compartment it gets VERY cold. The outside temperature is about -55 deg C.

You might try using pipe wrap insulation.
 
I had an idea that might be stupid or might not.

I generally got irritated any time I saw people selling can coolers as pool cue cases on Ebay. Happens all the time. Then I started thinking you guys need an insulated shipping tube. None to be found on the market in my search.

Then I was researching shipping a little. For higher end cues it might be worth taking advantage of specialized climate controlled shipping that is guaranteed and insured. They will even put a temperature and humidity recorder with the package and provide a record for you. But that is a bit expensive for cues that are not so pricey. The market is hard enough without adding to shipping costs.

Then it hit me.....these things are insulated.....

31WMmFb0dXL._AA300_.jpg


Put the cues inside this with your felt sleeve or bubble wrap or whatever you use, and put this inside your shipping tube. :thumbup:

I am seeing prices as low as four or five bucks on these things just glancing around.

Promotional companies sell them as well so you can get your logo on them if you care to order a bunch, but I suspect that isn't in the cards....too much money up front.

Am I nuts?

OK don't answer that.

Is it possibly a good idea? :confused:
 
Chopdoc said:
I had an idea that might be stupid or might not.

I generally got irritated any time I saw people selling can coolers as pool cue cases on Ebay. Happens all the time. Then I started thinking you guys need an insulated shipping tube. None to be found on the market in my search.

Then I was researching shipping a little. For higher end cues it might be worth taking advantage of specialized climate controlled shipping that is guaranteed and insured. They will even put a temperature and humidity recorder with the package and provide a record for you. But that is a bit expensive for cues that are not so pricey. The market is hard enough without adding to shipping costs.

Then it hit me.....these things are insulated.....

31WMmFb0dXL._AA300_.jpg


Put the cues inside this with your felt sleeve or bubble wrap or whatever you use, and put this inside your shipping tube. :thumbup:

I am seeing prices as low as four or five bucks on these things just glancing around.

Promotional companies sell them as well so you can get your logo on them if you care to order a bunch, but I suspect that isn't in the cards....too much money up front.

Am I nuts?

OK don't answer that.

Is it possibly a good idea? :confused:
Click to expand...


Those are only 28" long, at least the ones I can find for sale.

Kelly
 
Oh crap. I guess you guys have to make shorter cues.

Well it was a thought.

If I come across any that are longer I'll post a link in case anybody is interested in the idea.
 
I had a big cue ($5000) that was left on the front porch in sub zero weather. The fed ex man left the package without obtaining a signature. He also left it at a door that we don't use so it was almost 36 hours before I discovered the cue. The cue was basically junk. Luckily the maker made another to replace it and bandsawed the frozen cue.
 
I'm also a licensed A&P (airplane) mechanic. The cargo compartments on airliners are not climate controlled. There is SOME insulation along the skin, but not much. The only heat the cargo hold gets is what may leak through the floor boards, which may also have insulation. Therefore, when your cue leaves the ground, it goes to an insanely cold environment in a matter of minutes.
 
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