Glue Lines,,,,Common Practice or Quality?? Exactly what are they?

O

Orlando

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Hello all. I have been playing pool for all my life but I know very little about pool cue construction and terminology. I am wondering what is a glue-line exactly and what you all consider to be acceptable or not as-far-as a glue-line's are concerned?

Here is my guess on what a glue-line is,,,,,, (as a example) >>> is it a void/space in between a inlay and the material which is directly next to the inlay? This void is where glue was used to fill-in the space and is noticeable upon close inspection? I am assuming that the glue is being used to take up the "slop" of this inlay so it may be centered so-as-to create a false impression of perfection of the cue's build quality? Mabey I am being too critical in my description. Am I even close in my description??

ALSO, Are glue lines acceptable or not within a pool cue? What should a person look for in thier cue to determine wether a cuemaker has tried to disguise/hide a sloppy made cue or mabey it is the "natue of the beast" in cue making?

What are your opinions on this and what do you look for in your cue? Thanks for your response. Orlando
 
the easiest way to see a glue line is to look at where two veneers of the same color come together, like in pointwork

the easiest color to see them in is a light color
 
I have a cue with......

Thanks for the response:)

I have a cue which has some stars inlaid in it. If I look really close at the inlay I can see a small space in between the material of the star and the material which it is inlaid into. This space has been filled in with what I am guessing to be glue?

Should inlays be fitted perfectly into the cue (with absolutely no space) or is there some tolerance which is allowed for fitment? I am just wondering what the normal practice is.

:o Shoot,,,I don't even know if my geuss at what a glue line is in my first post is even close:o .

Thanks again. Orlando
 
Orlando said:
Thanks for the response:)

I have a cue which has some stars inlaid in it. If I look really close at the inlay I can see a small space in between the material of the star and the material which it is inlaid into. This space has been filled in with what I am guessing to be glue?

Should inlays be fitted perfectly into the cue (with absolutely no space) or is there some tolerance which is allowed for fitment? I am just wondering what the normal practice is.

:o Shoot,,,I don't even know if my geuss at what a glue line is in my first post is even close:o .

Thanks again. Orlando
Click to expand...

The answer is yes and no. Something like a star that has sharp points no matter how small the cutter is it leaves a radius at the points. The points would have to be finished by hand to get a perfect fit. Some cue makers do, do this but most just cut it a little oversized and use a tinted epoxy the fill the space. You do see some that have a very sloppy fit though that doesn't look like the cue maker gave it his best effort. Even though it doesn't effect the cues play all things being equal it should have an effect on the value, I.E. a better and nicer (cleaner), built cue should be worth a premium.
 
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Try reposting in the "Ask a Cuemaker" forum if you dont get the answer you are looking for. Or maybe an admin. will read this and move it for you.
 
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