Hard Maple

RocketQ

RocketQ

It's Not Rocket Science
Silver Member
Are there cue makers out there that are looking for shaft wood?
I have been finding it hard to get a good dense piece of maple. I want to start selling shaft wood.
The company I am looking at doing business with move 73,000,000 feet of lumber a year. I hope to get something established soon. Any one have any input on what they want to see: squares, dowels, 1st turns, Finished, stabilized, unstabilized, what? Any input on this subject would be greatly appreciated.
 
Last edited:
Are there cue makers out there that are looking for shaft wood?

Is that even a question? :D
 
The best maple for pool cue shafts is cut above the 45th parallel, IMO. Pool cue shaftwood is a specialty business that requires expertise to buy top grade veneer logs without internal twist and further specialized knowledge to dry and process the wood. I think it looks easier than it actually is. I feel fortunate to have, at least for now, completely solved the maple (and ebony) problem.

Best wishes with your new venture. More suppliers of quality cue parts is always welcomed.

Martin


RocketQ said:
Are there cue makers out there that are looking for shaft wood?
I have been finding it hard to get a good dense piece of maple. I want to start selling shaft wood.
The company I am looking at doing business with move 73,000,000 feet of lumber a year. I hope to get something established soon. Any one have any input on what they want to see: squares, dowels, 1st turns, Finished, stabilized, unstabilized, what? Any input on this subject would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
Mr. Dominiak is back to selling shaft blanks. I've gotten some good blanks from Bill in the past & just ordered 40 more. I guess not everyone wants a Predator.
 
KJ Cues said:
Mr. Dominiak is back to selling shaft blanks. I've gotten some good blanks from Bill in the past & just ordered 40 more. I guess not everyone wants a Predator.
Click to expand...

I like the dominator shaft from Bill.
Everyone gives up the training wheels at some point don't they? :eek:
 
jazznpool said:
The best maple for pool cue shafts is cut above the 45th parallel. Pool cue shaftwood is a specialty business that requires expertise to buy top grade veneer logs

Martin
Click to expand...


FACT..............
 
JoeyInCali said:
Why?
Because loggers there drink AFTER working?
Not during?
Click to expand...

It is actually because of the high magnetic fields!! These fields actually will cause the tree's to produce wood that is White with perfectly straight grain. However, this only occurs above 92.7890 inches, and that is the real secret to good shaft wood. I mean it's a well known scientific fact, and who can argue with science!!!!!!:D :D ;)
 
hard maple

You can't think that the ONLY place for good wood is above the 45th.
There are so many other factors that go into it being good wood. What time of year it is cut, how it is sawn, how it is dried, how old the tree is, all play a role. Stiffness, clarity, density, and weight not to mention the sound it makes when you drop it on the floor. I know it is a good shaft no matter where it comes from when you drop it on the floor by the sound it makes. You might laugh when you read this but try it. Drop a good shaft on end on a concrete floor and then drop a turd on the floor there is a difference.
Granted above the 45th you may have a lower loss % but hand selecting what becomes drying sticks and what becomes shafts.
I guess I will see when I get some product and get some out there what people think.
 
I know it is a good shaft no matter where it comes from when you drop it on the floor by the sound it makes. You might laugh when you read this but try it. Drop a good shaft on end on a concrete floor and then drop a turd on the floor there is a difference

True.
 
Hi Again John,
First of all, I wish you great success with your new endeavor. Let's face it, every cue that's built needs a shaft and premium grade shaft wood is in high demand.
I'd rather not get involved in a debate over where the best shaft wood comes from although for my own cues I prefer wood that is grown up north. Personal preference.
I hope that you have some deeeeeep pockets for this gig. You're going to need them as you're not likely to see any return for maybe a year or so and your start-up costs are going to be tremendous. The aging of the boards, the kiln, the milling, the turning/doweling, more & more aging, etc. etc. This all adds up to big bucks out of pocket until you start selling shafts. If you can stand it then I'd say go for it. Your returns on the backside will also be tremendous.
 
thanks

K.J.
Yep nothing but time. Got a Blud cnc, big room couple of dehumids the wood is already dried natural kiln. Didn't mean to tramp on your toes. I didn't post to argue. Just looking for input on what other builders want. If I was looking to make quick money I wouldn't be building cues. I am doing this because I love it. I love the fact you can build the exact same cue 3 times, all 3 feel the same and all play a little different. It is something like golf you can never play the perfect game. 8 years ago I started not wanting to make money. I am "a convict" if I can quote Blud on a life sentence.
I am looking at this as another way to build on what I know. I am constantly trying new products, new techniques. This forum is a great place to do it. When I started which really wasn't that long ago az forum wasn't there. Figure it out.... mess a couple up.... get it right....quit or make it go.. I will not give up. Way to stubborn for that..

Thanks for the encouragement..
 
I wish you luck, I know shaftwood can be a pain in the butt to supply. Every cuemaker is looking for good shaftwood. I have several sources I can buy from and have been very happy with but, it never hurts to have another. I would suggest you put together some sample packs of shaft blanks and sell them at a nominal fee to get your wood out to alot more cuemakers. You may find alot more customers who might not of bothered to check out your wood if you were charging full price. Just a suggestion, I now buy all my shaftwood from a guy who sent me a few samples out of the blue for no charge. It is some of the most consistant and stable wood I have seen in a while. I would have never of bought from him if he hadden't sent me the samples. Just my 2 cents. Chris.
.
 
Last edited:
Chris Byrne said:
I wish you luck, I know shaftwood can be a pain in the butt to supply. Every cuemaker is looking for good shaftwood. I have several sources I can buy from and have been very happy with but, it never hurts to have another. I would suggest you put together some sample packs of shaft blanks and sell them at a nominal fee to get your wood out to alot more cuemakers. You may find alot more customers who might not of bothered to check out your wood if you were charging full price. Just a suggestion, I now buy all my shaftwood from a guy who sent me a few samples out of the blue for no charge. It is some of the most consistant and stable wood I have seen in a while. I would have never of bought from him if he hadden't sent me the samples. Just my 2 cents. Chris.
PS I don't share my source for shaftwood, Please don't bother pm'ing me.
Click to expand...

Well that's real sweet. In the previous thread you are asking for everyone to turn you on to better Ebony suppliers and then you turn around in the next thread and claim to have the nuts in a shaft wood supplier but don't anyone dare to ask who it is cause you won't tell. Sure sounds like a typical "hurray for me and f*** you" type guy. Actually, I don't blame you though. I very seldom will turn loose the names of any of my suppliers unless it's someone generic like Atlas or Praether.

Dick
 
oh well

Dick
I have dealt with guys that won't tell you anything. Not a big deal. The thing that wrenches my nuts is the fact that he thinks I would ask. I tell people what I think. I am up front in my business and personally. For those people out there I have received help from it was offered not requested. I don't want hand, outs never did. I will make it go. Once again I posted for input: wants and needs. Not looking for suppliers. In 8 years I have found some good shafts and good people. I have also found some real schmucks who I will never do business again. I am not looking to put any one out of business I am looking for a way to get a little buying power for a small one man shop. Oh well..
Take your lumps it builds character.

Rock
 
Last edited:
rhncue said:
Well that's real sweet. In the previous thread you are asking for everyone to turn you on to better Ebony suppliers and then you turn around in the next thread and claim to have the nuts in a shaft wood supplier but don't anyone dare to ask who it is cause you won't tell. Sure sounds like a typical "hurray for me and f*** you" type guy. Actually, I don't blame you though. I very seldom will turn loose the names of any of my suppliers unless it's someone generic like Atlas or Praether.

Dick
Click to expand...
Hey it's not like that. I am an open book on every other supplier I use for every other component. I have been thru many shaft suppliers in the past and now have a very small operation I am dealing with. I have to wait months at a time untill he has enough wood to make a shipment to me. I would actually like to buy more from him but he dosen't have it. If I give out my source it will only further cut down on what is available. I only posted not to ask as anytime I have posted on shaftwood in the past I generally get pm's on who I am dealing with. If he was making more wood I would give out his name. The reason I am posting on this thread is I need more shaftwood than I can currently get. I would prefer to deal with someone who knows what makes a good shaft and can deliver consistantly good product. I also like to deal with one person smaller shops and build up a relationship with the owner.
rhncue said:
Sure sounds like a typical "hurray for me and f*** you" type guy. Actually, I don't blame you though. I very seldom will turn loose the names of any of my suppliers unless it's someone generic like Atlas or Praether.Dick
Click to expand...
Hey Dick thats not very nice, You call me an A hole and then say you would do the same thing. As for the ebony, I posted who I bought it from last night just before posting on this thread. No one turned me on to my guy for shaftwood he came to me. The only reason I even mentioned it was to let rocket cue know that is how I came to do buisness with my current suplier. I did not mean to sound rude to anyone and I appreciate all the leads on ebony I recieved, I was only trying to save everones time as this is my one place I don't share. Chris.
 
RocketQ said:
Dick
I have dealt with guys that won't tell you anything. Not a big deal. The thing that wrenches my nuts is the fact that he thinks I would ask. I tell people what I think. I am up front in my business and personally. For those people out there I have received help from it was offered not requested. I don't want hand, outs never did. I will make it go. Once again I posted for input: wants and needs. Not looking for suppliers. In 8 years I have found some good shafts and good people. I have also found some real schmucks who I will never do business again. I am not looking to put any one out of business I am looking for a way to get a little buying power for a small one man shop. Oh well..
Take your lumps it builds character.

Rock
Click to expand...
Hey Rock. I was not referring to you in my post when I asked people not to ask, It was just a general statement. I want you to start selling shaftwood, we need all the good suppliers we can get. someone who builds cues is even better as you know what we need. I only referenced my supplier to let you know I think you could really get more customers if you sent out samples they can play with instead of posting pictures or something like that. I will be happy to buy some samples from you when you get going. As I have said in my previous post my guy cannot supply all that I need now. I still buy from more than one place to fill my needs. If you come up with some good wood I would like to do buisness with you and I will be happy to share you as my source. Chris
PS check you pm's
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top