Help with Cutting Wrap Groove

T

Tony Zinzola

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I just cut a wrap groove in a cue and when I faced off at both ends, the finish lifted. Now I have to refinish the whole cue.

Any suggestions on how to avoid this happening? I have similar issues facing off shafts and joints.

Thanks
 
Not knowing what kind of lathe you using the best sugestion is you have to use a really sharp bit. Every time I finish a wrap grove I use a new bit. Now some people say that lathe speed has some what to do with it as well I have found that about 900 - 1000 rpms works best for me.
 
JBCustomCues said:
Not knowing what kind of lathe you using the best sugestion is you have to use a really sharp bit. Every time I finish a wrap grove I use a new bit. Now some people say that lathe speed has some what to do with it as well I have found that about 900 - 1000 rpms works best for me.
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On many cheaper cues you also have a cheaper finish. The finish sealer may not be compatible with the surface it's on or may be to brittle. At any way, what I do on all cues that come in for a refinish or rewrap, I square the channel on the lathe so as to assure it is nice and clean and the proper depth for the wrap. I have found that the cutter I use for the front of the wrap doesn't do as good a job on the rear so I have two individual cutters in quick change holders. I use high speed steel and make a cutter that looks like a cut off tool, about a 1/16 or 3/32 wide and about 3/8 inch long. It bevels sharply underneath the cutting edge and has a concave front as I sharpen by using the front of the grinding wheel so as to put the 6" wheels profile onto it's face. I then run the butt at a very slow speed, around 5 or 600 rpm. And touch off and then go to my predetermined depth and immediately move the cutter away from the face that I just trimmed.

The whole idea is to keep any heat build-up to a minimum. This is one reason why I don't use a dremel or rotary cutter with a small bit as they turn so quickly they generate to much heat.

Dick
 
As stated before, the finish is likely not very good. Poor prep, sealer or just poor quality finish can all cause lifting problems. I too use special ground bits for cutting the groove. I tried a cheaper finish a few years ago on a recomendation of a friend and had problems with it lifting off the rings nearly every time I cut a wrap groove. I switched back to my ppg finish and havent had a single problem since. I also am still using the same cutters and technique to do the cutting.
If you are applying the finish correctly with the proper flash and drying time and it is still lifting, Buy better quality finish. Chris.
 
Tony Zinzola said:
I just cut a wrap groove in a cue and when I faced off at both ends, the finish lifted. Now I have to refinish the whole cue.

Any suggestions on how to avoid this happening? I have similar issues facing off shafts and joints.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Is this on a Q you made & finished, or one that you are repairing?...JER
 
You need to look at what you are using as a sanding sealer.
Your finish might not be adhearing to is as it should.
Finishing a cue is about as hard as making the dern thing in the first place.
 
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There could be a possibility the finish was not seasoned or in other words dry enough. Some finishes need more drying time before you can cut, sand or buff. Thats really brutal do overs are no fun. Hope it works out better the next time.
Pinocchio
 
I think it was due to the fact that the last coats of finish hadn't had ample drying time. I sanded down and it fixed the problem long before I got to wood. I had to add some finish after the fact on the cue and it must not have sat long enough.
 
WilleeCue said:
You need to look at what you are using as a sanding sealer.
Your finish might not be adhearing to is as it should.
Finishing a cue is about as hard as making the dern thing in the first place.
Click to expand...

to me the finish is the hardest part. finish is truely an art. ive considered paying someone to do my finish but i guess i gotta learn sometime. some come out great and some terrible. i have snapped a cue over my knee bc of finish problems making me crazy. i learned i make a pretty solid cue...lol
 
Tony Zinzola said:
Was a cue I made.

Thanks for the tips, got a bunch here and in PM's. I'll have to see what works for me.
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Why don't you cut the wrap groove, at the same time you make your final cut on the butt. Then, you can be sure the groove is perfectly concentric, with the taper. Spray both at the same time & just clean up the edge of the groove with a file, after sanding...JER
 
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