How do you remove a ding WITHOUT removing shaft wood

[manwon]

I have read some really good posts on this subject, and I can only one one thing.

I fix this problem for my customers on a daily basis. I think that the steam method is the best for raising / swelling the wood where the dent is located, but many methods used during this process also effect the surrounding area.

I recommend using a soldering iron, because of the shape of the tip.

You can apply the necessary heat directly where you need it, and most cases it works in seconds.

Take a small piece of damp cloth or a damp cue tip place it on the ding and apply the tip of the iron, instant steam / heat right where you need it.

I have removed gouges using this method, with only minimal after sanding, waxing and burnishing.

Just be careful not to leave the tip of the iron on too long, take your time and the results will be great.

manwon

 

[twilight]

Lots more great advice this evening, I checked out the RSB site and I like what they say. Drop or water, or a small square of paper towel, or the cue tip method seems to add the least amount of water which is what I like.


It seems that most people are saying to burnish the shaft with leather to smooth it out. I just can't seem to spin the shaft fast enough to generate any real heat.

 

[xianmacx]

get a maintainence pin that matches your shaft from atlas and put it in your 18v cordless drill. Works perfect for cleaning/polishing shaft.

Ian

 

[Danny 314]

Clean your shaft do not sand it

THe ferrule on my shaft measures 13.02mm close to the base but the shaft measures 12.86mm and believe me, 0.16mm is a very noticeable waistline.

I did the same thing to my shaft of my first cue and vowed never to destroy another one again... My dad showed me that I can clean the shaft rather than sand it... This will not get any dings out (you should be more careful anyway), but it will make the shaft smooth and feel like new again... Take a paper towel put a small amount of Rubbing Alcohol on it... Then rub the shaft as if you were sanding it... I let the paper towel heat up in my hand sometimes... I repeat the process 3 time... It amazes me how much chalk comes off the shaft and how smooth if feel afterwards... No waistline developement and no toothpick shafts in the long run...

 

[cueman]

Put the cue in the hands of a quality repairman that has a steam gun and a lathe. He will get the dent out, get the shaft smooth as silk and you won't lose any diameter. All of your home remedies will not do the job a guy on a lathe can. You will have to sand the cue to smootht he dent out once you pop it up with steam. Hand sanding without a lathe is so uneven that you will create a flat spot or take some diameter off. Put it in the hands of a professional.

 

[xidica]

Awesome thread for sure. I also agree that a highly played with and burnished shaft doesn't ding nearly as easy. I use pool table felt to burnish, and it works like a champ for me. Then again you'd be surprised how many things you can burnish well with

 

[CrossSideLarry]

Removing ding from shaft

Ok I've done my searches and can't come up with anything specific. I need a way to remove a dent. Without ANY sanding. Is it possible?

Yes, it is very easy to do:

Steam it! If you have a vegetable steamer, it will work great. A tea kettle will also work great. Apply the steam directly on the ding approx. two inches from the steam source. Let contact for 15 second intervals until the ding is no longer noticeable to the touch. At that point, rub it up and down with croquis (sp) cloth until smooth. Do not rub until no longer can warmth be felt in the shaft wood.

Cross Side Larry

"Learn from the best, and beat the rest"