How does one cut down a tip?

Buster8001

Buster8001

Did you say shrubberies?
Silver Member
Hey guys,

I'm having some problems (obviously). So, I set up a drill as a shaft spinner, of sorts. Works great for spinning the shaft for clean-up and burnishing. Last evening, I was trying to cut a tip on my spinner; I was trying to flush the tip to the ferruel during a new install, and was having all kinds of problems. I was using a utility knife blade (brand new), and just holding it up to the tip side wall. I thought it would just trim away; well, not for me. Had to go back and trim it the "old way". Any advice?

Josh
 
Unless you get something to go up against the end of the tip or grab it from behind the tip or at least a little felt lined v-block for the end of the shaft to rest in, you are going to have a real struggle cutting tips. You need the end of the shaft to be solid when you go after it with the utility knife.
 
dangerous too your own equipment.

Sounds like you have or you are getting ready to screw up your ferrule if you already haven't .

Spinning the shaft with a drill is some help when you are cleaning the shaft and possibly the ferrule.

Doing tips by hand I wouldn't use a drill.

razor blade, wood chisel, bench grinder sand paper .
Make sure nothing touches the ferrule.
and don't dent the shaft


Here is a video on how to change a tip at home without a lathe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX2pKoHe9Y0

2 things in this video that bothers me is.
the metal sander getting clamped onto the cue. make sure you don't dent your cue with the tool,

The other is the bench grinder, You run a very hi risk of the grinding wheel getting into the ferrule.

I really think a lathe is the only way to go. Not because of the tip but because of the ferrule.
a lathe is the only tool that I know of that gives you enough control that the cutting tool doesn't get into the ferrule if you are careful .

MMike

.
 
cuejo said:
Check out the vids in my signature
Click to expand...

Thanks, Cuejo; I'll check them out when I get home.

cueman said:
Unless you get something to go up against the end of the tip or grab it from behind the tip or at least a little felt lined v-block for the end of the shaft to rest in, you are going to have a real struggle cutting tips. You need the end of the shaft to be solid when you go after it with the utility knife.
Click to expand...

I do have a rest for the end of the shaft; The shaft is solid when attempting to cut.

EightballJunkie said:
Just my two cents, so take it for what it's worth.

First, the blade needs to be very sharp. Even new, there are a lot of low quality blades that are not sharp enough for the task, they just won't cut cleanly.

Second, you should be using two hands to hold the blade and a tool rest to support it. The idea is to only trim small amounts of leather off with each cut. A lathe makes this much easier ...and safer.

Even with a lathe and sharp blade, the technique still takes practice. Too much pressure or cutting at the wrong angle, and doesn't take but a second to ruin a tip or ferrule.
Click to expand...


Yeah, I definitely need the practice. I'm using a junk cue; I take a tip off, and put another one back on. I, currently, do not have a tool rest. That could be the problem; my cutting angle. I am using both hands to hold the blade, but I am just holding it straight up against the tip side wall.

I know what you mean about dull blades. I sharpen all blades on a leather strop before I attempt to cut.

Josh
 
mortuarymike-nv said:
Sounds like you have or you are getting ready to screw up your ferrule if you already haven't .

Spinning the shaft with a drill is some help when you are cleaning the shaft and possibly the ferrule.

Doing tips by hand I wouldn't use a drill.

razor blade, wood chisel, bench grinder sand paper .
Make sure nothing touches the ferrule.
and don't dent the shaft


Here is a video on how to change a tip at home without a lathe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX2pKoHe9Y0

2 things in this video that bothers me is.
the metal sander getting clamped onto the cue. make sure you don't dent your cue with the tool,

The other is the bench grinder, You run a very hi risk of the grinding wheel getting into the ferrule.

I really think a lathe is the only way to go. Not because of the tip but because of the ferrule.
a lathe is the only tool that I know of that gives you enough control that the cutting tool doesn't get into the ferrule if you are careful .

MMike

.
Click to expand...

Cool, Mike; I'll check out the clip when I get home. Thanks for the info, and I have gouged a ferrule, already. Good thing it is a test/junk cue. You're right, the drill works like a charm for cleaning and burnishing. I'm just trying to expand its usefulness.

Josh
 
Thank you, all, for your comments; I have some things to try out. I'll report back with my progress.

Josh
 
Just put the utility knife on a rest and come in from the left side and trim the tip flush with the ferrule. If everything is solid that works great.
 
unless you decide to invest in a small lathe for shafts, I suggest you just trim the sides of the tip with a sharp utility knife "old way" (I used to do this while pressing the tip against the table surface - vertically - and rotating the shaft after every piece of leather cut). And after that you can use your drill to finish the sides of the tip with sandpaper of various grit.
 
Thanks, everyone, for their time and information shared. I talked to Brent, BHQ, over a nice phone call; I have it down pat, now.

Thank you, Brent.

Josh
 
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