How to install a ferrule?

[mnShooter]

I'm sure this has been posted before but I tried to do a search on here but when I searched for "ferrule install" I got a bunch of posts with nothing I was looking for.

I would like to learn how to install my own ferrules. Are there any books or anything like that on this. I just got a wood lathe so I can do basic shaft cleaning and tip installation. I would like to be able to put new ferrules on as well.

Here's the questions I have.

Do you have to tap/die the ferrule to match the tenon? What are the best tools to do this?

Can you replace a tenon if it breaks off? How do you do that?

Is there a good way to sand the sides of the ferrule flat without investing in one of those micro lathes?

The only person I know around here that knows how to do these things owns a pool hall so I don't feel comfortable asking him. He'll probably think I'm trying to take away his customers.

 

[Maniac]

I am awaiting for answers to this post as I too searched unsuccessfully a short time ago for previous threads on this subject. I'd like to hear from some of the cuemakers.

Maniac

 

[HeLLFiSH]

There is a section of this forum where you can the cuemakers. They might be able to help better than I can. There are books on it, most likely cue making books.

Heres what I know, not much though, there are many ways to install a ferrule. On cheap house cues for example, there is just an unthreaded tenon, and the fiber ferrule is uncapped with the hole that slides right into the tenon. On higher end cues, the tenon is usually threaded, and glued and screwed on. there are many ways to do it, alot will argue which the best method is. To thread the tenon, there is a tool you can get, from chris hightower, unique products, or brianna billiards, that will thread it for you, usually its standard 5/16x18 i believe. If you preorder ferrules that are tapped, and plan to install those, its better to install it on a threaded tenon. Other cuemakers will order the ferrule rods, cut them to ferrule lengths, and tap with threads, or drill a through out.

If a tenon breaks off, replace it by boring a hole into the shaft, install a tenon usually a thin dowel with glue, let dry, rethread if necessary.

 

[Bamacues]

Here's the questions I have.

Do you have to tap/die the ferrule to match the tenon? What are the best tools to do this?

A ferrule can be installed as a capped ferrule, glued and screwed onto the tenon, or as a "through" ferrule where the tip will actually be glued directly to the wood of the tenon...the ferrule will act as a sleeve on the outside of the tenon. If you are going to thread your tenons, you need a tenon threading device as mentioned earlier.

Can you replace a tenon if it breaks off? How do you do that?

Yes, you can replace a broken tenon by cutting the broken tenon off evenly at its base, then you will need to drill a hole directly into the shaft in order to insert/glue a new tenon in place.


Is there a good way to sand the sides of the ferrule flat without investing in one of those micro lathes?

Honestly, you really need a lathe to be very successful with any of the tasks, in my opinion. Without a lathe, it is very difficult to make certain that you are centering your hole for the tenon, as well as making certain that everything comes out perfectly round.

Hope this helps, Joe

 

[Roger Long]

mnShooter,

I think I would have to answer your question with a NO, there is no simple way to sand down ferrules. The best way is to cut them down with a regular metal lathe or with one of the specialty lathes that are built specifically for working on cues. The cheapest way to go is with a mini metal lathe. You can find them at Harbor Freight Tools for about $450. Even with one of those you will have to rig up some sort of auxiliary steady rest to hold the joint end of the shaft once you chuck the tip end up in the lathe.

Maybe your best bet would be to purchase a Cue Smith cue repair lathe from Chris Hightower, and it will come equipped with all of the tooling necessary to do all types of repair jobs. After all, if you're going to learn how to do tips and ferrules, you might as well go all the way and learn the rest. It could possibly turn into a decent little side business for you.:thumbup:

Roger

 

[Varney Cues]

Is there a good way to sand the sides of the ferrule flat without investing in one of those micro lathes?

In a word.........."NO"!
As I've said many times before, the ferrule installation as well as the ferrule material & type is one of the most important steps in tuning a cues performance. Wood and the various ferrule materials will sand at a much different rate so attempting to "sand" the ferrule flush is a very quick way to destroy a shaft. Done correctly it needs to be turned to size on a lathe. Without a lathe you also have no for sure way to make an absolute flat surface face on the ferrule back or the shaft face around the tenon. This is extremely important in getting the fit 100% flush. When done correctly you'll see no dark line where the ferrule meets the wood. Many of you have seen ferrules that have the dark line...thats a poor job. Below is a pic of a properly installed ferrule...notice no dark line under the ferrule. Leave something that important to the professionals...if you care about your shaft.:wink:

 

[mnShooter]

Thanks for the responses

Two more questions-
If you have a threaded tenon do you have to thread the inside of the ferrule or can you leave it unthreaded as long as it is the correct size? I'm most interested in installing those one piece combo break tip/ferrules.


Like I said in the first post- I do have a wood lathe but no machining tools to cut the ferrule. Is there any way to get the ferrule flush and straight with a regular wood lathe. Mine is similar to the picture. I have all the tools/attachments to clean shafts and install tips.

 

[crawfish]

I do it the old fashioned way. I call Pete Ohman, pack the fu@#er up and UPS it to him. Few days later, there she is.

Hey, I'm no plumber either. I dial 1-800-fixall.

I also know how to change my oil, but am I gonna take the time and do it?

 

[manwon]

I'm sure this has been posted before but I tried to do a search on here but when I searched for "ferrule install" I got a bunch of posts with nothing I was looking for.

I would like to learn how to install my own ferrules. Are there any books or anything like that on this. I just got a wood lathe so I can do basic shaft cleaning and tip installation. I would like to be able to put new ferrules on as well.

Here's the questions I have.

Do you have to tap/die the ferrule to match the tenon? What are the best tools to do this?

Can you replace a tenon if it breaks off? How do you do that?

Is there a good way to sand the sides of the ferrule flat without investing in one of those micro lathes?

The only person I know around here that knows how to do these things owns a pool hall so I don't feel comfortable asking him. He'll probably think I'm trying to take away his customers.

Here's the questions I have.

Do you have to tap/die the ferrule to match the tenon? What are the best tools to do this?

There is no Die that is used to cut a ferrule down to the size of shaft. The only thing that will accomplish this job in a Professional manner is a Lather that will allow the shaft to go through the lathes head stock and a tool post with a cutting tool that has the ability to traverse. Wood Lathes that I have seen will not work for Ferrules.

Can you replace a tenon if it breaks off? How do you do that?


If you break a Tenon off and the shaft is not broken at the shafts shoulder where the Tenon seats to the shaft, the Tenon can easily be replaced without losing any shaft length. In this case the shaft can be drilled out 1 1/4 inch deep 5/16 in diameter and have a wooden dowel inserted and epoxied into place. Once the adhesive is dry the tenon can be threaded and a new ferrule installed.


Is there a good way to sand the sides of the ferrule flat without investing in one of those micro lathes?

First, you do not want the sides of the ferrule flat, but I know what you trying to say and I have to say no. Understand that you must have the shaft spinning to keep it round while cutting. In addition, the shaft must be running true (Straight) while spinning or as you cut the ferrule material it will not cut evenly.

Below is the procedure for Ferrule Replacement:

1) Ferrule Removal: There are two ways to remove a damaged Ferrule by cutting or by heat. The cutting method should be self explanatory so I will not go into details. The heating method can be accomplished in two ways, Flame or Friction. Using the Flame method you must first using masking tape and tape the junction of the Ferrule and the shaft. Then take a small torch and heat the upper part of the ferrule and the glue will release. The friction method is done in the lathe, by spinning the shaft and applying a leather pad to the ferrule while spinning which will heat the adhesive and allow the ferrule to release. Either method works, and prefer these methods to cutting because in many cases you can reuse the threads on the shaft if it is threaded with little cleaning.

2) Tenon Preparation: The old glue should be removed from the tenon before installing the new ferrule and the wood surface should very slightly roughed up after this cleaning. This should be very minimal if the Heat method was used for ferrule removal.

3) Ferrule Installation: I recommend that the shaft tenon always be threaded for security. Most tenons are threaded 5 1/6-18 you can use a Tap, however, there is also a die that can be purchased for this procedure. There are two types of ferrules used today capped and non-capped, and on a limited basis some ferrules still are not threaded. I personally like to use ferrules that allow the tenon to screw all the way through the ferrule or non-capped. There are couple of tricks that will prevent a glue line where the ferrule meets the wood. Wipe all epoxy off the bottom of the ferrule before seating the ferrule to the shoulder of the shaft, and insure the fit is perfect. The method I prefer is to tint the epoxy, with a White tint, using this method you do not have to wipe off the bottom of the ferrule and you will never have a glue line using any material I have found to date.

If I were you I would either leave this procedure up to a cue repairman or buy a lathe that allows you do what you want to do. This certainly is not Rocket Science, however it does that practice.

Hope this helps

 

[SK Custom Cues]

Instead of learning this way, I would buy Chris Hightower's book and dvd. It is a much better way of learning. cuesmith.com

 

[JoeyInCali]

I can't install a ferrule unless the lathe has a thread gear.
Me no like them dies.

 

[cueman]

The only person I know around here that knows how to do these things owns a pool hall so I don't feel comfortable asking him. He'll probably think I'm trying to take away his customers.

I have helped modify hundreds of wood lathes to do tips and ferrules. I can tell you that unless you plan on doing this for a part time business it is not worth the hundreds of dollars it will cost to make that wood lathe a decent tip and ferrule lathe. My advice is to let the guy you mentioned at the pool hall do your work for you and save yourself a lot of $$.