how to smooth-out a shaft

M

mmasou

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
hi, while moving around the table after my shots, i lifted up my cue stick and the shaft accidentally touched the side of the lamp above the table, checked the shaft and it seemed fine.

after a few games I felt there was a place on the shaft where the wood was not smooth, meaning the lamp pushed a slight area in the wood and while stroking im feeling it. im sure a lot of players have these kind of small things on their shaft.

i really don't like the feeling of it, although it's small.

how can i repair this at home? I've heard it's super easy to do, by applying steam and the area becomes smooth again, but I wanted to check with you instructors before I do anything stupid.

any videos or simple instructions would help..
Mark
 
What I have done over the years to fix dings on a cue shaft is to first get a wash rag and dampen it (ring it out well). Lay the wash cloth on the ironing board and roll the wash rag around the shaft where the ding is. Then let the iron get hot. When the iron is hot iron the wash cloth.

Works every time, pulls the ding right out.

John
 
If the ding is small, you could try this:

Wet a piece of paper towel in steaming hot water. Ring it out and place it over the ding. Leave it there until the paper towel cools. Then remove it and let the section of wood dry. Then check it.

You may have to repeat it again, but it usually works for me after one or two applications.
 
thanks to you both:

John - first, what is a "wash rag"? is it one of those thick cotton rags which they use in restaurants to clean with?
second, your idea is good but im afraid to press too hard with the iron...
how much pressure do you apply with the iron on the cue wrapped in that rag? just enough to let it sit on the wrapped shaft to transfer the heat or do you press down with your arm a little bit?

FranCrimi - thanks , the ding feels slightly deeper than the usual dings I'm used to have, but i'll try your method.
 
This should really be in the "Ask a Cuemaker" section, but since I make them... Both of the methods that use water should work. It's better to go slow rather than soak it and leave the hot iron on until the next ice age. The ding can be raised with or without an iron, as Fran Crimi advised. Take your time. I would NOT wrap a wet anything around the entire shaft. Only moisten the dent if at all possible. Many people may advise you to sand the dent out. Those are people you should stop listening to immediately. Sanding makes the dent go away by removing all the wood that used to be around the dent. Sorta like saying "Where's the scratch?" When the whole car is gone.
 
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ok got it thanks. i'm kinda new here so i don't know how to move a thread to another section if that's what you are suggesting.

good thinking about the iron, i'd do that only if i'm shown exactly how.. otherwise i have a good chance of messing up
 
mmasou...You can't move a thread, but you can repost the same thread in other areas here on AzB, to get more information. The Main Forum is where you'll reach the most people.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

mmasou said:
ok got it thanks. i'm kinda new here so i don't know how to move a thread to another section if that's what you are suggesting.

good thinking about the iron, i'd do that only if i'm shown exactly how.. otherwise i have a good chance of messing up
Click to expand...
 
mmasou said:
thanks to you both:

John - first, what is a "wash rag"? is it one of those thick cotton rags which they use in restaurants to clean with?
second, your idea is good but im afraid to press too hard with the iron...
how much pressure do you apply with the iron on the cue wrapped in that rag? just enough to let it sit on the wrapped shaft to transfer the heat or do you press down with your arm a little bit?

FranCrimi - thanks , the ding feels slightly deeper than the usual dings I'm used to have, but i'll try your method.
Click to expand...

Wash Rag (wash cloth) = Used to wash your face.;)

The cue shaft is rolled up in the wash rag. There are probably 4 or 5 layers of wash rag between the iron and the shaft. Just run the iron over the rag where the ding is. A littlle pressure but not much. The steam pulls the ding out not the pressure of the iron.

John
 
thank you. hats off to all you guys. i tried the paper towel trick 3 x on the ding and the ding is gone now

the iron is pretty much the same thing except the temperature is higher and more effective i believe.
 
I've gotten dings out by simply placing one drop of hot water from a cue tip directly on the ding only and letting it sit for a few minutes. This swells up only the indented area. Then I check it out and reapply if needed. Less is more in this regard.
 
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