I know nothing about cues - help me understand
- Thread starter watchez
- Start date
WOW.
I think that sums it up. I read this entire thread:sorry:.
I work hard too; but still manage to hack together cues in my 'spare' time.
I took a lot of heat from one cue(person- so as not to use the incorrect term) when I got here, but managed to still produce what I said I would produce. I posted up the pictures of progress for the world to see as well. I received comments on those threads as well as PM's mostly positive, but some negative, although still respectful.
A bit of history on me: I was always fascinated with the full splice house cues. "How did they do that splice?" I would ask myself. I had the butterfly figured, but the finger splice was eluding me. Then I got Burton's book, and it all fell into place. BUT, how to actually DO the splice? I mean, to make those cuts? Fast forward a few months and a dozen or so 'abortions' later... (I found some of them in my move by the way- I have to post them up!) I had a usable blank. My first cue was/is a full splice that I made the blank for. Back then (going back 10-15 years now) when I made that blank, all I had to work with was Burton Spain's book. No Internet to speak of, and I had no access anyway. I did have the desire and drive to do it, so I did it. No fanfare, just honest, old-fashioned hard work to get to the end result.
After that, I had the sense to order the blank from John Davis for my second... He has forgotten more about making blanks than most (if not all) of us will ever know. That cue is nearly complete. After that, I got a hold of a (rough) Titlist cue to use as a conversion, and that (butt at least) is done, and I'm quite happy with how it came out. Does this make me less of a cue maker because I used John's and a Titlist blank? I think not. John is an exceptional craftsman, and a really nice guy to boot. It would take me 10 or more years to surpass the quality he is producing. The Titlist is also an excellent 'foundation' on which to build a cue. Many other Cue people agree with that as well. (this will not stop me from trying to make a good full splice blank in the future!)
Knowing what the best 'ingredients' for your final product are to be had is important- to stick with the popular cooking analogy: getting the produce from the farmer's market as opposed to the grocery store chain for example. Same stuff, but quality and care of the producer are different, and therefore the quality of the final product reflects this.
I guess the point is, I came on here hoping to learn (and have done quite a bit of it) and share with others the knowledge I have in return, but managed to do it without insulting those who are more experienced than I am. Sure, I have a sense of pride in the fact that I 'jumped in the deep end' and made a full splice as my first cue, and actually finished it, and even play with it, but I did it for ME not for anyone else- I wanted to prove to myself that I could 'conquer' the full splice, back when no one but Burton (for sake of discussion) was doing them.
I think Tony has gone above and beyond and certainly every chance has been given to have the OP complete his task. Personally, if I cannot complete something, I will shy away, or just say so up-front. I think it was very disrespectful to Tony especially, and the forum in general, to come on as strongly as the OP has and then not "put your money where your mouth is" so to speak.
We are ALL under time pressure, but manage to get things done. Adjust your priorities and lets see what you can do, or come on here and let the forum know you concede defeat. You may just be the next 'great', and you may not... The proof is in the pudding, and I wish you luck- I certainly learned that it is a hell-of-a-lot more difficult than it looks, even when you purchase the blank from outside your shop...
J!m
PS please don't get the pin from Home Depot!
I think that sums it up. I read this entire thread:sorry:.
I work hard too; but still manage to hack together cues in my 'spare' time.
I took a lot of heat from one cue(person- so as not to use the incorrect term) when I got here, but managed to still produce what I said I would produce. I posted up the pictures of progress for the world to see as well. I received comments on those threads as well as PM's mostly positive, but some negative, although still respectful.
A bit of history on me: I was always fascinated with the full splice house cues. "How did they do that splice?" I would ask myself. I had the butterfly figured, but the finger splice was eluding me. Then I got Burton's book, and it all fell into place. BUT, how to actually DO the splice? I mean, to make those cuts? Fast forward a few months and a dozen or so 'abortions' later... (I found some of them in my move by the way- I have to post them up!) I had a usable blank. My first cue was/is a full splice that I made the blank for. Back then (going back 10-15 years now) when I made that blank, all I had to work with was Burton Spain's book. No Internet to speak of, and I had no access anyway. I did have the desire and drive to do it, so I did it. No fanfare, just honest, old-fashioned hard work to get to the end result.
After that, I had the sense to order the blank from John Davis for my second... He has forgotten more about making blanks than most (if not all) of us will ever know. That cue is nearly complete. After that, I got a hold of a (rough) Titlist cue to use as a conversion, and that (butt at least) is done, and I'm quite happy with how it came out. Does this make me less of a cue maker because I used John's and a Titlist blank? I think not. John is an exceptional craftsman, and a really nice guy to boot. It would take me 10 or more years to surpass the quality he is producing. The Titlist is also an excellent 'foundation' on which to build a cue. Many other Cue people agree with that as well. (this will not stop me from trying to make a good full splice blank in the future!)
Knowing what the best 'ingredients' for your final product are to be had is important- to stick with the popular cooking analogy: getting the produce from the farmer's market as opposed to the grocery store chain for example. Same stuff, but quality and care of the producer are different, and therefore the quality of the final product reflects this.
I guess the point is, I came on here hoping to learn (and have done quite a bit of it) and share with others the knowledge I have in return, but managed to do it without insulting those who are more experienced than I am. Sure, I have a sense of pride in the fact that I 'jumped in the deep end' and made a full splice as my first cue, and actually finished it, and even play with it, but I did it for ME not for anyone else- I wanted to prove to myself that I could 'conquer' the full splice, back when no one but Burton (for sake of discussion) was doing them.
I think Tony has gone above and beyond and certainly every chance has been given to have the OP complete his task. Personally, if I cannot complete something, I will shy away, or just say so up-front. I think it was very disrespectful to Tony especially, and the forum in general, to come on as strongly as the OP has and then not "put your money where your mouth is" so to speak.
We are ALL under time pressure, but manage to get things done. Adjust your priorities and lets see what you can do, or come on here and let the forum know you concede defeat. You may just be the next 'great', and you may not... The proof is in the pudding, and I wish you luck- I certainly learned that it is a hell-of-a-lot more difficult than it looks, even when you purchase the blank from outside your shop...
J!m
PS please don't get the pin from Home Depot!
There were some pretty generous offers for cue supplies given and sent as far as I know as well as offers to help. At the time I was just starting to save a bit of wood and other doo dads. I often thought that it was such a waste and if they had showed up at my door, I wouldn't have slouched on trying to make a cue. If Watchez wnats to send the items my way, I'll pay for shipping.
While I'm pretty sure we'll never see a Ragu Cue from Watchez.
I must say that regardless of how he has insulted a number of members here,
and regardless of how he has not maned up to the fact that he will never be one of us,
I would not even contemplate something as terrible as the above statement!
Still hoping but not expecting to see a Ragu Cue,
Paul
<@>
