If I wanted to set up a really nice cue shop.

Jet 40 " Lathe Rear Chuck 3500.00
Storm Cnc 6500.00
Preform Max Sander 550.00
Jet Band Saw 800.00
Taig Breeze Mill For Points 3200.00
100 Shafts 1000.00
Assorted Woods 1500.00
Veneer Press 250.00
16 " Disc Sander 300.00
Uv Spray Booth 4000.00

The Above Would Get You Started As Of Anything There Is Always Small Items That Pop Up So Blud's 20k Would Be Very Close Maybe 25k
 
This is absolute insanity.
Some would like to impress you with the outrageous amounts that they've spent on machinery, etc. to set-up their shops. Are you impressed?
I, on the other hand, am on the other end of the cost spectrum. I pride myself in the fact that I have built a profitable business on a fraction of what is being stated in this thread.
Where in the 'Great Book of Cue Building' does it state that you have to buy everything brand new? If you are even slightly creative, you can build a lot of what you need yourself. It's not rocket surgery.
$4,000 for a spray booth, are you freakin kiddin me? I built my spray booth for maybe $200. DC, variable speed drive, multiple exhaust fans and spray gun all based on a wood lathe that I salvaged from a neighbor's garage fire.
I bought a 14" generic import bandsaw at a garage sale for $150.
Cast iron table 10" Craftsman table saw, $150 at auction.
3hp, 3/4" spindle shaper at auction, $150.
Two full size metal lathes from a buddy's machine shop, $2,500 for the pair. Sold one to another machine shop that wanted it more than I did, made half my money back and was GIVEN in the deal, another lathe that suited my needs better than the one that I sold them.
Bridgeport type 3hp milling mach. 9" x 42" table, w/ pwr. feed, $3,000 at auction.
Brand new 15" swing 2hp mill/drill with pwr. feed for cutting points for under $1,000. Yeah, I know, 'brand new' contradicts my point but at that price, I couldn't pass it up. Sure beats $3,200 to do the same thing.
One of the drawbacks to dedicated cue building machinery is, that's all they're good for. If you want to build a fixture for whatever or need to cut threads etc. you'll need to find a machine shop to do it for you. Full size metal working machines, lathes, mills, etc. are very capable of building cues and everything else that you might want to build. Dedicated cue machines will build cues but that's about all.
There are 100s of machine shops going under everyday and their machines and equipment are being auctioned off at unbelievable prices.

You might want to consider the fact that the people that are quoting you these exorbitant prices are the same people who manufacture and sell this equipment. Hmmmm? They certainly have a right to promote their own sales and I'm not trying to inhibit those sales whatsoever. You do however need to know that there are options.

At the end of the day, it's your money. Spend it as you like.
 
KJ,
You have brought up some good points about how to save money. But your tone sounds almost angry at us machinery builders. The original poster asked what if he had a budget of $100,000 would we suggest that he buy? We just tried to show him how do do it with brand new equipment for much less than that. If someone has $100,000 to throw at a hobby I doubt they would want to go the used machinery route with the headaches of setting all the equipment up themselves. I just like you have bought almost all my heavy metal working machinery used. To use it for metal takes very little time to set it up. But to convert it for cue building is a major headache. As far as the spray booth you built, it does not sound like it has the UV curing system built into it like the one Lee sells. So you are comparing apples to oranges. Some like apples and some like oranges. I built my own spray booth also and show how to do it in my finishing dvd. No one here is trying to impress anyone with how much they have spent. I think the opposite is true. We are simply showing him it takes much less to have a turn key shop set up than he thought it would. Most people would prefer a turn key opperation if they could afford it. Saying our prices are exhorbant is an opinion you seem to feel strongly about. He can build cues with a drill press and a home made tailstock. People have done it. But is that really as good as a $2900 ready to go cue lathe. And is $2900 really that expensive for a cue lathe? Is $6500 really that expensive for a ready to go CNC machine like Lee sells? Remember I was showing him doing it with multiple machines with him saying he had a large budget. The average guy gets my $2900 lathe and a band saw, a sander, some wood and other needed items and starts out for under $5000. Then in several months adds a inlay machine for $1795 once he ahs built some simple cues. But most who have a $100,000 on hand would not settle for that route.
 
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cueman said:
If it is only a hobby here is how I would set up with a budget under $20,000.
One Deluxe Cue Smith #2 package $2900
One Cue Smith Tapering Machine $2900
One Self Contained Inaly Machine $1795
Extra Patterns $400
One Cue Smith Sanding and Finishing lathe $795
Two 10 pack wood specials $390
10 pieces of high grade birdseye and tiger maple $300
80 High grade shaft dowels $800
2 Coring Drills $315
Leather installation fixture $195
Leather blank assortment $100
Other small tooling likes taps, threaders, special cutters and such $500
Band Saw $600
Good belt sander with fence $300
For those un-forseen items $1000
Instructional materials $150.
Total $13,140 plus about $700 shipping.
So you can have a really nice non-cnc cue building shop for under $14,000.
Of course this is setting you up a lot nicer than most start out, so you could do it for less. But other than having one more second function lathe for $2100 that would be set up just about like I would want it. So a shop set up like I would want it would cost roughly $16,000. You could add a CNC machine into this mix for another $4500 to $20,000.
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This is about as realistic as you can get in setting up a "hobby shop" for building cues. And you really don't need the Tapering Machine, the Deluxe has the taper bars on it already. Would be a great addition, but not needed! You could even save $300-$400 dollars and just buy the Inlay as an attachment and put it on the Sanding and Finishing lathe.
Modifying Chris' list, I would say you're looking around $10,000 to have a nice "hobby shop".
With all these inventory lists and $ amounts, as you can see, $20,000 is plenty and I mean plenty of money to set up a nice shop, fully functional (less CNC) and you'll be able to multi task with equipment, which saves time in the long run! I would even look into going to 2 cue making schools (Bludworth, Diekman, Arnot, just to name a few that I know offer it. Prather would be an excellent one if they offer it)
Best of luck,
Zim
 
If I had the money and the room I would have a shop like Ernie G has. I am all for doing things cheaply if quality does not suffer but, Dedicated machinery is the way to go if you can afford it. I would suggest getting your feet wet a little before commiting to alot of stuff. You can always sell good wood so I would suggest getting started buying it and look for a good lathe and some training of some kind. If you make a few cues and decide it is not for you then you are on to the next hobby. If you love it as most of us do then you will better know what machines you need for your shop.
I am all for multi head shaft tapering machines becaues of the time spent turning shafts. I not only make shafts for my cues but also do some contract work from time to time so the more I can cut in a given work session the better. I did shafts and butts on the lathe for years and it worked fine but once I got a saw machine I never want to go back.
One other thought, If you are buying new machines (especially cnc) make sure you get good tech support included and see the machine work properly before buying. I have helped several guys in the past who bought used cnc stuff and had no idea how to make it run. I got my first cnc inlay machine and I had no idea how to write programs and run the machine. Newer machines are alot more user friendly but it still takes some help to get up to speed. Chris.
 
cueman said:
KJ,
You have brought up some good points about how to save money. But your tone sounds almost angry at us machinery builders. The original poster asked what if he had a budget of $100,000 would we suggest that he buy? We just tried to show him how do do it with brand new equipment for much less than that. If someone has $100,000 to throw at a hobby I doubt they would want to go the used machinery route with the headaches of setting all the equipment up themselves. I just like you have bought almost all my heavy metal working machinery used. To use it for metal takes very little time to set it up. But to convert it for cue building is a major headache. As far as the spray booth you built, it does not sound like it has the UV curing system built into it like the one Lee sells. So you are comparing apples to oranges. Some like apples and some like oranges. I built my own spray booth also and show how to do it in my finishing dvd. No one here is trying to impress anyone with how much they have spent. I think the opposite is true. We are simply showing him it takes much less to have a turn key shop set up than he thought it would. Most people would prefer a turn key opperation if they could afford it. Saying our prices are exhorbant is an opinion you seem to feel strongly about. He can build cues with a drill press and a home made tailstock. People have done it. But is that really as good as a $2900 ready to go cue lathe. And is $2900 really that expensive for a cue lathe? Is $6500 really that expensive for a ready to go CNC machine like Lee sells? Remember I was showing him doing it with multiple machines with him saying he had a large budget. The average guy gets my $2900 lathe and a band saw, a sander, some wood and other needed items and starts out for under $5000. Then in several months adds a inlay machine for $1795 once he ahs built some simple cues. But most who have a $100,000 on hand would not settle for that route.
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No Chris, I'm not angry at anyone, particularly machinery builders. You are the guys that make it possible for an entry-level builder to get in the game with no more effort or involvement than writing a check.
My point is, why spend a ton of money when you don't have to. No where in this thread has it been suggested that going 'used' might be an option.
It hasn't been determined yet whether the OP is considering just a hobby set-up or a profession. $20k on a hobby only to discover that it ain't his cup of tea might be looked upon as a bad investment, $100k budget or not.
I don't know about you but to me 4 Grand for a spray booth for a start-up operation just doesn't seem justified. That's a whole lot of cues built just to break even.
The OP stated : "Please feel free to post any info that you may feel will be helpful." I was doing just that but from a different perspective, I'm not trying to sell him anything. I'm trying to suggest that it can be done for a whole lot less money.

I said it in my previous post and I'll say it again, "At the end of the day, it's your money. Spend it as you like."
 
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obviously the 4k quoted for a spray booth was for UV and it is actually pretty cheap compared to most UV systems.i doubt anyone could build a UV booth out of your neaighbors scraps,if you can i will take one.i always wanted to give UV a try.
 
I started with Chris's Deluxe Cuesmith. After one cue, I decided that I didn't want to have to spend time setting up to cut points and bought a mill. Between those two pieces of equipment, I spent around $5,000.00. I spent another $12,000 on wood, pins and veneers in 2007. Another $2,000 on miscellaneous other tooling. I already had a Table Saw, Band Saw, Router Table, Planer and any other small tools I use. I just filed my 2007 taxes in October, so I had all these numbers handy. My Cuesmith Inlay Machine was bought for me as a gift. I sold it in 2008 to help pay for the CNC Mill (with permission from the person who bought it for me of course).

I haven't done my taxes for 2008 yet, but I spent another $3,000+ on a CNC Mill, $500 on a Drum Sander, Probably another $10,000 on Wood, Veneers, Pins, Glues and other materials. I'm sure by the end of the year, I'll be into it for close to $40,000 and figure I'm nowhere near done. I just got the South Bend Lathe that was sitting in my driveway for two months into my basement, so I'm sure I'll end up putting some money into that. If I had more space, I'd certainly have several more lathes. Next year, I plan on building a building for an office for my main business and a workshop. My wife wants me out of the house, which means more money.

You can come by sometime and help me clean up if you want to take a look at what I have. You'd probably have a lesser chance of getting Tetanus if you went to Joe C's though. My shop is filthy. I try to clean up whenever I'm finished working, but since I'm in there most of the time when I'm home, I'm usually rushing out the door for a meeting or to pick up the baby or something.
 
Thanks to everyone for the advice and way to spend my $$. I Talked with Travis on the phone the other night for about 2 hours and he had a wealth of information as all of you do. I will definately take you up on that visit Tony ( I've had my shots) and would love to see Joe's as well. everyone has given me a lot to think about . Now all I gotta do is sit back and wait and see if the cash comes my way. Until then setting up a shop is not in the budget.
 
Let me know if you need any more help spending money. I love spending, especially when it's not mine :)
 
lenoxmjs said:
I was thinking I might want start building some cues. I found out I might be comming into a bit of money and wondered what it would take to set up a sweet cue shop. I have a nice 40 x 60 Morton building that would serve as the shop. I used to build some really nice furniture in high school by have never done any work in a machine shop.

Just for ha ha's let's say I have a budget of $100K

How much money should I allocate for equipment? What should I buy?

How much for wood ?

How much for other stuff?

What are some good sources for these products?

Does anyone offer a class in cue building?

I know several cuemakers (Haley, Travis, Eric, Zinzola)fairly well from buying and selling their cues but have never visited their shops. That might be the place to start I guess.

Please feel free to post any info that you may feel will be helpful .

Thank You.
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Matt,
You know better than that.. lol.. You could spend 500k on a cue shop and still only make 300 dollar cues. :) You can put a Balabushka in the hands of a C player but he won't shoot like Mizerak. :grin:

JV
 
classiccues said:
Matt,
You know better than that.. lol.. You could spend 500k on a cue shop and still only make 300 dollar cues. :) You can put a Balabushka in the hands of a C player but he won't shoot like Mizerak. :grin:

JV
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Hey Joe,

I might need a couple trunk dealers to rep my stuff when I get really good. You interested:grin: :grin: :grin:
 
qbilder said:
Let me know if you need any more help spending money. I love spending, especially when it's not mine :)
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Need to inherit the $$$ first in order to spend it . I promise I'll take you shopping with me!Especially when we go wood hunting!
 
lenoxmjs said:
Hey Joe,

I might need a couple trunk dealers to rep my stuff when I get really good. You interested:grin: :grin: :grin:
Click to expand...

LOL I don't trunk anymore.. I recommend Bob Kobis from that area though.. lol or Marty Herman...

JV
 
classiccues said:
LOL I don't trunk anymore.. I recommend Bob Kobis from that area though.. lol or Marty Herman...

JV
Click to expand...


In addition to Jamie's new2youqs I am also going to start another internet site. We're gonna call it Trunk merchant cues . Jamie has already done up a logo with a big treasure chest overflowing with beautiful cues. Wait till you see it it's gonna be awsome!:grin:
 
lenoxmjs said:
In addition to Jamie's new2youqs I am also going to start another internet site. We're gonna call it Trunk merchant cues . Jamie has already done up a logo with a big treasure chest overflowing with beautiful cues. Wait till you see it it's gonna be awsome!:grin:
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That will be on Roy's fav list, for sure.
 
hangemhigh said:
That will be on Roy's fav list, for sure.
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Funny you should mention that. I thought of the name after hearing him say somthing at the 2007 SBE. He was complaing about "Trunk Merchants" and I had never heard the term before . Jamie explained what it ment . I thought the name could be used in a positive way and at the same time give people a chuckle. Think of a big Pirate type treasure chest (Trunk) overflowing with Ivory Gina's Hercek's Haley's Ect.
 
cueman said:
If it is only a hobby here is how I would set up with a budget under $20,000.
One Deluxe Cue Smith #2 package $2900
One Cue Smith Tapering Machine $2900
One Self Contained Inaly Machine $1795
Extra Patterns $400
One Cue Smith Sanding and Finishing lathe $795
Two 10 pack wood specials $390
10 pieces of high grade birdseye and tiger maple $300
80 High grade shaft dowels $800
2 Coring Drills $315
Leather installation fixture $195
Leather blank assortment $100
Other small tooling likes taps, threaders, special cutters and such $500
Band Saw $600
Good belt sander with fence $300
For those un-forseen items $1000
Instructional materials $150.
Total $13,140 plus about $700 shipping.
So you can have a really nice non-cnc cue building shop for under $14,000.
Of course this is setting you up a lot nicer than most start out, so you could do it for less. But other than having one more second function lathe for $2100 that would be set up just about like I would want it. So a shop set up like I would want it would cost roughly $16,000. You could add a CNC machine into this mix for another $4500 to $20,000.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good start!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I would say get a lathe and get to it.. If you have some wood, some knowledge and some effort, you will be on your way. If you want to really do this, I would find out one of two ways.

Go to someone's shop and spend time with them for a while, and ask them to help you.

or

Buy a metal lathe from craigslits or a deluxe from Chris and order a few pieces of wood from Bell Forest. You would also need some education and Chris' book and DVD's are a great place to start. Joe Barringer has DVd's too, and if you want a review on them, just search it.....

Honestly, I wouldn't dump too much change into it right off the bat. I would spend a couple years with a little lathe and mess around with a couple cues and learn as you go. If you change your mind later down the road, you can always sell a hightower on here......
 
start from scratch

If one has a big budget to work with, why not start with a stand alone bldg separate from your living quarters. AT least 30x30 should do as a minimum. Then have Heat and AC depending on the climate you live in. Wired for both 115V and 230V, and three phase is great if it is available nearby, lathes and equipment are chaper to run and work better with industrial power.
Install a good cyclone dust collector OUTSIDE of that building to keep your shop safe for you and your loved ones ! No matter how clean you think it is in your shop, the dust you cannot even see will be what kills you. Have another small room on the outside wall of your shop for finishing.
Now you can add the toys that excite us cuemakers.
 
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