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

If

I think the best advice you received was to go to some schools. Especially a machine shop school. Next would be a cad/cam class or two. Would really lower the frustration level. They are relatively cheap and can save you a lot of time, let along a finger or two. Good to know if you like standing at a lathe for 4 hours straight, before you buy the lathe. Another rule of thumb,
machinery cheap, tooling expensive. One final thing, buy the best you can afford, it will always have value.
 
> If someone was bankrolling me,this is what I'd show them so they would know what they are getting for their money.

The first purchase would be the loaded-out Deluxe,and a tooling/wood package like he described.

My next machine would be the 1340 w/threading options version of the machines seen here.

http://www.microkinetics.com/lathe1236/index.htm

It's basically a true manual lathe that is retro-fitted with CNC control,I imagine this would be the NUTS for tapering.

Then I'd be looking for a nice 9 x 42 mill,maybe from same company,and related tooling like a Kurt vise,etc. In a lot of cases,these 2 machines would be used for building assorted fixtures.

A good bandsaw,the Dzuricky skew jig,a couple different bench grinders for sharpening tooling,and a sanding machine of some kind.

For inlay work,I'd be looking at either the K2 CNC that was discussed here recently,or the similar Unique machine,but a little different. I'd want a spindle of some kind that will allow use of up to 1/2 collets,and a seperate high resolution spindle like the Quiet Router or an NSK for doing inlays. This machine would have some kind of modular mount so you get the whole table envelope with either spindle. This machine would also have shaft tapering capability,a point-squaring jig like Dz's,and my indexing fixture,along with a jig for inlay slabs.

The rest would be materials like phenolics,different ferrule rods,tips,etc.

I'm not 100% sure what equipment I want yet as far as spraying finish,or on type of finish.

Everything else I've either already got or will make. Tommy D.
 
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Buy a wood lathe, and a table saw....can be had for 300 for both.....buy as much wood as money will allow.......tip....hand pick it.....if your near wood suppliers like I am.......cut it up into blanks and then cut the corners off for point wood......then spend months and months standing at that lathe turning wood down and perfecting your touch and knowladge of wood....I noticed NO ONE on here mentioned that in addition to learning about cue construction.....>>>> You must understand and know the woods your working with....turning by hand is the only quick and foolproof way to learn that....when you can feel the way the wood cuts and study the grain....you will know more than alot of people. Cues are not built the same way regardless of the wood.....you build them based on what woods you are using....lol.....how could you know how to make a good.......I'll say again.....Good Hitting cue.....with no understanding of the woods you are useing.....no amount of money will teach you that....hell when you go to the wood suppliers to pick the best stuff you have to know what your looking for.....I am the forth generation of my family to take up wood crafting....and I'm still learning about different woods all the time.....and for the love of god.....I have made a cue on a wood lathe that 99% of cue makers could not tell the difference....money will get you no where without the knowladge..........
Now I will say...the knowladge on this site is staggering and these cue makers are the best....I am only a student.....but i place the importance of knowladge above the equipment ever day of the week......
 
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Before you even think about building a cue, go get some art and design training.
There are way too many ugly cues being made.

Bill Stroud
 
bstroud said:
Before you even think about building a cue, go get some art and design training.
There are way too many ugly cues being made.

Bill Stroud
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you guys should be greatful for the ugly cue builders....markets flooded enough, can you imagine if all made beautiful cues
 
LGSM3 said:
you guys should be greatful for the ugly cue builders....markets flooded enough, can you imagine if all made beautiful cues
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you have a point..Beauty will not be percieved without uglyness but when it comes to ugly cue builders. All i know is that very cuemaker is unique, specifically to the talents..
 
So this is a reincarnated 2008 thread ... hey lenoxmjs , have you started this new hobby in the last year-and-a-half ? Curious mind, that's all.

Dave
 
No shop yet .

At the moment my Uncles Estate is in the hands of the Probate court .

WE (his family) are locked in a battle with his girlfriend for the assets .

The lawyer says it could take another year or more.........
 
qbilder said:
Otherwise, gimme a call if you are serious about what you might need & i'll point you in the right direction. No need to dump a bunch of cash on something you may not like. It's fun, but it's not the peaches & cream fun everybody thinks it'll be. So if you can spare $10G's for equipment & wood, you'll have the foundations if you want to go deeper if it's something you enjoy. You can build a beautiful & great playing cue with a $10G shop. You just aren't going to make a career out of a $10G shop. Give me a jingle & i'll be glad to offer some initial guidance.
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Well said and a nice offer.

Willee
 
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