Installing Buttcaps/joints

ftgokie

D player extraordinaire
Silver Member
I know I am going to get a cpl of different answers on this one. But when installing a buttcap, or joint collar, is it best to cut the cue down where your buttcap or joint collar will be , thread it, thread the ID of the collar or buttcap and glue/screw it down.

Or, just cut it down, cut the id of the collar to where is just barely fits, glue and slip it over the cut down part..like I am about to do in the following pics

Myself, I would think if you threaded them on, it would be more secure and not take a chance of the collar coming loose. I think that would be the best way to do it but want to hear your opinions..

Also, would you use Gorilla glue, or what type of adhesive do you use
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2917.jpg
    IMG_2917.jpg
    79 KB · Views: 397
  • IMG_2918.jpg
    IMG_2918.jpg
    80.2 KB · Views: 420
  • IMG_2920.jpg
    IMG_2920.jpg
    70.5 KB · Views: 388
For collars, I prefer them threaded. I take down the top of the tenon to the size of the minor of the threaded collar so the face doesn't show threads. The top of the collar has about 1/8th of no threads.
If you do this and have some rings under, you will need some tubes with ID less than .625".
If you thread your buttcap, you are most likely going to need some with less that 3/4 ID.
If you thread them, you have a mechanical bond so the glue or epoxy really has little work.
 
ftgokie, I only have one question for you. How the hell do you keep your shop that clean?...JER

Brand new house and brand new shop.....

Im serious when I say this....I make a small mess, and I clean it up.. I have a cpl shop vacs and when I sand and make a mess, I vacuum it up. I had a friend over today and I made a sneaky for him out of a house cue and he said my shop is cleaner than most houses he sees. I know it may be counter productive to be this way, I just like a clean shop. I am not in any hurry to make anything, I want it the right way when it goes out the door.

I am getting rid of my Porper Mini Q Lathe and getting a Deluxe and a mid size in the next cpl of weeks.

I was a structural steel welder on one of my last jobs and I have 4 welders, and all the tools that go along with it and I am having the guy that built my shop come in next month and he is adding on 20x40 on the back of the shop so I can have a place just for welding. That way when I am welding, grinding and all that fun stuff it wont contaminate my pool area......

But this is all subject to change, I may be transferring to Anchorage at the end of the year...If I do, then I will let my mom and dad live in our house while I am up there
 
Last edited:
I am new and don't thread mine. So only time will tell. I figure the joint rings will be under compression when in use.

What size pin is going in that shaft? Just wanted to know that hole looks huge.

Larry
 
I am new and don't thread mine. So only time will tell. I figure the joint rings will be under compression when in use.

What size pin is going in that shaft? Just wanted to know that hole looks huge.

Larry

I am using a 1/2" bolt I cut the head of so I can use on my butts....its all the rage now....:thumbup:

No, that was just a practice shaft. I was installing an insert on it
 
I have done them both ways using an array of different adhesives. None have come apart in 10 years. Tollerances mean a lot more than anything else.
 
Here is my 1st 2 piece cue I made from a McDermott house cue. I bought 20 of these house cues and am making 2 piece cues out of them..Nothing special, it is straight as a laser beam though, put the shaft on and it is still just as straight.....I sold this cue for 100.00 with 1 shaft
 

Attachments

  • 1.jpg
    1.jpg
    73.8 KB · Views: 307
  • 2.jpg
    2.jpg
    64 KB · Views: 309
I know I am going to get a cpl of different answers on this one. But when installing a buttcap, or joint collar, is it best to cut the cue down where your buttcap or joint collar will be , thread it, thread the ID of the collar or buttcap and glue/screw it down.

Or, just cut it down, cut the id of the collar to where is just barely fits, glue and slip it over the cut down part..like I am about to do in the following pics

Myself, I would think if you threaded them on, it would be more secure and not take a chance of the collar coming loose. I think that would be the best way to do it but want to hear your opinions..

Also, would you use Gorilla glue, or what type of adhesive do you use

ive always threaded the butt caps but not anymore.most of my cues have wood buttcaps and even though i make it real clear that they r brittle i still have to replace one every once in a while.but if its threaded to try and recut the thread is a pain so i just use epoxy.the only exeption is delrin because it dosent glue well,so im told.
 
The next cue that I make tomorrow I am gonna thread the joint collar and buttcap on. I am gonna take the black buttcap off the McDermott cue and put brown phenolic or maybe some Delrin on it. I may even put a stainless collar on it to see how it hits.

Just got back from my friends bar and played with another 2 piece cue I made from a McDermott butt. That thing hits great! I am suprised at how good they play.

I just retapered the original shaft a little, retapered the butt some to make it a little smaller, drilled and tapped for a 3/8x10 brass pin, put a good ferrule and LePro tip on it...PRESTO.....my friend Joe ordered 20 of them so he can sell them in his bar.

Maybe I will start charging 125.00 after these cues are gone. Now I just need my Deluxe and Midsize to get here....
 
Last edited:
Cpl more pics of the cue and shaft i made from a 1 piece McDermott house cue
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2928.jpg
    IMG_2928.jpg
    76.1 KB · Views: 266
  • IMG_2929.jpg
    IMG_2929.jpg
    87.1 KB · Views: 263
  • IMG_2930.jpg
    IMG_2930.jpg
    85.3 KB · Views: 267
  • IMG_2931.jpg
    IMG_2931.jpg
    83.6 KB · Views: 264
I would give one small bit of advice. If you're going to have only one joint collar, use it on the shaft, not the butt. That is the weakest link in the chain...JER
 
I would give one small bit of advice. If you're going to have only one joint collar, use it on the shaft, not the butt. That is the weakest link in the chain...JER

Thanks..I was not going to put a collar on the cue at all.. I was about to drill and tap for the pin and decided to put one on. I was going to put one on the shaft, but I didnt....no reason really. I will be putting one on the shaft from now on though because i think it looks better.

Thanks for the advice though
Shawn
 
Back
Top