When I was a kid, I used to pick up alot of sticks to collect. I just love working with wood. I used to make swords with them. This passion was lost when I grew into video games, but recently it has resurface and I would love to know more about cue making. First, is it a profitable business? What is the best way to learn cue making? How much cost is it to start the business (equitment etc)?
Is cuemaking a good business?
- Thread starter housecue
- Start date
It greatly depends on what you are planning. As a hobby it won't cost you nearly as much as full time. You can get into this gig for around 8000$ by the time you are all said and done wood lathe inlay machine tools more wood supplys etc. If you are dumb like me you have most of the equip ... can never have too much equipment or tools... and no time to devote to it. If I thought I could pay the bills building cues and doing repairs I would have done it already. Where to learn Hightower has a book and dvd's great info. That being said you can only learn so much from a book. The best way to learn IMO is by doing it. Testing what you did, findsing what works good for you and expanding on what you know. At that time you will be a "convict" Blud. You will know soon after the 10th cue you do if it is worth the headaches and time...
I don't know if this was helpful.
John
I don't know if this was helpful.
John
housecue said:
Go to www.cuemakers.org/aca-abt.htm that will tell you what you want to know. Then click on "MAKE A CUE"...JER
I know people that buy 4 wheelers for everyone in the family & a trailer to haul them behind their RV. 125k easy.
Enjoy cue collecting.
Don't even start cuemaking.
It's a can of worms you won't believe.
Don't even start cuemaking.
It's a can of worms you won't believe.
I make my living helping people get started in this business. If you plan to do it as a hobby and to make some extra spending money you will probably be glad you started. If you plan to make your total living off of cuemaking, I will forewarn you it is a tough business to make a full time income out of. It can be done, but won't be easy. Getting my Cue Building Book and DVD's are the best way to learn fast that most have as an option. It will take you from $4000 to $8000 to get started with no CNC machinery. If you want CNC machinery I would say the sky is the limit on budget. But to get started with a manual cue lathe and a CNC inlay machine would cost between $10,000 and $25,000.housecue said:
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I hope you check out all the written information at Dieckman website or have given Him a call to discuss his school.
http://www.cuemaker.com
http://www.cuemaker.com
housecue said:
There are very few cuemakers in this forum that actually make their entire living building cues so they wouldn't have a clue about whether or not cuemaking is a good business.
I have been a full time cuemaker for over 13 years and I teach cuemaking here in Lake Worth Florida.
I tell all potential students that to be successful in cuemaking requires a huge investment in money and time. It must be a labor of love because you will probably never get rich. You can build a great cue and never achieve the recognition you deserve because nobody knows why some cues are more in demand than others that are equal or better. It is just a funny business.
This business now is very competative because of all the Chinese imports, new part time cuemakers that give their work away and the fact that most consumers don't know the difference between an American made cue with seasoned wood and the best materials and one made overseas using the cheapest of materials and labor. They find out only when their cues fall apart.
If you are determined to make it as a cuemaker - then you will accomplish your goal. If you lack the money for equipment and supplies, the will to succeed or the guts to step out on your own then you will fail.
Unfortunately most people that call themselves cuemakers are really cue repair guys and they only do that part time.
If you want to be a cuemaker don't let anyone tell you that you cannot make it happen.
Good Cuemaking,
When I was a kid, I used to pick up alot of sticks to collect. I just love working with wood. I used to make swords with them. This passion was lost when I grew into video games, but recently it has resurface and I would love to know more about cue making. First, is it a profitable business? What is the best way to learn cue making? How much cost is it to start the business (equitment etc)?
First, is it a profitable business?
there's a real kneeslapper!!!!
if you want to spend lots of money and still never have enough of the tools & materials necessary, and spent many many hours, too many that is, learning how not to screw up,
you will love it !!!!!!
i wouldn't trade it for anything
having the time of my life
broke, but still havin' fun
First, is it a profitable business?
there's a real kneeslapper!!!!
if you want to spend lots of money and still never have enough of the tools & materials necessary, and spent many many hours, too many that is, learning how not to screw up,
you will love it !!!!!!
i wouldn't trade it for anything
having the time of my life
broke, but still havin' fun
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thanks for your encouraging words, Arnot. I've been buying wood for several years, spent my machine money on machinery classes, and if all goes somewhat according to plan will be able to start around the 1st of the year. That plan has fallen aprt twice this year
I'm not the bread winner in my family and don't plan on replacing her income. I really am just looking to fill some of my time doing something more creative and challenging. I've gotten advice and encouragement from a world class builder who hasen't gotten too jaded and I owe him a tremendous amount of respect and gratitude.
I'm not the bread winner in my family and don't plan on replacing her income. I really am just looking to fill some of my time doing something more creative and challenging. I've gotten advice and encouragement from a world class builder who hasen't gotten too jaded and I owe him a tremendous amount of respect and gratitude.
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I'm not the bread winner in my family and don't plan on replacing her income.
You're off to a good start.
You're off to a good start.
I love this job!!!! I started with a financial goal and made it. No more 8-5 for this juy.
I would say there is a call for more quality repair men, The money in repairs is way better then cue making. I love working tourneys, great income from those. I work out of our pool room and having a full service pro shop is great because I'm close to the action and players. I am not cuemaker by any means I have made some conversions and sneaky petes from full splice balnks but only do so if I'm asked. Cue making is a good side project but full time I would say no, not much money in it. Unless your an established cuemaker with a good reputation for quality work, This can happen over time and I'm sure one could gradually become a full time cuemaker with a good product and good marketing behind it. All depends what you want out of it.
I know one cuemaker who is all set up and builds decent custom made cues. He is having a very tough time and is going back to his regular job!!! Unless you have the name and some luck you could be in for a tough time. All that being said I will be glad to sell you a bunch of my equipment if you really want in. Right now I am working a lot of overtime and have little time for cues. Aslo forget about your first love (playing pool) you will be to busy with building and repairing cues. If something ever goes wrong, like a tip comming off no matter how bad the customer abused it you could end up looking like the jerk and that player will run around and bad mouth your work!!! I had a friend that had a problem with a local cuemaker and he put the screws to the guy. It was well deserved as that maker was a jerk. But that just goes to show the way this business can go sometimes. As for me I only do this on the side when I get some extra time. Also if you are not trained as a machinest things will be that much tougher. PM me if you want a lathe and tons of wood and supplies!!!
If you want to be a cuemaker don't let anyone tell you that you cannot make it happen.
If I can talk him out of it, he would have not made it anyway.
Is cuemaking a good " business"?
Consider the thousands of hours and dollars invested in it compare it to thousands of hours and dollars learning another craft.
Kinda like the game of pool itself. Is it a good sport?
If I can talk him out of it, he would have not made it anyway.
Is cuemaking a good " business"?
Consider the thousands of hours and dollars invested in it compare it to thousands of hours and dollars learning another craft.
Kinda like the game of pool itself. Is it a good sport?
JoeyInCali said:
Amen! Someone just wanting to learn to build cues and then make a living from it is akin to a Marathon runner thinking people will support him for running up and down the street. There probably are a few, but very few, who will succeed. I started working on my own tips and then others tips over 40 years ago. I had a regular full time job to support me and my family. Little by little my capabilities, my equipment and my customers increased. By the time that I made my first cue I was making quite a bit of money doing repairs. This gave me a good market right off the bat to sell my cues to and as these got out into the players hands business picked up from word of mouth. Without this repair base, it would have been difficult to just start building and selling cues. To this day, repair work is my main source of income. The building of cues is just to fill in the time that I'm not busy doing repairs, building new equipment or maintaining equipment. You also have to give up your leisure activities. I spend a minimum of 80 hours a week in my shop. I'm not always working but I have to be here to be available for repairs when someone drops by.
Chris said that you can get a start with something like 5,000 to 10,000 in equipment. Well, he's probably right but to be efficient, so as to use your time more productively and be competitive, it takes quite a bit more equipment. I've got 11 lathes, 2 saw shaft machines, a mill, 3 CNCs, 3 band saws, about 20,000 in wood and plastics and untold other saws, planers, spray booth and equipment and so forth. Well over 100,000 invested and I still doubt if I could make a living out of building cues without the repair work.
Dick
Patient?
I've had a lot of people ask me what I thought about them getting into cue making. What I usually ask them, and say...If your wanting to do it for fun, then dig in, and have fun. If your wanting to do it for a living, in today's world with so many guy's that are doing awesome work, then the first question I would ask myself is " Do I know anyone that has more patience than me. " If the answer is yes, then consider as a hobby. Which is how I would recommend starting out anyway.
Good Luck!
Dennis
I've had a lot of people ask me what I thought about them getting into cue making. What I usually ask them, and say...If your wanting to do it for fun, then dig in, and have fun. If your wanting to do it for a living, in today's world with so many guy's that are doing awesome work, then the first question I would ask myself is " Do I know anyone that has more patience than me. " If the answer is yes, then consider as a hobby. Which is how I would recommend starting out anyway.
Good Luck!
Dennis
cuemaker03 said:
Where you located?