Is this a Lousy wrap job?

[skiergd011013]

This cue is brand new. I noticed that there are two very small gaps/uneven spots in the wrap. One near the butt cap, and one near the forearm. Is this normal? Just the starting and stopping points during the wrapping process perhaps? Again, very small. Im just curious. Hopefully its just me being picky and there is no issue.

 

[Zerksies]

They usually make a knot on the ends.

It's not the best. I usually see them go under on the 2nd or third wrap around not around the first

Here's a video showing the process

 

[Renegade_56]

It is where the ends of the linen are basically pegged into the handle. If they had done a sufficient job of pressing the wrap it would be no issue.

 

[MajorMiscue]

This cue is brand new. I noticed that there are two very small gaps/uneven spots in the wrap. One near the butt cap, and one near the forearm. Is this normal? Just the starting and stopping points during the wrapping process perhaps? Again, very small. Im just curious. Hopefully its just me being picky and there is no issue. View attachment 667636View attachment 667637

They are using a tuck under technique same as rod wraps:

This is a bamboo gaff, same technique. You can smooth it with pressure. Rub with a beer bottle.

 

[skiergd011013]

They are using a tuck under technique same as rod wraps:

This is a bamboo gaff, same technique. You can smooth it with pressure. Rub with a beer bottle.

thanks major. So, this is purely aesthetic, nothing to worry about? I tried pressing with my thumb, but the wrap is pretty solidly placed, with no give to it. I dont want to mess anything up. What if I found a local cuemaker that has one of those linen presses and a lathe? Will pressing it again smooth it out? I dont want to send it back to the manufacturer and be without it for a week. I waited months for it to arrive already.

 

[MajorMiscue]

thanks major. So, this is purely aesthetic, nothing to worry about? I tried pressing with my thumb, but the wrap is pretty solidly placed, with no give to it. I dont want to mess anything up. What if I found a local cuemaker that has one of those linen presses and a lathe? Will pressing it again smooth it out? I dont want to send it back to the manufacturer and be without it for a week. I waited months for it to arrive already.

You are always going to have a little tuck in spot, that's just physics. Now that you know what it is and why, consider it to be your peek behind the curtain of cue wrapping and ignore it. No one will notice but you. How could they start and stop a wrap without leaving a tell tail? It isn't as noticeable with smaller thread but it is still there.

 

[MajorMiscue]

If you go to the 16:00 minute mark on the video in post #2 you will see the cue maker install the loop and pull the end of the wrap under and through the wrap. He then uses a burnishing tool to flatten the thread. If you were to closely examine the wrap you could still find the tuck under.

 

[skiergd011013]

If you go to the 16:00 minute mark on the video in post #2 you will see the cue maker install the loop and pull the end of the wrap under and through the wrap. He then uses a burnishing tool to flatten the thread. If you were to closely examine the wrap you could still find the tuck under.

response from ob cues "that is from the wrap start/stop points. If the wrap were to come loose earlier than expected from normal wear and tear, it will be covered under warranty". Thanks major.

 

[MajorMiscue]

@skiergd011013, I pulled a big Seeker roller guide tuna rod that I built out of it's wrap to see if I could find the tuck-ins on it. Sure enough when you turn the rod over and stare at it's bottom:

I obviously didn't take time to wash and wax it but you can clearly see where these trim wraps start and stop. Those are all tucked under using the same technique.

Look at the extreme right of this wrap and you can see the bulge from the tucked-under gold trim thread. ----------^

Here are several tuck-unders ^here. And just before and after the red trim band, then a big one where the gold thread is tucked under.
Again, these are all on the back side of the rod and a builder would likely have to point them out to you without the camera's magnification.

Enjoy your cue.

 

[DeeDeeCues]

Not everybody does a tuck knot. I've staked both ends before. You can manipulate the wrap to make them almost invisible.

 

[MajorMiscue]

I've stalked both ends before.

Could you describe the technique?

 

[DeeDeeCues]

Could you describe the technique?

To start, drill a tiny hole right at the edge of the wrap groove. Put super glue on the hole. Push wrap into the hole with a toothpick. Make sure the thread is on the edge of the hole next to the groove. Break toothpick off, trim flat if needed.

Wrap the cue. Mark where the final wrap hits the groove. Unwrap a few turns. Drill tiny hole and fill with super glue. Wrap final turns, use toothpick to push end of wrap into hole. Trim wrap and toothpick flush. Done correctly there will be very little visibility of the toothpick at this point. After manipulating and pressing the wrap, it should almost disappear.

 

[Renegade_56]

What if I found a local cuemaker that has one of those linen presses and a lathe? Will pressing it again smooth it out?

Yep.

 

[Sheldon]

To start, drill a tiny hole

Never could bring myself to do this. I know the holes are small, but something about drilling into my A-joint never sit well with me.

 

[DeeDeeCues]

Never could bring myself to do this. I know the holes are small, but something about drilling into my A-joint never sit well with me.

Yeah...I get it.

I really don't make linen wrapped cues anymore. Don't like the look, don't like the feel, don't need or want customers.

 

[Renegade_56]

Never could bring myself to do this. I know the holes are small, but something about drilling into my A-joint never sit well with me.

It's a 1mm hole 3 mm deep, packed with wood and glue. Pretty sure the A joint is as intact as it was before the hole.

 

[DeeDeeCues]

It's a 1mm hole 3 mm deep, packed with wood and glue. Pretty sure the A joint is as intact as it was before the hole.

We're actually describing a pretty decent stress riser. There is a chance it could contribute to, but not cause, a failure down the road.

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

This is sort of great old Titlist. Find the mistakes? Think they are not in your face.

 

[jimmyco]

We're actually describing a pretty decent stress riser. There is a chance it could contribute to, but not cause, a failure down the road.

I am wrapping a cue and will use the method in the video Zerksies linked in post 2. The cue has the small hole at the forearm end. Since I do not plan on using it, would it be best to glue a stake in there and trim it before wrapping?

 

[DeeDeeCues]

I am wrapping a cue and will use the method in the video Zerksies linked in post 2. The cue has the small hole at the forearm end. Since I do not plan on using it, would it be best to glue a stake in there and trim it before wrapping?

I would.