Is this cue lathe worth buying?
- Thread starter Damien89
- Start date
It is based on the WMV-210V lathe, which isn't a bad setup. That lathe comes in metric and imperial unit versions. It will thread, and for that I would prefer an imperial version. But overall, a lot of the extras have already been included. Thumbs Up!
By setting up do you mean making sure it works correctly? The photos I’ve seen on their Facebook page show everything assembled for the most part.
I agree the price does seem a little steep, but I figured it looked like a decent lathe to begin on. I could be and probably am wrong. Would rather learn on something not as powerful as the big lathes.
I’ve messaged the website on Facebook if it comes in either or just metric. Just waiting for a response to see.
Thank you all for responding. This would be my first lathe and I’d like to make sure I’m buying something that would get the job done to build a cue.
By setting up, I mean by aligning up the 2 pieces to be nicely in line . Sometimes it takes quite a bit of adjusting to get the bed true to the run of the headstock like it was at the factory. Then aligning the extension to which ever side is required. I find metric easier to use over inches for dials etc. Having the twin chuck spindle is great as well.
Well if I pull the trigger hopefully it’s not too bad. I’ve seen reviews on lathes similar to that model that came from china and some ppl said they had to machine parts on it just to get it to run true
I looked at that lathe online as well. My concern would be if they will actually ship it to you or provide any support. They have some good videos on youtube but I couldn't find anyone in the US who actually had one. It's one thing to buy something for $200 from aliexpress, but another to buy a $4000 precision machine.
This guy has a funny channel where he buys expensive stuff from sketchy sites:
If this your very first lathe of any type you might want to consider one of the domestic companies that provide cue-specific support (including on this forum):
www.cuesmith.com
www.midamericapool.com
This guy has a funny channel where he buys expensive stuff from sketchy sites:
If this your very first lathe of any type you might want to consider one of the domestic companies that provide cue-specific support (including on this forum):
Cue Man Billiard Products - Cue Man Billiard Products
Welcome to Cue Man Billiard Products and our brand new site with online ordering! Established in 1988, we are the manufacturer of the precision Cue Smith Lathes and Inlay Machines, and supplier of cue lathe accessories, leather wrap material, and many other cue building products, as well as...
www.cuesmith.com
Cuemaker Supply Home of Mid America cue repair lathes
Home of Mid America pool cue lathes, plus cue making and repair supplies
www.midamericapool.com
Can you post a link to the YouTube videos? I’ve tried searching and can’t find any.I looked at that lathe online as well. My concern would be if they will actually ship it to you or provide any support. They have some good videos on youtube but I couldn't find anyone in the US who actually had one. It's one thing to buy something for $200 from aliexpress, but another to buy a $4000 precision machine.
This guy has a funny channel where he buys expensive stuff from sketchy sites:
If this your very first lathe of any type you might want to consider one of the domestic companies that provide cue-specific support (including on this forum):
Cue Man Billiard Products - Cue Man Billiard Products
Welcome to Cue Man Billiard Products and our brand new site with online ordering! Established in 1988, we are the manufacturer of the precision Cue Smith Lathes and Inlay Machines, and supplier of cue lathe accessories, leather wrap material, and many other cue building products, as well as...
Cuemaker Supply Home of Mid America cue repair lathes
Home of Mid America pool cue lathes, plus cue making and repair supplies
Looks like it might have been facebook:
2K views · 22 reactions | Multi-functional Billiard lathe. | By COC Billiards | Facebook
Multi-functional Billiard lathe.
www.facebook.com
1.8K views · 47 reactions | Instructions for professional lathe 02 | By COC Billiards | Facebook
Instructions for professional lathe 02
www.facebook.com
Its like anything. They may be made right or there maybe something made not right. There is a lot of parts to a lathe. A lot can be care fully scrapped or filed or fettled to be better and run smoother or more quietly. The biggest part is getting it freighted at a reasonable cost and with no damage. Take your chances and see what happens. Some people have a higher mechanical aptitude than others , so learning to file or scrape a surface flat is quite easy. Some never can file a surface flat no matter what youtube video they watch.
DeeDeeCues
Well-known member
If this is your first lathe, have you ever turned anything? Do you have someone to mentor you?
Can you make a cue on that lathe? I don't know. I could, but I made cues on an old Montgomery Ward lathe.
The lathe matters less than the maker.
Can you make a cue on that lathe? I don't know. I could, but I made cues on an old Montgomery Ward lathe.
The lathe matters less than the maker.
That 5" chuck hitting your fingers will do the same damage as a 6" or 8" chuck...
The limiting factor with metal lathes is often the lack of a dedicated space.
If you have that space and are looking at spending 4K on a lathe and you have ambitions of building cues, you'll save yourself some costly upgrades by going straight to a metal lathe. YouTube has hundreds of videos about operating lathes, add some common sense and you should do just fine.
I see GB mentioning that the lathe you linked to will cut threads, but with no thread dial, your limited to single point threading. In other words having the threading handle engaged the whole time and using the forward and reverse feed to cut threads. That method works, but it's not as fast and secure as using a thread dial and engaging the thread handle each time the thread dial reaching whatever number you need for the specific TPI your cutting.
Looks good, however, I went to Cueman for my lathe. Several reasons, most important to me was the man who buildt the lathe ANSWERS his own phone, second was its American made by an actual American and lastly Cueman is member here on AZ. I havent had a single problem with my lathe, off chance I do he would take care of me or help me.
I have that lathe without the tail stock extension setup.
Got it for under $1000 shipped from ebay.
It works great for tip, joint, and butt work.
I did add a HighTower chuck to the left end of the spindle and a 6 jaw chuck.
However there are some things that you can expect from a machine in that price range.
The X axis wheel is very sloppy and can not be adjusted.
The Y axis is hard to get adjusted for smooth operation over its full range.
The power feed gears when used are very noisy.
Got it for under $1000 shipped from ebay.
It works great for tip, joint, and butt work.
I did add a HighTower chuck to the left end of the spindle and a 6 jaw chuck.
However there are some things that you can expect from a machine in that price range.
The X axis wheel is very sloppy and can not be adjusted.
The Y axis is hard to get adjusted for smooth operation over its full range.
The power feed gears when used are very noisy.
Can you fit a 31/32" piece of wood between centers? Does it taper? Does it have an indexing ring?
If not then do NOT buy that lathe for cue work.