But, the best thing about cuemaking is.......
hot cuemaker groupies. Some of them are Hooter girls.
I swear.
hot cuemaker groupies. Some of them are Hooter girls.
I swear.
it's hard to become a cue maker ? i want to know some experiense from cuemaker
- Thread starter hypnauticz
- Start date
Well, I have been chewing on it my self and I can just say this:
Buy Chris H book.
Buy Chris H DVDs
Read the book once. Then read it another time. Have a look on what it involves and then decide if this is something you would like to do. Buying all the bells and whistles to make you a cue is most likely not a very good investment as already mentioned.
I have not made anything yet but I'm in the process of acquiring some equipment to at least be able to do tips and ferrules. Then I would start to make custom ringworks for shafts, and expand from there.
I do however have no highflying thoughts of making any money on this, it's simply because I'm really interested in cues - in general. I read somewhere that any one with a woodworking class could make a cue and that there are so many cue makers now a days that making a living off this would be really hard. I guess that's the reason for some of the secrecy about the techniques used.
Regarding the tips about equipment you need and all the money you would spend; If you have some mechanical skills and ideas, you could make some of the machines you would need you're self. Making tapperbars, applying these to a cheap wood lathe and makings some other stuff could get you going. I have heard and read about people which made cues on really simple equipment.
However, if you are a cue fanatic like me, which is picky on pretty much anything, do notice that small ding that you're friends over look and do pay attention to details like plastic materials, wood types and everything ; You end up spending some $ on equipment because you would like to make the best cue you can and compare you're cue with the others. And you would not like to spend 10 years to figure out how to make some of the machinery you need.
I have started on the humble road, but I'm slowly building up experience and do not plan to be bragging about anything. I simply just want something which is mine, has my name and has not the letters "Pr...OR" on it
In this way I would like to experiment with all the crazy ideas I have to improve my game of pool as much as possible.
I don't care if I build 1,2,3 or 10 cues a year. I did my first wood turning in the age of 10 or what it was, so I do this to have a hobby and learn as much as I can. I like wood work in general and my tools would be used to other things like loudspeaker cabinets and other wood work.
Well, I'm not sure if you got any wiser about this long post.. I guess it was more a dump of feelings from a pool cue heart
N
Buy Chris H book.
Buy Chris H DVDs
Read the book once. Then read it another time. Have a look on what it involves and then decide if this is something you would like to do. Buying all the bells and whistles to make you a cue is most likely not a very good investment as already mentioned.
I have not made anything yet but I'm in the process of acquiring some equipment to at least be able to do tips and ferrules. Then I would start to make custom ringworks for shafts, and expand from there.
I do however have no highflying thoughts of making any money on this, it's simply because I'm really interested in cues - in general. I read somewhere that any one with a woodworking class could make a cue and that there are so many cue makers now a days that making a living off this would be really hard. I guess that's the reason for some of the secrecy about the techniques used.
Regarding the tips about equipment you need and all the money you would spend; If you have some mechanical skills and ideas, you could make some of the machines you would need you're self. Making tapperbars, applying these to a cheap wood lathe and makings some other stuff could get you going. I have heard and read about people which made cues on really simple equipment.
However, if you are a cue fanatic like me, which is picky on pretty much anything, do notice that small ding that you're friends over look and do pay attention to details like plastic materials, wood types and everything ; You end up spending some $ on equipment because you would like to make the best cue you can and compare you're cue with the others. And you would not like to spend 10 years to figure out how to make some of the machinery you need.
I have started on the humble road, but I'm slowly building up experience and do not plan to be bragging about anything. I simply just want something which is mine, has my name and has not the letters "Pr...OR" on it
In this way I would like to experiment with all the crazy ideas I have to improve my game of pool as much as possible.I don't care if I build 1,2,3 or 10 cues a year. I did my first wood turning in the age of 10 or what it was, so I do this to have a hobby and learn as much as I can. I like wood work in general and my tools would be used to other things like loudspeaker cabinets and other wood work.
Well, I'm not sure if you got any wiser about this long post.. I guess it was more a dump of feelings from a pool cue heart
N
billiardshot said:
Some guy approached me a number of years back and asked if i would assist in helping him build a cue on my equiptment. Well, after the obvious
F..NO!!!!. the guy ordered a porper that had some problems and was returned for repairs. After wrestelling with this for about 4 mos he finally started to build his first cue. I helped him and it actually turned out very well. I was surprized. A few years have since passed and he has completed 3 cues.
Now there's another guy in town who paid for training from a well known builder and then picked up a couple of 12x36 belt drive machine lathe's with back chucks more than 15 yrs ago. And to this day has not completed a cue or shaft. Allthough he does do some repairs and wraps etc.
The first guy that i mentioned ... probably ... in some unusual way ... got what he wanted out of this because he did exactly what he started out to do and gets alot of self gratification from his cue. Although for the money and time, he could have had an absolutely dazzeling custom cue built for himself.
Now as for the other guy who has a pro shop btw, he simply made a bad decision. His desire out weighed his ability.
I havent read chris's book. But i would say that after you read that, you might want to try some basic woodworking and see if you have any talent for that or even enjoy it for that matter.
F..NO!!!!. the guy ordered a porper that had some problems and was returned for repairs. After wrestelling with this for about 4 mos he finally started to build his first cue. I helped him and it actually turned out very well. I was surprized. A few years have since passed and he has completed 3 cues.
Now there's another guy in town who paid for training from a well known builder and then picked up a couple of 12x36 belt drive machine lathe's with back chucks more than 15 yrs ago. And to this day has not completed a cue or shaft. Allthough he does do some repairs and wraps etc.
The first guy that i mentioned ... probably ... in some unusual way ... got what he wanted out of this because he did exactly what he started out to do and gets alot of self gratification from his cue. Although for the money and time, he could have had an absolutely dazzeling custom cue built for himself.
Now as for the other guy who has a pro shop btw, he simply made a bad decision. His desire out weighed his ability.
I havent read chris's book. But i would say that after you read that, you might want to try some basic woodworking and see if you have any talent for that or even enjoy it for that matter.
JoeyInCali said:
I've got one that's been with me for 47 years, next month. This "GROOPIE" is better than any Hooter Girl...SHE CAN RUN A LATHE...JER
And do leather wraps great.BLACKHEARTCUES said:
Yeah...In your avatar a few months agoJoeyInCali said:
I WANT THE AVATAR BACK JOEY~~~
my viewpoint...
I was asking these same questions only 6 months ago, but I started my "hobby". I've made 6 cues now. Nothing special at all. Basically all experiments... I try to learn something with everyone I do. Obviusly my stuff is not to the caliber of most things on here but I am "enjoying" myself. I nearly crapped when I sold one too. None of the others have sold and I'm playing with some. Now I'm experiment with a break shaft idea. How much have I invested??? Mostly time. I have a not so perfect shaft lathe and two tool boxes of hand tools and a dremel for other stuff. Real cuemakers like Dieckman would snort at this...(read his Book From tree to Cue...apparently its nice to have forty machines and thirty years to wait before making something) Please don't take that as disrespect..I love his work but since for most of us "aspiring" cuemakers it IS just a HOBBY...that if we are good enough you might make a couple bucks on the side doing repairs, wraps, and refinishes. What's wrong with that i say. The reason I chose this route for myself was when a well respected cuemaker in my area declined to apprentice me for "promising not to teach". I said screw it...I'm doing ti anyway!
lets learn..and have fun. SO GO FOR IT!!!!! HAVE FUN!!! POST YOUR PICTURES HERe!! Let the fine cuebuilders at AZ critique and help you. I thank all of you who have lended criticism
I was asking these same questions only 6 months ago, but I started my "hobby". I've made 6 cues now. Nothing special at all. Basically all experiments... I try to learn something with everyone I do. Obviusly my stuff is not to the caliber of most things on here but I am "enjoying" myself. I nearly crapped when I sold one too. None of the others have sold and I'm playing with some. Now I'm experiment with a break shaft idea. How much have I invested??? Mostly time. I have a not so perfect shaft lathe and two tool boxes of hand tools and a dremel for other stuff. Real cuemakers like Dieckman would snort at this...(read his Book From tree to Cue...apparently its nice to have forty machines and thirty years to wait before making something) Please don't take that as disrespect..I love his work but since for most of us "aspiring" cuemakers it IS just a HOBBY...that if we are good enough you might make a couple bucks on the side doing repairs, wraps, and refinishes. What's wrong with that i say. The reason I chose this route for myself was when a well respected cuemaker in my area declined to apprentice me for "promising not to teach". I said screw it...I'm doing ti anyway!
lets learn..and have fun. SO GO FOR IT!!!!! HAVE FUN!!! POST YOUR PICTURES HERe!! Let the fine cuebuilders at AZ critique and help you. I thank all of you who have lended criticism
masonh said:
Mason, I have to agree with everything you said. To suceed you must be very proficiant in all areas from selection and handling of wood to finishing the final product.
i also saw someone sayit it would be impossible to make a living at it.i wouldn't say impossible,but tough.it would be tough to make a living at it and close to impossible to get rich off.it[/QUOTE]
I do not necassarily agree with the above statement completely though. My views are slightly different due to my opinion on marketing and operation of a business. I think the main reason the market for cue builders is so tough is because, first there are a large number of individuals making cues, and second many people approach cue designs and cue building from a similar perspective. Next with the advent of all the new technology, CNC controled Mills, Lathes, and even saws and the modification exsisting equipment, many things that required many man hour's can be greatly reduced.
By reducing the number of man hour's necessary, the prodcution time of the finished product can be greatly reduced. Now, realistictly anyone who builds cues with the intent to do so as a business, is aware that the largest part of the cost associated with a finished cue are the man hour's spent completeing all aspects of construction. Now with the hugh market for Asian products and the fact that the quality of these products has greatly improved the products that are made using the above technology, like products are becoming devalued.
In todays market if you intend to build cues for a living, your products must be different and special. The craftsmanship must be top notch, the materials must be rare / unique and your cues must player better than that of your competition. Finding the right nitch in the market is not easy, but it is very necessary to suceed in todays market. In my opinion currently the cue makers who appear to be most respected, and the most sought after are the gentleman and ladies who preffer the traditional techniques in design, and in construction. The more the new equipment becomes the staple for cue builders, the more the traditional techniques are forgotten and no longer used. The main problem with this thinking today, is the import market and the fact that thay can reproduce any design that is excuted by computer controled techniques. This is only going to increase in the years to come, so the best way to deal with this competition is to not compete by using the same techniques to the same level.
One area there will be little if any true competition is in using ,Traditional wood selection techniques, traditional cue construction methods, and traditional finishing methods. When you combine this with high quality individual craftsmanship you will always have a market for the cues and you will also have a waiting list.
Just my thoughts
My wife gives her the 7-out in the beauty dept.billiardbum said:Yeah...In your avatar a few months ago
Speak for yourself.BHQ said:DID I FORGET ANYTHING??
yes you forgot,
HAS TO BE NUTS
Just an observation
Besides your own personal desire to learn .You do know there has to be some logical purpose to work in an cue makers shop.I do not know too many cue makers that would open their shop & knowledge for strangers.
Just out of curiosity is this maker a friend of yours or even know you?If the answer to both of these is no ,then why would he be willing to teach you?
On the flip side I am very good friends with a cue maker.And by no means try to interfere in his little world,of what I consider to be total insanity .
TheRIGERE said:
Besides your own personal desire to learn .You do know there has to be some logical purpose to work in an cue makers shop.I do not know too many cue makers that would open their shop & knowledge for strangers.
Just out of curiosity is this maker a friend of yours or even know you?If the answer to both of these is no ,then why would he be willing to teach you?
On the flip side I am very good friends with a cue maker.And by no means try to interfere in his little world,of what I consider to be total insanity .
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I've said it many times. PFD told me last year at SBE that there are about 40 cue maker working full time and making a decent living. There are at least 400 doing it part time and 4000 wannabes. That is a big flood in a small market.
FWIW, cue making has two aspects; playability and execution. I have seen ugly cues that play great and great looking cues that play like crap. Getting a balance of both is the biggest challenge. Good luck and keep learning.
FWIW, cue making has two aspects; playability and execution. I have seen ugly cues that play great and great looking cues that play like crap. Getting a balance of both is the biggest challenge. Good luck and keep learning.
Hi,
I think in Chris's book, he mentioned that you can built a full cue in a month with his deluxe cuesmith (Maybe he has clients that have built a full cue in a month after getting his lathe) and I was able to do it in about 1 1/2 month (By pre-made component (full splice blank,etc). Sold my first cue that I turn down from my full splice blank, added joint, cut the shaft from Cue component according to my taper and add super glue finish etc.etc.
All in all with repairs (20 plus leather wrap on weekends) and the 9 cues that I've put together, I'm sure that I'm pass the red now. I think local weekend repair work alone paid for the machine. If you really want to make a cue for yourself, I think you can do it for less than $4K plus time! Full splice blank starting at $50 plus and my veneer full splice blanks are only $90.00.
Get Chris's Book, Invest in the Deluxe Cuesmith, find out if you can do local repair to offset the cost and if you do it right..the investment will pay for itself in 1-2 years. Find out if you have any competition in your area first thought and it's very important to work with a room owner.
If you want to make the 1K cue and up...you will need to invest 10K plus!! I know Joe Callaluca make one heck of a cue from his Cue Monster....probably cost about 8K (slightly used was selling for 7.5K) and he hand brush automotive clear on his cue and the finish look really good.
All in all, it come down to how bad you want to build your own cue!! AZ billiard has some of the best information that you need to help you along the way and will cut your learning curve.
Good Luck.
Duc.
I think in Chris's book, he mentioned that you can built a full cue in a month with his deluxe cuesmith (Maybe he has clients that have built a full cue in a month after getting his lathe) and I was able to do it in about 1 1/2 month (By pre-made component (full splice blank,etc). Sold my first cue that I turn down from my full splice blank, added joint, cut the shaft from Cue component according to my taper and add super glue finish etc.etc.
All in all with repairs (20 plus leather wrap on weekends) and the 9 cues that I've put together, I'm sure that I'm pass the red now. I think local weekend repair work alone paid for the machine. If you really want to make a cue for yourself, I think you can do it for less than $4K plus time! Full splice blank starting at $50 plus and my veneer full splice blanks are only $90.00.
Get Chris's Book, Invest in the Deluxe Cuesmith, find out if you can do local repair to offset the cost and if you do it right..the investment will pay for itself in 1-2 years. Find out if you have any competition in your area first thought and it's very important to work with a room owner.
If you want to make the 1K cue and up...you will need to invest 10K plus!! I know Joe Callaluca make one heck of a cue from his Cue Monster....probably cost about 8K (slightly used was selling for 7.5K) and he hand brush automotive clear on his cue and the finish look really good.
All in all, it come down to how bad you want to build your own cue!! AZ billiard has some of the best information that you need to help you along the way and will cut your learning curve.
Good Luck.
Duc.
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Well put her on the Avatar thenJoeyInCali said:My wife gives her the 7-out in the beauty dept.
