Joe Porper Big Shaver Pool/Billiards Cue Stick Tip Tool Trimmer/Shaper vs. Willard Tipping Machine
- Thread starter John oleson
- Start date
The Willard is a nice machine, works well. The machine as originally equipped, will only do a range or tip sizes. To do other sizes, you need to buy collets and tip trimmers. Which could add dollars to your purchase. I don't know if they're still available as the machine hasn't been made for a while. Mullers shows items in stock.
I have a Willard machine. The machine will install tips well, but the process is not fast (like a lathe). Most tips on my good shafts take a couple of hours. Trimming tips down requires patience not to damage the ferrule.
If you like to change multiple tips on the regular save for a Travel Tipper (Unique products) $1000. Or something similar.
My .02 cents
The machine is nice, but Mueller's will not keep spare parts in stock consistently. I did find the blades for the Tipping machine are used in pencil sharpeners and available on the internet.
I asked Mueller's multiple times about parts and honestly felt like I was getting the run around. I hope this info helps the next guy...
claymont, Howdy;
Glad you dropped in. One thing that has been nagging away at me is the Extra blades thing.
When you look at the trimmer it shoes 2 screws holding the blade in place. BUT, look at the extra blade
and there is only 1 hole for a screw. How does all that work out???
hank
The blade has a bracket on the machine.
So, there are 3 screw holes? Something isn't translating well ... Or I'm not understanding the "bracket"
that you mentioned. All I have to view are the pictures you posted
hank
I don't feel like posting pictures (someone else posted the prior picture). I promise you the blade in the picture works in the machine. I know it does not look like it, but trust me it does.
Ok, was just askin'.
Guess I can call Mullers tomorrow and they can explain it.
Thanks.
hank
The blade isn't held in place by a screw; it's clamped in place by a plate that is screwed in place by two screws on the fixture.
Thanks for that clarification. Photos don't show that detail so, I ask questions trying to sniff out answers.
Still think I'll give Muller's a call tomorrow.
Thanks again,
hank
Maxx, Howdy;
Not so much to be truthful, that's why I was askin' questions. Now that I have been told it's a 2 piece
affair I can 'see' . But it's not truly discernable unless ya know. Believe me, I've studied that same photo
at 300% and couldn't tell if the line was an edge or another piece and my vision is 20/15. But I do owe
you a Thank you and is ment.
hank
Howdy All;
Spoke to a fella named Christian at Mueller's today, confirmed that what Maxx said " The blade sits in the tool, there’s a machined notch to position it. The retainer has two holes for the screws and sits on top of the blade. Not sure if that helps, but it’s all I got!"
Is how it is. Ok, question answered, twice!
chuckle. Now it appears I need to line up 100 cues to re tip @ $5.00 each
to break even. Talking House cues at the few local bars and private clubs around here. $10. for personal cues if you provide the tip.
LMMFAO!!!!!
hank
Spoke to a fella named Christian at Mueller's today, confirmed that what Maxx said " The blade sits in the tool, there’s a machined notch to position it. The retainer has two holes for the screws and sits on top of the blade. Not sure if that helps, but it’s all I got!"
Is how it is. Ok, question answered, twice!
chuckle. Now it appears I need to line up 100 cues to re tip @ $5.00 eachto break even. Talking House cues at the few local bars and private clubs around here. $10. for personal cues if you provide the tip.
LMMFAO!!!!!
hank
middleofnowhere
Registered
Unless you are doing them for other people and doing a lot, you can do a decent job for yourself just by hand with a razor knife if you know how. You don't really need a lathe. I think some of those tools they sell can damage your ferrule if you are not careful.
middleofnowhere, Howdy;
I know, have done my tips for about 40 years by hand. Was, as is my habit, of trying something
'different'. Being careful is how I've accumulated the number of orbits around the Sun that I have.
Tried it out on a shaft that has no butt to be attached to. The cutting blade is set into it's seat at a
mild angle. Also found that there is an "adjustment" screw in the back end of the cutter that allows
one to set the depth of the tips insertion into the cutter. I was able to adjust the distance as I was
trimming a tip until I was right at the edge of the ferrule. To bad they don't include that information
on the DVD they provided (also on You Tube). The tip shaping tool isn't included in the package I
received from Mueller's. So, I just ordered 1 each of the Dime & Nickle Willard shapers.
All-in-all I'm glad I bought this. Sure is a lot quicker even just feeling my way through.
hank
Carbon fiber shafts have become so common a Willard machine could be nice since these shafts don't get cleaned/ waxed.
I sold my Willard a couple years ago and now regret it.
I have designed a new machine that can do the same thing as the Willard but also replace ferrules.
I should be machining a prototype in a couple months.
I'll post up some pics if it works.
I sold my Willard a couple years ago and now regret it.
I have designed a new machine that can do the same thing as the Willard but also replace ferrules.
I should be machining a prototype in a couple months.
I'll post up some pics if it works.