Knife for triming a new tip.

[mortuarymike-nv]

lathe

Lathe is far more dangerous than a knife! Much easier to damage a ferrule with a lathe than by hand to boot.

Beautiful tip.

Takes time but it can be done by hand. Only place I've found that knife is eBay or Amazon "Japanese leather skiving knife" takes a while to get because it ships from Asia.

Not true it all depends on how you set up your lathe.
If you have DRO's on your lathe the cutter should never touch the ferrule..
Not all lathes are equal .

 

[pocket]

Not true it all depends on how you set up your lathe.
If you have DRO's on your lathe the cutter should never touch the ferrule..
Not all lathes are equal .

Let's have apples for apples, an inexperienced user on a lathe and an inexperienced person with hand tools. Or vice versa, skilled in either method.

 

[pocket]

Just wondering how you would come to this conclusion unless you have done tips on a lathe and you messed up a bunch of ferrules in the process. In which case, you weren't doing it right.

Because logic?

 

[mortuarymike-nv]

tips

Let's have apples for apples, an inexperienced user on a lathe and an inexperienced person with hand tools. Or vice versa, skilled in either method.

Anyone can do a good job with a lathe if they apply themselves and the shaft is not warped badly.

I am not trying to brag just stating a fact, I have been repairing pool cues for a few years and yes I have screwed up many ferrules with a lathe ............... its a fact...

But I always could replace the ferrule I screwed up because I have a lathe or actually I have 3 lathes.
If you are doing tips by hand and you get into the ferrule your screwed,
You don't have a lathe to fix it so your only choice is either take it to a repair guy
or sand the ferrule and shaft....................
99% of the time the do it yourselfer guy sand on the shaft and ferrule and the everything is out of round impossible to fix if the DIY guy keeps doing his own tips wrong and destroys there own shaft.

What can I do with this the ferrule is thin on one side because the owner did his own tips and got into the ferrule then the shaft.
There is nothing any one can do, its out of round, the only way to get itround again would be to chop of the tenon drill a center hole and recut the shaft round,
then there wouldn't be enough shaft left .
This shaft was 0.070 out of round, by time d of gotten done the shaft would of been 150 thousands smaller.

I am just trying to save some of you guys some grief by warning you not to sand on your shafts or ferrule by hand, once its out of round its almost impossible to chuck up in most 3 and 4 jaw self centering chucks and get it centered.

 

[pocket]

Mike you are a pro, no question.

A good lathe with accessories, what, north of 2k? Hand tools >$40

A fine job can be accomplished, with some practice, by hand or lathe. A knife isn't going to damage a ferrule nearly as quickly as a lathe.

My experience comes from amateur woodworking not pool cue tip work so take my comments for what they are worth.

Look at the thread I linked above, I wouldn't be embarrassed to have a tip like those on my cue!

 

[mortuarymike-nv]

Doing tips

Mike you are a pro, no question.

A good lathe with accessories, what, north of 2k? Hand tools >$40

A fine job can be accomplished, with some practice, by hand or lathe. A knife isn't going to damage a ferrule nearly as quickly as a lathe.

My experience comes from amateur woodworking not pool cue tip work so take my comments for what they are worth.

Look at the thread I linked above, I wouldn't be embarrassed to have a tip like those on my cue!

I bought my first lathe for 500 bucks used with all the attachments.
I went to every bar in town and said I would replace the tips on there bar cues for 6 bucks apiece..

I repaired 600 dollars worth of cues in the first 3 weeks of owning the lathe.

Right now as for as I know a lathe is still the best tool for the job.

Before the lathe I destroyed one of my own shafts because I sanded on the shaft and ferrule.
Cost 170 bucks. down the toilet
I also had taken one of my cues to a pool hall and let some guy who thought he was helping me replace a tip and destroyed one of my shafts on the lathe..
Costs 150 bucks down the toilet.

There are hidden costs in everything.

Please put yourself in my shoes, when the DIY guys screw up there tip replacement job and the shaft goes to some one with a lathe to fix it like me, 99% of the time the shaft needs a ferrule and new tip and some times the shaft might need to be made shorter by 3/8 of a inch to 1/2 inch.
Some times the shaft needs replacing.
I really don't like giving bad new like I had to replace the ferrule and the cost is 40 bucks more.
Or tell the customer that who ever had been replacing the tips by hand destroyed your shaft.

I had to send my cue back to the factory to have a new shaft made, that took almost a year and cost was 150 bucks plus shipping.

I just want to be happy and play pool, I don't like to see people struggle with maintaining there cues,


I don't like seeing knew guys to pool getting ripped off or have there equipment destroyed regardless if they destroy it or some one else does.

Only thing I can do about this is to offer safe and sound advice and make sure my work is as perfect as possible and honestly I have made a few mistakes to.

It is easy to screw up a ferrule or shaft if you make mistakes regardless if you are doing it by hand or using a lathe.

The big difference is the guy who has 2k invested into NOT making a mistake to the guy who has 40 bucks invested into NOT making a mistake.

I have several lathes and all I want to do is to fix or replace the tip or ferrule and go on my merry way.

Not sit there for hours hand filing a tip and make sure I don't get into the ferrule.

For me a lathe is the fastest, most accurate easyist and is the safest.
It also the most costly in the beginning and also will generate to most amount of prophet once it has paid for its self....

 

[macguy]

Anyone can do a good job with a lathe if they apply themselves and the shaft is not warped badly.

I am not trying to brag just stating a fact, I have been repairing pool cues for a few years and yes I have screwed up many ferrules with a lathe ............... its a fact...

But I always could replace the ferrule I screwed up because I have a lathe or actually I have 3 lathes.
If you are doing tips by hand and you get into the ferrule your screwed,
You don't have a lathe to fix it so your only choice is either take it to a repair guy
or sand the ferrule and shaft....................
99% of the time the do it yourselfer guy sand on the shaft and ferrule and the everything is out of round impossible to fix if the DIY guy keeps doing his own tips wrong and destroys there own shaft.

What can I do with this the ferrule is thin on one side because the owner did his own tips and got into the ferrule then the shaft.
There is nothing any one can do, its out of round, the only way to get itround again would be to chop of the tenon drill a center hole and recut the shaft round,
then there wouldn't be enough shaft left .
This shaft was 0.070 out of round, by time d of gotten done the shaft would of been 150 thousands smaller.

I am just trying to save some of you guys some grief by warning you not to sand on your shafts or ferrule by hand, once its out of round its almost impossible to chuck up in most 3 and 4 jaw self centering chucks and get it centered.

You can chuck it up and hit the high spots, the either shim or tap the jaws on the high sides till you have it pretty evenly done without touching the ferrule. Then just finish it by hand.

Like you said though, it is not life and death. A ferrule is an expendable part of the cue and easy to replace. I have had lathes for like 50 years but have many times replaced tips when traveling with hand tools.

I can do it well enough by hand when done you would not be able to tell how I did it. With some practice anyone can learn to do their own tips. It is at the very least a nice connivence to know how to do it if you have to. And again, I would not live and die regarding the ferrule, it is replaceable.

 

[Gerry]

Here are a few pics of the set up I use for tips, ferrules, wraps etc. It is an old school Delta 3 axis drill press with an "X" "Y" vise below it. Basically it is a lathe standing on end. Instead of a thru chuck I use the drill press to spin the shaft and an o-ring 3 bearing steady rest to hold the shaft in place. This whole set up cost less then $250. I can hold about 5mil +-. or a sheet of paper thickness.

The only problem is having this in the garage you never leave any of your cues alone!

Gerry

 

[Hits 'em Hard]

And again, I would not live and die regarding the ferrule, it is replaceable.

Unless the only way to get that ferrule material is to be an authorized repairman for that company. Too many companies coming out with their proprietary materials with this LD fad coming out:

 

[Kim Bye]

I have installed tips by hand and with a lathe. Both requires a steady hand and carefull attention to detail.
If you have the right tools, installing tips by hand is actually quite easy, but it does not work if your installing lots of tips, you will wear yourself out!
Installing tips with a lathe might seem easy, but if you want a perfect result your going to be spending some time perfecting your technique.
A lathe and good tools is expensive and you need to nstall quite a few tips to make your investment back.
The advantage with a lathe is that it allows you to do lots of other things, changing ferrules, clean shafts, change wraps and even build a whole cue if you buy the right lathe.

 

[macguy]

Unless the only way to get that ferrule material is to be an authorized repairman for that company. Too many companies coming out with their proprietary materials with this LD fad coming out:

The average guy who just want to replace a tip on his cue should have no problem doing it. ever look at the condition of most peoples ferrules in the pool room? My comment about the ferrule was just a reality check. It is just a ferrule.

Even with the priory ferrules. Once they do some practice there is no reason they should mess up the ferrule. There is also no guarantee that the guy they hand their shaft to, to put on a tip even with a lathe won't mess it up and maybe sand on their shaft and ferrule.

The scariest thing you read on here is guys asking about getting a lathe so they can do cue repairs. Repairs are harder to do then building cues because you are required to be perfect every time. One slip and there may go a $200.00 shaft.

Or like me with a new 6 jaw chuck I was not used to put a dent in the forearm of a $500.00 Helmstetter cue. I showed the guy what I did and how it happened, you should never BS anyone. Fortunately he was OK with me just replacing the cue which I did with an even more high end model he really liked.

Building a cue is easy and stress free, if you screw it up, so what, it's your cue you can just discard it or fix it what ever.

 

[PoolBoy1]

I pull mine off in 1 stroke with a pair of pliers. Accident proof!

 

[WildWing]

If I didn't have a lathe this is how I would try it.
I have never taped a ferrule but if you don't and the ferrule has chalk in it near the tip or glue area you will never get it cleaned up.
Glue your tip on.
Stand the shaft up side down on a level piece of wood , you need a third hand or some way to secure the shafts straight up and down.
Use a extremely sharp wood chisel and trim of the excess.
From there you need to use a small file or a small sanding block.

Thank you for liking my picture, Honestly that is the standard and I believe almost everyone can do as good if not better if they have a lathe.

You being a mill right should be able to do this repair,
The wood chisel is the best choice because of the handle you can push straight down.........................

Remember don't cut or sand on the ferrule .................
Hope it works for you

Mike is right, and in my opinion, this is a dangerous thread. A catchy Youtube video, and then everyone wants a razor-sharp chisel to do their tips. Good luck.

A cue repairman with a lathe is your best alternative. However, Mike, since you've brought up the tape over ferrule with sandpaper, I'll give my routine with examples.

I put Scotch freezer tape over the ferrule, since it comes off the easiest. I put the shaft, wrapped in a towel, loosely in a vise, and sand it with thin cut pieces of 320 or 400 sandpaper, like shining a shoe, turning the shaft constantly inside the towel. Don't sand too much, or the tape will be tough take take off. When you have it close to the ferrule, put the tape on just a millimeter or two below the tip to make sure you can flush the tip to the ferrule, but don't ever sand the ferrule. This takes many times, by the way. Not a quick way. Then, of course, you shape the top, burnish and color the sides of the tip (your choice), and you're done.

Want to know how long this takes? A couple days, on the average, as I didn't mention taking the old tip off, and flushing the top of the ferrule with a file with steady nerves. I don't think most have the patience.

But every now and then, due mostly to Youtube, some get the idea they can do what is in the videos, which are heavily edited, I think. I look forward to the examples. Go ahead and buy a Samurai Sword, sharpened to a razor edge and try to do it, with no protection to the ferrule. I look forward to the completed picture examples.

Prediction: Cue repairmen will see a surge of business due to people gouging their ferrules with knives, chisels, swords, and guillotines, hoping to duplicate the Youtube video.

You have it right, Mike, a cue repairman, such as yourself, with a lathe is best. With extreme patience, tape and sandpaper examples follow. But, I can't wait to see the knife and chisel examples.

WW

 

[macguy]

Mike is right, and in my opinion, this is a dangerous thread. A catchy Youtube video, and then everyone wants a razor-sharp chisel to do their tips. Good luck.

A cue repairman with a lathe is your best alternative. However, Mike, since you've brought up the tape over ferrule with sandpaper, I'll give my routine with examples.

I put Scotch freezer tape over the ferrule, since it comes off the easiest. I put the shaft, wrapped in a towel, loosely in a vise, and sand it with thin cut pieces of 320 or 400 sandpaper, like shining a shoe, turning the shaft constantly inside the towel. Don't sand too much, or the tape will be tough take take off. When you have it close to the ferrule, put the tape on just a millimeter or two below the tip to make sure you can flush the tip to the ferrule, but don't ever sand the ferrule. This takes many times, by the way. Not a quick way. Then, of course, you shape the top, burnish and color the sides of the tip (your choice), and you're done.

Want to know how long this takes? A couple days, on the average, as I didn't mention taking the old tip off, and flushing the top of the ferrule with a file with steady nerves. I don't think most have the patience.

But every now and then, due mostly to Youtube, some get the idea they can do what is in the videos, which are heavily edited, I think. I look forward to the examples. Go ahead and buy a Samurai Sword, sharpened to a razor edge and try to do it, with no protection to the ferrule. I look forward to the completed picture examples.

Prediction: Cue repairmen will see a surge of business due to people gouging their ferrules with knives, chisels, swords, and guillotines, hoping to duplicate the Youtube video.

You have it right, Mike, a cue repairman, such as yourself, with a lathe is best. With extreme patience, tape and sandpaper examples follow. But, I can't wait to see the knife and chisel examples.

WW

It takes two days to trim a tip????????

 

[WildWing]

It takes two days to trim a tip????????

Yes, because I don't do it all at once, I give it a rest constantly so I don't get tired and screw up. In overall time, it's a few hours, spread over a couple days.

If you think that's ridiculous, please show me some handwork done much quicker that's better than mine, above.

Also, check out the Youtube video very closely. The guy chews up the edge of the ferrule near the tip pretty good. Although it looks like he's tried to polish it, it shows it.

 

[jb1911]

Handling knives and changing tips is not rocket surgery. Some of you guys act like it's akin to juggling flaming chainsaws. I won't mention any names, but his initials are WildWing. I've changed a few tips in my life, I've been a pool player for almost 50 years. Mine may not be works of art but they look pretty good. I really wanted to try the method the guy used in the video, but now I'm scared I might cut my head off.

 

[WildWing]

Handling knives and changing tips is not rocket surgery. Some of you guys act like it's akin to juggling flaming chainsaws. I won't mention any names, but his initials are WildWing.

Since the implication is that my advice isn't sound, go ahead with the knife and chisel.

Please post before, during, and after pics with micrometer on the ferrule to show that it wasn't damaged or altered to hide damage.

But, what do I know, I've only been doing tips for 47 years myself, so best of luck.

 

[jb1911]

Since the implication is that my advice isn't sound, go ahead with the knife and chisel.

Please post before, during, and after pics with micrometer on the ferrule to show that it wasn't damaged or altered to hide damage.

But, what do I know, I've only been doing tips for 47 years myself, so best of luck.

I'm not impugning your skill, all I'm saying is you need to lighten up a bit. It's not that
serious ... it's just a cue tip. You do beautiful work.

 

[macguy]

Yes, because I don't do it all at once, I give it a rest constantly so I don't get tired and screw up. In overall time, it's a few hours, spread over a couple days.

If you think that's ridiculous, please show me some handwork done much quicker that's better than mine, above.

Also, check out the Youtube video very closely. The guy chews up the edge of the ferrule near the tip pretty good. Although it looks like he's tried to polish it, it shows it.

Let me put this back in perspective. I hate the way the guy in the video does the tip. At best it is food for thought for someone who wants to do their own tips. I have done thousands of tips by hand with a razor knife.

Mainly because when I was in the pool room business for years I had to do my house cues and you were doing cues every week. People would really wreck tips with sand paper and files, but it was just part of the business.

I usually did custom cues with a lathe but have still done a zillion with a razor knife with perfect results. I have a system for cutting down the tip and finishing it that never touched the ferrule.

Your hands are amazing tools with an ability for great accuracy. Just watch a jeweler or watchmaker work, or someone cut a diamond or do scrimshaw. Putting a tip on a cue is a very low threshold for hand and eye coordinated skills. Anyone with a little practice can put on their own tips.

That is not to say all people even want to. I used to have people drive like 40 miles to have me work on their cues. I didn't care because they would hang around the pool room and spend some money but why drive 40 miles to have something done you can do yourself. Even worse, what if they don't like the tip and have to go through the same thing again.

I was at a tournament and there was a cue repair guy there. I watched Miz borrow his equipment put on some tips for himself, he knew how to do it pretty well not to mention he was not handing his Balabushka shafts to some guy to work on. He put on three tips before he liked one.

It is a real pain to pay someone to put on a tip and then not like it or decide to try a different tip and have to keep paying, not to mention the time and waiting to get your cue back.

I just think if you play pool taking care of your equipment is something you should know how to do even if most of the time you just pay someone else to do it. At least you know you can do it if you had to. It really is not very hard to do. By the way, you do your own tips.

 

[jb1911]

I just finished putting a G2 tip on a 314-2 shaft using a razor blade, tape and sandpaper. I put some Renaissance wax on the side of the tip and burnished it. It might not be the Mona Lisa, but I'm very happy with it.

BTW ... the tip and shaft play great, I recommend both with two thumbs up.