LePro Tip Question

pocket

pocket

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I've been delving in to learning to re-tip my own cue, without a lathe.

I bought a bunch of different tools based on what I read here, then a few varieties of Ultra Skins and some LePros.

I am ending up butchering the tips, they look like something I did with fingernail clippers lol (I have a few house cues to practice on fear not).

Besides the steep learning curve, I am finding that the LePro tips seems to be super dry. Almost crumble as I try to cut them.

Is this common? Bad batch?

I haven't tried the Ultra Skins yet.
 
pocket said:
I've been delving in to learning to re-tip my own cue, without a lathe.

I bought a bunch of different tools based on what I read here, then a few varieties of Ultra Skins and some LePros.

I am ending up butchering the tips, they look like something I did with fingernail clippers lol (I have a few house cues to practice on fear not).

Besides the steep learning curve, I am finding that the LePro tips seems to be super dry. Almost crumble as I try to cut them.

Is this common? Bad batch?

I haven't tried the Ultra Skins yet.
Click to expand...
Anymore, half of the box of LePros are junk. Cue mechanics all have their own pre-test method for LePros (and Triangles and Elk Masters), but even then once cutting into them, they are sometimes junk.

Personally, I still bite my LePros to see if they're good before putting one on.

Freddie <~~~ carnivore
 
There are some good videos on youtube and there are some good products out there to help you do this with pretty good results. I personally prefer to have my tips done by an experienced professional. I have put my own on with decent results but nothing like a truly experienced craftsman. I will tell you this you need razor sharp tools and a steady hand, even slightly dull chisels or razor blades can wreak havoc on a leather tip, not to mention a ferrule. I have never personally seen a tip that was put on by hand that looked anywhere near professional, I have seen some decent playable ones, but never "perfect". A plus with a professional is that if a tip is bunk your not out the cost the tip they are, and they should stand by their work should the tip fail within a reasonable amount of time with reasonable use. I will try to do most everything in life on my own, I fix my cars, work on my house, even do my own taxes, but a tip I will always have an experienced pro install. Good luck with your endeavors.

I have heard that lepros are hit or miss however I don't have any personal experience with this as the only lepros I have ever used were on house cues.
 
erhino41 said:
I have never personally seen a tip that was put on by hand that looked anywhere near professional,
Click to expand...

All done with my own hands, no mechanical equipment. Not professional enough?

All the best,
WW
 

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pocket said:
I've been delving in to learning to re-tip my own cue, without a lathe.

I bought a bunch of different tools based on what I read here, then a few varieties of Ultra Skins and some LePros.

I am ending up butchering the tips, they look like something I did with fingernail clippers lol (I have a few house cues to practice on fear not).

Besides the steep learning curve, I am finding that the LePro tips seems to be super dry. Almost crumble as I try to cut them.

Is this common? Bad batch?

I haven't tried the Ultra Skins yet.
Click to expand...
Practice....use an old or cheap $10 cue.....get a batch of the cheapest tips available and practice.
Have the correct tools & technique....you'll get better each time. For now I'd say your technique is not there....It's not the tips. Watch some videos.
 
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Shughes13 said:
Wild wing how do u burnish the sides of your cue tip so well
Click to expand...

After you have them good and smooth (with sandpaper, not knives or blades), then you can put ink on the sides and then get slightly wet with either water or tongue and thumb. While still wet spin the tip end good and firm inside a paper towel. You actually don't need the ink, and some think it dries the tip, but I haven't found that. Also, the chrome-tanned tips won't burnish so well, such as Elk Master and Triangle.

All the best,
WW
 
Been doing my own tip work for more than forty years and they look as good as any tip "professionally" done. I burnish on the arm of any old chair or sofa. Moisten the sides of the tip and turn while you rub the tip against the fabric. Works perfectly.
 
I seen a respectable and recommended person that used a drill motor to replace tips, install linen wraps and etc.

He had a drill motor secured to a board. He used it as a lathe. He had joint bolts that he inserted into the chuck and then the shaft. Made a holder or rest for the other end of the shaft to rest on and be secured to and used a sharp razor to trim and shape the tip.

Use some imagination and be creative. With trial, error and etc you will end up with a fairly easy way to do it without a lot of money invested. As other suggested do it on some cheap stuff first.

🎱
 
Le Pro

Current box of 50, about half way through and have not had a single bad tip. Last box of 50, maybe 3 total I had to scrap. The williard tip machine is not a bad place to start. They will do a good job and you could start doing tips for friends and others. You can get a used one for about $250.00 and then sell for the same amount when you move up to a lathe. Good luck.
 
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