Looking for a Cue Lathe Help Please

Bucknut

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I work in a retail establishment and we are looking at getting a cue lathe to just do tips, shaft work and maybe some wraps. For the money which way should we go? New vs Used and which brand and price point should we look at? Any help is appreciated.
 
Cue Smith all the way, contact Chris Hightower, super nice guy, best part of his machine is all the add ons you can get. Which you can do tapers and pin work. Only thing is get the large bore head right out of the gate, you won't be sorry about this. Opens up a lot of work, like weight bolts and bumpers, where you can put the cue into the chuck and not be working off of a steady rest.
Steve

https://www.cuesmith.com/
 
If you are handy with machines and know what you're doing, you can typically get used metal lathes of various sizes and capabilities for pretty cheap. They will require some work and often some modification to work well for pool cue purposes.

For more dedicated products, I would take a look at the Chris Hightower stuff. I doubt there are many cue builders in the country that don't have at least one lathe of his. The mid size one is a great value. He's a very nice guy too. I'd have a look at https://www.cuesmith.com/

Porper makes good ones too, but much more money.

Hope this helps,

KMRUNOUT
 
Thanks. I will pass it on to my boss. If anyone else has input I will gladly listen as well
 
Buck. Re post this in the Cue Machinery Forum. Ha, I bet that you didn't even know there was such an animal.

Lots of lathes of different sorts being sold.

Depends on what your needs are. Chris Hightower and Todd, of American Cue Lathes would be your bestest bets. I know that bestest isn't a word too.

If it is just tips, ferrules, tenons, pin and insert replacement on occasion, shaft cleaning etc, there is a lathe available for every need.

Also, doesn't hurt to also post in the Ask the Cue Maker Forum. Once the guys have a handle on exactly what your needs are, they can give you a 100% idea on which model will suit you the best.

Chris has several models as does Todd.

Both are great to deal with. Also calling both and having a chat helps.

There are a lot of other tools and small doo dads that will be required.

Colets, maintenance arbors, Proper size drill bits. Live and dead centers.

Good luck in your search. If yer not in a huge hurry, there are pretty decent deals on used almost every week in that Forum.

That way, many will come with all or at least many of the little extras that you will need.

Linen wraps. Yep, ya wanna be able to do those.

Depending on which model you choose, some come with a small sewing machine motor and a floor peddle to control the speed.

If you have a variable speed motor, you can adjust lathe speed with the rheostat dial.

Leather wraps are a different animal and will require additional tools.

Linen is pretty straight forward. I could show you once and you would be doing the next one.

Chris offers a repair and building book, DVDs. Joe Barringer, (Cue Components), also offers a full set of DVDs. Both guys products are a must have in the shop when you are starting out.

The Book, (Bible), and DVDs can also be had used in the Mach Forum if you keep your eyes peeled. Bid quick because they tend not to last long.

You will also want to familiarize yourself with different Cue Equipment suppliers as far as supplies are concerned.

Chris Hightower.
Todd.
Joe Barringer. Cue Components
Unique Billiard Supply
Atlas
Prather
Schmelke

Google the above + billiard supplies and they will come up.

All the tools, tips, material plus a lot more.

Also feel free to PM me with any specific questions and I will do my best to answer or put you in the proper direction.

As a side note. What Cross Bone said. A Large Bore head stock will make your day so much easier.
 
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