Make my own cue case?

Lux

Lux

Foul and a Miss
Silver Member
Has anyone tried to make their own cue case before? I'm talking about a box-style hard cue case. I'm frustrated at using a leather tube-style case which doesn't carry all of my stuff very well. I'm considering making one for myself with all of the features that I've always wanted but could never find:
  • compartments that fit the cue parts snugly
  • sections for chalk, etc.
  • heavily cushioned 360° interior lining
  • weather-proof silicone positive seal around the edges
  • carry handle and back strap
  • heavy duty hinges and quadruple front latches
  • and maybe a simple lock
It's supposed to hold:
  • 57" cue (16" butt, 41" shaft)
  • 8" extension
  • 22" extension
  • a pair of chalks, chalk holder, tip-pik, magic eraser, cleaning cloth
Here's an example of a regular box-style cue case, for reference, which you'll find sold all over the world:
34191.jpg


What sort of wood and thickness would I use to keep weight down? What's a preferred wood joint type for durability? Fasteners or glue? I would appreciate your opinions and I welcome input from cue makers as well! Cheers! :D
 
However, if you want a case that does all this then I think we can take care of you - www.sterlingcuecases.com

Lux said:
Has anyone tried to make their own cue case before? I'm talking about a box-style hard cue case. I'm frustrated at using a leather tube-style case which doesn't carry all of my stuff very well. I'm considering making one for myself with all of the features that I've always wanted but could never find:


  • compartments that fit the cue parts snugly CHECK
  • sections for chalk, etc. CHECK
  • heavily cushioned 360° interior lining CHECK
  • weather-proof silicone positive seal around the edges (We could do it)
  • carry handle and back strap CHECK
  • heavy duty hinges and quadruple front latches (We only need one latch)
  • and maybe a simple lock (we could do that too)
It's supposed to hold:
  • 57" cue (16" butt, 41" shaft)
  • 8" extension
  • 22" extension
  • a pair of chalks, chalk holder, tip-pik, magic eraser, cleaning cloth
Here's an example of a regular box-style cue case, for reference, which you'll find sold all over the world:
34191.jpg


What sort of wood and thickness would I use to keep weight down? What's a preferred wood joint type for durability? Fasteners or glue? I would appreciate your opinions and I welcome input from cue makers as well! Cheers! :D
Click to expand...

Seriously the place I would start is to buy yourself one of those box cases and take it apart to learn where to start.

The place I start is with the cue itself and I build the case around it. I think if you have the tools then it's shouldn't be too hard to make a simple box case.

Here is a great resource for you though when it comes to woodworking, www.sawmillcreek.org

Have fun, building your own is very rewarding. I will tell you now that you will put more time into it than the resulting case will be "worth". But the sense of pride and the accomplishment of doing something you made just for you is priceless.

Other than that I have no advice on how to build a suitcase style cue case because we have never done them. One of our suppliers does them and probably did the one in your picture. I think that there are two things that don't work very well in this style of case and that's light weight wood coupled with heavy hardware.

In other words when you use thin light wood the hardware tends to shred it. Which is why all the good versions of box cases I have ever seen are heavy with thick walls to hold the screws and rivets in place.
 
Thanks for the replies JB!

Thanks for that link! I've only done woodworking once a long time ago in high school (not of much help, as I ended up making swords and spears for Shakespeare plays :rolleyes:). I've got a lot of hand tools and some manual finesse because I work with autos, but I don't have something like a rotary saw or a router table.

Anyway, my first problem with these off-the-shelf cases is that they're a one-size-fits-all sort of deal. Based on the ones I've tried, my contents would just bounce around inside while walking. I travel and am on the road quite often, so I surely need a snug-fit interior that protects against the harsh Canadian and British climates. Who knows? I may end up taking you up on your offer to make one depending on how this turns out.
 
Hahaha, Sterling will take care of you.
They will take your money, I can vouch for that.

And so I can save John the time of typing a 5 pager tomorrow.

Who cares what you think John, its just my opinion based on the quality and experience with
Sterling's customer service.
 
Last edited:
You might want to take a look at snooker cue hard cases.
Snooker cue cases are normally 3/4 length, with provision for mini butt, extension, and a place for chalk etc.

Finding a site with good shots of the interior is a pain but here is one site with a couple of pictures on the first two pages.

http://www.snookerbilliardspool.co.uk/Selection.asp?Qry=S:Cue Cases&Qrys=Attache

Some of the Brits who hang out in the Snooker section could direct you to better web sites.
 
I know you want to make your own, but without basic power tools it will be tough. On the swap/sell page check out Hightrucker92 he makes some beautiful wood cases. He also has a web site- http://rhtcustomwood.com/

Good luck.

Stan
 
Roger is a great guy also and he will most likely give you a hand or steer you in the right direction.

In the meantime, check out hardwareelf.com
Lots of case hardware on his site.
 
Blue Hog ridr said:
Hahaha, Sterling will take care of you.
They will take your money, I can vouch for that.

And so I can save John the time of typing a 5 pager tomorrow.

Who cares what you think John, its just my opinion based on the quality and experience with
Sterling's customer service.
Click to expand...

Ok, so I guess you have an issue? Hard to believe it was not resolved favorably for you but if you care to send me an email about it then I can try to help.

I care what I think. I wouldn't recommend or work for Sterling if I didn't believe in the people who work there.

They do on the order of 20,000ish orders per year. Every day a semi-truckload of goods goes out to all parts of the country and the world. So it's only natural that someone sometime isn't going to be happy. But every time I have been involved with a customer issue and it's our fault then I have made sure it's taken care of.

So feel free to tell me all about it and if I can help I will.

Otherwise, the "take care of you" part referred to the original poster's case needs which Sterling can certainly take care of.
 
FWIW, I use a rifle case that comes with 2 latches and 2 locks, foam in the lid and thicker foam in the base. I modified it to carry everything I could possibly need for pool while I'm away from home. I traced out 5 butts and a jump cue butt with a sharpie, then cut them out making a wedge cut to accomodate all 6 butts in base foam. I had a seamstress make up a bag that will fit in the case that holds 8 shafts. I still have room for extra chalk, 2 small hand towels, a plastic (won't scratch your shafts) bridge head, a 5-cue Cue Claw, 3 pair of Fingers Slides (sold here on AZ by a member), various grit sand paper, a cueshark 8 in 1 PUP tool (also sold here on AZ by a member), and I attached my Original Cueshark 11 in 1 carrying case to the handle with zip ties.
Fully loaded it probably wieghs 15-20 lbs, but it's not like you're carrying it on a 20 mile forced march. You can get rifle cases through most sporting goods outfitters, and they can range in price from $50-$200 or so, the shaft bag cost me $40 to have made, so all in all I have about $115 + some of my time time tied up in my "custom case" that holds my most prized possesions. Good luck to you.
---Bill
 
Build your own case ???

Someone put this up a while ago, but I couldn't find the thread.

While it's not a video of someone building a cue case, the basic premise is there. I'm in the process of building my own 2x4 using the same methods.

Watch both parts a couple of times. You'll then just need to modify the measurements to your own specifications.

Part One : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LemJQDkALcI

Part Two : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMImunqSJqI

Good luck...
 
Sterling

JB Cases said:
Ok, so I guess you have an issue? Hard to believe it was not resolved favorably for you but if you care to send me an email about it then I can try to help.

I care what I think. I wouldn't recommend or work for Sterling if I didn't believe in the people who work there.

They do on the order of 20,000ish orders per year. Every day a semi-truckload of goods goes out to all parts of the country and the world. So it's only natural that someone sometime isn't going to be happy. But every time I have been involved with a customer issue and it's our fault then I have made sure it's taken care of.

So feel free to tell me all about it and if I can help I will.

Otherwise, the "take care of you" part referred to the original poster's case needs which Sterling can certainly take care of.
Click to expand...
I will say this in my past experience about Sterling, or Cuesight ...They took care of every issue I ever had or everyone that I know that has had a problem. I had a problem with a wave case zipper ,,they sent a new one out. My friend had a similar problem and they sent him a upgraded version of the 3x4 wave that has metal hasp and metal loops where the plastic was on the first models. I think the new ones really look alot better but the interior is still the same and works well...I have a issue that just came up with my J Flowers tribute case where a rivit popped out on the lid or handle on the lid so I will Call them again or maybe John can help ...
<<<ED
 
yeah I made a 1X1 than I upgraded it to a 1X2, I used newspaper rolled around the butt and shaft, gray duct tape and scissors, At the top I used Velcro as a clasp. Worked great for about a year. I wanted to have a low profile, that idea didnt work but the case did. Most people figured I could play because I could build a case. So the plan backfired on me. I kept a S Pete in it when it was a 1X1, then I put a good cue(cant remember what cue it was, when I upgraded to a 1X2).

It still might be around somewhere, I built it in 87 or 88.
 
The youtube video is about all you need. Make sure to follow the carpenter's rule and measure twice and cut once.

I often forget about recommending YouTube when it comes to things like this. I have learned quite a few techniques thanks to helpful videos people put on YouTube. I guess I should put up a couple videos and give something back.
 
ARROWCRUSHER said:
I will say this in my past experience about Sterling, or Cuesight ...They took care of every issue I ever had or everyone that I know that has had a problem. I had a problem with a wave case zipper ,,they sent a new one out. My friend had a similar problem and they sent him a upgraded version of the 3x4 wave that has metal hasp and metal loops where the plastic was on the first models. I think the new ones really look alot better but the interior is still the same and works well...I have a issue that just came up with my J Flowers tribute case where a rivit popped out on the lid or handle on the lid so I will Call them again or maybe John can help ...
<<<ED
Click to expand...

Sure, just call them. We have had some J.Flowers cases that were made with the wrong length rivets on the lid. Welcome to mass-production where one brain dead moment like putting the wrong sized rivets in the machine results in defective product.......arrrgh....... We don't know how many are this way and the thing is that the rivets can last a long time or they can pop off in minutes. So we fix the cases as they come to us.

Anyway, Sterling has replacement lids and can hook you up.
 
Hello gents, thanks again for the kind input. I'm going to have a crack at it when I have an opportunity to settle down and maybe pick up some secondhand woodworking tools. Clearly, my MIG welder would be of no help. :(
Scaramouche said:
You might want to take a look at snooker cue hard cases.
Snooker cue cases are normally 3/4 length, with provision for mini butt, extension, and a place for chalk etc.
Click to expand...
Oops, I forgot to mention that the cue I'm building the case for is my snooker cue.
Charlie Edwards said:
I like box cases, too. Here's the best one I've ever come across. It's the only case I use. You would do well to at least use this one as a model. It's a 2x4 case that holds 1x2 in the lid, making it a lot less bulky than other styles of box cases.
http://www.cuesight.com/stx6al.html
Click to expand...
That's a neat design in that they will fit two cues in one box case, albeit it is a slightly thicker case. However, most snooker cues split 3/4 length down the shaft, which means that I'd need something quite a bit longer.
ipoppa33 said:
I know you want to make your own, but without basic power tools it will be tough. On the swap/sell page check out Hightrucker92 he makes some beautiful wood cases. He also has a web site- http://rhtcustomwood.com/

Good luck.

Stan
Click to expand...
Those are some right gorgeous cue cases mate, but I'd fancy wrapping the case in something like padded pleather because uncovered wood would surely not bear my rough travels (subway, train, transit, etc.) around the city, rain or shine, or onboard an aeroplane. This is also why a rifle case, although very good protection, is impractical.
Lance Link said:
Someone put this up a while ago, but I couldn't find the thread.

While it's not a video of someone building a cue case, the basic premise is there. I'm in the process of building my own 2x4 using the same methods.

Watch both parts a couple of times. You'll then just need to modify the measurements to your own specifications.

Part One : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LemJQDkALcI

Part Two : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMImunqSJqI

Good luck...
Click to expand...
Again, thanks for the insightful links.
 
I'm in the process of building my own hardwood cue case. It was originally going to be 1x1 but I recently bought another shaft so it might be modified to a 1x2. The wood is African Mahogany.

img1036f.jpg

Beautiful wood

img1035u.jpg

Finger Joints

1212002018.jpg

Contents. The hinges hold it open at 90º.

1108001316.jpg

Dry Fitted hardware from Rockler.com and Hardwareelf.com

As others have said and is evident in the pictures, the walls are thick in order to mount the hardware and this in turn makes the box heavy. I have yet to weigh it, since it's not complete.
 
The comment made about keeping the weight of the case down is possible.

The solution is panel tiles, use the finishing wood as paneling, or a more expensive material as paneling while the casing is something cheap.

To be more clear maybe get some cardboard use that to flesh out the case, then on top of the cardboard put a marble tile or ceramic even wood. The case won't be as sturdy as a solid wood project, but it cheats the weight requirement you specified.
 
Lux said:
Has anyone tried to make their own cue case before? I'm talking about a box-style hard cue case. I'm frustrated at using a leather tube-style case which doesn't carry all of my stuff very well. I'm considering making one for myself with all of the features that I've always wanted but could never find:
  • compartments that fit the cue parts snugly
  • sections for chalk, etc.
  • heavily cushioned 360° interior lining
  • weather-proof silicone positive seal around the edges
  • carry handle and back strap
  • heavy duty hinges and quadruple front latches
  • and maybe a simple lock
It's supposed to hold:
  • 57" cue (16" butt, 41" shaft)
  • 8" extension
  • 22" extension
  • a pair of chalks, chalk holder, tip-pik, magic eraser, cleaning cloth
Here's an example of a regular box-style cue case, for reference, which you'll find sold all over the world:
34191.jpg


What sort of wood and thickness would I use to keep weight down? What's a preferred wood joint type for durability? Fasteners or glue? I would appreciate your opinions and I welcome input from cue makers as well! Cheers! :D
Click to expand...

Lux, Is this any help ?
It's great if you got your own set of balls !
Holds 2 cues but idk about room for accessories.
 
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