Making cues by hand

GrizzlyThunder

GrizzlyThunder

Registered
Does any one here make their cues by hand? Or can recommend any references that could assist with this quest?

I thought about playing around making a few cues purely for fun and my own enjoyment. I have a small shop fox lathe but I don't think it will be of any use in this case.
 
GrizzlyThunder said:
Does any one here make their cues by hand? Or can recommend any references that could assist with this quest?

I thought about playing around making a few cues purely for fun and my own enjoyment. I have a small shop fox lathe but I don't think it will be of any use in this case.
Click to expand...

What exactly are you thinking when you ask "by hand," and then suggest you might use your lathe?

Is "by hand":

- just using a whittling knife?

- using a precision metal lathe

- using a precision metal lathe, but not an engine lathe?


Okay, I think you need to go to the Ask the Cuemaker forum, but I don't think you have a good definition of "Making a Cue by Hand."

I also think you should go to Chris Hightower's site and buy some DVDs.


Freddie
 
Cornerman said:
What exactly are you thinking when you ask "by hand," and then suggest you might use your lathe?



Is "by hand":



- just using a whittling knife?



- using a precision metal lathe



- using a precision metal lathe, but not an engine lathe?





Okay, I think you need to go to the Ask the Cuemaker forum, but I don't think you have a good definition of "Making a Cue by Hand."



I also think you should go to Chris Hightower's site and buy some DVDs.





Freddie
Click to expand...

By hand meaning less machines doing the work as possible. Ex. Using planes, knife, basic lathe. Instead of a huge machine lather that is doing the work while you guide it.





mchnhed said:
You mean like this?

https://youtu.be/sJ9Gqiu-XRk
Click to expand...



Yes as close to that as possible possible more hand tools.
 
GrizzlyThunder said:
Does any one here make their cues by hand? Or can recommend any references that could assist with this quest?

I thought about playing around making a few cues purely for fun and my own enjoyment. I have a small shop fox lathe but I don't think it will be of any use in this case.
Click to expand...

I taught myself when I was a teen to make cues using a wood lathe, wood turning tools, jigs, etc..

I made short-splice butts before I stopped.

You can get results that are very good, if you are willing to put in the time. Tapering by hand isn't hard, it just takes a lot of measuring. I would probably set up a tracing jig, were I to do it again.

I will answer questions via PM only.
 
GrizzlyThunder said:
By hand meaning less machines doing the work as possible. Ex. Using planes, knife, basic lathe. Instead of a huge machine lather that is doing the work while you guide it.









Yes as close to that as possible possible more hand tools.
Click to expand...

Jim McDermott had samples of cues from around the world in his office....
...he found it hard to believe that snooker players tended to play with cues that weren't
round....the world doesn't need any more cues that aren't symmetrical.
Buy a decent lathe.
 
Whittle me out one!

Whittle us out one! Post some pics. Somebody will buy it.
 
GrizzlyThunder said:
By hand meaning less machines doing the work as possible. Ex. Using planes, knife, basic lathe. Instead of a huge machine lather that is doing the work while you guide it.



Yes as close to that as possible possible more hand tools.
Click to expand...

Many hobbyist makers do what you are saying.

But stop calling them hand made cues. It invites ridicule.

It is such an ambiguous term anyway. In addition, it is a Joss line of cues. :wink:

With a basic cue lathe and instruction/guidance many produce simple sneaky petes and/or cues from blanks.

You can even do splices and inlays with basic tools if you are really dedicated.

.
 
If "by hand" you mean only handtools. No ofcourse not, and I dont see why that would be a good thing.
But even with lathes, it's still manual labour, so I would still say handbuilt.
 
Kim Bye said:
If "by hand" you mean only handtools. No ofcourse not, and I dont see why that would be a good thing.
But even with lathes, it's still manual labour, so I would still say handbuilt.
Click to expand...
No use of CNC for inlays would qualify for done by hand.
No auto templates for tapers.
No auto cut lathes.

Other wise "All" cues are made by someone's hands at some point.
 
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mchnhed said:
No use of CNC for inlays would qualify for done by hand.
No auto templates for tapers.
No auto cut lathes.

Other wise "All" cues are made by someone's hands at some point.
Click to expand...

Good luck with that.
You must like sanding sanding waves in your shafts.


What's an auto-cut lathe ?

SW has saw machines with taper templates for their butts and shafts.
Are they not hand made ?
 
JoeyInCali said:
Good luck with that.
You must like sanding sanding waves in your shafts.


What's an auto-cut lathe ?

SW has saw machines with taper templates for their butts and shafts.
Are they not hand made ?
Click to expand...



Hah ya this is always funny to me
Cnc is a machine like a manual lathe is


What, do they taper the shaft and butt by simultaneously turning both cross slides in x and z, one in each hand, all the way the length by hand? Doubt it
Really do

Speaking from being machinist and programmer for 10yrs
All CNC , Mills lathe and swiss machinery

Everything becomes machizmo contest
Who gives a damn what machine it was made with
 
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beneath_the_sur said:
Hah ya this is always funny to me
Cnc is a machine like a manual lathe is

What, do they taper the shaft and butt by simultaneously turning both cross slides in x and z, one in each hand, all the way the length by hand?
Doubt it
Really do.
More basic than that.
Your complicating things.
Rely less on the use of a machine.
Check the videos.

Speaking from being machinist and programmer for 10yrs
All CNC , Mills lathe and swiss machinery
Programming?


Everything becomes machizmo contest
Who gives a damn what machine it was made with.
I'll bet you will say different once you watch the videos.
Click to expand...
Yes, a totally manual wood lathe. More like a spindle.
What is a "cross slide"?
X and Y? (Just Kidding)
Check out the videos.
https://youtu.be/sJ9Gqiu-XRk

https://youtu.be/AV1iTTMKGqQ
 
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The Amish could probably dove tail together a cue
in the time it takes a buggy to travel 2 miles!
I've seen a couple unique handle splice styles,
but all of them made using machinery.
Would be interesting to see how consistent the measurements would be throughout an entirely handmade
cue without aid of electronics.
 
We are all too dependent on robots (machines/computers) to do our chores.
The Matrix is all around us.
Most people today can't remove four screws without using a cordless drill.

Franky4Eyes said:
The Amish could probably dove tail together a cue
in the time it takes a buggy to travel 2 miles!
I've seen a couple unique handle splice styles,
but all of them made using machinery.
Would be interesting to see how consistent the measurements would be throughout an entirely handmade
cue without aid of electronics.
Click to expand...
 
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