My first tip install

SSDiver2112

Escott Cues
Well the scary part is over. I am relieved and happy with the results of my first tip install. I hope I'm not being delusional, but I think it came out pretty well. Then again maybe I am about to get roasted.

I had a Kamui Clear Black tip. I have been happy with its general performance, but it keeps glazing over. It gets smooth as a baby's ass really fast. I finally got tired of the constant shaping and scuffing and decided to try a different tip. I ordered a couple of Thoroughbred Medium tips which came today. I got a second just in case I screwed up the first install. Fortunately all seems to have gone well, and I have a spare for the future. I like the look of the clear pad so I decided to keep it on.

I'll update later on how the tip performs after I play a few, but my first install using my DIY lathe seems to have gone well.


IMG_0987.JPG


IMG_0988 (Custom).JPG


IMG_0992.JPG


7CC21E2F-B1F5-4B9F-93A4-CBF19A917095.jpeg
 
Last edited:

WildWing

Super Gun Mod
Silver Member
I have a feeling your ferrule is a good deal smaller than the shaft, by the look of it, and probably by the amount of sanding you've done. I would go easy on that ferrule, though it will last for some time.

All the best,
WW
 

SSDiver2112

Escott Cues
Kool stuff
I enjoy doing my own as well just got mine set-up for tips also
Thanks Texas,
I'm using my homemade lathe right now. It works well enough for maintenance and now tip install. Now that I am using it, I see how I would design it differently if I ever did it again. Rather than investing in adapting mine, I am leaning more towards getting a real one. I'm floating between one like yours or a Mid-American cue lathe.
 

SSDiver2112

Escott Cues
I have a feeling your ferrule is a good deal smaller than the shaft, by the look of it, and probably by the amount of sanding you've done. I would go easy on that ferrule, though it will last for some time.

All the best,
WW

Thanks for the feedback.
I didn't sand the ferrule at all. I actually wrapped it with painter's tape to protect it because I didn't trust myself enough.

IMG_0986.png
 

SSDiver2112

Escott Cues
Good job! Use a little automotive wax and a strip of leather to burnish the sides and you'll be off and running. Let me know what you think of the tip.

Kelly
Owner of Thoroughbred Tips

Thank you. I appreciate your quick service. The tip looks great, can’t wait to try it out.

I did use Mako tip sealer wax. I don’t have a real piece of leather yet, so I just used my Q-Wiz. Do you think I should burnish it more?
 

garczar

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Thank you. I appreciate your quick service. The tip looks great, can’t wait to try it out.

I did use Mako tip sealer wax. I don’t have a real piece of leather yet, so I just used my Q-Wiz. Do you think I should burnish it more?
I know that's a real close-up but i'd buff the sides a bit more. Looks great overall. I love my T-bred tip.
 

SSDiver2112

Escott Cues
I know that's a real close-up but i'd buff the sides a bit more. Looks great overall. I love my T-bred tip.
Ok after melting my Q-Wiz, I found a real piece of leather and tried again. I replaced the last picture in the original post with an updated one.
 

gutshot

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Q-wiz is fine or even a paper towel. The reason I use leather is because it doesn't get the tip hot like a paper towel or dollar bill. I usually burnish it until the leather is shiny. Also, I typically cut the tip down to 4 layers showing on the sides. It's just personal preference, but I like the tip a little shorter to help prevent mushrooming. No sure why because I use a Medium Hard and they rarely mushroom. :ROFLMAO:
 

garczar

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Q-wiz is fine or even a paper towel. The reason I use leather is because it doesn't get the tip hot like a paper towel or dollar bill. I usually burnish it until the leather is shiny. Also, I typically cut the tip down to 4 layers showing on the sides. It's just personal preference, but I like the tip a little shorter to help prevent mushrooming. No sure why because I use a Medium Hard and they rarely mushroom. :ROFLMAO:
My favorite tip on my Mezz is the med/hrd.
 

SSDiver2112

Escott Cues
Q-wiz is fine or even a paper towel. The reason I use leather is because it doesn't get the tip hot like a paper towel or dollar bill. I usually burnish it until the leather is shiny. Also, I typically cut the tip down to 4 layers showing on the sides. It's just personal preference, but I like the tip a little shorter to help prevent mushrooming. No sure why because I use a Medium Hard and they rarely mushroom. :ROFLMAO:

Maybe I squeezed it too hard, but it actually melted it off. The real leather worked good.

B318F030-46B0-4F80-BD95-01D4715DCF7C.jpeg
 

ShootingArts

Smorg is giving St Peter the 7!
Gold Member
Silver Member
A side note. That is a nice clean looking build on the lathe. You can probably get back full cost of the materials, maybe a bit more, if you decide to buy something else. Then again, you might build something else after what you learned to suit you then sell this one.

Hu
 

SSDiver2112

Escott Cues
Well... I just got home from trying out my newly installed Thoroughbred tip.

I thought it would be simple. Sunday is free pool, so why not go shoot a few racks and see how it feels? I walk in and find out they just started a locals tournament. I sign up, pay the entrance fee, get a beer, start watching the matches, and also start worrying how I will shoot with a new untried tip when it's my turn.

My match comes up and I'm playing an older gentleman that I later learn is nicknamed "The Assassin". I managed to make a couple, but that was it and I lost miserably. As I sat back down to cry in my beer, I began to think back on my bad shots. I made a kick shot that went wildly off course, and miscued giving ball him in hand. I first started to blame the tip of course. Then I started thinking about it. The kick went wild because the left I put on it really took hold more than I was used to. The miss cue was my fault because I was stretched out over the table and not comfortable, I should have used the bridge. The second game I won, and the third I lost because he put me behind his ball and I couldn't get to the eight.

I was starting to have doubts and beginning to wonder if I made a mistake with this tip. Once the tournament was over, and I could just get on the table and knock the balls around, I really got some better feedback on this tip.

I really believe I have a winner here!

I realized the ball was actually going where I was aiming, and when I used English it was spinning way more than before. It worked before, but now it was dramatically working. So much that I realized that was why I had some problems in the tournament. I was over doing it with my other tip just to get a little action, and with this tip it was amplifying the top, bottom, left, or right I put on it.

I know it was just one night, but I am feeling really positive about this tip's performance. I will update if things change, but right now I am giving this tip a giant thumbs up!
 
Last edited:

gutshot

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Well... I just got home from trying out my newly installed Thoroughbred tip.

I thought it would be simple. Sunday is free pool, so why not go shoot a few racks and see how it feels? I walk in and find out they just started a locals tournament. I sign up, pay the entrance fee, get a beer, start watching the matches, and also start worrying how I will shoot with a new untried tip when it's my turn.

My match comes up and I'm playing an older gentleman that I later learn is nicknamed "The Assassin". I managed to make a couple, but that was it and I lost miserably. As I sat back down to cry in my beer, I began to think back on my bad shots. I made a kick shot that went wildly off course, and miscued giving ball him in hand. I first started to blame the tip of course. Then I started thinking about it. The kick went wild because the left I put on it really took hold more than I was used to. The miss cue was my fault because I was stretched out over the table and not comfortable, I should have used the bridge. The second game I won, and the third I lost because he put me behind his ball and I couldn't get to the eight.

I was starting to have doubts and beginning to wonder if I made a mistake with this tip. Once the tournament was over, and I could just get on the table and knock the balls around, I really got some better feedback on this tip.

I really believe I have a winner here!

I realized the ball was actually going where I was aiming, and when I used English it was spinning way more than before. It worked before, but now it was dramatically working. So much that I realized that was why I had some problems in the tournament. I was over doing it with my other tip just to get a little action, and with this tip it was amplifying the top, bottom, left, or right I put on it.

I know it was just one night, but I am feeling really positive about this tip's performance. I will update if things change, but right now I am giving this tip a giant thumbs up!
My advice to players new to the Thoroughbred tips is if you are normally used to using 2 tips of english on a shot, only use 1 tip of english to start. Most of the time that is all you will need. The only times I miscue is due to a poor stroke, stretched out or not chalking for several racks. Don't think about the tip, think about the shot. ;)
 
Top