My new Schmelke cues: pic heavy

Ched said:
I'm new here - so forgive me for not knowing the whole history. I got the impression he (Justin) dug himself a pretty deep hole by accepting a good cue at a really good price because he was "down on his luck" so to speak. Then a couple months later - SOLD the cue for a big profit. I guess he's had a hard time digging himself out of that hole.

Hopefully things can be worked out in time - people can change as they get older.

But ... back to Schmelke. I got a SP about a month ago - and while I'm very happy with the quality (especially the shaft) ... it does seem very butt heavy. I'm wondering if that's common with Schmelke in general. It's not that I mind it, in fact it reminds me of a few very nice house cues I used years ago. It's just that now-a-days, I tend to lean more towards a center-weighted cue.

(Those are some very sharp looking cues by the way)
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I recently purchased a schmelke and mine is not butt heavy at all, actually balanced. I'm not a cue professional by any means however, what I think will give you a better feelng cue is the type of wood you use for the forearm. The forearm on my schmelke is cocobola and I remember Dave telling me because it's a heavier wood it doesn't require any weight added to the butt, therefore giving it better balance. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. To the OP, I think your cue is very impressive, enjoy it!
 
Nine Miler said:
Justin is free to his opinion, and I respect that. He just has a dubious history with posts and cues and derailing threads. I welcome all comments 50/50. The point of posting my new cues is to provide insight to the community about the possibilities when ordering from Schmelke and to answer questions others might have that haven't yet embarked on a similar venture because they are still undecided. It is also to follow up from a previous thread where I commented to other posters that I was having a cue made and would post up when it was through. Easy peasy. ABC 123.
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I am sorry for replying again, but that just makes me really angry, when you say that I have a "dubious history with posts and cues and derailing threads", when in fact, it has always been others who have trolled and derailed my threads in the past. When ever I reply to a post (that is not from a thread that I created), I stick to the topic of the post. If my replies are derailing the topic of your OP, then please understand that I am only trying to defend myself. It just makes me so angry when people post things about me that are just not true. I should just stop reading this thread now. Sorry.
 
Slim Limpy said:
Ched posted:
But ... back to Schmelke. I got a SP about a month ago - and while I'm very happy with the quality (especially the shaft) ... it does seem very butt heavy. I'm wondering if that's common with Schmelke in general. It's not that I mind it, in fact it reminds me of a few very nice house cues I used years ago. It's just that now-a-days, I tend to lean more towards a center-weighted cue.


Mike81 posted:
I recently purchased a schmelke and mine is not butt heavy at all, actually balanced. I'm not a cue professional by any means however, what I think will give you a better feelng cue is the type of wood you use for the forearm. The forearm on my schmelke is cocobola and I remember Dave telling me because it's a heavier wood it doesn't require any weight added to the butt, therefore giving it better balance. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. To the OP, I think your cue is very impressive, enjoy it!
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I agree with Mike81’s analysis above. I have 4 Schmelke keepers, 3 are simple Sneakies, a couple with joint collars and butt caps and one with an added Hoppe ring, so all are plain old wood to wood joint type cues with steel pins, and one is an all 18.0 oz. maple breaker with a very stiff and heavy break taper at 13.25 mm (my Albino Ebony Breaker, as I like to call it) and it still balances out at 18.25 oz. and feels just like my shooting cues.

I have David help me design mine and all are between 18.25 and 18.75 inches for the balance point. All mine weigh between 17.8 and 18.25 ozs. Two are naturally weighted and two have weight bolts.

If yours has a weight bolt, Ched, then get a set of weight bolts from Schmelke and try different weights out. If you’re fastidious about the balance of your cues like I am, you can always cut the proper weight bolt down with a hacksaw to a specific weight, grind and finish the end like new with abrasive paper, and customize the weight and balance of your cue to your liking.
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Thank you for the input Slim ... I will look into it.
 
Cornerman said:
For those with 5/16-18 Schmelke joints, could you tell me the diameter of the joint?
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My plain Jane sneaky with 5/16x18 pin is .845. I ordered it with no set criteria when I first started playing again. All the cues I've had them make since then, I have them make at .840. I have to wait a little longer but I like the ability to change to about any aftermarket shaft.
 
HawaiianEye said:
Please post a picture of this one, along with the specs: weight, balance, etc. I am interested in making something similar with purpleheart and ebony and I am wondering about how the weight will come out.
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Will do....I got sidetracked this weekend.
 
20170327_181931_resized.jpg
Here are 2 of the cues I had Schmelke build for me. I dare say they did a damn good job :)
Striped Ebony and Birdseye
 
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Purpleheart into Ebony. Solid ivory buttcap and joint. I have 2 maple shafts for it with ivory ferrules.
 
poolfool1957 said:
View attachment 454466
Purpleheart into Ebony. Solid ivory buttcap and joint. I have 2 maple shafts for it with ivory ferrules.
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Was this made from a full-splice blank? I notice there are rings above and below the wrap, so I'm assuming it has a handle under the wrap. If so, what is the handle made of?

The reason I'm asking is because I'm wanting to make a cue from the same blank and leave it full-splice. Some people are telling me that it will be hard to keep the weight down.

What is the weight of your cue?
 
HawaiianEye said:
Was this made from a full-splice blank? I notice there are rings above and below the wrap, so I'm assuming it has a handle under the wrap. If so, what is the handle made of?

The reason I'm asking is because I'm wanting to make a cue from the same blank and leave it full-splice. Some people are telling me that it will be hard to keep the weight down.

What is the weight of your cue?
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Not gonna lie. I don't know what is under the wrap. I've had them do other purpleheart into ebony full splice cues with no wrap. They got them done for right around 19oz.
I prefer the ebony nose so the weight stays forward.
This one has a dead on 15oz butt. The aluminum pin helps.
So it was not my intention to hijack this thread.
I love the cues the OP posted up. Just wanted to share a couple more that Schmelke did from scratch.
Any more questions on my cues please make it a pm.
Thanks to the OP for letting me post these up :thumbup:
 
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