OB-1 shaft...

shoutout33

shoutout33

"The Emperor"
Silver Member
Wasn't really sure, where I should ask this question, so who else better to ask, than a cuemaker? What need to know, is what cleaner and condtioner, would be best, for taking care of an OB-1 shaft. I spoke to Royce about this, and he said, that if you use a solvent based cleaner, you need to re-seal or condition, the shaft again. What's the best one-two punch for this shaft or does it even matter, as long as you do both? Thanks in advance.
 
I have been using denatured alcohol to clean the shaft (sometimes with a Magic Eraser if it hasn't been cleaned in a while) and 1000 and 2000 grit sand paper to seal, then a final burnish with a piece of leather. Occasionally I'll use slipstic, but don't really need it most of the time. Only thing you really have to be careful of is not to apply too much friction and heat the shaft up too much. For the most part, I clean and condition it the same as I would a conventional shaft.
 
OB-1's from what I am told are coated with a product called cue-Kote. It is handled by a local guy here in Greensboro. He recommends using a damp paper towel to clean and then dry with the same only dry.

Again this is only what I have been told, but that is all I have used on my OB shaft and have not had any issues
 
Based on approximately 4 to 6 times a year that your shaft will need to be cleaned, why not take it to a professional and have it done correctly? You would only be spending about $60 a year and in my opinion, it is money well spent. That way, you know it is being treated the proper way and if anything happens to it, you are covered.

Between cleanings, you would only need to maintain the shaft by wiping it and your hands periodically during play and immediately before putting your cue in your case.

With the cost of the OB-1, I'm not too sure you want to chance not doing the job correctly.

Gene
 
Try Bowling Alley Wax found at most hardware stores...does it all in one step...clean/seals/slicks...perfect for at home/no lathe people.;)
 
Cuedog said:
Based on approximately 4 to 6 times a year that your shaft will need to be cleaned, why not take it to a professional and have it done correctly? You would only be spending about $60 a year and in my opinion, it is money well spent. That way, you know it is being treated the proper way and if anything happens to it, you are covered.

Between cleanings, you would only need to maintain the shaft by wiping it and your hands periodically during play and immediately before putting your cue in your case.

With the cost of the OB-1, I'm not too sure you want to chance not doing the job correctly.

Gene
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Cuedog,

I trully appreciate the reply, but what if one doesn't have access, to a pro? They would need to know how to maintain it to the best of their ability, until the were able to find one. That is my question.
 
Varney Cues said:
Try Bowling Alley Wax found at most hardware stores...does it all in one step...clean/seals/slicks...perfect for at home/no lathe people.;)
Click to expand...

Have you tried this technique on an OB-1 shaft? Or are you saying this in general?
 
roddyc said:
I have been using denatured alcohol to clean the shaft (sometimes with a Magic Eraser if it hasn't been cleaned in a while) and 1000 and 2000 grit sand paper to seal, then a final burnish with a piece of leather. Occasionally I'll use slipstic, but don't really need it most of the time. Only thing you really have to be careful of is not to apply too much friction and heat the shaft up too much. For the most part, I clean and condition it the same as I would a conventional shaft.
Click to expand...

This is probably a silly question, but how does using fine grit sand paper, seal a shaft back to the way it was? While your at it, what does burnishing do for the shaft too?
 
shoutout33 said:
This is probably a silly question, but how does using fine grit sand paper, seal a shaft back to the way it was? While your at it, what does burnishing do for the shaft too?
Click to expand...

Sanding a shaft does not seal a shaft but actually unseals it. When a shaft has been sanded down thru the finest grades it should be burnished and sealed. After sanding there are thousands of pores in the wood open and hollow. The smoother a surface, the slicker it becomes. Both burnishing and sealing fills or closes these pores making it smoother. A sealer is used to fill. It can be thinned lacquer, shellac, vanish, wax or a number of other substances. The thing is that most sealers put a drag on the shaft so you only want it in the pores and not actually on the surface of the shaft. Burnishing a shaft squeezes the surface so as to close the pores some and making the surface harder. A lathe or some way of spinning the shaft is needed to perform both sealing and burnishing properly.

Dick
 
shoutout33 said:
Cuedog,

I trully appreciate the reply, but what if one doesn't have access, to a pro? They would need to know how to maintain it to the best of their ability, until the were able to find one. That is my question.
Click to expand...
You are absolutely correct Shoutout33. After I posted, I looked back at your original post and saw that you had not eluded to having a repairman/cuemaker in your area, just to having been given some direction by Royce. I assumed you had been given advice by a local repairman until I read it again.

Gene
 
Varney Cues said:
Try Bowling Alley Wax found at most hardware stores...does it all in one step...clean/seals/slicks...perfect for at home/no lathe people.;)
Click to expand...

I don't think that wax should be put on any shaft. It has a tendency to attract dirt and make it worse than ever. A good sealer should be used so that the shaft wood is sealed not gummed up. Some jobs are not intended to be accomplished at home with no equipment. If you like your cue , take it to a pro.

Good Cuemaking,
 
Arnot Wadsworth said:
I don't think that wax b e put on any shaft. It has a tendency to attract dirt and make it worse than ever. A good sealer should be used so that the shaft wood is sealed not gummed up. Some jobs are not intended to be accomplished at home with no equipment. If you like your cue , take it to a pro.

Good Cuemaking,
Click to expand...

Hey Arnot! I understand that the best thing to do, would be to take the shaft to a pro; however, as I originally explained to Cuedog, what if one DOES NOT, have that option? There are a lot of products out there, not to mention some old school ways of doing this. I would like to know, what over-the-counter products would you all recommend for cleaning and sealing, the OB-1 shaft...specifically. Thanks again for all of your help.
 
shoutout33 said:
Hey Arnot! I understand that the best thing to do, would be to take the shaft to a pro; however, as I originally explained to Cuedog, what if one DOES NOT, have that option? There are a lot of products out there, not to mention some old school ways of doing this. I would like to know, what over-the-counter products would you all recommend for cleaning and sealing, the OB-1 shaft...specifically. Thanks again for all of your help.
Click to expand...

Then send it to a pro :)

Good Cuemaking
 
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