Oops!!!

[SKUNKBOY]

While reading the 'Linen Cleaning' thread, there was mention of something 'bad' happening to a cue that the cue maker was working on...someone elses cue to boot. Made me think...

What was the biggest OOPS that has happened to you while working on someone elses cue? And how did you remedy the situation?

I had a bad experience once. I was replacing a wrap on a cue...a PLAYER cue. I wrapped the ends of the finished butt and forearm with blue painters tape just to protect the finish. After I finished the wrap, I pulled the tape off the cue and low and behold, the finish on the butt came up with the tape. Man was I PO'd.

It was obviously just painted but I doubt there was any primer on the wood before the finish paint was applied. There was no way for me to try to match and patch what was pulled off as it included some of the decal on the butt. I talked to the owner and explained the situation. He insisted that it was a very expensive cue (well, I guess $100 is expensive to some people). I could only laugh to myself because if the bussinessman/client relationship here.

We areed that I could strip the rest of the butt and refinish with some black enamal paint as was on the cue to start with. I did so and gave the cue back to the client, refinish and wrap free of charge. I only hope he doesn't come back again with that cue.

Now, when I get any ACTION cue, I give the owner a warning, tell of this situation and advise them that I will not be responsible if the finish comes off during normal work proceedures. They usually understand as they usually know the value and quality of the cue.

L8R...Ken

 

[Blue Hog ridr]

My biggest mistake so far was trying to do a friend a favor and put a tip on a Molson Canadian (beer for those of you who are not beer fanciers) promo cue. Ferrule came off, wrap unraveled etc. Sometimes it costs more to do a favor than its worth if you know what I mean.

Cleaning a wrap on one of my cues. Actualy, it was the first wrap I cleaned so it was practice. Lathe was spinning much too fast and I gripped the press much too hard. It quickly went from the smell of wet linen drying (which is quite pleasant) to the smell of burning linen in no time flat. With that one, I was also able to put on my first wrap too so all was not lost. Came out pretty good for a first timer.

 

[cueman]

Working on my own cue I broke a shaft in two the first time I ever worked on a lathe. I once gouged a friends shaft right behind the ferrule in my first few months of working on cues. To remedy it he had me turn his shaft down to about 11 mm. He loved it, so it worked out okay. But that is not the end of the story. About 15 years later I went to shoot pool with him and someone asked him how small his shaft was. Wait until you hear his reply:
He tells them it is about 11mm and that I am an awesome cuemaker, but I messed his shaft up and turned it down to 11mm to fix the problem. He never tells the person it was 15 years earlier or anything. And to top it all off he thought he was helping me try to get business, by telling them how awesome of a cuemaker I am. He pawned the cue to me and I am tempted to not let him have it back. :smile: