Perils of leaving your cue in the car?

Its big rapid swings in humidity levels that causes the biggest problems.
-No judgments on how to best manage your possessions- everyone is different

-Best advice if you are leaving it in the car is to get a case as air tight as possible so that the swings in humidity are slowed down in the case. Try a case like- Ron Thomas.

P.S. I leave my cue in the car all the time, its a very simple BB and its been there for 10 years, and it's holding up great.
 
Cues in the car

Yes, always avoid leaving stick in car. Hot or cold can effect stick tremendously. However sometimes you just have to do what you have to do. I went pheasant hunting in Kansas one time for three days and didn't realise my stick was in my truck with coats and overhauls and God knows what else laying on top of my stick. Go to bar, pull stick out to start game and whop whop whop goes the stick. Freaked me out. Short story, the damm thing straightened out.?!?! Had a handmade by me leather (heavy cowhide) case with sheepwool lining that would keep a stick very nice in all kinds of weather as long as you didn't leave it for days. I would say one day or night in a good case laying down properly would not effect a stick. Anytime you can treat your stick just like your favorite hunting dog. My biggest worry would always be theft. I can't tell you how many times I took my stick to the bathroom with me in (certain types of bars). Anybody else go peeing with their stick?
 
Trent said:
im in the army and drive an hour to work and back i have less than 6 days off a month, 3.5 kids and a stay at home wife aswell and somehow with my longer drive and i guarentee more work hours between PT and office time i manage to build pool cues and bring them into the office with me when i take them in the car.

so yes if you dont carry your cues into the office from your car i think thats lazy as shit, or maybe your embarassed to carry in your cues???

if your worried about someone stealing them im sure they wont as a big ass case on someone elses back is kinda noticeable.

so please dont lecture me about time restraints, and how that makes it so you cant take care of your possessions.

im in the same boat, and manage to bring everything in sometimes 3-4, 3x5 or 4x8 cases in at a time!!


but then again ignorance is bliss.
Click to expand...

Turn it down a notch, shell shock. You can do whatever you want with your cue. Nobody's gonna take it from you, sweethart.

Embarassed ? Seriously, bro... grow up.
 
Last edited:
Trent said:
im in the army and drive an hour to work and back i have less than 6 days off a month, 3.5 kids and a stay at home wife aswell and somehow with my longer drive and i guarentee more work hours between PT and office time i manage to build pool cues and bring them into the office with me when i take them in the car.

so yes if you dont carry your cues into the office from your car i think thats lazy as shit, or maybe your embarassed to carry in your cues???

if your worried about someone stealing them im sure they wont as a big ass case on someone elses back is kinda noticeable.

so please dont lecture me about time restraints, and how that makes it so you cant take care of your possessions.

im in the same boat, and manage to bring everything in sometimes 3-4, 3x5 or 4x8 cases in at a time!!


but then again ignorance is bliss.
Click to expand...

I'm not gonna turn this into a pissing match. You can think I'm lazy, and unworthy of your fine craftsmanship. You never did answer if you treat all of your customers to the same requirements you have of me, i.e. they must bring the cue in everywhere they go else their not worthy of your fine product. You do ask them abut that, right? Since you feel so strongly about it... and you'd never sell me a cue knowing I might not take it inside every time.

Fortunately, most everyone else is willing to try and give me helpful advice, for which I am quite grateful.

And lastly, I sincerely thank you for your service to our country.
 
Island Drive said:
One big concern and I've not read all the posts, is the constant bouncing around of equipment in the trunk as you drive. I've had a cue wrap get cut internally from the case with the constant bouncing (600 mile one way road trip). On another note, I've always thought a Cuetec Cue was the perfect ''trunk cue'' as its made in such a way as to probably never warp, but the in trunk is a crap shoot. Even on long road trips I prefer to have cue in vehicle with temperatures I can trust.
Click to expand...

Once again I'd like to take the opportunity to advertise my solution to this problem, and it is a problem.

Padding, and plenty of it;

2x5-3x4.jpg

main.php

main.php


www.jbcases.com/protection.html

www.jbcases.com

www.sterlingcuecases.com

Some of the material that I see in my competitor's cases is stuff you don't want your cue sliding and bouncing on.
 
breakshot said:
Its big rapid swings in humidity levels that causes the biggest problems.
-No judgments on how to best manage your possessions- everyone is different

-Best advice if you are leaving it in the car is to get a case as air tight as possible so that the swings in humidity are slowed down in the case. Try a case like- Ron Thomas.

P.S. I leave my cue in the car all the time, its a very simple BB and its been there for 10 years, and it's holding up great.
Click to expand...

Or a case like, GTF
 
john,
how about building a humidity & climate controlled case
please include a veryyyyyy long extension cord with it :thumbup2:
 
justadub said:
Hey gang, looking for real-world advice.



Nothing is forever.If it looses it`s shape or falls apart you buy a another brand new cue.It is that simple.
I have been keeping my cues in the car trunk for more than 20 years. and I kept them in the trunk even when I lived in Mississippi and Michigan.Nothing happened.One time my son droped the cue in the swimming pool.After few days when I found about it It had green fungus on the stick.I wiped it off with paper towel and played with that cue.It played all right.It was still good.
It does not make a difference even if it warps because I can`t beat even my grand ma with a brand new cue.
:cool
Click to expand...
 
I bought a new Jerry Oliver cue in May 2002 and since then it was left in the trunk of a Black colored Infiniti.Mind you,black color absorbs the sunlight and the trunk gets more hotter than a white car.I live in Las Vegas.My stick is still doing fine!!!Even the cue maker Jerry Could not blieve it.
 
vagabond said:
I bought a new Jerry Oliver cue in May 2002 and since then it was left in the trunk of a Black colored Infiniti.Mind you,black color absorbs the sunlight and the trunk gets more hotter than a white car.I live in Las Vegas.My stick is still doing fine!!!Even the cue maker Jerry Could not blieve it.
Click to expand...

Thanks. These are some of the real world experiences I was looking for.

I was looking for either A) these sorts of experiences, or

B) experiences from cue-makers who might have tested these sorts of things. I guess I'm kind of surprised I haven't seen more responses from this perspective, given the vast scientific and engineering data we receive on any number of other subjects. But hey, I have seen many very good responses, with very good advice.

I fully realize there is a point to the warnings about leaving cues in cars. I fully realize that it could lead to some very unwelcome changes to the wood. I also know that blanket warnings can be rather all-encompassing, and when you look further into it, you can get greater perspective on what one can expect. So please don't take it as though I'm merely searching for an answer that I like, in order to ignore the warnings. I'm simply trying to get a feel for what others have experienced, in order to decide how I want to go forward.

That, and it is interesting in general.

Thanks again, everyone. I really appreciate it. Hopefully {crosses fingers} I get my cue today! :grin:
 
Last edited:
I've left my cues on the floor in the back seat...

I've brought them into work with me...

I've even left my cues in the trunk...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

A few years ago, during the winter months, I bought a cue with a 314 shaft on ebay (to use as a break cue). It arrived at my house about an hour and a half before league started that night.
I put it together and hit a few balls with it (on the home table). Smooth shaft, and the weight felt pretty good. Packed it in my case and off I went.
I got to the bar (it's a traveling bar league) that's 45 minutes away, put this cue together cold, stroked it a few times, and broke the rack (hey, I was excited).

The balls spread pretty good.

So did the seams on the shaft. You could feel all ten seams of the pie-shaped wedges. It was unreal...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

For me, that would be the only caveat to leaving them in the car, is that they'll be cold when they get to where you're going.

To try and draw an analogy ? Imagine getting decompression sickness ('the bends') from surfacing too fast following a deep sea dive (and I wouldn't wish THAT on anyone either).

My suggestion ? If you have to leave them in the car, get to the bar/poolhall at least 30 minutes before the match starts, which gives the cues a chance to acclimate themselves to the temperatures at that venue.

You'll be glad you did...
 
Last edited:
Lance Link said:
I've left my cues on the floor in the back seat...

I've brought them into work with me...

I've even left my cues in the trunk...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

A few years ago, during the winter months, I bought a cue with a 314 shaft on ebay (to use as a break cue). It arrived at my house about an hour and a half before league started that night.
I put it together and hit a few balls with it (on the home table). Smooth shaft, and the weight felt pretty good. Packed it in my case and off I went.
I got to the bar (it's a traveling bar league) that's 45 minutes away, put this cue together cold, stroked it a few times, and broke the rack (hey, I was excited).

The balls spread pretty good.

So did the seams on the shaft. You could feel all ten seams of the pie-shaped wedges. It was unreal...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

For me, that would be the only caveat to leaving them in the car, is that they'll be cold when they get to where you're going.

To try and draw an analogy ? Imagine getting decompression sickness ('the bends') from surfacing too fast following a deep sea dive (and I wouldn't wish THAT on anyone either).

My suggestion ? If you have to leave them in the car, get to the bar/poolhall at least 30 minutes before the match starts, which gives the cues a chance to acclimate themselves to the temperatures at that venue.

You'll be glad you did...
Click to expand...

Very good points.

Your post put a thought into my head. (I realize it must be lonely in there, heh.) Other than custom-built cues that are hand delivered, how do people get their new cues? I assume they have been shipped via some sort of carrier, UPS, FedEx, USPS, etc. Those trucks aren't climate controlled. I'll expect many cues are in those trucks for many days. So why aren't cues spontaneously warping in shipping?

I think the concept of bringing it up to room temp before playing has a great deal of merit.

Interesting.

Thanks again.
 
justadub said:
Very good points.

Your post put a thought into my head. (I realize it must be lonely in there, heh.) Other than custom-built cues that are hand delivered, how do people get their new cues? I assume they have been shipped via some sort of carrier, UPS, FedEx, USPS, etc. Those trucks aren't climate controlled. I'll expect many cues are in those trucks for many days. So why aren't cues spontaneously warping in shipping?

I think the concept of bringing it up to room temp before playing has a great deal of merit.

Interesting.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Um...when ever I have a cue shipped, to and fro, it goes Overnight, period. I used to work at FedEx Ground, and anyone shipping a cue this way is just asking for trouble. I used to work the damaged packages, and have seen the most well packed packages destroyed, or show up empty. And I won't even go into the the leaky trailers that have been sitting in the Hub yard over the weekend...open the trailer and easily half the packages are soaked from the rain.

Irregardless of all that, sounds like you had your mind made up from the start, and are just looking for justification for your decision. It's your cue, treat it as you wish.

Lisa
 
hi

Haven't read through all the posts, but just thought I'd add my $.02.....

I know your concern is about hot and cold temps....but suffice to say I've lost 3 cues on 2 separate break-ins of my trunk.........luckily they weren't very expensive cues.......something else to think about........
 
ridewiththewind said:
Um...when ever I have a cue shipped, to and fro, it goes Overnight, period. I used to work at FedEx Ground, and anyone shipping a cue this way is just asking for trouble. I used to work the damaged packages, and have seen the most well packed packages destroyed, or show up empty. And I won't even go into the the leaky trailers that have been sitting in the Hub yard over the weekend...open the trailer and easily half the packages are soaked from the rain.

Irregardless of all that, sounds like you had your mind made up from the start, and are just looking for justification for your decision. It's your cue, treat it as you wish.

Lisa
Click to expand...

On the contrary, I truly did not have my mind made up from the start. I'm sorry you get that impression. If anything, as a result of the discussions we've had in this thread I believe I will most likely be bringing my cue inside whenever possible, especially overnight. As far as bringing it into my workplace, I'm still undecided on how I'm going to handle that.

Regarding FedEx Ground, wow have I seen many of the things you describe. My company uses them for our primary carrier, and they sure can beat up a package. Of course, so can UPS, USPS and even FedEx Overnight. As you well know, the scope of how many packages they handle on a daily basis is HUGE. It's amazing as much stuff arrives properly as it's supposed to. My point to that is that any cue that is shipped from anywhere is in a truck (or the belly of a plane at altitude, again unlikely to be climate controlled) for a fair amount of time. It's my belief that if it's straight when it arrives, it ought to remain that way unless something strange occurs.

But then again, what do I know? That's the point of my questions, to try and "know" more.

Again, the responses are greatly appreciated.
(Looks like no cue for me today. Probably in the back of some truck somewhere. Yikes! :eek: :grin::o )
 
Very simple solution if you must leave cue in car. Just set the thermostat in car to 72 and leave car running all day.:grin-square:
 
midstroke said:
Very simple solution if you must leave cue in car. Just set the thermostat in car to 72 and leave car running all day.:grin-square:
Click to expand...

:rotflmao1:

Well, I guess I need to make up my mind. I just got notified my cue did actually come in this afternoon, and I'm set to pick it up in about 90 minutes. Yahoo! :grin:

{I know, I know, look at this noob going on and on about a couple hundred dollar McDermott. This is gonna have to be my big cue purchase for a while, and I'm thrilled. Thanks again for putting up with me, and for all the help.}
 
justadub said:
:rotflmao1:

Well, I guess I need to make up my mind. I just got notified my cue did actually come in this afternoon, and I'm set to pick it up in about 90 minutes. Yahoo! :grin:
Click to expand...

What model ? Or put up some pics tomorrow if you like.

I have a hunch you'll be breaking it in until then...
 
Last edited:
justadub said:
On the contrary, I truly did not have my mind made up from the start. I'm sorry you get that impression. If anything, as a result of the discussions we've had in this thread I believe I will most likely be bringing my cue inside whenever possible, especially overnight. As far as bringing it into my workplace, I'm still undecided on how I'm going to handle that.

Regarding FedEx Ground, wow have I seen many of the things you describe. My company uses them for our primary carrier, and they sure can beat up a package. Of course, so can UPS, USPS and even FedEx Overnight. As you well know, the scope of how many packages they handle on a daily basis is HUGE. It's amazing as much stuff arrives properly as it's supposed to. My point to that is that any cue that is shipped from anywhere is in a truck (or the belly of a plane at altitude, again unlikely to be climate controlled) for a fair amount of time. It's my belief that if it's straight when it arrives, it ought to remain that way unless something strange occurs.

But then again, what do I know? That's the point of my questions, to try and "know" more.

Again, the responses are greatly appreciated.
(Looks like no cue for me today. Probably in the back of some truck somewhere. Yikes! :eek: :grin::o )
Click to expand...

It wasn't my intent to come across as 'snarky'. It just seems like you really wanna be able to leave your cue in the car is all. Follow your gut...it's usually the right decision. Enjoy your new cue! Nothing really like getting a new cue. :grin:

Lisa
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top