Porper vs. Cuesmith

opiesbro

opiesbro

Big Al Customs
Silver Member
I am looking to buy some new equipment to expand my cue shop. Currently we are using a mid size cuesmith along with a wood lathe (for turning down the blanks). My plan is to, like Meucci, make all my joints standard so that I do not have to have the butt to make a replacement shaft. With my experience of the mid size lathe I don't think that it is repeatable enough to do this. Since I am working in manufacturing I am use to holding tight tolerances on a larger metal lathe. I like the design of the Porper model B lathe because it is set up more like a metal lathe. However it almost $1400 more. I would like to not burn up all my capital to get this expansion done that way in the near future I can purchase a CNC saw cutter. So I guess to get to my point is the porper worth the extra $1400 or will the Deluxe cuesmith hold the tolerances that I want?
 
I think I would take a look at Sanding Arbors first, Lee has some nice one's that I am going to purchase in the future http://www.briannaproducts.com/ I think it would be hard to have that kind or repeatability on any lathe, it only takes a couple thousands and your off center. At least with the sanding arbors when you screw that shaft on it the outer circumference should be on center with your threads. Of course your buts must be done with the same technique as the shaft. That is just my opinion.. Their is better cue makers then me out their hope they can give their feed back. I would like to hear their opinion too. Good Luck!
 
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Alright I see the reasons for using the sanding arbors and will be aquiring some myself. So with that out of the way back to my first question about the lathes. Which is the better lathe for a long term investment for a multi tasking machine?
 
opiesbro said:
Alright I see the reasons for using the sanding arbors and will be aquiring some myself. So with that out of the way back to my first question about the lathes. Which is the better lathe for a long term investment for a multi tasking machine?
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There's not a lot of talk on this forum about the Porper. There are a few on here who use them being Mike Webb, The Rat, Manwon and I believe Eric crisp and I think Eric also has a Hightower which seems to be the most popular on this forum.
As far as interchangeable shafts you need to use GOOD carbide sanding mandrels and don't expect all that are sold to have the same pedigree and to get the most accuracy out of them don't use them in your chuck but run them on a revolving dead center on your tail stock. It runs much truer than any chuck and It hurts nothing if your butt cap runs a .001 or .002 out of dead nuts from your chuck being out but the joint and shaft are much more critical.

Dick
 
rhncue said:
There's not a lot of talk on this forum about the Porper. There are a few on here who use them being Mike Webb, The Rat, Manwon and I believe Eric crisp and I think Eric also has a Hightower which seems to be the most popular on this forum.
As far as interchangeable shafts you need to use GOOD carbide sanding mandrels and don't expect all that are sold to have the same pedigree and to get the most accuracy out of them don't use them in your chuck but run them on a revolving dead center on your tail stock. It runs much truer than any chuck and It hurts nothing if your butt cap runs a .001 or .002 out of dead nuts from your chuck being out but the joint and shaft are much more critical.

Dick
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Dick, I have never tried that myself but it certainly makes allot of sense to me personally. This is what I love about this site, being self taught and a new comer to cue building I learn something new every day here.

Thanks Dick
 
opiesbro said:
I am looking to buy some new equipment to expand my cue shop. Currently we are using a mid size cuesmith along with a wood lathe (for turning down the blanks). My plan is to, like Meucci, make all my joints standard so that I do not have to have the butt to make a replacement shaft. With my experience of the mid size lathe I don't think that it is repeatable enough to do this. Since I am working in manufacturing I am use to holding tight tolerances on a larger metal lathe. I like the design of the Porper model B lathe because it is set up more like a metal lathe. However it almost $1400 more. I would like to not burn up all my capital to get this expansion done that way in the near future I can purchase a CNC saw cutter. So I guess to get to my point is the porper worth the extra $1400 or will the Deluxe cuesmith hold the tolerances that I want?
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My knowledge of the Cuesmith is limited, but I own a Porper B and I love my machine. I would say this, with what you have you are already able to taper your butts using your Cuesmith, so if money is an issue why not buy a full size Metal Lathe? You can buy an import machine like a Jet or a Grizzly for the less than a porper.
 
lathe

manwon said:
My knowledge of the Cuesmith is limited, but I own a Porper B and I love my machine. I would say this, with what you have you are already able to taper your butts using your Cuesmith, so if money is an issue why not buy a full size Metal Lathe? You can buy an import machine like a Jet or a Grizzly for the less than a porper.
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I suggest the deluxe because of replacement parts,upgrades and unmatched customer support. But if you want a metal lathe, try the enco at $2200..Its an import just like jet or grizzly, but a whole bunch cheaper. they also stock replacement parts..

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=510-2585&PMPXNO=9033435&PARTPG=INLMK3
 
opiesbro said:
I am looking to buy some new equipment to expand my cue shop. Currently we are using a mid size cuesmith along with a wood lathe (for turning down the blanks). My plan is to, like Meucci, make all my joints standard so that I do not have to have the butt to make a replacement shaft. With my experience of the mid size lathe I don't think that it is repeatable enough to do this. Since I am working in manufacturing I am use to holding tight tolerances on a larger metal lathe. I like the design of the Porper model B lathe because it is set up more like a metal lathe. However it almost $1400 more. I would like to not burn up all my capital to get this expansion done that way in the near future I can purchase a CNC saw cutter. So I guess to get to my point is the porper worth the extra $1400 or will the Deluxe cuesmith hold the tolerances that I want?
Click to expand...

Both machines are good. as is a metal lathe. What ever you get invest in a dail indicator or two and practice with it.
 
I have 3 Porpers that are about 15 years old. A great machine. Joe is only a phone call away, if you need help. I also have a Hightower mid sized. It too is a great lathe. Take your pick, you can't go wrong...JER
 
I have a Porper, Cuesmith Deluxe and a 12 x 36 Metal lathe. If was to start buying eqipment today, #1 would be 13 x 40 metal lathe, #2 Cuesmith, #3 Porper. Each has their strengths and weaknesses.
IMO Porper should have used an Acme thread lead screw for reliable autofeed. Otherwise a comfortable unit for tip and repair work. I don't use for any tapering or autofeed work.
The double chuck headstock on the Cuesmith is a plus and comes in handy in many instances. Also an easy lathe to keep clean and working reliably with messy work. Overall, a more versatile machine than the Porper IMO.
Metal lathe has horsepower the others don't. More tooling options, although generally more expensive. Use for all turning and tapering.
I will say that having multiple machines allows for setting up "stations" rather than retooling for each task. Took me a number of years to gather these.
I'd also suggest looking at the new lathe from Brianna.
Happy shopping.
 
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