Proper way to use a tip-tool

javi2

javi2

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I asked this question on another thread...no luck. With the various tip-tools, picks and shapers out there I've seen many people do many different things. For example, when using a Willard shaper I've seen players put it on the floor and place an upside down cue on it and spin. :frown: (this can't be right!) I personally hold the Willard on top of the tip and turn the cue by hand. Is this correct? I've also seen players "tap" the tip with a "tip-pick" while other players "roll" the pick across the tip. Which is right? And how about the "tip-tapper" with the straight lines going along it ? How does that help your tip? Somebody give me a straight answer........
 
I have an It's George Tip tool which I love. I put it on the floor and spin my cue if it needs major reshaping. If you can hold and spin it while keeping it vertical, it gives it a nice even edge, where as by hand it is much harder to keep it even all the way around. It also has a tapper, which I don't use and a shaper which I do use. I will use the shaper if my tip mushrooms a little, but that hasn't happened since I got a Wizard Med tip.

I also have a tip *****, which I use once in a while to "fluff" my tip. I press it in slightly and give is a very slight twist. Nothing too hard to remove any leather or layers, but enough to make the leather stick out some to hold the chalk better.
 
javi2 said:
I asked this question on another thread...no luck. With the various tip-tools, picks and shapers out there I've seen many people do many different things. For example, when using a Willard shaper I've seen players put it on the floor and place an upside down cue on it and spin. :frown: (this can't be right!) I personally hold the Willard on top of the tip and turn the cue by hand. Is this correct? I've also seen players "tap" the tip with a "tip-pick" while other players "roll" the pick across the tip. Which is right? And how about the "tip-tapper" with the straight lines going along it ? How does that help your tip? Somebody give me a straight answer........
Click to expand...

Javi2:

The question of using a CueCube/Willard shaper in your hand, or placed onto the floor with the cue upside down, tip down into it (and using the "boy scout starting a fire" method of spinning the cue) to shape the tip is more or less an advocacy question. You'll get more variations of techniques to this, and they're all correct -- it's whatever works for you.

However, the question of using a Tip-Pik (the one with the needles) is a definite. Always gently stab at the tip, gently poking all over the surface of the tip. NEVER EVER scrape the tip with the Tip-Pik, for two reasons:

  1. the sharp points of the needles are sure to snag and lift up the layers of your tip (this is called "delamination" -- a layered tip users worst nightmare)
  2. you'll damage the needles -- you'll bend them. If not the "stem" of the needles, then the points of the needles (under a magnifying glass they'll look like little gaff hooks used for fishing).
As for the question about Tip Tappers, not to thump my chest, but I think I wrote the bible on that topic in this post:

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?p=2452902&post2452902

You'll notice in that post that I make mention of two different types of Tip Tappers: 1. the original Tip Tapper (from the original inventor/proprietor), whose cutting edges are exactly the same as a standard mill file (in a line as you noted), and 2. the many imitations on the market, which use a knurled pattern. Take note of the proper use for each. (I include instructions on how to hold each in your hand as well.)

Let me know if that's helpful,
-Sean

P.S.: Some day if I can devote the time, perhaps I can compose a nice "how to" document on using these tools, with pictures, etc.
 
Unfortunately I can't remember his name, but the gentleman who used to make the Ulti-mate tip tool, bless his resting soul, was absolutely bonkers over people putting his tool on the floor boy-scout style! Every time I called him to place an order he would rant on about how much he hated that, and that's why they sold so many refills. I miss that quirky old bastard.
 
willard tip shaper

javi2 said:
I asked this question on another thread...no luck. With the various tip-tools, picks and shapers out there I've seen many people do many different things. For example, when using a Willard shaper I've seen players put it on the floor and place an upside down cue on it and spin. :frown: (this can't be right!) I personally hold the Willard on top of the tip and turn the cue by hand. Is this correct? I've also seen players "tap" the tip with a "tip-pick" while other players "roll" the pick across the tip. Which is right? And how about the "tip-tapper" with the straight lines going along it ? How does that help your tip? Somebody give me a straight answer........
Click to expand...

I just hold the Willards tip shaper on the tip and roll over the crown.If it is along way from being the radius, I rotate the cue while still rolling the shaper in a figure eight motion.
 
DO NOT PUT THE ULITMATE TIP SHAPER ON THE FLOOR AND GO BOY SCOUT ON IT...i speak from experince, and it happened at the worst possible time...i live here in miami and i heard they quit making them, probably cause the guy pasted away...one day i put the shaper on the floor and the spin i created was so fast, it reheated the glue underneath that sand paper, and it came off...not only that but when i did it on the other side, it than heated the glue on the tip i put on, and it too came off, and it caused a crack in the ferulle. i use an everest tip now and i can't get use that tool simply because it rips the layers to easy...but if i used a triangle or anything else, i hold my cue verticle (tip up) and spin slowly.
 
Well, I must be different.

I use a shaper with the tip up. I roll the cue on the floor with my socks on the butt sleeve. I apply as much pressure as needed to cut leather.

With a tapper, I use when the tip hard smooth spots on it. I rotate and rub on the tip like a file. Just enough to roughen.

With a pick, I just push it, pull out, turn and do it again.

With a burnisher, it is the same, but I avoid sopping too much axial pressure as that will leave a tip in the tool. I use spit for lube.
 
They were gone but now they're back.

mahalkita4120 said:
DO NOT PUT THE ULITMATE TIP SHAPER ON THE FLOOR AND GO BOY SCOUT ON IT...i speak from experince, and it happened at the worst possible time...i live here in miami and i heard they quit making them, probably cause the guy pasted away...one day i put the shaper on the floor and the spin i created was so fast, it reheated the glue underneath that sand paper, and it came off...not only that but when i did it on the other side, it than heated the glue on the tip i put on, and it too came off, and it caused a crack in the ferulle. i use an everest tip now and i can't get use that tool simply because it rips the layers to easy...but if i used a triangle or anything else, i hold my cue verticle (tip up) and spin slowly.
Click to expand...

FYI when he died the product died, for about a year- making room for what is now the most popular tip tool, the cuetec bowtie. His sons have now taken over and they are being made again.
 
I use the tip pick occasionally and I just tap it on the tip to rough it up a little. I am glad to hear the ultimate tip tool is being made again.
 
I appreciate all the responses. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one unsure about some of the "methods" with these tools. I agree Sfleinen, you should come out with a booklet on these tools. :thumbup: I have yet to buy one that went into detail on how to properly use it. Good information from all.
 
No friggin way...I believe the sandpaper came unglued, but the rest of it...:nono:

mahalkita4120 said:
DO NOT PUT THE ULITMATE TIP SHAPER ON THE FLOOR AND GO BOY SCOUT ON IT...i speak from experince, and it happened at the worst possible time...i live here in miami and i heard they quit making them, probably cause the guy pasted away...one day i put the shaper on the floor and the spin i created was so fast, it reheated the glue underneath that sand paper, and it came off...not only that but when i did it on the other side, it than heated the glue on the tip i put on, and it too came off, and it caused a crack in the ferulle. i use an everest tip now and i can't get use that tool simply because it rips the layers to easy...but if i used a triangle or anything else, i hold my cue verticle (tip up) and spin slowly.
Click to expand...
 
rburgoyne said:
I just read you other post Sean. So that is what the tip tapper is for, I have never used it or seen anyone use it before. I am going to have to try it.
Click to expand...

rburgoyne:

Thanks! I just fixed the URL in that post, because I noticed it apparently changed in the AZBMarketplace itself (the link I previously had had broken from the time I first posted that information, and up until a few minutes ago, took you to the parent Seybert's page). It's fixed now -- the link now works as it should, and takes you directly to the Tip Tapper product page.

Feh, for $2.95, it's well worth the investment to try the chalk-seating technique. It's just as good as all this tip-picking/scuffing I see people doing, but far less wear and tear on your cue's tip.

Enjoy,
-Sean
 
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