Question on tip tool material...

chefjeff

If not now...
Silver Member
I've seen these things around a bit lately. A friend has one and he let me try it, but I didn't see what it does or why it is popular and why players pay good money for one, but here's one of 'em I've seen around:

MAGNETIC-WOOD-SCUFFER_ms50_R_20129c8d.jpg


http://www.muellers.com/Cocobolo-Tip-Scuffer,7942.html?b=d*369



What is the material used?... and....

Can I find a sheet or roll of that stuff to experiment with?

Thanks to anyone who knows.



Jeff Livingston
 
They are used to file little facets on your cue tip. It's one of those products made to sell, not for usage.

I wouldn't have one.
 
The description in the link you provided states it is metal.

The Kamui brand that sells for more than double that price is said to be stainless steel.

Don't know where you could buy it in sheet form inexpensively. Perhaps texture your own in a media blast cabinet.
 
I've never seen one in person, but I would assume it's something like a diamond sharpening stone. A piece of metal with diamonds embedded in it, or if that makes it too expensive other abrasive particles embedded.

AKA - Just fancy, expensive sandpaper. Just buy some of that.
 
I've used sandpaper most of my life but I have a couple of tip shapers that are really very good.
For that reason, I've abandoned sandpaper & instead use these shapers which do a better job.
 
I have kamui's version of this. It is a very good for roughing up tips without changing the shape too much. It is a sheet of metal that has been etched to be abrasive. You roll the tip across the tool and rock the tool to match the radius of the tip. It is very effective and if used properly does not change the shape of the tip. If you are not careful you can roll to much on the edge of the tip and start to round it over. Also, if you are not careful to follow the radius of tip, you can flatten the tip somewhat over time. But, with a little practice and care, it is an excellent tool for roughing a glazed tip right up. I have seen the cheaper ones and they seem much more abrasive than the kamui tool. the one I have is not a very aggressive abrasive and would take a bit of improper use to really negatively alter the shape of the tip.
 
I've never seen one in person, but I would assume it's something like a diamond sharpening stone. A piece of metal with diamonds embedded in it, or if that makes it too expensive other abrasive particles embedded.

AKA - Just fancy, expensive sandpaper. Just buy some of that.

it's not really sandpaper at all. It is not designed to function like sand paper. There is a video showing suggested use, although you can use it however you would like. I'm not one for gadgetry and trying every new and improved product under the sun, I would however highly recommend this tool. I do not like the price kamui charges for them, however it does perform exceptionally well.
 
They are used to file little facets on your cue tip. It's one of those products made to sell, not for usage.

I wouldn't have one.

Incorrect. Not used as a file at all.

I've never seen one in person, but I would assume it's something like a diamond sharpening stone. A piece of metal with diamonds embedded in it, or if that makes it too expensive other abrasive particles embedded.

AKA - Just fancy, expensive sandpaper. Just buy some of that.

What’s that assuming there for? Like making an ass out of yourself?

These new style tools are designed to be used on pigskin tips only. Not water buffalo, cow, or other types of leather used on tips. A regular scuffer is far to abrasive to use full time on a pigskin layered tip, and with the price of some tips it’s like throwing money away. Think of a refined tip pick. Designed to cut the surface of the tip without removing material. Extendeds the life of pigskin layered tips.

I've used sandpaper most of my life but I have a couple of tip shapers that are really very good.
For that reason, I've abandoned sandpaper & instead use these shapers which do a better job.

Not a shaper either. It’s a scuffer. Huge technical differences.
 
... These new style tools are designed to be used on pigskin tips only. Not water buffalo, cow, or other types of leather used on tips. A regular scuffer is far to abrasive to use full time on a pigskin layered tip, and with the price of some tips it’s like throwing money away. Think of a refined tip pick. Designed to cut the surface of the tip without removing material. Extendeds the life of pigskin layered tips.
Or you can make the sandpaper tool and use it correctly. It doesn't remove material when used correctly. It gets the same effect as the more expensive tool. It may not last as long but I won't mind leaving it in the pool hall as much.
 
I have kamui's version of this. It is a very good for roughing up tips without changing the shape too much. It is a sheet of metal that has been etched to be abrasive. You roll the tip across the tool and rock the tool to match the radius of the tip. It is very effective and if used properly does not change the shape of the tip. If you are not careful you can roll to much on the edge of the tip and start to round it over. Also, if you are not careful to follow the radius of tip, you can flatten the tip somewhat over time. But, with a little practice and care, it is an excellent tool for roughing a glazed tip right up. I have seen the cheaper ones and they seem much more abrasive than the kamui tool. the one I have is not a very aggressive abrasive and would take a bit of improper use to really negatively alter the shape of the tip.

I use the Morakami version of this same tool and like it for the reasons cited above. It scuffs but does not remove leather like sand paper or Willard's shapers, both of which I used previously. It works well for any tip. But I particularly like the benefits of using it on layered tips. My experience with layered tips is that with extended use, the layers smash and become thinner. Tools or sand paper that remove some of the leather can cause the layers to separate. Once delamination has started, the tips usually have to be replaced. I have not had that problem since I switched to the gator tool about 2 years ago. I start every playing session by roughing the tip and I chalk before every shot.
 
tip

Personally when I am shaping or scuffing the tip I really don't care to screw around .
The tip is always glazed and I want to remove some leather to get to the leather that isn't glazed .
.
I own several lathes and buy my tips by the boxes, making tip life non important.

This really isn't a big deal and there dozens of cue repair guys on this forum that are authorized Kamui tip installers .
One benefit is we get tips and all the rest of the Kamui products at a discount .
I have had a couple of the Kamui tip tools just like the op shows.
I don't wish to be negative but those tip tools are not for me.
This is my preferred tip tool and I have no issues with just using a piece of sand paper too.
To each there own
 
That's interesting stuff, but I don't think it's the same material.

Thanks,


Jeff Livingston

Ive been trying to source this stuff for a while, I cant locate it either.

After the recent 'what stuff do you keep in your case' thread, I saw the Kamui tool my wife bought me for Xmas a couple years ago. Never even tried it, so I did the other day.

TBH, not very impressed with it, while it does slightly lift the fibers, I think that overall its not worth it for the price. Other people might love the tool, its just not my thing.
 
Ive been trying to source this stuff for a while, I cant locate it either.

After the recent 'what stuff do you keep in your case' thread, I saw the Kamui tool my wife bought me
for Xmas a couple years ago. Never even tried it, so I did the other day.

TBH, not very impressed with it, while it does slightly lift the fibers, I think that overall its not worth it
for the price. Other people might love the tool, its just not my thing.

Thanks.

I agree with your impression of it, but it seems some are really sold on using it. I think layered tip guys are the prime market for this stuff.

If you ever find some, could you please send me a link or post here?


Jeff Livingston
 
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Thanks.

I agree with your impression of it, but it seems some are really sold on using it. I think layered tip guys are the prime market for this stuff.

If you ever find some, could you please send me a link or post here?


Jeff Livingston

Sure! :thumbup:
 
I use the Morakami version of this same tool and like it for the reasons cited above. It scuffs but does not remove leather like sand paper or Willard's shapers, both of which I used previously. It works well for any tip. But I particularly like the benefits of using it on layered tips. My experience with layered tips is that with extended use, the layers smash and become thinner. Tools or sand paper that remove some of the leather can cause the layers to separate. Once delamination has started, the tips usually have to be replaced. I have not had that problem since I switched to the gator tool about 2 years ago. I start every playing session by roughing the tip and I chalk before every shot.
I've got one and it works PERFECTLY. You hold cue at an angle and ROLL the tip on the gritty surface. Gives just enuff texture to hold chalk. I've seen people buy these things and then have NO clue how to use them. Just tilt the cue, press, and roll. Pretty tough, huh?
 
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