Awesome help man. Yeah everyone seems to have endless funds when spending other peoples money. I’m just trying to get this thing set up to spin shafts.You'll want one of these maintenance arbors that is held in your headstock and screws into the shaft:
http://www.cuefits.com/index.php?route=product/product&search=arbor&product_id=142&search=arbor (this is radial, you'll want one for whatever thread shafts you are working on)
You'll want a steady rest to hold the shaft near the tip. You can make your own, but you can find a few simple ones on ebay depending on your wood lathe:
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You'll want something on your tailstock to hold and press the tip while glueing. And something to cut and trim the tip on your toolrest. There are youtube videos with some good examples.
I'm always in favor of experimenting and trying to make stuff, but I think you'll get responses here saying this is a fool's errand. There are specialty cue repair lathes:
Basic Repair Lathe w/4 foot bed - Pool Cue Lathes by Mid-America
www.midamericapool.com
Or even full cue lathes of course. And some here will say that these are all toy lathes, and that you should be making your cues on a 2-ton Bridgeport kneemill or a 5-axis CNC. All these are options.
Recommendations for Cue Lathe
- Thread starter CrankyThunder
- Start date
depends on how many and what quality cues you want to build.Ok everybody, let me know what I should be considering for a cue lathe.
Thinking about this one for simple tip replacements but worried that I will wish I invested in something more substantial.
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Those that have been down this road, your comments and suggestions are welcome.
My advice will always be the same, as long as you have the space, a 13x40 metal lathe will always be the best solution, big through bore, a proper chuck and dials that are accurate, rigidity that a bench cue lathe only can dream of, a powerful motor and most importantly you can thread whatever thread you like. All cue makers end up needing their lathe to other things, so the ability to machine all kinds of metal and plastic with ease is a huge plus.
Largebore from Midamerica and Cuesmith about a 2 month wait(At least when I ordered)
Both worth waiting for.
MidAmerica has a basic set up for tips, cleaning.
My mistake and checked quoted 16 weeks
Still the best lathes in town. Plan Ahead. Like a pool table. The price will go up and wait will be longer