Removing a knick from a shaft...

Southpaw

Southpaw

Swing away, Meril....
Silver Member
Last night at the poolroom some drunken clown stumbled by and knocked my cue over. It fell against a wooden counter and put a good sized knick about half way up my shaft. What is the best way to remove this? I have a lathe at home, so please any suggestions would be great. Thanks

Southpaw
 
You might try these steps
1. lightly sand the knick to raise the wood grain.
2. place a drop or 2 of water in/on the knick (I use a steam gun to blast the area). I normally have a paper towel in hand to wrap the area with and to keep from getting burned by the steam.
3. allow water to raise the wood. This can take several minutes.
4. sand smooth using various grades (400 - 600 - 800)
5. reseal (I sand the last layer of sealer off) and burnish shaft.
You may have to repeat steps 2 and 3 a couple of times if the knick is really deep or stubborn about coming out.

A different solution is to fill the knick in with super glue and then sand the area smooth. Followed by step 4 and 5.
 
Kimball said:
You might try these steps
1. lightly sand the knick to raise the wood grain.
2. place a drop or 2 of water in/on the knick (I use a steam gun to blast the area). I normally have a paper towel in hand to wrap the area with and to keep from getting burned by the steam.
3. allow water to raise the wood. This can take several minutes.
4. sand smooth using various grades (400 - 600 - 800)
5. reseal (I sand the last layer of sealer off) and burnish shaft.
You may have to repeat steps 2 and 3 a couple of times if the knick is really deep or stubborn about coming out.

A different solution is to fill the knick in with super glue and then sand the area smooth. Followed by step 4 and 5.
Click to expand...

Thanks. What is a steam gun?

Southpaw
 
The type of steam gun I use is to steam curtains or small items of clothing. Kmart sells them around $20
Dave
 
I just wet some folded up toilet paper and affix it to the ding with a rubber band (tightly). By morning it has raised back up, and after a quick burnish it's good as new.
 
I steam mine using a tea kettle, works great but I recommend keeping it covered, steam can burn your shaft...
 
If it is a dent then it can be raised with moisture or steam. If it is a nick then it must be filled as moisture will not raise it.

Dick
 
I use my soldering iron, the narrow tip is a perfect size and makes a nice little sizzle when you touch the damp cloth on the dent :) It is also easy to control and put the heat precisely where you want it.

Dave, must be hungry
 
First I take a lightly dampened (almost dry) rag with a teaspoon of Fast Orange hand cleaner and completely clean all up and down the shaft to remove all chalk and dirt. Next I rinse out my rag and remove as much water as possible, then stroke shaft again to remove any residue. Then I immediately take a clean dry cotton rag and stroke up and down quickly to dry off shaft, this way I begin with a clean shaft to remove the nick.

Next I take a Q-tip and wet it with hot water. Then I lay my shaft on a counter top where it can't roll and block it into that position with the nick on the top side, then I set the Q-tip with the wet end on the dented area for several minutes. Finally I check the shaft and see if I needs to roll a little and repeat steps above. When I am happy with the dent removal then I sand (400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 as needed), reseal with Cue Wax, burnish and play until it happens again. I use a lathe turning around 1,500 RPMs, but you can do it by hand with similar results.

Hope this helps,
John
 
Another way to use steam for dent removal is to boil a small pot of water on the stove. Have the pot covered with tin foil and poke a small hole in the foil. This will allow you to direct the steam only to the area where you want it.
 
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