Replace a phenolic tip

RakRunr

RakRunr

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have a break cue and a jump cue with phenolic tips. I've been thinking about trying some of the tips mentioned here on the site, like the White Diamond or Taom, but I'm not sure how to remove a phenolic tip. I do not have a cue lathe or access to one - I've always done my tip work by hand with a razor blade and sand paper. Any advice or guidance would be welcome.
 
RakRunr said:
I have a break cue and a jump cue with phenolic tips. I've been thinking about trying some of the tips mentioned here on the site, like the White Diamond or Taom, but I'm not sure how to remove a phenolic tip. I do not have a cue lathe or access to one - I've always done my tip work by hand with a razor blade and sand paper. Any advice or guidance would be welcome.
Click to expand...
Even if you could remove it, how would you shape it after installation?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
 
str8eight said:
Even if you could remove it, how would you shape it after installation?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I have a sandpaper-based shaper that I use on regular leather tips. Are the non-phenolic break/jump tips so hard that would not work?
 
My break cue came with a phenolic tip and ferrule. The tip and ferrule was one piece.I hated the sound of that phenolic tip. My local guy cut (sawed?) the tip off and replaced it with leather. No problem.
 
str8eight said:
Even if you could remove it, how would you shape it after installation?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

The break/jump tips are sold shaped already

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str8eight said:
Right but they should be oversized to match the ferrule. Matching a 13mm tip to a 13mm ferrule would be a pain in the ass.

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Click to expand...

Yes, trimming to fit well will be tough without good tools. I did not read "shaping" as "trimming" as well. To me shaping the tip is getting the curve to how you like it, not fitting to the ferrule.

I've stopped trying to get good results from just some guys that do tips or clean shafts only, you either get a tip not shaped properly or scratches or cuts on the ferrule.

Last 8 years I have gone to 2 people for my tips, Mike Webb and now another good cuemaker in NH Joe Callaluca. I may spend another 15 minutes driving and maybe an extra $5 or $10 on the tip, but it's like getting your car tires and brakes done by the lowest price guy. The savings are not worth the likely worse results for such an important part of the cue.
 
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RakRunr said:
I have a sandpaper-based shaper that I use on regular leather tips. Are the non-phenolic break/jump tips so hard that would not work?
Click to expand...

You can shape a phenolic or white diamond with a standard shaper (I use my It's George).

Edit: Ooops, I think the original comment was about trimming it down to be flush with the ferrule. I dunno how that would work without the lathe haha.
 
hang-the-9 said:
Yes, trimming to fit well will be tough without good tools. I did not read "shaping" as "trimming" as well. To me shaping the tip is getting the curve to how you like it, not fitting to the ferrule.

I've stopped trying to get good results from just some guys that do tips or clean shafts only, you either get a tip not shaped properly or scratches or cuts on the ferrule.

Last 8 years I have gone to 2 people for my tips, Mike Webb and now another good cuemaker in NH Joe Callaluca. I may spend another 15 minutes driving and maybe an extra $5 or $10 on the tip, but it's like getting your car tires and brakes done by the lowest price guy. The savings are not worth the likely worse results for such an important part of the cue.
Click to expand...

Mazin (in Malden if you don't know him) does a good job on tips. He's been doing mine for 2 years and haven't had a scratched ferrule or dented shaft yet. Only had one problem: a White Diamond popped off my breaker after I dropped it once, but he fixed it for free and it's been fine for the past year.
 
Don't even mess with it. Major hassle to do it correctly if you do not have a lathe, correct adhesive etc. Unless you are sold on phoenolic get a super hard, dense, pressed leather tip:groucho:

Merry Christmas,

-Kat,
 
buckets said:
Mazin (in Malden if you don't know him) does a good job on tips. He's been doing mine for 2 years and haven't had a scratched ferrule or dented shaft yet. Only had one problem: a White Diamond popped off my breaker after I dropped it once, but he fixed it for free and it's been fine for the past year.
Click to expand...

I have been to the room a few times, and my son beat him in a tournament when he was 14 once.

In fact... I have a picture saved from that event on the pics in the forums :smile: This was my son's first "big" tournament and he came in 7th place I think, cashed and was just one spot away from paying off for me in the calcutta, I would have made $80 if he did LOL

picture.php
 
hang-the-9 said:
I have been to the room a few times, and my son beat him in a tournament when he was 14 once.

In fact... I have a picture saved from that event on the pics in the forums :smile: This was my son's first "big" tournament and he came in 7th place I think, cashed and was just one spot away from paying off for me in the calcutta, I would have made $80 if he did LOL

picture.php
Click to expand...

Hah! Nice!

I pretty much live at Mazin's haha, best room in the area.
 
Amen. I agree that paying extra for known quality is money well spent.
hang-the-9 said:
Yes, trimming to fit well will be tough without good tools. I did not read "shaping" as "trimming" as well. To me shaping the tip is getting the curve to how you like it, not fitting to the ferrule.

I've stopped trying to get good results from just some guys that do tips or clean shafts only, you either get a tip not shaped properly or scratches or cuts on the ferrule.

Last 8 years I have gone to 2 people for my tips, Mike Webb and now another good cuemaker in NH Joe Callaluca. I may spend another 15 minutes driving and maybe an extra $5 or $10 on the tip, but it's like getting your car tires and brakes done by the lowest price guy. The savings are not worth the likely worse results for such an important part of the cue.
Click to expand...
 
hang-the-9 said:
Yes, trimming to fit well will be tough without good tools. I did not read "shaping" as "trimming" as well. To me shaping the tip is getting the curve to how you like it, not fitting to the ferrule.

I've stopped trying to get good results from just some guys that do tips or clean shafts only, you either get a tip not shaped properly or scratches or cuts on the ferrule.

Last 8 years I have gone to 2 people for my tips, Mike Webb and now another good cuemaker in NH Joe Callaluca. I may spend another 15 minutes driving and maybe an extra $5 or $10 on the tip, but it's like getting your car tires and brakes done by the lowest price guy. The savings are not worth the likely worse results for such an important part of the cue.
Click to expand...

I am a guy who just does tips and cleans shafts. I respect the work of Mike Webb and Joe Callaluca, and refer all other type of work to those guys. When it comes to tips, I will put my work up against *anyone*. No scratches or cuts in ferrule. Shape is subjective. I like the shape I create. Try me out some time.

KMRUNOUT<----------avoids generalizations
 
buckets said:
You can shape a phenolic or white diamond with a standard shaper (I use my It's George).

Edit: Ooops, I think the original comment was about trimming it down to be flush with the ferrule. I dunno how that would work without the lathe haha.
Click to expand...

Not well.

KMRUNOUT
 
RakRunr said:
I have a break cue and a jump cue with phenolic tips. I've been thinking about trying some of the tips mentioned here on the site, like the White Diamond or Taom, but I'm not sure how to remove a phenolic tip. I do not have a cue lathe or access to one - I've always done my tip work by hand with a razor blade and sand paper. Any advice or guidance would be welcome.
Click to expand...


I think a lathe is a must to remove the phenolic tip.
I didn't like the loss of control with the phenolic.
I had mine removed and replaced with a super hard leather tip.
I'm thinking of changing it to a Samsara tip....
 
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