Scratch or Crack on Ferrule

A

axejunkie

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have what I'm hoping is a scratch on an ivory ferrule, but given ivory it could be a crack. It runs about halfway around the ferrule rather than up and down and is just below the tip. I had the tip replaced last weekend and noticed it the next day. Almost certain it wasn't there before.

Assuming it's a scratch, is there a recommended way to remove it?
 
probably a scratch

Unless the grain runs laterally on your ivory it is probably a scratch. Micro fine sand polish and buff. If it is a crack you'll have to have the whole thing replaced.:)
 
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axejunkie said:
I have what I'm hoping is a scratch on an ivory ferrule, but given ivory it could be a crack. It runs about halfway around the ferrule rather than up and down and is just below the tip. I had the tip replaced last weekend and noticed it the next day. Almost certain it wasn't there before.

Assuming it's a scratch, is there a recommended way to remove it?
Click to expand...

I'm guessing that the repairman scratched it when he smoothed the sides of the tip...JER
 
Time to "scratch" whoever did your tip from the list of people you want working on your cue? What did they say when you asked them about it?
 
For the most part, when ivory cracks, it does so along it's grain. In this case, length-wise. Chances are, it's a scratch as has been stated. Ivory polishes very easily.

It may be time to re-evaluate your relationship with your 'repairman'.
 
thanks guys, I didn't notice it until the next day. It's very small and so close to the to the pad that it's hard to notice unless I really look. I'll try to remove it.
 
> I agree here,your repairman should be evaluated,and it's not a crack. It can easily be fixed if you have a woman around the house that maintains her nails. Swipe one of her multi-sided nail BUFFERS (not an emery board),these are essentially Micro-Mesh on a stick. The ones I get are typically 2400,4000,and 12000 grit. Lay the shaft on your lap and polish with the coarsest grit,in the direction of the scratch,then work your way up. Turn the shaft a little so you don't accidentally leave a flat spot,and you should be fine,until she finds out where her nail buffer went. This can be cured by getting some of your own. They work great for all kinds of polishing jobs. Tommy D.
 
I know that alot of scrathes appear more predominantly after I clean up a ferule with 1000 grit when I have replaced a tip, in fact I clean the ferule first as super glues will burn chalk into the ferule. I would have gotten the scratch out for the customer before giving it back to him but from the way it sounds even the owner had to look pretty close to see it. Alot of people that do cue repair are older and use glasses ya know. Simply pointing it out to the repairman and I'm sure he would have taken care of it. Trust me, most cue repairmen want you to be happy with what they have done for you!
 
bob_bushka said:
I know that alot of scrathes appear more predominantly after I clean up a ferule with 1000 grit when I have replaced a tip, in fact I clean the ferule first as super glues will burn chalk into the ferule. I would have gotten the scratch out for the customer before giving it back to him but from the way it sounds even the owner had to look pretty close to see it. Alot of people that do cue repair are older and use glasses ya know. Simply pointing it out to the repairman and I'm sure he would have taken care of it. Trust me, most cue repairmen want you to be happy with what they have done for you!
Click to expand...

tap,tap..
I agree. Don't hang your tip man just yet. This scratch might be something that wasn't super noticable until a little chalk or dirt got into the crack from playing. Give him a chance to clean it up. He might just need to upgrade his glasses. It took me close to a year to break down and buy bifocals, and I couldn't believe how bad my close-up vision was.
 
I never remove scratches without first confirming that the person wants them removed. It usually entails sanding, which some people would rather avoid.
 
A lot of conclusion jumping in this thread.

Did you play with the cue after getting it back?

If not, what color, if any, is the scratch? In other words, did the scratch appear to have chalk or dirt in it when you noticed it?

If so, how do you know the scratch didn't get there during play?

If I were the repairman that worked on this, I would surely like to have the chance to make it right even if it were not my fault. The implications that it happened in the shop reach farther than the owner of the cue is reaching at this point.

This reminds me of years ago when my ex-girlfriend saw me with another girl. Her friend convinced her that I must be cheating on her because my arm was around the girl I was with. She came over my house unannounced yelling and screaming. I walked her over to a family picture that included my sister who had been with me that day.

My suggestion is that if it is a crack, it sounds to me as though it is so close to the pad that your repairman may be able to just cut below the crack without having to replace the entire ferrule if that is acceptable to you. Give him another shot.

Gene
 
The scratch is dark gray or black. I played with the cue the next day and noticed it, I think it picked up some chalk which made it easier to notice. I'm doubtful I scratched it, I've played with this cue a bunch and have never had a scratch like it, but it is possible it was me that did it.

I'm not upset at the repair guy, he re-tipped the other shaft last year and did an excellent job. He probably didn't know he did it since the scratch is hard to see without chalk build-up. He's about an hour away so I was just looking for a DIY solution.

Thanks all for your help.
 
Here's something I did in my younger days:

When I did not have a lathe I used a black electro type-softis type of tape to cover the as much of the ferrule I could.
I also taped a couple of rounds over the ferrule/wood section and more so the plastic "tip holder" did not make any marks on the wood.
This was in the day's of 2 parts epoxy glue.

Sometimes the glueline (under the tip) was showing a narrow small black line after the tape which was not always to easy to get rid of afterwords, because the glue had ripped some of the tap off.

If you're man has covered the ferrule in respect of it being ivory and possibly wanted to protect it - this could be the reason.

As mentioned, drop the man a phone call and give him a chance.

As for sanding - I don't sand customers ferrules/shafts if it's not desired, but I always finnish of by using 1200 paper for cleaning. Doing so I discovered cracks in a friends predator ferrule which has been discussed earlier. I did some photos on that thread which you might want to look at....
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=90346

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