Selecting a cue lathe?

S

sorbetboy

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hi Guys, I was looking around cue lathes and stumbled upon the Mini Q-Lathe (3000)
by Porper, didn't see much reviews on it, so was wondering if anybody has tried it and compared it to other lathes such Cue Smith.

I'm located in a place where space is a constraint, so it would be good to have something value for money, not messy (portable as well) and has enough power to at least do some basic tapering, refinishing, etc. Anybody has recommendations? Thanks a lot!
 
What you're asking for is a cuebuilding lathe. Repair lathes typically don't do much in the line of tapering (without offsetting the tailstock). Even that isn't going to get you there for the typical shaft.
I've never tried the Porper you're asking about, but I don't see a way to taper with it.
 
sorbetboy said:
Hi Guys, I was looking around cue lathes and stumbled upon the Mini Q-Lathe (3000)
by Porper, didn't see much reviews on it, so was wondering if anybody has tried it and compared it to other lathes such Cue Smith.

I'm located in a place where space is a constraint, so it would be good to have something value for money, not messy (portable as well) and has enough power to at least do some basic tapering, refinishing, etc. Anybody has recommendations? Thanks a lot!
Click to expand...

I have a used on you can have for $1000.
 
You can taper, or retaper as I would call it, an existing finished shaft by sanding it to a different diameter OR sanding the flex point further back away from the tip.

The Mini is a repair lathe. It can do tips, ferrules, wrap, some minor joint work, facing, etc.
 
Thanks guys for the help! I guess I may hold up to the tapering for now, so I'm looking between the Cue Companion and the Micro Cue Smith, in terms of the useability and the items they give for the price, it seems the Micro Cue Smith is a little more expensive by a few hundred, so I wanna know if it's worth it..

Thanks again!
 
sorbetboy said:
Thanks guys for the help! I guess I may hold up to the tapering for now, so I'm looking between the Cue Companion and the Micro Cue Smith, in terms of the useability and the items they give for the price, it seems the Micro Cue Smith is a little more expensive by a few hundred, so I wanna know if it's worth it..

Thanks again!
Click to expand...

I will leave it up to others to say which is the best machine.
But the packages on Unique's site say that the Cue Companion is the more expensive machine and not the Micro Cue Smiths.
 
There isn't a week that goes by where we don't get at least a few inquiries about buying cue lathes either new or used. Most lathes out there will do a good job but more importantly is support after the sale. We've tested the three best known and here is what we tell everyone:

Look them all over and when you are ready to buy, call Hightower.
 
Hmm, I see, so I've narrowed down the choice between the micro cue smith 2 and 3, i dont see much of a difference actually, but I'm definitely missing out on something, is the cue smith 2 with a higher torque or something? Sorry I'm pretty new to this :/
 
sorbetboy said:
Hmm, I see, so I've narrowed down the choice between the micro cue smith 2 and 3, i dont see much of a difference actually, but I'm definitely missing out on something, is the cue smith 2 with a higher torque or something? Sorry I'm pretty new to this :/
Click to expand...

The Micro 2 is the more solid built machine. The Micro 3 was built primarialy for super portability.
I have a new way of building it for $1300 with variable speed motor like the Mid Size has on it. It allows a shortened bed extension. I am going to discontinue the Micro 3 the way it is built since I came up with the variable speed Micro 2. I will be glad to talk to you and explain the differences in the machines if you want to give me a call.
 
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cueman said:
The Micro 2 is the more solid built machine. The Micro 3 was built primarialy for super portability.
I have a new way of building it for $1300 with variable speed motor like the Mid Size has on it. It allows a shortened bed extension. I am going to discontinue the Micro 3 the way it is built since I came up with the variable speed Micro 2. I will be glad to talk to you and explain the differences in teh machines if you wan tto give me a call.
Click to expand...

Chris is very helpful and available. His machines are also well built and priced well. Be sure to buy his DVDs and his book. This will give you an idea about how much you need to learn. Good luck and remember another valuable tool, the advanced search tool on this forum...you can find alot of info there.
 
Lol

LOL LOL your the man Joe, (Mike Tysons sister)



Joe Barringer said:
There isn't a week that goes by where we don't get at least a few inquiries about buying cue lathes either new or used. Most lathes out there will do a good job but more importantly is support after the sale. We've tested the three best known and here is what we tell everyone:

Look them all over and when you are ready to buy, call Hightower.
Click to expand...
 
sorbetboy said:
Hi Guys, I was looking around cue lathes and stumbled upon the Mini Q-Lathe (3000)
by Porper, didn't see much reviews on it, so was wondering if anybody has tried it and compared it to other lathes such Cue Smith.

I'm located in a place where space is a constraint, so it would be good to have something value for money, not messy (portable as well) and has enough power to at least do some basic tapering, refinishing, etc. Anybody has recommendations? Thanks a lot!
Click to expand...

Did you get a lathe. Just curious what you ended up with. Thanks.
 
can you send me pics, condition and what is included in the lathe you have for sale
is 1000 your bottom line
 
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