shaft Dowels

[Cue Crazy]

I have only used dowels that had atleast a initial turn done on them at around 1.0 dia, but have been looking into buying dowels in bulk. I notice there is quite a good size difference in price, between the 2 sizes I am looking at when purchased in bulk. "Wondering what size dowels most people start off with before the initial taper?" I want to make sure I have enough room for any cutaway that may be needed even if the cost is higher, but don't want to spend any extra un-needed money, or spent time in more turnings/cuts.

Also I have found several places that sell them in hard rock, so want to try a few out to see which I get the best yields from, So wondering what I should expect out of say a batch of 100 for instance? I usually here about 20-25%, but should I expect more then that from a good suplier?

Thanks, Greg C

 

[rhncue]

I have only used dowels that had atleast a initial turn done on them at around 1.0 dia, but have been looking into buying dowels in bulk. I notice there is quite a good size difference in price, between the 2 sizes I am looking at when purchased in bulk. "Wondering what size dowels most people start off with before the initial taper?" I want to make sure I have enough room for any cutaway that may be needed even if the cost is higher, but don't want to spend any extra un-needed money, or spent time in more turnings/cuts.

Also I have found several places that sell them in hard rock, so want to try a few out to see which I get the best yields from, So wondering what I should expect out of say a batch of 100 for instance? I usually here about 20-25%, but should I expect more then that from a good suplier?

Thanks, Greg C

I buy mostly 1" dowells that have been run thru a dowelling machine. Now a days most of the dealers offering shaft wood have it in dowells. There is a number of places to buy hard rock maple but I have found it to be a waste of time and money to buy from any source other than those who specialize in shaft wood. Those who specialize in it know what a cue-maker needs and wants and if he wasn't offering what was needed he would soon be out of business. Those specializing in shaft wood bid on good veneer grade logs, they are aware of what is needed to keep the maple white, what the best type kilns are needed and so on to produce shaft blanks that are white, close grained, straight grained and will not tend to warp without undue abuse.
Who you buy from and what grade you buy plus your own personal paramaters will determine what percentage of blanks that you buy actually make it onto a finished cue. I have bought #1 grade dowells from a dealer where I woudn't use any of them on a cue. I made one pass on them and then dumped them. Other times I have got 25% or so. Where I buy almost all my blanks from now I usually get about a 90% return. I am very happy with them and actually I don't know why I try other places now and then as I've always been disapointed.
Dick

 

[Cue Crazy]

I buy mostly 1" dowells that have been run thru a dowelling machine. Now a days most of the dealers offering shaft wood have it in dowells. There is a number of places to buy hard rock maple but I have found it to be a waste of time and money to buy from any source other than those who specialize in shaft wood. Those who specialize in it know what a cue-maker needs and wants and if he wasn't offering what was needed he would soon be out of business. Those specializing in shaft wood bid on good veneer grade logs, they are aware of what is needed to keep the maple white, what the best type kilns are needed and so on to produce shaft blanks that are white, close grained, straight grained and will not tend to warp without undue abuse.
Who you buy from and what grade you buy plus your own personal paramaters will determine what percentage of blanks that you buy actually make it onto a finished cue. I have bought #1 grade dowells from a dealer where I woudn't use any of them on a cue. I made one pass on them and then dumped them. Other times I have got 25% or so. Where I buy almost all my blanks from now I usually get about a 90% return. I am very happy with them and actually I don't know why I try other places now and then as I've always been disapointed.
Dick

Thanks for the info, That's a pretty good yield Your getting there, I would stick by them also If it were me, and the price was good. I assume you pay a premium for that quality, but the yield makes it worth while in the end.

That is one of My concerns, and still have a few places I want to contact before going to someone really specialized in shafts only. One place Is supposed to carry high quality clear dowels that are straight grain, but have not talked to them to see If the sell to any other makers. the prices seem very fair though, so would be nice if the diamond in the ruff, probably the same that gets you to buy other batches as you mentioned when you already have a proven source Guess I am still alittle too much of a dreamer , and just have to learn the hard way as usual, but how do you know unless you try.

Anyway thanks again, knowing 1'' works Is the info I needed. I thought I would need to go with 1-1/8 or 1 1/4, so that would have been a big difference in price, and really does help.

Greg C