ShaftMaster Portable Lathe???

My Observation

Jeff

Hopefully a cuemaker will chime in with their thoughts but here is my thoughts based upon what I saw this year at VF or other machines that I have run across.

The Shaftmaster looked interesting to me as well. It is compact, reasonably priced and advertised to do everything. I saw the Shaftmaster in action at VF and it did sound underpowered during the shaft cleaning operations but that is just my observation. There was a thread were the Shaftmaster was torn to pieces by most of the folks that chimed in and that includes Blud who I had the pleasure of talking to him a second time at VF.

I then started to look at options for myself:
Unique Products The Cue Companion Repair Lathe and the Chris Hightower lathe.

The Cue Companion I saw demonstrated at VF and in action this past weekend at a tournament with Ricky Phillippi at the helm. The machine was nice with the folding extension, powerful, all accessories to take care of any shaft (2 piece or 1 piece). At VF, the machine did a superb job of cleaning the shaft and the motor did not sound like there was any strain. I watched Ricky for about 30 minutes and was impressed with the machine.

A team member (Purdman – hopefully he will chime in on his unit) has the Hightower lathe. He has it set up with the extension table, powerful motor, and all the pieces as well. I am hoping to see the machine in action in the next couple of days being that I want him to replace a couple of tips for me. But the set up looks equally nice to the Cue Companion and now it is just a preference.

I am convinced one of the two other units will work for me in the long run after I relocate. I am currently leaning toward the Cue Companion because it appears to fold up and can be stuffed away into a duffle bag (plus our friend may help to work a deal). But I have to look at the Hightower unit more before I decide. I am thinking I may want a unit next year but I do know I would like something other than the Shaftmaster.

Hope all is well and I will catch up with you soon…
Myron
 
alpine9430 said:
Jeff

Hopefully a cuemaker will chime in with their thoughts but here is my thoughts based upon what I saw this year at VF or other machines that I have run across.

The Shaftmaster looked interesting to me as well. It is compact, reasonably priced and advertised to do everything. I saw the Shaftmaster in action at VF and it did sound underpowered during the shaft cleaning operations but that is just my observation. There was a thread were the Shaftmaster was torn to pieces by most of the folks that chimed in and that includes Blud who I had the pleasure of talking to him a second time at VF.

I then started to look at options for myself:
Unique Products The Cue Companion Repair Lathe and the Chris Hightower lathe.

The Cue Companion I saw demonstrated at VF and in action this past weekend at a tournament with Ricky Phillippi at the helm. The machine was nice with the folding extension, powerful, all accessories to take care of any shaft (2 piece or 1 piece). At VF, the machine did a superb job of cleaning the shaft and the motor did not sound like there was any strain. I watched Ricky for about 30 minutes and was impressed with the machine.

A team member (Purdman – hopefully he will chime in on his unit) has the Hightower lathe. He has it set up with the extension table, powerful motor, and all the pieces as well. I am hoping to see the machine in action in the next couple of days being that I want him to replace a couple of tips for me. But the set up looks equally nice to the Cue Companion and now it is just a preference.

I am convinced one of the two other units will work for me in the long run after I relocate. I am currently leaning toward the Cue Companion because it appears to fold up and can be stuffed away into a duffle bag (plus our friend may help to work a deal). But I have to look at the Hightower unit more before I decide. I am thinking I may want a unit next year but I do know I would like something other than the Shaftmaster.

Hope all is well and I will catch up with you soon…
Myron
Click to expand...
Hi Myron, How are you? My problem is getting it back to Brazil without paying duties and 60% import tax. That's why I think the shaftmaster is better for me. Once I get it here, I can get the motor modified to work better.
The cue from Bender will be ready for the Nov. show in Lake Los Vegas. I'm trying to sneek in 5 days to go with the wife, I'm not sure yet.
I'll be at the Expo II in VF on the 5th & 6th of Aug. Are you going? Sorry I have not been in touch, just been lazy. :o
 
Hightower Lathe Setup

This lathe is set up just for shafts, ferrules, butt caps, wraps and tips. The lower part is plywood with piano hinges so it folds right up. The lathe on top can be carried in one hand. The motor is small but sufficiant for what I do. The whole thing fits in the rear of my Jeep and I have hauled it around in the backseat of a 96 Caddy. The whole thing breaks down in less than 1 minute and sets up just as fast. Thru tournaments and just doing work for friends, it has paid for itself 10 times over. I leave the pool hall with at least 1 shaft to work on everytime I go in. I also do the house cues for 1 hall. It works very well for me.
Purdman
 
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