Taking the plunge. All help appreciated and needed.

Jeff

Jeff

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have been thinking (and wanting) to try my hand at cue building for years. Never had the available funds to get fully into it with all the equipment I will need but recently through a lucky surprise I will getting a small extra amount of cash. Enough to buy the deluxe cuesmith and any extras I will need.

It's going to be a few weeks before the money comes in but wanting to get ideas.

I don't want to fill the room with unneeded equipment until I get some experience under my belt though. So I want to tap into the experience of you guys.

What do I need to purchase, besides the cuesmith, IE; tools, parts, other machines to make my learning experience go more smoothly?

I have metal lathe/cnc experience from a two year degree CIM (computer Integrated Manufacturing) before I went on to get my Manufacturing Engineer degree. It was quite a few years ago but it's better than going in with none. I am semi retired so I have a lot of free time to devote.

I plan on starting with basic house cue conversion for a while to learn and get comfortable.
 
First thing you need to buy is dust collection, spray booth, and good respirator --- you will be working with materials that can kill you.
 
If you have a lot of free time, do alot of searches for this topic in the forum, there's alot on this site from past posts, it can keep you busy for a few weeks just reading. another must would be to buy Chris Hightower's book and videos, a great wealth of info, including the essential equipment, etc. well worth the money. Good luck.
Dave
 
I'm starting out as well and the first thing I would buy even before the lathe would be Chris Hightowers Book and read it more than once. Also read this forum as you will find many answers already here. Protect your lungs!!!!!!!!
 
One thing I never hear anyone mention is getting good ear protection. Routers can be very loud, and it's always nice to be able to hear;) .
 
Rodney said:
One thing I never hear anyone mention is getting good ear protection. Routers can be very loud, and it's always nice to be able to hear;) .
Click to expand...

Huh?

Did you say something?

Kelly
 
Rodney said:
One thing I never hear anyone mention is getting good ear protection. Routers can be very loud, and it's always nice to be able to hear;) .
Click to expand...
I ALWAYS wear mine, sometimes I have those on and then halfway thru cutting, realize I forgot my air mask. I have ta tie those 2 together so I don't forget either one:D I just did it again tonite with some desert ironwood. :(
 
Jack Madden said:
First thing you need to buy is dust collection, spray booth, and good respirator --- you will be working with materials that can kill you.
Click to expand...
What he said! Then buy lots of wood. When you spend what you think is way too much then, order more you don't have enough. Chris.
 
A professional dust collection system
A decent metal lathe and some tooling
Calipers
Boring bars (small)
Dial indicator w/magnetic base
 
Jeff said:
I have been thinking (and wanting) to try my hand at cue building for years. Never had the available funds to get fully into it with all the equipment I will need but recently through a lucky surprise I will getting a small extra amount of cash. Enough to buy the deluxe cuesmith and any extras I will need.

It's going to be a few weeks before the money comes in but wanting to get ideas.

I don't want to fill the room with unneeded equipment until I get some experience under my belt though. So I want to tap into the experience of you guys.

What do I need to purchase, besides the cuesmith, IE; tools, parts, other machines to make my learning experience go more smoothly?

I have metal lathe/cnc experience from a two year degree CIM (computer Integrated Manufacturing) before I went on to get my Manufacturing Engineer degree. It was quite a few years ago but it's better than going in with none. I am semi retired so I have a lot of free time to devote.

I plan on starting with basic house cue conversion for a while to learn and get comfortable.
Click to expand...

I would buy a Porper B-Lathe, these Machines beat the others hands down. They hold tighter tolerances, they have more power, and they come fully equipped to make cues. For the extra $1200 needed to purchase one you will kick yourself later when you really start getting your hands dirty.

-A decent Table saw.
-A decent belt sander
-An excellent Dust collection system.
-You can buy or build a spray booth.
-An Excellent Respirator.
-WOOD WOOD and more WOOD!!!!!!!!!
-West Systems epoxy and the tints they sell to color it
-Cue components lots of cues components, phenolic, pins, ferrules, Irish linen, and on and on!!!!!!!!
-Chris Hightowers Cue building Book, Very Good Material for the beginner or anyone - Great Book, wish I had one three years ago!!!!!
-Many many more items, to many to list!!!!

Have a good night and good luck!!!!!
 
JoeyInCali said:
A wife with a good job and income. :)
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A wife that will put up with STRANGE people, knocking on your door, or calling , at all hours of the day & night. Mine has put up with me & them, for 45 years. She has done a lot of work on the lathe over the years, but today she did her 1 st wrap, absolutly perfectly. Due to my broken shoulder, I thought I couldn't even do repairs, but I think the TEAM, will limp through it...JER
 
I've been buying wood for several years. i've spent my lathe money (twice) on machining classes. Should be able to get one this fall/winter. unless I raid my lathe envelope for more wood. And yes, the better half has a pretty good job:o i've found most cuemakers very willing to answer questions. i could probably write a book with all the info that one in particular has shared with me over the past 3 years or so:) good luck

Andy
 
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