Tip question

3andstop

3andstop

Focus
Silver Member
Hi guys. I have one of those little mickey mouse lathes that you use a drill with. American Cowboy if I remember right.

All I do is retip my cues with it. It has always been just fine with either the Triangle or LePro tips I use. But recently, I tried a few layered tips.

I use an new and very sharp wood chisel on a work rest I made to get it to shape.

My question is, as I try to crown the tip, rather than take the angle cut, layers of the tip come off.

What's up with that? One tip was a Karomi, the other had no name, but the result was the same. The chisel is razor sharp and as I touch it at an angle to the tip, layers come off.

Am I doing something wrong?

thanks.
 
Not sure but from some of the videos I saw should you start at the tip and shape out towards the edge. I think that would keep the layers from coming up.
 
Try using a razor blade instead of the chisel....sounds like it is dull and ripping the layers instead of cutting them. Be careful with a razor though it can get your hands pretty good if you don't pay attention
 
I'm just thinking that if you shape it from the top down that it would "comb"the layers. Mind you it might make no difference at all!! I'm sure a pro will set the record straight for you
 
I shape all my tips with a razor blade. The blades that fit box cutters. I don't know how you would use it with your set-up. Please be careful! Look up razor blade rests on this here site to see what I'm talking about. I believe you are building up too much heat using the chisel, or its digging in too fast and ripping the layers off. Hope this has been helpful. :)
 
Not all layered tips are created equal. The top quality tips (Mooris, Kamuis, almost all the Tigers, Ultraskins, etc.) trim and shape effortlessly with a brand new box-cutter style razor blade on a rest. Other "ok" layered tips are just that: ok. Sometimes (many times!) they de-laminate when shaping no matter what direction you shape it. The more different brands of tips you do, you instantly tell if a new brand is quality or not the first time you install one.
 
jschelin99 said:
Not all layered tips are created equal. The top quality tips (Mooris, Kamuis, almost all the Tigers, Ultraskins, etc.) trim and shape effortlessly with a brand new box-cutter style razor blade on a rest. Other "ok" layered tips are just that: ok. Sometimes (many times!) they de-laminate when shaping no matter what direction you shape it. The more different brands of tips you do, you instantly tell if a new brand is quality or not the first time you install one.
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Thanks, I thought perhaps this was the situation, but ... since I only put tips on my own cues, I rarely have the opportunity to experiment with different brands.

In this case, I happened to have a few layered tips and I thought I'd try them. Honestly, I don't really understand what benefits there could be from a layered tip.

Aside from the obvious that layers may come apart, I always fear that as a tip wears the different layers may play differently.

For years I used LePro tips, then they got kind of inconsistent, so I went to Triangle. I've been happy with them for a long while.

That is until recently, they seem to have gotten inconsistent as well.

Anyone know anything about Royal Oak tips or Triumph tips?

thanks for the replies!
 
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I have installed both Royal Oak and Triumph tips. They install easily. I haven't played much with the Royal Oak, and only a bit with the Triump, but I like the Triumph - solid medium to hard tip - not much mushrooming. The Triumph tips come with a red fiber backing attached to the leather.

-Jon Birger
 
The reasoning behind layered tips is to maintain consistancy thru the life of the tip, and reduce/eliminate mushrooming. Are you trimming the sides flush with the ferrule before shaping the tip? If so, how are you doing it? If you create too much heat while trimming the sides, it will loosen the glue that holds them together. Wetting it with a damp sponge then trim it and it may stop this from happening. I use a sponge and a razor with the lathe running in reverse to trim the sides, no problems.
I refuse to install anymore Triumph tips. Have had too many fall off the red pad shortly after install. Last one came off while shaping it. I then took 3-4 out of the box and one by one, glued them to a dowel chucked in the lathe then pushed sideways on just the leather and they all popped off the red pad. After that they all went into the trash.Too many other tips out there why waste my time. Another repair guy in town has had the same thing happen to him.
DAve
 
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