Tip Replacement Without A Lathe

djpstacked03

Student of Billiards
Silver Member
I have been considering replacing and installing my own tips onto my cue in the future. I am interested in purchasing whatever tip tools I need to do so without buying a lathe or partable one for that matter. I know Joe Porper has several tools but I am not sure what to get. Any feedback on what to get would be helpful.
 
I spent a bit more and got the Willard Tip Machine. You can find used ones for sale from time to time on the Wanted For Sale section (or you can advertise that you want one).

Do a search for Williard tipper. For example:

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=170668&highlight=willard+tipper

Took a few tries on funky cues to get the hang of it. But, I developed my own method and it works just fine.

After I glue on the tip (usually a 14mm tip that's bigger than the ferrule) I leave a removable part of the machine on the cue and use a couple of rubber bands to hold/press the tip overnight until the glue sets fully before trimming the tip. And, it's easy to trim into the ferrule (so I now wrap it with green masking tape so when the masking tape starts to get trimmed I then stop). Also, if you put the masking tape all the way to the end of the ferrule next to where the tip is, the masking tape keeps the glue from getting on the ferrule.

Then, it's a bit of work to burnish the tip and a lot of work to shape the tip. All in all, compared to a lathe, it's a lot more work and time consuming.

A lathe is the ultimate and you can get lower end models for around the same price as a new Willard tipper. I've never used a lathe but have watched someone put tips on for me and it's a lot less work and produces better results IF AND ONLY IF you know what you are doing.
 
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i have a willard's tipper that i will sell for $300.00 + shipping i used it 10-12 times mint condition call me @ (401) 226-4868 good luck if you find one less expensive buy it they are the best imo
 
I have been considering replacing and installing my own tips onto my cue in the future. I am interested in purchasing whatever tip tools I need to do so without buying a lathe or partable one for that matter. I know Joe Porper has several tools but I am not sure what to get. Any feedback on what to get would be helpful.
FYI, here's a good video of the equipment and techniques used to replace a tip:

They don't use a lathe, but they do use a small grinding wheel.

Dave
 
many years ago before many tipping options i had to be inovative.

I used a screwgun to turn my shaft. that was all i needed to do to be able to do the job. I put a phillips screwdiver in the chuck then a 5 inch piece of heater hose on the handle of the screwdriver. stick the jointend of the shaft in the open end of the heater hose and it was ready to spin.

With no help from anyone i used a rubberband to hold the trigger down in the on position. I did it on a bed so things would stay put and not vibrate and run all over.

Of course it is needed to have some craftmanship skills to go along with these methods. Just like anything really. I could have paid big dollars for a little tool to put one tip on or think of a different way. I chose a different way.

I did not trust anyone else to do my tip work. Seen to many bad jobs done to good equipment, some of it mine.

Later when I needed to do alot of tip work due to having a poolroom I was looking at the options. I got a minilathe for 400 and put it on a long work bench in the utility room. there i would make rigging for entire onne piece house cues and also shaft rigging. All to protect things from whipping and being destroyed.

I am not here to knock anybodies product I do not know much about them because I went in a different direction many years ago. So what I am getting at is the minilathe was not much more of a cost than any of my other options and much more of a tool !

tyvm have a nice day ! :)
 
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By the way I still have my minilathe. I do not use it much nowadays and maybe willing to sell it. It would have to be picked up at my house. I did have a thread in cue machinery section a while back. should still be there somwhere with pictures. Pm me if you are interested and cannot find it. ty
 
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