Tip Shape-ing

tonythetiger583

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hi, I have an OB Classic Pro shaft (11.75) with the stock Everest tip. I want to shape the tip but I'm not really sure how to go about it. My friend has this silver hourglass looking thing with one side marked scuff, the other shape, and there's a bunch of needles when you screw it apart. Can I use that?, and how do I use it (spare no detail). I watched one guy put it on the floor and turn his cue over while holding the shaper between his feet. Also since I have an 11.75 mm tip, do I need to find a nickel radius or dime radius shaper.
 
This all comes down to personal preference. Some people like using different tools and radius's according to how they play and what they are comfortable with. The only tip tools i carry are a Tip Pik and this shaper
http://www.seyberts.com/products/Classic_Tip_Pik-55-24.html
http://www.seyberts.com/products/Metal_Tip_Trimmer-1950-24.html


Thats all ive ever needed really. I usually will take my tip pik and pick the tip a little, then use the shaper to knock off the fuzz and im good to go. I prefer a nickel radius my self, as ive never played with anything other than a nickel. You can pick up a tip pik and that shaper for less than 20 bucks at seyberts for both.

Another pretty common thing people use, is the Ultimate Tip Tool. Pretty good tool in my opinion, i just like using my metal shaper. You can pick one up here: http://www.seyberts.com/products/Ultimate_Tip_Tool-39-24.html And its really all u need. heres a video on how to use it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1dpKymBlCY


When you said the guy was holding it between his feet and twisting, i guess this would be a quick way of doing it, but if you like having a tip i wouldnt really recommend this, because if you arent careful you're going to take off a lot of material quickly and your tip wont last as long. Do it by hand. You dont want to have a $25 dollar tip that should last for 6 months gone because you chewed it up with a scuffer. There's also lots of videos on youtube of people telling you their methods of doing it. But if you ask ten people, you're probably going to get ten different answers, because everyone is going to think their way is right. Just try some things out and use whatever works best for you.


Good luck, Johnathan.
 
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Buy a couple of Willards tip shapers. Get one of each-Nickel and Dime. They come with comprehensive instructions and have a radius gauge on them.
 
floor

As far as what you said about seeing a person putting the tool on the floor, There is a reason they did that. It's the best way to use these kind of shapers. When you put them on the floor and hold them between your feet you are able to hold it steady and still. The result is much better then using your hands. I see people all the time doing it by hand and the result is always the same the tip is un even on the sides. One side will be higher then the other side. As far as what the other poster said about taking off to much material. That is controlled by how much pressure you use pushing the cue down ward. Go lite and easy with the tool on the floor and you will be fine. Do a little at a time then look at it if you feel it needs more then do it more till you get the look you like. As far as the nickel or dime shape in my opionon they have two different sizes because some people have very small dia shafts like 11MM and some people have 13MM shafts. The most important part is to make sure you hold the shaft as straight as you can or it will come out lop sided.
 
I use a Tiger Le Manifik tip tool. It has a course and fine side and works great with layered tips.
TigScuffer.jpg


Then I burnish the sides again with a Tiger leather burnisher (Any leather burnisher will work).
LBurnisher.jpg



I've used the It's George tip tools on the floor before and they work great for initial shaping to a certain radius, but they eat up a lot of the tip and will destroy a layered tip. Best way to reshape a tip is on a lathe and then use a tip tool for maintenance and upkeep.
 
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