Used Deluxe Cue Smith...

[Cue Crazy]

The steady Is not a real big issue for me, as the headstock chucks, and the space for a steady that is behind them help center the tip out. The only time I have to use the steady/support farther back is when doing a tip or ferrule on housecues to help keep the back of the cue from whipping. Sometimes a simple roll of paper towels placed under the handle area of the cue just right is enough to steady that little bit out, but I also Have a makeshift steady that I whipped up really quick back before I even got the lathe. It's not fancy, does'nt even have a bearing or collet, but works for what I need, and I can simply clamp It to the bench behind the bed with spring clamps and remove It quite easily afterwards. It works fine for me, but the extension would be nice, as I mentioned, so I may get one from him Myself. I would think 12 inches would be more then enough, and I believe the one's he makes are easily removeable for when not in use. as far as space, and portability- that house cue will be stretched farther back then that anyhow, extension or no extension, and it's still a super liteweight lathe for It's lenth & ability to do as many types Of repair as it can on the spot.
The lathe could be setup, so you don't need It, If your not tapering with it, The only problem is you probably want to keep your taper bars where they are, and it's really not that big of a deal to eliminate those over.

Keep in mind I made this thing in about 10-15 minutes, and sure someone could do alot better, but just goes to show, all you really need is something for support to keep the back of the cue from whipping around too much, as everything pretty much centers through the lathe It'self. I've done many a housecue that way , and that little extension He sells should work alot better, and allow you to use the steady that came with the lathe, heck I think an extra large steady would be a nice option also .


Greg

 

[cueman]

Zim,

I understand what you are saying but I don't see why I can't use a steady rest and collet to locate the butt and tip of the stick and a chuck and collet in the middle to turn it. Of course tightening down both chucks and a single steady rest at the tip would locate the stick pretty solidly too I would think.

I'm sure Chris will explain why I need the extension but I do feel a little blindsided by this. Space considerations and one tidy package were my major reasons for purchasing the cuesmith lathe. I now find that it isn't one tidy package and is likely to be considerably longer(machine outside dimensions) than a 13X40 metal lathe that I was considering.

Hu

I really don't know how to eplain it much better than Zim has. The Deluxe has the headstock mounted around two feet from the left hand end of the lathe. If you run a house cue through the headstock then put the two steady rests on the house cue you will have another 2 and a half feet of the butt past the end of the lathe. On a reayy straight house cue that is probably enough support. But on a warped house cue I feel the extra couple of feet you can move your steady rest back really makes it safer. Many use it for house cues just like it comes, but I always put on the extension when I do them. I put just over 8 feet on the other response but it should have said just under 8 feet. The larger metal lathe you mention will still have to have the house cue going out the back of the lathe and be supported somehow. The only machine I remember mentioning does not need an extension for house cues is the Midsize. The headstock on it moves up and down the bed and therefore instantly extends the bed either way.
Chris
www.cuesmith.com
www.internationalcuemakers.com

 

[ShootingArts]

Where you are losing me . . .

Chris,

What is stopping me from placing a steady rest over the butt before placing it in the chuck and using some of that bed behind the headstock? I haven't looked at the tapes recently but don't you make collets to fit both ends of the butt? I read that the same collets fit the steady and the chuck so maybe that is what is causing the confusion.

Any reason I can't cut a steady rest and collets to use on the butt of house cues so as to avoid needing the extension if yours won't work? It doesn't really sound like a big deal but that extra length means going to an eight foot folding table that is substantially heavier to tote and a much bigger pain to get through doors since a six foot table can be carried vertically and the eight footer needs two people or some beating and banging to get through a door horizontally. Being able to come in a place and set up with a minimum of disruption can mean the difference between being welcome or shown the door.

Hu

I really don't know how to eplain it much better than Zim has. The Deluxe has the headstock mounted around two feet from the left hand end of the lathe. If you run a house cue through the headstock then put the two steady rests on the house cue you will have another 2 and a half feet of the butt past the end of the lathe. On a reayy straight house cue that is probably enough support. But on a warped house cue I feel the extra couple of feet you can move your steady rest back really makes it safer. Many use it for house cues just like it comes, but I always put on the extension when I do them. I put just over 8 feet on the other response but it should have said just under 8 feet. The larger metal lathe you mention will still have to have the house cue going out the back of the lathe and be supported somehow. The only machine I remember mentioning does not need an extension for house cues is the Midsize. The headstock on it moves up and down the bed and therefore instantly extends the bed either way.
Chris
www.cuesmith.com
www.internationalcuemakers.com

 

[Zims Rack]

Chris,

What is stopping me from placing a steady rest over the butt before placing it in the chuck and using some of that bed behind the headstock? I haven't looked at the tapes recently but don't you make collets to fit both ends of the butt? I read that the same collets fit the steady and the chuck so maybe that is what is causing the confusion.

Any reason I can't cut a steady rest and collets to use on the butt of house cues so as to avoid needing the extension if yours won't work? It doesn't really sound like a big deal but that extra length means going to an eight foot folding table that is substantially heavier to tote and a much bigger pain to get through doors since a six foot table can be carried vertically and the eight footer needs two people or some beating and banging to get through a door horizontally. Being able to come in a place and set up with a minimum of disruption can mean the difference between being welcome or shown the door.

Hu

I don't think a Bed Extension is required to work on house cues, you just have to be a little more cautious when not using one while installing tips. You could always find a stool (or make one) that is the same height as your table and set the base of the Bed Extension on it when doing house cues. Just a suggestion.

Zim

 

[cueman]

Chris,

What is stopping me from placing a steady rest over the butt before placing it in the chuck and using some of that bed behind the headstock? I haven't looked at the tapes recently but don't you make collets to fit both ends of the butt? I read that the same collets fit the steady and the chuck so maybe that is what is causing the confusion.

Any reason I can't cut a steady rest and collets to use on the butt of house cues so as to avoid needing the extension if yours won't work? It doesn't really sound like a big deal but that extra length means going to an eight foot folding table that is substantially heavier to tote and a much bigger pain to get through doors since a six foot table can be carried vertically and the eight footer needs two people or some beating and banging to get through a door horizontally. Being able to come in a place and set up with a minimum of disruption can mean the difference between being welcome or shown the door.

Hu

Your ideas might work. But you do not need any larger of a table than 6 foot. The extension snaps on and off and needs no table support. You only put it on when doing house cues.