What cues would you buy?

[loggerhead12]

Our company recently won a contract to install devices that let you pay for coin-op machines with an app on your phone. Laundry machines, old jukes, vending machines, coffee machines, self-serve machines, and even pool tables. As a result, we're getting some of those coin-op devices in our training lab to play with and train the field team. I interpret that as a need for a coin-op Valley, which I'll get my procurement folks to buy. We'll dissect and reassemble the electronics and coin systems every couple of weeks, teaching techs how they work. And, yes, play some pool.

Anyway, I want some cues I can leave at the training lab. Ideally, really solid-playing cues but nothing to get spooled up over if they get a bit scratched up, and nothing good enough to get stolen. Budget is not a huge issue, but I'm not buying expensive stuff.

What would you suggest? Maybe one-pieces to make them less portable? Cheap carbon fiber to avoid dings? Bulletproof would be nice.

 

[iusedtoberich]

Crical Pro1 on Amazon. $110 for the whole cue. Its really nice.

Here is my youtube review on it:

 

[cue fix]

There was a post on here about a pallet of cues at 20 cues per box for $100 you could check into that

 

[chuckg]

I also have an inexpensive Crical cue . Very hard to beat at $100 or so .

Chuckg

 

[straightline]

Coffee rooms? Offices? Game rooms? Bars? Any $50 type of cues they'll guarantee straight/hard sturdy tips. Chronic players would have their own cues.

Also, you'll have to replace tips so specify standard sizes. Means 12 or 13 mm only.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Diamond makes a coin-op as well. Probably should procure 2 for the lab

 

[loggerhead12]

Diamond makes a coin-op as well. Probably should procure 2 for the lab

And maybe a couple of pinball and arcade machines.

I'd like to get the Diamond, but you can get a reconditioned Valley with new cloth for less than $2k.

 

[WildWing]

Our company recently won a contract to install devices that let you pay for coin-op machines with an app on your phone. Laundry machines, old jukes, vending machines, coffee machines, self-serve machines, and even pool tables. As a result, we're getting some of those coin-op devices in our training lab to play with and train the field team. I interpret that as a need for a coin-op Valley, which I'll get my procurement folks to buy. We'll dissect and reassemble the electronics and coin systems every couple of weeks, teaching techs how they work. And, yes, play some pool.

Anyway, I want some cues I can leave at the training lab. Ideally, really solid-playing cues but nothing to get spooled up over if they get a bit scratched up, and nothing good enough to get stolen. Budget is not a huge issue, but I'm not buying expensive stuff.

What would you suggest? Maybe one-pieces to make them less portable? Cheap carbon fiber to avoid dings? Bulletproof would be nice.

Buy yourself nothing but a few cheap cues. Check with Justin, and VintageCollectibles.

 

[Amaury]

not sure of the quality but if I was in your position I would consider one-piece carbon cues. rhino used to sell some (friend bought four).

 

[Bob Jewett]

... What would you suggest? Maybe one-pieces to make them less portable? ...

This. Put nice tips on them and make sure all the finish is off the shaft. By nice, I mean LePro.

 

[Texas Carom Club]

nick varner brand house cues are jam up solid playing house cues

 

[axejunkie]

My building bought some Aska brand cues for our table and they hit surprisingly well. They're an import brand and looks like you can get 4-6 for $200-$300. I can play fine with them when I'm too lazy to lug my case downstairs.

 

[loggerhead12]

nick varner brand house cues are jam up solid playing house cues

Where can you buy them? I only see two references to them - the Nick Varner website, which says dealers only, and Fort Worth Billiards, which only has sneaky petes.