What do i need to buy?

MediocrityNC

MediocrityNC

Ring game?
Silver Member
I'm very interested in learning how to make joint protectors, doing tips, and cleaning shafts. I know how to do tips and shafts for the most part, but I'd like to know exactly what equipment I'd need to be able to do all 3 of these things. I'd just like to be able to take care of my own cues, and thought building j/p's might possibly be simple enough to learn to do and a cool hobby.

What kind of lathe? Chuck? Pins? etc.?

I'm only trying to do this as a hobby and thought it would be a cool thing I could do instead of spending all my time at the pool hall . I have a buddy who told me I could get the setup I need for around $600, but if anybody could point me in the right direction to save money and getting set up it would be greatly appreciated!

All help is appreciated and if you have things for sell you can let me know that also, and maybe I can find everything I need here.

Thanks, Matt
 
A lot!!! lol midamericapool.com Todd can help you get a set up for what your looking to do. You can also check out customcuelathes.com or cuesmith.com . I like dealing with Todd and Bassel, the first two I give you but a lot of people also like Chris. In my opinion he is a little overpriced and I tried to deal with him in VF last time we were all there and he acted like he didn't have time and nobody else was in his booth at the time. Anyways if you need anymore help, just ask and I am sure somebody will try to lend you a hand.
 
Contact forum member tsp&b, his name is Todd and ownes Midamericapool, he sells several different entry level to mid-level cue lathes that would get the job done that you are describing. However, me myself as someone very new into the repair end of this field you need to go into this with a VERY open mind. You will spend WAY, WAY more than $600 to get started and it will seem never ending. Although Todd has entry level lathes starting around your price range, eventually you will need or WANT something more or better very shortly afterwards so my advice is to save up and buy what you want or need to begin with, you will be alot better in the long run. Realistically, I would set my goals at a good used lathe at $1000-$1200 bucks. I spent $1400 for mine, USED, but it came with ALOT of extras. I am doing the EXACT same as you and I spent $600 JUST on tips alone to stock, not counting the cost of the lathe, tools, supplies, tools and more tooling for the lathe, wood, j/p pins, j/p inserts, decor rings, collets, maintenance pins, oh yea, did I mention more tools. The list is never ending, I have about $2500 just in doing what you are describing BUT I like to have and keep my supplies in stock and on hand too, not a order as need basis or you'll go broke with shipping charges and you'll lose customers for not having certain tips in stock that they can go to the next repair guy in town and have installed that same day. If you set your sights at spending $600 bucks, you're gonna be disappointed at what you end up with. That is just my thoughts and just my opinion from a very newbie trying to do the same as you are wanting to do. Good luck with your quest.
 
Thanks again Donnie....is this the one you were talking to me earlier about?
http://midamericapool.com/index_files/Page328.htm

And thank you also dirt. I'm only interested in doing work on my own cues. I don't wanna take business from Donnie/bigdon :D. He does great work and when I go get him to work on my cues it makes me want to learn more about all of this and has made me want to try my hand at a few things.
 
Lathes

That's one of them. I am not real big on the wood supports instead of having a bed the entire way. I went down this same path years ago when I started looking. I ended up with several thousands into lathes. I would say to get started just cleaning and changing tips on your own cues I would budget close to $1500.00 and then you have room to expand as needed. This would still be more of a repair lathe and not a building lathe but I could help you around some of the cost to upgrade.

Take all the customers you want ;-) especially the ones wanting those darn Kamui tips, I hate putting those on and hope they stay!!!
 
Hahaha....I don't think people would trust me to do their cues anyway :smile:, and I think you have a better image with league around here(they all know I'm a d*ck :D). Anyway, we'll talk more Wednesday and see what other input I get here too.
 
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