what not to do as a newb cue builder

Trent said:
Ok so ive been building for a few yrs now (been doing repairs for over 6 yrs) and have progressed into a decent cue builder and have talked to a good many diffrent makers about pet peeves and what not and figured id share some dont's for some new guys so as to stay on the right right of the tracks with fellow cue builders.

1. dont call every cue builder who's phone number you can find online and bagger them about every aspect of cue building moving from one builder to another until you get all the answers.

2. try to do it before you ask about it, i know you dont want to fu*k up what your doing but sometimes thats part of learning.

3. when someone is kind enough to share the knowledge with you on how to do something, DO NOT post it up as its old hat for you and your own knowledge when you havent even done it before.

4. dont name drop cuemakers who have given you hand here in there, it looks desprete and they may not mind helping but may not want to be affiliated with how your cues turn out

5. do not offer to help out another cuemaker with a wood transaction and steal the source for yourself, like a greedy dog.

6. try not to give yourself to much props until youve atleast finshed a cue from begining to end by yourself.

7. dont say that your as good as other makers that have been around for a while built tons of cue and spent thousands of hours figuring this stuff out when you havent finished a cue yourself yet.

8. dont talk about technical things like Zero backlash when you have no idea what it is, and have never even ran a CNC machine.

9. find your own style, for the looks and your own way to build a cue internally that fiits you dont just steal everyone elses idea and knowledge.
(if you have a mentor im sure you will be biased on how to build a cue)

10. well dont act like this certain person, and you should be fine.

hopefully this helps some new people out in the future.
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I think this is a very articulate post, well thought out, and wonderful advise for anything you do or attempt to learn.

I would also add, be humble and listen to what others are saying, if you do not understand what or how something applies during a discussion on the forum contact the member who made the statement by PM, or openly ask the member to explain their comment in more detail.

No one should ever be afraid or embarrassed to admit they do not know or understand something because this is how you will gain respect and become one of those people others are glad to assist.


JIMO
 
manwon said:
I think this is a very articulate post, well thought out, and wonderful advise for anything you do or attempt to learn.

I would also add, be humble and listen to what others are saying, if you do not understand what or how something applies during a discussion on the forum contact the member who made the statement by PM, or openly ask the member to explain their comment in more detail.

No one should ever be afraid or embarrassed to admit they do not know or understand something because this is how you will gain respect and become one of those people others are glad to assist.


JIMO
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I agree with you Craig on this..
 
manwon said:
I think this is a very articulate post, well thought out, and wonderful advise for anything you do or attempt to learn.

I would also add, be humble and listen to what others are saying, if you do not understand what or how something applies during a discussion on the forum contact the member who made the statement by PM, or openly ask the member to explain their comment in more detail.

No one should ever be afraid or embarrassed to admit they do not know or understand something because this is how you will gain respect and become one of those people others are glad to assist.


JIMO
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Well said Craig. I was recently insulted for asking for info on accurate hole making, but i didnt let that bother me. I learned quite a bit, and im much more proficient at doing it thanks to the help of several cue makers. I did attempt it on my own first and screwed up 5 cues before i asked for help though, lol. I try to learn on my own, but im an idiot and sometimes need some guidance. I wont let my ego stop me from asking for help, or learning a different way of doing something. I just hope one guy doesnt keep all the cuemakers and people with talent from helping dumb noobs like me, lol.

Joe
 
After my first couple years I found myself in the emergency room twice with a major allergic reaction to something? I finally discovered it was 2 part epoxies. Read the MSDS, material safety data sheet, on EVERYTHING. I was devastated thinking I would have to stop but now I wear nitrile gloves when glueing and all is well in my world. Just because something doesn’t bother you today, if it’s not good for you, it will eventually catch up to you.

I need to take more precautions when spraying. I have an explosion proof room with exhaust and wear a mask, but I can still smell the vapors. How well do those air masks work?
 
Blue Hog ridr said:
I know I have posted this a couple of times before but it needs to serve as a reminder.

Do not work on cues without a shirt on, no matter how hot it is.
At least if you do, do not let left nipple get close to rear chuck.
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It makes my eyes water just thinking about it.

Kim
 
DanO said:
I need to take more precautions when spraying. I have an explosion proof room with exhaust and wear a mask, but I can still smell the vapors. How well do those air masks work?
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If you can smell fumes. Something is wroung. Change your cartriges and store the whole thing in a plastic ziplock bag. The activated charcoal keeps filtering air even when you arn't using it. By putting it in a plastic bag. It will clean the air in the bag. Then stop, Saving it's self for later.

Larry
 
Hey, now thats a great tip. I have mine hanging on the lid of my tool box.

Will dig out a freezer bag later.
 
My number one lesson as a new cue-repairman in the 80's was never set your lathe up in the living room no matter how small your place is. That is a sure fire way to wind up costing yourself tens of thousands of dollars. Not on equipment, but on buying a new house with a basement. :smile:

Number 2. You do NOT need a partner to build cues. If it is not family you probably don't want a partner. Partnerships can ruin the best of friends.

Number 3. Don't put yourself under financial hardship getting started. Do repairs and let the money you take in buy the next equipment. It takes a while to master the various aspects of cuemaking and repairs so there need be no rush to buy everything all at once, if you can't afford it.

Number 4. Always treat people right and they will be back.

Number 5. Do it because you have a desire to build cues. Don't even start if your main motivation is the money. You will burn out if the money is your desire. Just like pool players who love money more than the game usually burn out on the game. The money will come along in some amount if the deisre to master this thing is there. Don't expect to get rich at cuemaking and repairs, but if the desire is there and you would be content with making some good part time money go for it.

Number 6. Keep everything in balance. There are more important things in life than pool and cues. Make sure your priorities stay right.

Lucky Number 7. This should probably be number one, but I am too lazy to move it up there and retype the numbers. Take care of your health. Wear safety glasses, dust masks and respirators when dealing with dust and fumes and use gloves when gluing stuff up. Get good ventilation in your shop. You will come in contact with things that are very unhealthy and can accumilate for decades in your system. There are many cuemakers in the graveyards today who would still be with us if they had practiced the above things from the start.
 
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63Kcode said:
If you can smell fumes. Something is wroung. Change your cartriges and store the whole thing in a plastic ziplock bag. The activated charcoal keeps filtering air even when you arn't using it. By putting it in a plastic bag. It will clean the air in the bag. Then stop, Saving it's self for later.

Larry
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I know lots of guys that have a hard time getting a complete seal with their respirator if they have a beard, or their glasses get in the way. They seem to go with a powered respirator like "Air Cap". The freezer bag works well to keep te filters fresh tho.... Larry
 
save masks

63Kcode said:
If you can smell fumes. Something is wroung. Change your cartriges and store the whole thing in a plastic ziplock bag. The activated charcoal keeps filtering air even when you arn't using it. By putting it in a plastic bag. It will clean the air in the bag. Then stop, Saving it's self for later.

Larry
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Great Tip!!
 
respirators

meridianblades said:
I know lots of guys that have a hard time getting a complete seal with their respirator if they have a beard, or their glasses get in the way. They seem to go with a powered respirator like "Air Cap". The freezer bag works well to keep te filters fresh tho.... Larry
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What do you suggest we use? Brand/ type etc. And where would you buy it for a good price?
thanks,
 
JerseyBill said:
What do you suggest we use? Brand/ type etc. And where would you buy it for a good price?
thanks,
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Hey Bill,
Theres lots to pick from. Heres a link to a popular version....

http://www.resp-o-rator.com/

Woodcraft used to sell the Air Cap II for $169. but it looks like theres a bunch of new versions out now. Here's a site for some of those newer versions....

http://www.bradwest.com/

Far as price goes I would look around, its been a few years since I was in the market. I like the 3M half mask and the seperate face shield, but what ever is most comfortable for ya. :thumbup:

Larry
 
qbilder said:
I wouldn't trade experience for intelligence any day.
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That's probably 'cause you got brains. You gotta have both.

I have guys with 10+ yr experience in my industry (far from cue making) that are just plain dumb. They only know how to do things the way they've done it before, don't really understand why they do it that way, what alternative methods may be available and how to think about improving their methods/process.

In status-quo environment, they are acceptable performers. In a changing environment, they are as clueless as a newcomers. Sometimes, a newcomer with a brain are better as they don't know the box and therefore can think outside the box and are willing to take chances and make mistakes (and thus gaining pertinent experience).

I'm generally not bothered by first error/mistake as long as the person has the capability to learn from it and not make repetitive error/mistakes.
 
Hi,

Build cues, make mistake, read the forum, and learn from your mistakes and get better. If you don't quit you will be a cue maker.

Rick
 
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