What would you do.....

[Bill the Cat]

I've currently got a re-tip job that a guy is to pick up tomorrow. It looks like he's used sandpaper on the shaft in the past. Wood being softer, the diameter of the shaft is less than the diameter of the ferrule (.020"). I didn't notice the difference when he gave me the shaft, but, when I chucked it up in the lathe, I could definitely see the difference (.468" shaft, .488" ferrule).

I've been unable to reach him to see what he would like me to do and I'm wondering what other's would do in this situation.

1) Simply put on the tip and blend it to the ferrule...ignoring the difference in shaft/ferrule diameter.

2) Machine the ferrule to match the shaft when installing the tip.

Opinions?

 

[Chris Byrne]

I would install the tip and when he comes to pick it up advise him of the problem and see if he wants to go any further. I try to not do any unauthorized work as some people have strange things the like. He may have paied to have this done. Remember the old bell shaped ferrules? I have had people request their's be changed to that style before. Chris.

 

[iusedtoberich]

Don't turn down the ferrule! You will create extra work for yourself, that the customer might not even want.

You might also get a customer who claims you ruined his shaft, cause he used to play with a .488 tip and now he will be playing with a .468 tip.

You will come across these jobs where the ferrule is bigger than the wood a lot, especially on banger's cues. Just put the tip on, clean the ferrule, and do nothing else unless specifically asked to.

 

[Bill the Cat]

You're right!

Thanks guys! You're right of course. I've always had a problem with stuff like this. I feel like I'm only doing half the job by JUST putting on the tip in a case like this and it irks me to do a half-way job. Still, it's not my place to make decisions for a customer.

I'll keep trying to get in touch with the guy to hopefully let him decide before I do the tip.

 

[CueCaps]

Howzit Guys,
Just wanted to add, I would have stopped the job and wait till I can notify the customer. CYA is always good to keep in mind. Once we do work on the item, it's a " your word against mine" kinda thing.
In your case, did you "clean off the existing discoloration of the undersized area?
That would have been your only "whitness mark" that you didn't cause the
discrepancy.
Not trying to step on anybody's toes, but, what if I install the tip and the customer tells me if he'd known about the descrepancy, he would not have install the tip and maybe buy another shaft.
Might waste his money or worse, not want to pay cause he's not going to use or keep the shaft.
Somebody going to lose.
I'm not trying to be negative, just want to say my views so we all see the whole picture and that everybody is in a "win win" situation.