What's the white material used for the butt cap?

3RAILKICK

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member


Is it available in large enough stock to consider using it as both butt and forearm? Is it too heavy? Could it be cored similar to ebony for weight reasons? Does it glue up well? Take inlays well?

In the forearm are there flex issues that would prohibit use of a white synthetic ferrule/butt cap material? Does it seal/clear coat well?

A white field might be an interesting backdrop for contrasting ebony inlay work.

Any thots?

Is this just another of my bad ideas?


Thanks for your time

3railkick
 
There are different materials. In your post, it isn't clear as to what you're talking about. When you say white material, that isn't accurate enough. A picture would always be best when describing something.

There is delrin which is not supposed to stick to anything. It is very white. There is also phenolic and ivory as well as ivory recon. Antler is also used.
 
All of the WHITE materials used for butt caps & ferrules are heavier than wood, so they would add considerable weight to a cue. However there is a beautiful WHITE WOOD named HOLLY, that is light weight & could be used for cue work...JER
 
Hey, guys... as long we're on the subject of Holly...
Don't think I've ever seen a cue with a Holly forearm. Would there be anything wrong from a weight, integrity, etc, standpoint?
 

I was just about to comment that I've seen a number of cues where the basic cue was Holly. Holly definately has a propensity to twist, dance and move from one corner of your shop to another so it really must be cored for any hope for it to remain stable. I, myself, don't like the use of Holly as it is so hard to keep any other wood dust or other impurities out of the inlays grain but it is the closest, lightweight material that mimics ivory in the looks department.

Dick
 
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KJ
Thanks - Didn't miss it, just forgot it (what else is new...). :o

Dick, thanks for the info. My mind kinda started to whirr thinking about the possibilities using a Holly forearm w/ some high figure wood for contrast. But it sounds like asking for trouble. It does look striking for points. Can look just like ivory from a bit away.
 
in my opinion some of the best looking cues have plane Jane Maple forearms with no flame or birdseyes, .....but the maple wouldnt be as white looking as Holly....

but couldnt they do something to the maple kindof like they do with the shafts labled sno white????...that kind of maple is pretty white.
 
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Is it available in large enough stock to consider using it as both butt and forearm? Is it too heavy? Could it be cored similar to ebony for weight reasons? Does it glue up well? Take inlays well?

In the forearm are there flex issues that would prohibit use of a white synthetic ferrule/butt cap material? Does it seal/clear coat well?

A white field might be an interesting backdrop for contrasting ebony inlay work.

Any thots?

Is this just another of my bad ideas?

Thanks for your time

3railkick
you could just use ivory for the forearm.but you may have to sell the farm for the price of the cue.lol i have seen a paridise with a plastic forearm but not a good idea either way.most cuemakers want the forearm wood to be highly figured with or without inlays anyway
 
Unknown white material

:confused:
All of the WHITE materials used for butt caps & ferrules are heavier than wood, so they would add considerable weight to a cue. However there is a beautiful WHITE WOOD named HOLLY, that is light weight & could be used for cue work...JER

Thanks-I think that answers the question. I didn't know if any 'gloss white' synthetics exist (PVC?) that could work for forearm exterior.

Thank you for your Holly suggestion. How white can it get?

I am stuck on thinking about the striking visual contrast of ebony inlays on white with a 'less is more' design approach. Similar to some simple china
dinnerware designs.

Thanks

3railkick
 
in my opinion some of the best looking cues have plane Jane Maple forearms with no flame or birdseyes, .....but the maple wouldnt be as white looking as Holly....

but couldnt they do something to the maple kindof like they do with the shafts labled sno white????

Glad to hear someone likes the plain, as in straight grained Maple.

The sno white shaftwood comes like that straight from the tree,
or, at least, it is supposed to. Bleaching shaftwood
is a Bozo nono. The white color wood comes from sapwood, keeping
it so white depends on many factors.

So, yes, you could most def make a cue from Maple that would be even
'whiter' than Holly - as always - IMHO.
 
All of the WHITE materials used for butt caps & ferrules are heavier than wood, so they would add considerable weight to a cue. However there is a beautiful WHITE WOOD named HOLLY, that is light weight & could be used for cue work...JER

You are right, there! Gene sometimes uses Holly in his cues. I have a Zebrawood/Holly cue. It is gorgeous with the holly sections in the handle.
 
:confused:

Thanks-I think that answers the question. I didn't know if any 'gloss white' synthetics exist (PVC?) that could work for forearm exterior.

Thank you for your Holly suggestion. How white can it get?

I am stuck on thinking about the striking visual contrast of ebony inlays on white with a 'less is more' design approach. Similar to some simple china
dinnerware designs.

Thanks

3railkick

we use industrial-grade PVC for non-ivory white forearms/buttcaps/inlays. it's pure white and very clean/smooth in appearance & texture. i just don't think it's possible to use it as a forearm. you a weightlifter? :grin:
 
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