When to pin?

I tend to do the pin after the finish. I have done it after final cut/sand just before finish and got finish on the pin and had to spend time to scrape it off the bottom of the threads. Isn't fun.
Dave
 
What I like about installing the pin after the finish is I can reface the cue to get a nice sharp edge, but I have also wondered could this cause problems as far as having a truly square face or centered pin. I am glad to hear I am not the only one puttig the pin in after the finish.
 
What I like about installing the pin after the finish is I can reface the cue to get a nice sharp edge, but I have also wondered could this cause problems as far as having a truly square face or centered pin. I am glad to hear I am not the only one puttig the pin in after the finish.

A sharp edge instead of a contoured edge scare me.
 
I've been installing the pin as the last step just before the finish. I don't see much of a down side to installing the pin after the finish if someone desires. I believe the cue would have to be drilled and threaded before the finish and the use of a carbide sanding mandrel would need to be used so that the shaft and joint would match after the finish has been applied.
If I get finish on a shaft or joint face I face that area after finishing but take off so little it makes not any affect on the joint/shaft fit. It does make the shaft joint fit transition a much nicer fit. When rubbing out the parts just going over the edge with a 1000 or 2000 grit paper lightly breaks this sharp edge.

Dick
 
Hi, I seem to be in the minority. I install my pin before I taper the cue when the whole blank OD is slightly smaller than 1 3\8" cue and new shaft not rolling perfectly the first time, every time. Since my whole cue is cored and glued to the dowel, I have not had any problems with the wood moving. Rick G


I install pin after wood blank is smaller than 1 3/8'' , too :thumbup:
 
> I'm really surprised at a lot of these answers,but saying any of you are wrong either.

What I thought was a better idea,turning off a center-drill hole in the pin apparently is not as foolproof as I originally thought,due to potential movement in the wood.

I always thought that a center-drill hole in wood was more likely to wear a little,where the same center-hole in a metal or composite pin wouldn't. Tommy D.
 
> I'm really surprised at a lot of these answers,but saying any of you are wrong either.

What I thought was a better idea,turning off a center-drill hole in the pin apparently is not as foolproof as I originally thought,due to potential movement in the wood.

I always thought that a center-drill hole in wood was more likely to wear a little,where the same center-hole in a metal or composite pin wouldn't. Tommy D.

If the face of the prong or butt cap is squared to the cue a center drill will make a nice drive point. With most hard woods the center will not waller out this hole to any degree. It may widen it slightly but that should be consistent over the entire center. There should be no ware to the center hole as their should be very little, if any slippage. One end is a bearing center and the other is a drive.

Dick
 
I agree, I don't want the cutting tool near my finished product. Rick

Why? If you have trouble cutting a finish then the cutter is to dull, the speed of the lathe is to fast or the finish or sealer is to brittle (if it chips) or not dry enough (if it tares (spelling)). I never square my wrap groove until the finish has been applied and rubbed out and ready to go. If a problem occurs while cutting I know I have a problem with the finish and wait or I re-do depending upon the circumstances.

Dick
 
Why? If you have trouble cutting a finish then the cutter is to dull, the speed of the lathe is to fast or the finish or sealer is to brittle (if it chips) or not dry enough (if it tares (spelling)). I never square my wrap groove until the finish has been applied and rubbed out and ready to go. If a problem occurs while cutting I know I have a problem with the finish and wait or I re-do depending upon the circumstances.

Dick

CNC quality inserts work :-).
 
Why? If you have trouble cutting a finish then the cutter is to dull, the speed of the lathe is to fast or the finish or sealer is to brittle (if it chips) or not dry enough (if it tares (spelling)). I never square my wrap groove until the finish has been applied and rubbed out and ready to go. If a problem occurs while cutting I know I have a problem with the finish and wait or I re-do depending upon the circumstances.
Yes yes yes.

A razor blade in a steady hand also works well for the wrap groove after finish.
 
> Isn't there also some potential for operator error as well in having to take several cuts on a butt and then hanging it,taking it down months later and having it not chucked up the same way as before and taking a cut?

Seems like that would sure as shit affect other things like point lengths. Tommy D.
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In MY shop.......all joint work including the pin is done AFTER the cue is done being taper-turned. The cue will be a few thou. oversize to allow for final sanding with the collar and ring-work installed also.

Many years ago, I tried installing the pin before taper-turning just so I could learn from the procedure. I haven't done it since. I learned.
Others may feel that is the way to go for them and are having success. GREAT!!!!
My experience showed me too many reasons why it's not a good idea. For me anyway.
 
In MY shop.......all joint work including the pin is done AFTER the cue is done being taper-turned. The cue will be a few thou. oversize to allow for final sanding with the collar and ring-work installed also.

I'm with you on this one, I pin after the seal coat but before final finish.

Alan
 
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ditto

:thumbup:

How do you guys mate the shaft to the butt if you don't put the pin in until after the finish is started? You can't put the shaft on the butt nor can you put the butt onto a carbide.

Dick
 
How do you guys mate the shaft to the butt if you don't put the pin in until after the finish is started? You can't put the shaft on the butt nor can you put the butt onto a carbide.

Dick

I was wondering the same thing!
 
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