Who here install's their own Tip's and what tool's do you use

At events where there is a cue repairman/retipper, I often spend most of an hour watching him work. The procedure these days for taking the side of the tip down seems to be to use a cutting tool on a gear drive where you can do a few thousandths at a time if you want to. It also gets the top of the ferrule perfectly flat and clean. Much better than the chisel fu I experienced.

For those who think they're pretty handy, you may enjoy this video that I stumbled on of a guy using his hands to do an amazing restoration job:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaVx5LJ7t_c

Apologies in advance to those of you who smell of WD-40.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6TC0CIFRxL/?igshid=11ya572ll10id

Shameless link to my Instagram page. I don’t use a toolbit on a tip. Ever.
 
Nice work. That's why i have mine done. I could never get this level of accuracy by hand.

Why trust your cue to someone that does this once every few months? I do this daily - and for the $15 I charge you for install, I assume all the risk. I just don’t understand people that step over $5 bills to pick up nickels.
 
I've worked in a couple pro shops and apprenticed as a younger guy, and did tip installs on the side for years.
I'm guessing I've put on at least 300+ tips at this point in my life.
Most people use a gel type CA glue because it has less solvent. Many will follow up with an accelerator to speed up drying time.
Often the repair is done on a lathe.
Solid leather tips are trimmed with a tool.
Layered tips are trimmed using a type of blade most often.
I've grown lazy the past few years and now depend on a local friend.
This is what I used when he went on vacation
and I was left stranded at the pool hall to fend for myself. :thumbup:
 

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Why trust your cue to someone that does this once every few months? I do this daily - and for the $15 I charge you for install, I assume all the risk. I just don’t understand people that step over $5 bills to pick up nickels.

Not everyone has a professional near.
 
Six years ago I created the following DIY tip installation instructional and posted it to Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UHlJUye9zI

Seems to have helped a lot of people from the positive feedback I've received in the intervening years and close to 100,000 views. Be sure to click on Show More for the additional, possibly helpful facts and minutiae I added from time-to-time over the years.

There are many approaches and now many videos on the subject. This was my contribution, done with a distinctly non-pro camcorder and originally intended just to assist members of a local billiards club who frequently asked me how I've always done my own tip replacements.

Arnaldo
 
If not confident on putting in a tip...go to the thrift store and buy a cue for $5 and to Walmart for a tips and Installer kit for about another $5. Practice. Give it a try. Easy Peasy.

Only risk is you glue your Finger to your eyeball.
 
Williard machine (best money I ever spent) & Loctite 411 (NEVER had a tip come off). Unless of course, you are the ‘all thumbs’ type. No substitute for the right tool, and the convenience to do it right, whenever you want to.
 
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