***WOW*** -R- 360 in progress

jkmarshall_cues

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Mr. Jerry Rauenzahn has been perfecting his full-spliced cues for nearly 4 years now with sharp points on top and the lower return points. He has also done many repairs on Brunswick 360's including some work on a couple of mine. We have joked over the years about making a 180 version before building a true 360. Well, Mr. Jerry just sent me a couple of pics of his first prototype soon to be sent my way. Here's a little info on the original early 360's Brunswick built along with personal dialogue from Jerry from our conversations and emails.


"Hi John,
I used straight grain maple on the forearm, Cocobolo in the middle section, and Hondurous Rosewood on the rear section. I used only three b/flys and these woods because I wasn't sure if the first attempt would yield a usable cue. On this first attempt I wasn't sure if the Points where too deep or not deep enough especially in the mid section. As it turned out this butt is very usable.

On The front section the B/flys are really close in height however the mid section varies about 3/8 ". No problem, I Know how to improve on them with the next 360 butt."

"This proto type -R- 360 cue has a normal size joint = .840" instead of the .760" - .790" so it will be a player instead of a "Closet Queen."

Bogey / Chris Grader posted on AZ like three years ago early /09 when I made my first full Splice that in my bucket list that Jerry-R- wanted to make a copy of the brunswick 360.

I lost a lot of sleep over point locations, points and butterflies being long enough, deep enough, and how long each section should be, mind boggling to say the least. Also changing my old machines and cutters to fit the different thicknesses when adding points or butterflies, and especially the angles of the points. When Berger (a Frenchman working for Brunswick at the turn of the century) "the originator of this style of points and butterflies" Hence "Berger Points," worked for Brunswick he probably had machines set up for each segment of the 360, but for a one man operation I needed to change my machines for each section.

If a person wanted to copy the most intricate CNC decorated cue in the world he would need to make up a program to match each inlay and its location and with a lot of patience it could be done.

But making a copy of the Brunswick 360, CNC is not that helpful. It takes trial and error plus a big scrap pile and a crafty patient person to make a reasonable copy of the Berger style 360.

Also My hat is off to Mr. Berger, I love to look at his old Brunswick 360s.

Your Friend
Jerry-R-"

I wanted the bigger 0.840" joint which would still look fantastic and be a player which is what I was looking for. We discussed the pin location and decided on the butt side so it would last longer, and I could use my Predator shafts I've used for 14+ years.

Enjoy the pics in progress.

John



This was Jerry's first try at an -R- 180.



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Here's the prototype -R- 360 in progress. When the cue is finished I will post more pics.



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Absolutely beautiful cues here...you are very lucky and congrats. I could also only dream of owning such a cue.

Thanks for sharing these with us.:thumbup:

Best,
Mo
 
A classic in the making....

Nice cue John!

I knew Jerry was thinking about building one of these but didn't realize it was close to being done.....the .840" ivory joint looks awesome and should play fantastic!!

Very nice :thumbup2:
 
Thank you for the kind words everyone.

Mr. Rauenzahn's abilities amaze me too!!!

In the last 85+ years or so, (as far as I know) only Scott Gracio and Jerry -R- has understood the frustrations and elations of successfully completing such an endeavor.

My intentions are from the heart.

CONGRATS MR. JERRY!!!

You too Mr. Gracio!!

Thanks for all you guys do!

Keep pushing the envelope everyone.


John
 
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These cues are simply amazing. To do these in the highest standards are impossible to fanthom. Huge props to Scott Gracio and Jerry.

Thanks to JK for sharing the photos as well.
 
Hi,

This cue displays everything a cue maker would want as an outcome on a high end cue build in every detail that I can see. There is a lot of geometry to bring together here and Jerry has done it with the skills of a master.

Keep on trucking Jerry, your talent is always showing big time.

Rick Geschrey

PS: The ivory knocks it out of the park on this cue. Very cool!
 
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In the last 85+ years or so, (as far as I know) only Scott Gracio and Jerry -R- has understood the frustrations and elations of successfully completing such an endeavor.

I suspect should Mr. Wayne see this he will tell you otherwise. To the best of my recollection in a post to Scott he shared that not only has he made -360's but that it wasn't particularly challenging :rolleyes: The R cue is beautiful, thank you for sharing it here.

Todd
 
I suspect should Mr. Wayne see this he will tell you otherwise. To the best of my recollection in a post to Scott he shared that not only has he made -360's but that it wasn't particularly challenging :rolleyes: The R cue is beautiful, thank you for sharing it here.

Todd


The finest, most precise and accurate copy of someone else's artistic achievement cannot escape one glaring fact: it's still just a COPY.

TW
 
I suspect should Mr. Wayne see this he will tell you otherwise. To the best of my recollection in a post to Scott he shared that not only has he made -360's but that it wasn't particularly challenging :rolleyes: The R cue is beautiful, thank you for sharing it here.

Todd

Thats only because when you have a machine that works in 4 axis AND a 4 dimensional universe, you could pump these out in your sleep. :p

Cue looks very clean, and almost like it was a Brunswick.

JV
 
Leave it to a classic cue maker like Jerry to figure this out. Great job Mr. R. - sure to get a lot of attention in the pool room - because you don't see too many players using a 360 anymore.
 
The finest, most precise and accurate copy of someone else's artistic achievement cannot escape one glaring fact: it's still just a COPY.

TW

I understand and agree Mr. Wayne, however I find the design quite attractive and original Brunswick 360's are hard to come by. Without a living maker "copying" this design most would never have the opportunity to own one similar or even see the design to appreciate it. By your own admission you have copied them, neither Scott nor Jerry are hawking the design as original, so I guess I don't understand why it's alright for you and not them or why you feel the need to diminish their achievements unoriginal though they are. I have great respect for your work, both it's originality and it's beauty but I can still appreciate the efforts of both these gentlemen, forgers though they may be...in your eyes.

Todd<~~~voted for your amboyna/purpleheart cue for cue of the year. Beautiful.
 
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