WTB Entry level/beginner cue lathe

Dirtbmw20

Dirtbmw20

Lee Casto
Silver Member
I have posted this in the WANT TO BUY/SELL section, but thought I might get more responses if I listed it in here also.

I am looking for a entery level or beginner cue lathe. Not sure exactly what to call it or refer to it as, but I am looking for a good used or new inexpensive entry level cue lathe. I am only looking to do tip replacements, tenon repair/replacements, shaft cleaning, shaft tapering, etc...

I am NOT looking to get into cue building or doing any kind of inlay work, no wraps, just very basic cue maintenance such as the repairs listed above.

If anyone has anything available, please respond here or send me a PM would be even better. Thanks in advance for any help and considerations
 
Dirtbmw20 said:
I have posted this in the WANT TO BUY/SELL section, but thought I might get more responses if I listed it in here also.

I am looking for a entery level or beginner cue lathe. Not sure exactly what to call it or refer to it as, but I am looking for a good used or new inexpensive entry level cue lathe. I am only looking to do tip replacements, tenon repair/replacements, shaft cleaning, shaft tapering, etc...

I am NOT looking to get into cue building or doing any kind of inlay work, no wraps, just very basic cue maintenance such as the repairs listed above.

If anyone has anything available, please respond here or send me a PM would be even better. Thanks in advance for any help and considerations
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I'll suggest exactly what I told the local room owner. Buy a Hightower. Why?

1. Known quality(Buy ONCE! That 200 bucks you saved is soon forgotten when you start having issues)
2. Customer service(If you have issues, Chris actually answers the phone AND is quite active here)
3. Resale value(If you decide you want to quit, his machines hold there value pretty well and can be resold pretty easy)
 
pescadoman said:
I'll suggest exactly what I told the local room owner. Buy a Hightower. Why?

1. Known quality(Buy ONCE! That 200 bucks you saved is soon forgotten when you start having issues)
2. Customer service(If you have issues, Chris actually answers the phone AND is quite active here)
3. Resale value(If you decide you want to quit, his machines hold there value pretty well and can be resold pretty easy)
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Can't afford NEW, so if you know anyone with a USED one, send em my way.
 
Dirtbmw20 said:
Can't afford NEW, so if you know anyone with a USED one, send em my way.
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Couple suggestions for you then:

- Decide what you want to do with the lathe. Repairs, Cue Building, etc..?
- Learn all the prices, options and lathe makers
- Do your research and know what you want/need to start
- Keep saving money
- Keep an eye on this section for used Lathes
- If you see a used Lathe you want, buy it. The good machines at good prices do not last long here. Don't rush into anything but don't BS or waste time either .
- You do NOT need EVERYTHING at once. If you're going to build cues, you are going to spend months just getting square wood round and round wood smaller.
- Buy the best you can afford even if you have to put a few options on the back burner.
- Consider a new lathe, again you do not have to buy everything all at once.
- Going by price and functionality I would suggest Hightower or Bassel. Their lathes are also modular so you can add on as you go.


Search through this section and also "Ask the Cuemaker". There are tons of posts and they cover pretty much anything you want to know. Do your homework.
 
Though there are other lathe makers with good reputations, I've had all positive dealings with Chris Hightower (Cueman).
 
Any particular reason you guys don'tt like the shaftmaster? Was considering one, so I'm curious. Thx!
 
Ask Curtis Robertson if he would us one.

Bustah360 said:
Any particular reason you guys don'tt like the shaftmaster? Was considering one, so I'm curious. Thx!
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I really think it's the point of the forum to help those entering cue maintenance find great solutions. A good start for a spinner is a TAIG based system, because it's a system that is modular in nature.
 
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My 2 cents...

It'll cost way more than you think...

I just bought a nice repair lathe...now I need a couple tool boxes and shop table, overhead light, variety of ferrules, strangely large variety of common preferred tips, break tips, more tooling, glue, sandpaper, sealer, wax, and a small world of a lot more crap...

Not to mention, practice dowels, and gumby cheapo ferrules,and tips for practice.


WTF, I just want to help out a few friends around here and stuff...


I mentioned this on another post...but it may help with your thought process.
jwe
 
WHY someone would re-kindle an old thread of mine on a lathe to ask a question about a shaftmaster is odd to me, instead of starting their own thread asking their question.

Nevertheless, as much as I appreciate the offers, please note I ALREADY BOUGHT A LATHE approx. 7-8 months ago, so PLEASE no more PM's trying to sell me a lathe. :)
 
How about an update

Dirtbmw20 said:
WHY someone would re-kindle an old thread of mine on a lathe to ask a question about a shaftmaster is odd to me, instead of starting their own thread asking their question.

Nevertheless, as much as I appreciate the offers, please note I ALREADY BOUGHT A LATHE approx. 7-8 months ago, so PLEASE no more PM's trying to sell me a lathe. :)
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So, what did you buy, and how is it?

Dale
 
pdcue said:
So, what did you buy, and how is it?

Dale
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Dale, I bought one of Todd's lathes used from another forum member and so far absolutely LOVE the lathe. The help, knowledge, and customer service from Todd has been EXCEPTIONABLE, especially considering I didn't buy the lathe from him new. Todd has bent over backwards to help me in any way he can with any problem I've had. And this forum and it's kind members have given me TONS of valuable info also. It has been a very fun learning experience and I've only begun to learn.
 
Dirtbmw20 said:
Dale, I bought one of Todd's lathes used from another forum member and so far absolutely LOVE the lathe. The help, knowledge, and customer service from Todd has been EXCEPTIONABLE, especially considering I didn't buy the lathe from him new. Todd has bent over backwards to help me in any way he can with any problem I've had. And this forum and it's kind members have given me TONS of valuable info also. It has been a very fun learning experience and I've only begun to learn.
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Great to hear. Todd is A-OK for sure.

Good luck with your 'noble pursuit'.

Dale
 
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