***Ask the Cuemaker #7 Thomas Wayne*** - Page 3

brooklynjay · #21 (**permalink**) 11-02-2007, 12:46 PM

a couple of additional questions:

how did you get your start in cuemaking?
what do you think of all the new cuemakers out there who aren't doing apprenticing or learning from established cuemakers? (learning from books, dvds, internet for example)
where do you get the inspiration for your designs?

Hamster · #22 (**permalink**) 11-02-2007, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomasWayne

If you’ve never met Jimbo then you wouldn’t know that he is big, powerful and imposing…

If by that you mean fat, ugly, and bald, I know what you mean... <g>

Incidentally, Thomas, I recall reading a while back that you'd quit making cues and were devoting your time to making props (including some incredible looking wands) for magicians.

Was this a phase you went through or just bad reporting?

Charlie Edwards · #23 (**permalink**) 11-02-2007, 01:36 PM

Thanks for coming to this forum and answering questions from us. All my questions are about the various construction methods and their effect on playability and "feel'' each give the cue. Please comment on the following:

1. Forearm construction; full-splice, short splice, flat bottom points, no
points, and coring.

2. Do you think veneers add to or take away from (or have no effect) on
soundness?

3. On non full-spliced cues, does the type of wood used as a handle
make a difference?

4. Joint material such as ivory, phenolic, steel, or wood.

5. Joint types... piloted or flat face. Also various pins and the material they are made from.

Thanks in advance.

JimBo · #24 (**permalink**) 11-02-2007, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomasWayne

In those days, Jimbo went by “JimboCT”, and right away this guy started talking about the various personalities on that newsgroup, so I immediately started talking sh*t about “JimboCT”. This guy JUMPED on the bait, to the point of practically frothing at the mouth about what an a**hole he [JimboCT] was. When he finally paused to catch his breath I took the opportunity to introduce him to “my friend, JimboCT”. If you’ve never met Jimbo then you wouldn’t know that he is big, powerful and imposing… and we could practically hear this guy crapping his pants on the spot. It was one of the funniest moments anyone could ask for, and Jimbo and I still laugh about it when we get together.

Speaking of which, it’s been way too long since we’ve had that chance… right, Jimbo?

Thomas Wayne

I still laugh out loud when ever I think about this story, it's one of my all time favorite internet pool forums stories. That guy didn't know if he should ****, or go blind. I mean the set up was perfect the delivery was dead pan and the guy fell for it hook line and sinker. It was perfect.

Jim <-------Missed hanging with some good friends last month in Houston.

Jazz · #25 (**permalink**) 11-02-2007, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomasWayne

Lastly, I have been a member of Jimbo’s Army for more years than some of you have had pubic hair (an apropos comparison, I think).

I'm leaving work to go count my public hair ... and then look up the word "apropos"

Jazz <--- wordering if TW is an erudite bastard???

Catscradle · #26 (**permalink**) 11-02-2007, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomasWayne

About playability:

Lastly, I have been a member of Jimbo’s Army for more years than some of you have had pubic hair (an apropos comparison, I think). I remember once, at a BCA show, Jimbo and I were standing in front of my display booth talking, and some guy I’d never met walked up to us. This guy – whose name escapes me now – shook my hand and introduced himself using his screen name from the old usenet news group (rec.alt.poolfags?… I forget…). In those days, Jimbo went by “JimboCT”, and right away this guy started talking about the various personalities on that newsgroup, so I immediately started talking sh*t about “JimboCT”. This guy JUMPED on the bait, to the point of practically frothing at the mouth about what an a**hole he [JimboCT] was. When he finally paused to catch his breath I took the opportunity to introduce him to “my friend, JimboCT”. If you’ve never met Jimbo then you wouldn’t know that he is big, powerful and imposing… and we could practically hear this guy crapping his pants on the spot. It was one of the funniest moments anyone could ask for, and Jimbo and I still laugh about it when we get together.

Speaking of which, it’s been way too long since we’ve had that chance… right, Jimbo?

Thomas Wayne

LOL.
Great story, sure you're not Jim's long lost brother? It is something he'd do.

ThomasWayne · #27 (**permalink**) 11-03-2007, 12:37 PM

It is my understanding from Jimbo that there is a time limit (another day or two) after which this topic will be locked. Because you guys have a LOT of questions I'm going to try to get to them all, but I really feel I should address the most important ones first. For example:

Quote:

Originally Posted by MurrayTucker

The nautique is gassed up, The lakes are still warm and I have an new dock to party on. When are you coming back to Florida?

What lake are you on and is there a slalom course available? Also, what are the nearest accommodations (Hotel, restaurants, etc.) for two or three serious skiers?

How does early May sound?

TW

ThomasWayne · #28 (**permalink**) 11-03-2007, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornerman

What is/are the most difficult material(s) that you've ever worked with on a cue?

Genuine stone (semi-precious minerals) are always the biggest challenge, due to the need for diamond tooling; I’ve only done a little of this; Dave and Jim at Samsara are the undisputed masters. More commonly, the most difficult materials are the exotic woods that are difficult to finish, either because of extreme porosity (Wenge, for example), oiliness (Ligna Vitae) or because of extreme fragility (certain burls).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornerman

If money or legalities were no issue, what material would you like to use in a cue?

Leonard Bludworth’s bones.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornerman

What is the oddest/strangest/worst theme for a cue have you been asked to do? Have there been themes that you refused?

Most of my more unusual cues have been of my own design; Jimbo owns a couple of those.

A few years ago I received a faxed drawing of a design from a wealthy Japanese collector, along with a budget of $25,000. Now ordinarily I am not one to turn down such a hefty commission, but the design itself was horrid. Along with little understanding of proportion and/or the value of negative space, the collector had incorporated an obscene number of jewels (diamonds, mostly), which he intended to provide in addition to the $25K. Unwilling to put my signature on such a monstrosity, I made some modifications to the design and faxed it back, hoping the collector would value my input. He did not, as he already owned the precious stones and wanted a cue that he could brag about having designed himself.

Like all good cuemakers I am a whore, but there are some things I just won’t do. One of them is put my signature on a cue that I can not be proud of. I declined the commission. A week or so later I got a call from another well-known cuemaker, bragging about the $25K commission he just got from Mr. Igotnotaste san. Apparently some whores will do anything.

Thomas Wayne

ThomasWayne · #29 (**permalink**) 11-04-2007, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichR

[...]

And, to follow that question, do you create any other works of art, other than cues?

I have built dozens of "fancy" wands - as well as other props - for magicians (pros, amateurs and collectors), I've built (with a partner) a number of mixed-media sculptures for public buildings under the federal "1% for Art" program, and I've done a good deal of graphic art work, including several posters, print ads and one Billiards Digest cover.

I've also assisted and collaborated on many cue designs for other well-known cuemakers.

TW