Seeking Information to begin cue making...

[Manwon]

Originally Posted by danmccauley

Hello,
I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction. I am extremely interested in learning the process and techniques of cue making. I am looking for any resources that may help me out. Really very interested but need a good push in the right direction. Thanks in advance.

Dan

Hello Dan, I have been repairing cues for around five years, and in December of 2005 I built my first conversion cue from a Titlist one piece. I learned to build cues the hard-way,which is buy disassembling old cues to see how they were built, but I think there is something to be said for this method. If I were you Dan, I would purchase a copy of Chris Hightowers book which is for the beginning cue maker.

There is a wealth of information in it that can answer many of your questions. Dan keep in mind that this book will not teach you completely how to make and finish cues, however, it will get you started in the right direction. I wish that I had it when I started my journey down this path. Oh and by the way, as you have most likely already found out there is not a great deal of information on this subject out there.

Dan expect to spend between $7000 and $10,000 in equipment and materials to get started. These figures can be greater or less depending upon the machinery you purchase. I do not recommend, like many others do, to purchase repair equipment in the beginning. If you do this you will end up with a great deal of unused equipment in the end like I have.

I recommend a Porper B Lathe for your starting machinery. This machine can and will allow you to explore all facets of cue making from the beginning. Now others will recommend, the Unique Products Lathe, or the Hightower Lathes, these and all the other machines do not touch the Porper B Model Lathe. The Porper B will cost fully tooled for cue making around $4150 to $4550 delivered anywhere in the country. The other lathes may be a bit cheaper/ around $1000 to $1500 less depending upon additional tooling, but they are no match.

Below is a link to the Hightower website where you contact Chris to purchase his book. Trust me, put everything else on hold until you read it.

Cue Man Billiard Products - Cue Smith cue lathes, inlay machine, supplies and more

Good Luck, and have a great day!!!!

[Jack Madden]

And the most important piece of equipment is your dust collection, spray room ventilation and personal respirator. You will be working with materials that can seriously endanger your health. I don't want to be sucking my air through a tube in my "golden years" so I use a respirator (not one of those little white mask things) all the time and have invested in dust collection etc.