Craftsman cue - remove varnish?

[MikeyMcD]

So I just ordered a craftsman century cue, as seen, http://www.craftsmancues.com/acatalo...ard_range.html

The extra layer of varnish I guess which is on it isn't causing the smoothest glide across my hand when I'm using it.

So what should I do? I've heard one guy suggest use 400 grit sandpaper - then coat it in linseed oil - then use beeswax in another thread. I haven't heard many others agreeing with that, so I don't know what the best option is. Is varnish something you want to remove? Why did the cue maker put it there in the first place if most people remove it? Could just using beeswax on it do the trick? Or perhaps just using the finest of sandpaper?

All responses appreciated

Cheers

[DWOT]

I too have a Craftman cue that's getting rather sticky, I need to do something but thought of sanding it fills me with dread.

[perpetualboredom]

Varnish??? On a £150 quid cue?

If it's getting sticky its more likely a wax finish. Simply towel it down and buff it.. if you like you re wax the cue and buff it to a nice finish.

[Bigmeek]

Mikey I've also got a Century. Bought it last year. It was coated with something and I remember talking to Simon about it. I just sanded the shaft down. Very happy with the cue. 400grit is fine but you need to work down to 2000/3000 to get a really smooth finish. There's posts on the forum about sanding down cues. Not difficult and very rewarding when you have it finished.

[DWOT]

Towel and buff it is..........

Anybody tried the cue slide stuff they sell?

[Gamma]

I have sanded the shaft of many cues in the past, and always ended up with the same issue over time!! The problem is that once you've removed the varnish(or at least taken some of it off) it allows the dirt to get into the wood, and still gets sticky, plus the area that has been sanded then always looks a different colour to the rest of the shaft. I think the general rule is that you should not sand the shaft at all.

With my previous cues that were coated in varnish, i have found that 'cue silk' does the job brilliantly, you only need to apply a small amount, ok it doesnt last that long before you have to re-apply it, but it does give you the smooth feel over the bridge without damaging the cue.

If you want to get rid of the varnish, maybe a cue maker would put it on his lathe and take it down to the wood and the put a finish on with linseed oil or beeswax.

[DWOT]

I have sanded the shaft of many cues in the past, and always ended up with the same issue over time!! The problem is that once you've removed the varnish(or at least taken some of it off) it allows the dirt to get into the wood, and still gets sticky, plus the area that has been sanded then always looks a different colour to the rest of the shaft. I think the general rule is that you should not sand the shaft at all.

With my previous cues that were coated in varnish, i have found that 'cue silk' does the job brilliantly, you only need to apply a small amount, ok it doesnt last that long before you have to re-apply it, but it does give you the smooth feel over the bridge without damaging the cue.

If you want to get rid of the varnish, maybe a cue maker would put it on his lathe and take it down to the wood and the put a finish on with linseed oil or beeswax.

I've got the Craftsman Special, I'll just stick to cleaning and buffing, I might also give the silk a go. Last thing I want it to knacker up a really nice cue.

[iancafc]

yeh i sanded cues down and used decent stuff but it never comes up as nice as the factory the finish so i would just use a damp cloth and buff dry and use mr sheen

[Freddie Ng]

yeh i sanded cues down and used decent stuff but it never comes up as nice as the factory the finish so i would just use a damp cloth and buff dry and use mr sheen

Did you oil or wax it ??

[hatterboard]

dont sand it, get 0000 grade wire wool, an clean it. always hated the finish (but the rest of the service is great) think its a feel of cheap varnish but aint.

[iancafc]

i oiled it with cloutts cue oil or u can use raw linseed oil and then i use craftsman cue wax all 3 on ebay

[iancafc]

i think alot of the mass produced ones like bce use really cheap varnish because they have to spray 100s more than hand made companys so you will get better finish buying a cue from a pro

[johno]

I've tried the cue slide stuff they sell and it's very good (think it's a silocone based
product ) a couple of drops does the trick. Does anyone know if it's bad
for the wood in the long run ?

[Gamma]

I've tried the cue slide stuff they sell and it's very good (think it's a silocone based
product ) a couple of drops does the trick. Does anyone know if it's bad
for the wood in the long run ?

It is pretty good stuff, i'm pretty sure that on a cue thats got a varnish finish, it cant penetrate the wood, so wont do any damage. I wouldnt use it on a non-varnish finished cue(which should be smooth as a baby's through the bridge anyway).

[ADR147]

its not varnish - its a wax - yes super fine wire wool and a soft cloth will sort it.