cue lathe

[sanman]

As the title says I am looking for a lathe.
Requirements are that I must be able to do joints, ferrules and tapering of cues. Portable and single phase power. Precision is a must. Ability to work with full lenght one piece cues on it.

Any suggestions as to make and price ranges to be expected. I am here in South Africa and I really dont know what the cost of sending overseas is, if I cannot source one here. I have very little experience with lathes but I can get the guys from my company workshop to tutor me and I am pretty quick at learning.

[trevs1]

It doesn't exist.

Lathes that have adequate centres to turn full one piece cues will be of industrial quality, which means BIG.

Lathes for joint work, fitting ferrules or other "close to chuck / collet work" are different beasts really, but, will still be fairly chunky machines, because you'll need the headstock bore to accept at least 35mm diameter. Most machines that have such headstock bore are again industrial, and so again, large / heavy.

Even the smaller machines suitable for this kind of stuff are bulky and not readily portable by any stretch of the imagination.

Unless you have a hydraulic grab on the back of your flatbed lorry that is.

[Maverick54]

Have to agree with Trev. Looked into this a few years back and as he says finding a machine with a headstock bore over 30mm makes it expensive and very industrial.

The Americans make those small little machines that do re-tipping and ferrel work, cleaning etc. OK for playing with I imagine but not available over here. Suprised no ones imported these for sale in this country must be down to costs.

It is possible to adapt some record lathes with a couple of scaffolding poles and a bit of indunuity to accept full length cues but really they're for the hobby cue makers (no dig intended )

[sanman]

Thanks Trevor. I was afraid of this kind of reply. but I had to put out the question. There seems to be a big market for alterations to cues and repairs here as opposed to actually making cues and selling them. I was hoping something matching my requiremnts yet portable might exist but if if does not so be it. I have to travel 50 km each way just to ferrule my cues, besides the fuel costs its the time and inconvenience. The other option of fitting by hand leaves me very nervous even though in the past I have fitted one succesfully its something I would rather not do. Lastly is the power supply restrictions that would come with a large industrial machine that might require 3 phase power. Unless you declare your property industrial(which is again subjected to different taxable rates) you would not be able to get that 3 phase power supply here in South Africa.

[j6uk]

i was the same as you a few years back but the other way round. i did everything by hand because the thought of getting involved with these big machines and all that comes with that, made me nervous.
it is quite time consuming but i find ive now got to the point were i can d most things. here's a few jobs ive done:
http://s1324.photobucket.com/user/j6uk/story/88811
http://s1324.photobucket.com/user/j6uk/story/99063
http://s1324.photobucket.com/user/j6uk/story/87501
http://s1324.photobucket.com/user/j6uk/story/87613

[zak187]

I have a cue smith lathe its a billards lathe quiet good. I could repait one piece cues and 3/4. this lathe does it allMicroCueSmith2013311 (1).jpg

[kir1]

cue lathe

where did you get this lathe?

[bradwight]

I knocked up a homemade lathe using two power drills a plastic tube and laser plumblines to center it mounted on a bench to fit joints last year. Worked fine but was more hassle than I could be bothered with. A steady hand and good eye is all that's needed. I now use a bench vice, standard plumb line and a pillar drill mounted above the vice.

[Maverick01]

Did we ever find a good solution to this? are there any resources on the web to measurements, machines or automatic tools that save time but don't cost the earth, materials to use etc.

I want to do this as a hobby. (Which I see nothing wrong with) apart from the price of wood and equipment lol

Any tips?

[jb134]

There's no shortage of resources. I got two nice harrisons a few years ago bored through at 35mm. Best toy I ever bought but no time to play now! I've plenty of vids etc but never could add them here!

[sanman]

could you post some pics of the lathe with some dimensions. What did it cost you when you purchased that lathe? Also in South africa these things tend to be far away, so besides buying them, its a pain to fetch. I have the art of making cues down quite pat but I am having a problem finishing off. Ie ferrules and butt joints. Havent tried a 3/4 joint but I suppose that if I had a lathe then I could very easily do that. Also Maverick01 if you starting out be prepared for losses as early attempts can be frustrating. Even after you have the art of making cues sorted if you want to make it a financially viable operation you need to establish you brand which can be very frustrating. to date I have sold just four badged cues at prices between 160 and 180 pounds. Sold my earlier attempts very cheaply which sold quickly based on price of raw materials only and unbadged at hat too. Considering the hours and effort it is not justifiable financially, but I am not financially dependant on selling cues for a living as I have a decent day job. This is a weekend hobby hence I make cues very slowly. At best one a month. Right now I am able to splice cues that are mm perfect. I also buy shafts because I am completely unable to source good ash here in south africa. My first attempts with locally sourced ash ended up with more firewood than usable shafts. I have about 6 ready made cues in my possesion at the moment. But all made to my specs.

There's no shortage of resources. I got two nice harrisons a few years ago bored through at 35mm. Best toy I ever bought but no time to play now! I've plenty of vids etc but never could add them here!

Did we ever find a good solution to this? are there any resources on the web to measurements, machines or automatic tools that save time but don't cost the earth, materials to use etc.

I want to do this as a hobby. (Which I see nothing wrong with) apart from the price of wood and equipment lol

Any tips?!

[jb134]

could you post some pics of the lathe with some dimensions. What did it cost you when you purchased that lathe? Also in South africa these things tend to be far away, so besides buying them, its a pain to fetch. I have the art of making cues down quite pat but I am having a problem finishing off. Ie ferrules and butt joints. Havent tried a 3/4 joint but I suppose that if I had a lathe then I could very easily do that. Also Maverick01 if you starting out be prepared for losses as early attempts can be frustrating. Even after you have the art of making cues sorted if you want to make it a financially viable operation you need to establish you brand which can be very frustrating. to date I have sold just four badged cues at prices between 160 and 180 pounds. Sold my earlier attempts very cheaply which sold quickly based on price of raw materials only and unbadged at hat too. Considering the hours and effort it is not justifiable financially, but I am not financially dependant on selling cues for a living as I have a decent day job. This is a weekend hobby hence I make cues very slowly. At best one a month. Right now I am able to splice cues that are mm perfect. I also buy shafts because I am completely unable to source good ash here in south africa. My first attempts with locally sourced ash ended up with more firewood than usable shafts. I have about 6 ready made cues in my possesion at the moment. But all made to my specs.

Am similar, made a few, sold 1 for £180 and if I worked for £5 an hour I made a loss lol. Although I sat it myself it was a good cue but I certainly don't have it "down pat". My planing is not what I'd like it to be. I can only liken the likes of Osbourne or Trevor with a plane to Nigel Kennedy on his violin, the time and skill involved is awesome. The lathe lets me do lots of interesting repairs which covers buying wood paying for electricity etc but as a going concern, for me it's a no go.

I'll try to get the specs of the lathe but I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.

[sanman]

Am similar, made a few, sold 1 for £180 and if I worked for £5 an hour I made a loss lol. Although I sat it myself it was a good cue but I certainly don't have it "down pat". My planing is not what I'd like it to be. I can only liken the likes of Osbourne or Trevor with a plane to Nigel Kennedy on his violin, the time and skill involved is awesome. The lathe lets me do lots of interesting repairs which covers buying wood paying for electricity etc but as a going concern, for me it's a no go.

I'll try to get the specs of the lathe but I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.

WP_20140511_008.jpg. some examples of my work.
Thanks mate. I am not hoping for much.

[RogiBear]

There's no shortage of resources. I got two nice harrisons a few years ago bored through at 35mm. Best toy I ever bought but no time to play now! I've plenty of vids etc but never could add them here!

If you want you can send the vids to me and I'll post them for you

[jim evans]

A record wood lathe which fits on bars give you whatever length of lathe you want but you need at last one steady will allow Most work on a cue.