Cleaning/Flushing up Side of Tip

[CeeJay147]

Hi all, I'm planning on re-tipping my cue soon. I've always done the re-tipping myself but the one thing I seem to struggle with is getting the tip completely flush with the ferrule. After trimming the excess off I tend to use sandpaper or something abrasive around the edge of the tip but end up scratching the ferrule and still not getting it neatly flush. Any tips or advice on getting it flush would be appreciated. Cheers, Cory

[Maxsys]

First off use masking tape on the ferrule.

Second watch the videos on here http://www.handmadecues.com/info/30-retipping.htm

[Terry Davidson]

Thirdly, if you use a fine file then you won't scratch the ferrule at all. I actually use one of those metal nail files with the coarse and fine sides which are flexible and they work a treat. You should be able to get them at your local chemists, like Boots or similar.

Terry

[SouthPaw]

Scalpels are great for trimming the tip close to ferrule and little sanding is needed to tidy it up, you can get them cheap from china on uk ebay, masking tape is a must as accidents happen, it saves your ferrule or top of the shaft from getting scratched or even damaged!

[SouthPaw]

Thirdly, if you use a fine file then you won't scratch the ferrule at all. I actually use one of those metal nail files with the coarse and fine sides which are flexible and they work a treat. You should be able to get them at your local chemists, like Boots or similar.

Terry

Yes i actually use something similar and I've been told the glass etc in sandpaper can get into your tip and scratch the cue ball, so no chance with that with a file...

[CeeJay147]

Thanks for all the advice guys! One last question, I've heard superglue gel is recommended due to having more time to adjust the tip before setting. Could I get away with using the normal Loctite superglue liquid? Cheers, Cory

[hotpot]

Thanks for all the advice guys! One last question, I've heard superglue gel is recommended due to having more time to adjust the tip before setting. Could I get away with using the normal Loctite superglue liquid? Cheers, Cory

You can use liquid but it can be messy iy you use too much .

[Mr Badger]

I use a version of Araldite. Fills in any imperfections but have to leave it overnight to harden fully. Wouldn't touch liquid superglue as it soaks into tips and can give hard spots. Wouldn't put you off the gel though.

As for trimming, I always use a file on the top and to get the basic dome shape, with my thumb on the ferrule to protect it. Then when roughly shaped up, I use a pencil sharpener to trim the sides flush to the ferrule. The ones with the 2 sized holes and use the biggest one. Ok up to about 10mm. Hold it parrallel to the ferrule and steady as you go. Need to use a sharp blade and it's only good for about 5 tips. The swop the blades over from the small opening. They're only a few pence from the supermarket. Finish off the shaping up and tart it up on top with a bit of med/fine sandpaper. Don't go near the ferrule with it. A final trim round with the pencil sharpener and burnish it with a bit of plastic cue paper. I leave a pencil sharpener in my cue case in case I have to tidy the tip up should it misshape when it's bedding in.

You just have to be careful not to dig into the ferrule. Not for everyone, but works perfectly for me and the team that I do tips for.