General Category > Oddball
Making Pool Cues
Hugh Currin:
--- Quote from: Kim on May 17, 2023, 05:49:28 AM ---Wow! You should feel pretty happy about that result! Very nice.
Those inlays (or whatever it is) are really nice. And is that some kind of string you've wrapped around the end to get that nice grip part?
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Kim: The string is a common handle material for pool cues. It's an Irish Linen and the material can be purchased for pool cues. It's wrapped around the cue in a recessed section and then "pressed". Pressing involves wetting and then starching the threads and using a linen press. The press is most like a scissor knurl and, in the lathe, heats and presses the strings flat. (I used two flap pieces of oak hinged together.)
The points are a little different from inlays as thought of for pool cues. Inlays are pockets cut 0.1" or so into the surface of the cue and filled with a matching inlay before turning to final size. In the modern age that's a small CNCed pocket with likely "sharp" corners. The endmills used are on the order of 0.02" diameter to get the "sharp" corners. It's in wood but those are tiny.
I'll try this type of inlay but I think I need a better spindle first. I've used a trim router as an auxiliary spindle on my knee mill so far. It's worked well but I suspect the run out of an inexpensive router would snap these little tools instantly. Have wanted a high speed auxiliary spindle for my mill for years and this is likely the nudge to get one.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Hugh Currin:
--- Quote from: Jo on May 17, 2023, 07:00:10 AM ---Very nice 8)
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Thanks Jo.
crueby:
--- Quote from: Hugh Currin on May 17, 2023, 03:32:30 PM ---
--- Quote from: crueby on May 17, 2023, 03:55:12 AM ---Great work! How did you do the curvy design with the multiple colors? Same on the stripe in the diamonds? Did you machine your own hardware for the joints? Very cool, and enjoy your travels!
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The strips of color are from colored veneer, 0.03" thin poplar wood. The points are made by cutting a 90deg V slot into the forearm, from zero at the point to deep/wide at the base. Then layers of veneer are laid in and covered with the point blank, in this case walnut. It's all epoxied together and them turned back to final diameter. That exposes the strips of veneer as an outline of the point.
The curvy section in the butt is called a Celtic Knot borrowed from wood pen turnering. I've never turned a pen but found it on the Internet. A square block is cut at 45deg almost through. Then the slot is filled with another material, in my case the same veneers as the points, and glued into place. The block is sanded square and slot are similarly completed for all four sides. The square block is turned round and this pattern emerges. Lots of tutorials on YouTube.
I didn't make the shaft (front part) as that is most critical and big manufacturers use some high tech methods. So I bought a shaft from Cuetec. Upon inspection I found the pin (the threaded steel piece that holds the shaft to the handle) isn't the 3/8-14 thread they advertise. It's most like a 9mm-14TPI that you can't buy. So ya, I had to make the pin. At least the threads are TPI which was good for me.
Thank for looking in.
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Thanks for the info on the striping, never seen the knot method before, clever!
RReid:
That's a slick looking pool cue, Hugh. Some interesting techniques involved, and I really like your set-up of the Sherline on the knee mill. Have a good time on your multi-state tour! :cheers:
bent:
Very cool. And yeah, the description of the celtic knot detail is very intriguing, seems like it could be replicated in metal as well.
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