Repairs & Alterations

Oh dear...

 

Q: Your cue is no good/broken, what do you do?

A: Don't throw it away yet! I have the technology...

 

IMPORTANT

• All repair/alteration prices can be found in shop here
• Please do not email me for prices, you will only get a link back to the shop

 

It's always nice to have a new cue. But don't rush to throw your old cue away...

I have carried out thousands of repairs/alterations and believe me, no matter how ‘broken’ your cue appears, the chances are that it can often be repaired and returned in a better than new condition.

Because of the ongoing impact a cue receives, it is hardly surprising that, occasionally, something that should stay stuck, comes loose. This is far more likely to happen on a cheap cue but can easily occur on the most expensive hand made cues.

It doesn’t mean the cue is no good any more, it just means it needs a little service. If you like the cue enough it is always worth sticking with it and getting it fixed.

Likewise, you may be happy with your cue but just need some alterations, smaller ferrule, 1pc to 2pc conversion, etc..

Either way, there are remedies worth exploring if you still actually like your cue.

 

Common problems

Ferrules

Have you ever used a cue that occasionally makes a strange noise? Maybe a slight ‘metallic’ sound on certain shots?

I have come across this sound so many times over the years, and almost invariably it comes down to one of two things – either a loose ferrule or a poorly fitting tip.

The funny thing is that because of the way sound travels, it often appears that the ‘annoying rattle’ comes from the butt end or near the joint. That is not to say that the weight in the butt or the joint may be loose, but more often than not, it is just the ferrule.

I have lost count of the number of times a client has told me the weight or joint is loose, only to find that it was the ferrule after all.

So don’t throw your old favourite away because you think that noise cannot be stopped. This is an inexpensive job and can be easily repaired to a perfect condition. The noise will miraculously stop.

But be warned – this job can be done very badly. Choose your repairer with care!

Weights

If it is not the ferrule making the noise then the problem may lie with a loose weight. This can usually be easily rectified, although it does need to be handled with care. Special consideration needs to be given to the type of weight and how deep it is seated in the cue.

To stop a weight rattling it will have to be removed from the cue and then a new weight inserted. You need to know exactly where the weight is, and you can’t afford to work ‘off centre’. It is very easy to split the butt of a cue through incorrect ‘drilling’ or ‘boring’.

Most weights are made of lead which is a soft metal that is easy to drill out. However, many of the cheap imported cues use ‘hard metal’ weights and these can be a real problem. They are extremely hard and difficult to drill, causing intense heat to build up in the butt, often leading to splits. But with care, and the will, it can be fixed.

Joints

If it is not the ferrule or the weights making the noise, then it may be the joint. Joints can often become loose and cause a noise when hitting the cue ball. In extreme circumstances they can fall out completely!

Don’t despair, it doesn’t have to mean the end for your prized possession. A joint can usually easily be reset, or if necessary, replaced. Once again this can be done to a perfect, ‘better than new’, condition. However, it is very difficult to do correctly…

Unlike ferrules, which can be done relatively well with very limited tooling or equipment, a join has to be set correctly. The faces need to be perfectly flat and it is often very important to the client that the grain still matches up in exactly the same place that the client is used to.

Another consideration is the type of joint. Some joints, because of their design, will affect the sound of a cue. Sometimes a cue will develop a strange sound because of the affect of wear on the joint. This is not necessarily a fault, and there may be nothing wrong with the joint. But it may just become a little annoying that your cue is not sounding as solid as you want it to. It needs replacing if you want it to stop.

The BENDS!

Cues can bend because it's perfectly natural for wood to ‘move’ with changing temperatures/climate.

A bent cue does not mean it is no good anymore, or poor quality to start with. Hopefully the cue will always stay pretty straight, but if it does appear bent, do not despair - they can be straightened.

Again, if you like your cue enough, don't chuck it away, get it straightened.

For more information on bends/straightness see INFO – Straight Cue?

 

Conclusion

• Don’t throw away your cue just because it starts to sound funny or develops a fault
• Solving the problem of a noise is usually best done by elimination - first the ferrule and tip, then, depending on the type of cue and manufacturer, the weight or join
• These repairs can be done in days, not weeks so you don’t have to give up your cue for long!
• If you love your cue then it is worth the effort trying to fix it first