CUE CARE

                                                                        CUE CARE

I build my cues at 55% humidity and 70 - 75 degrees. Keeping your cue as close to these parameters the better. Different states might have different parameters for cue making. However, these parameters are ideal for Iowa, most other states and countries. This is what I call a happy medium for cue building. These parameters provide the wood with the correct moisture content. Fine furniture and musical instruments are also built this way. You may notice that 55% humidity and 70 -75 degrees is also the ideal comfort for humans.

I must as a cue maker keep my wood climate controlled at all times. I control this by humidifiers during the winter months and dehumidifiers and air conditioning during the summer months. Only a short period during the spring and fall months are these parameters ideal without artificially controlling them.

Now lets talk about taking your cue out of these ideal conditions. First off, a good case will help shield your cue. Transporting your cue by vehicle your cue can be subject to extreme temperatures and humidity. I never transport my cue in my car trunk especially in the hot summer months or the cold winter months. I always transport my cue in the back seat of my car.

Even at home your cue should be stored in a case. Never leave your cue in the basement if your basement is humid, don't leave it on top or near a furnace or heater. If you have a pool table in your house never lean your cue in a corner overnight, this will warp the shaft.

Breaking with your cue is a controversial subject. Some pros use their playing cue to break with. I have never broken one of my cues by breaking with it, but breaking with a downward force can be hard on the shaft. It is up to the individual if they want to break with their playing cue, but I don't recommend it, especially if it is a high dollar cue. Why put wear and tear on an expensive cue. Powerhouse breakers normally use a break cue for the soul purpose of breaking. These cues normally sell for less.   I sell solid wood prong cues for breaking, these are a less expensive cues but have the same high quality. These cues can also be used for playing as well as breaking.

Shafts can last 20 years or more if taken care of properly. Sanding your shaft excessively can deteriorate it quickly and also changes the way your cue plays. Reconditioning your shaft or removing dents should be done by a qualified person. Shafts can be spun, cleaned and conditioned using fine sand paper (1000 grit) and wax. Some customers that have purchased cues from me 5 - 6 years ago bring their shafts to me for reconditioning. My shaft lathe spins at 3500 RPMs and while cleaning these shafts I can see that the shaft is still running out perfectly straight. I can tell this by removing my hands from the spinning shaft and the ferrule looks like it is standing still. This tells me that if you take care of your cue, your cue will take care of you.

I watch this gauge like a hawk.

Removing your shaft like this can result in cross threading, especially wood thread and nylon inserts.

Leaning your cue like this will definitely warp your shaft, even overnight.

All cues are hung throughout production until sold.

Solid prong break or playing cues.

These are new cues. Cues maintained in excellent condition may increase in value every year.