I started this series of articles to let you, our valued reader know what it takes to build a quality pool cue. Not only what it takes to build it, but to put the many parts together in a way that feels perfect in the players hands. Not only to get the length, weight and balance correct, but to also make it into a work of art that will last the players lifetime and even longer.However, after posting our first article we came to relies that we, as they say, put the cart before the horse. Not everyone sees a pool cue the same way. Unless you are a professional, or you just enjoy the game, most people see a pool cue as a long skinny piece of wood used to knock a bunch of balls around a table, trying to get them into the holes.

We know that there is a lot more to a pool cue than just a long skinny piece of wood. It has many parts. In this section we will get into naming these parts, describing what they are, what there function is and how they relate to the other parts. We will keep the language and terms in this section simple, so that anyone will be able to understand it and have a new respect for the game. We will start with the tip and work our way down to the rubber bumper. Enjoy.

THE TIP - Cue tips are in most cases made of leather, however some are made of a harder material such as phenolic resin. The harder material is use when a shot requires more force and less spin, such as on the break or on jump shots. Cue tips are made with varying degrees of DIAMETER, CURVATURE and HARDNESS.

DIAMETER - The normal diameter for a pool cue ranges from 12 to 14 millimeters and for a snooker cue the diameter is smaller, from 10 to 11 millimeters.

CURVATURE - The standard curvature of the dome shaped tip are either dime radius, or nickel radius. This means that the profile curve of the tip will match the curved edge of either a dime or a nickel. The dime shaped tip allows more control, or spin, of the ball when contact is made. The nickel shaped tip is more commonly used when more force and less spin is required, as in the break or jump shots.

HARDNESS - The hardness of the cue tip ranges from vary hard to vary soft. The manufacturing process, compressing and tanning of the leather, determines the hardness of the material to be used. Also if it will be one layer piece of leather or, if it will be laminated construction. Laminated is many thinner pieces of leather layered, glued and compressed together making a harder tip. Cue tips of the one piece, or single layer, construction are softer, having the dime radius, and hold chalk better to allow more control, or spin, when the tip connects with the ball The harder laminated, or resin, tips commonly have the nickel radius used for more force and less spin.

Thank you, our valued readers, for your time and interest in our articles and as always feel free to contact us with any questions, comments or suggestions at PoolCuesPro.com. In our next article we will discuss the next part, the FERRULE and how the tip is connected to it.

Latest additions and updates to PoolCuesPro.com are name or short phrase engraving. Engravings offered in nine (9) different font styles, two (2) different letter styles and ten (10) different colors on VIKING cues.

Coming soon ; Name and Logo engraving on all pool cues, cue cases, ball racks, balls and other items.
We here at PoolCuesPro.com are here to provide you, our valued readers and customers, with the best in products and services. If there is anything that we can do to improve our service to you, please feel free to contact us.

UPDATE: Engraving is now Available for your customize pool cue.

What does it take to make a true quality Pool/Billiard Cue? Let’s take a look at the process from the conception in the makers mind, to the realization of holding it gently in your hand, ready to make that winning shot.

Through these series of articles we will explore what it takes to make a pool/Billiard Cue. We will take a close look at all of the steps. From the concept in design and which material will be needed. Choosing the proper materials, from the tip, ferrule, shaft, collars, joint, wrap. inlays to the butt end bumper. One of the most important parts is what finish to apply for the better protection.

To the layman a Pool/Billiard Cue is simply a long, round, skinny tapered piece of wood that is used to knock a bunch of balls around a table, try to get them in one of six pockets.

To the professional however, the Pool/Billiard Cue, becomes much more. To the Pro it is their tool. A fine tuned instrument made of many fine woods and other materials according to their personal preferences. In most cases the pro’s Pool/Billiard Cue it is not just a tool but a piece of art.

To the professional Pool/Billiard Cue makers, it is not their job, it is their passion. To call a person who makes Pool/Billiard Cues someone who just makes a Cue sticks is like calling a Stradivarius just a violin.

The professional Pool/Billiard Cue maker not only has to be trained in and study of what materials work well together, but also has to know how to put these materials together in a way that is pleasing to the eye. Turning the ordinary Pool/Billiard Cue into a true work of art.

In our next article we will discuss the first part of process , “conception”. The idea of what the maker wants the Pool/Billiard Cue to look and feel like when completed.

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