On this page you can monitor the progress of the cue I am making for the rsb/asp raffle. This will be a sixteen point ebony cue with eight points in the fore end and eight points in the butt sleeve. The short points are ambonya burl and the long points are bocote. Each long point is outlined by a white, dark blue, light blue and a white veneer. The points in the butt will match the fore end. Ring work is bocote and brass and will repeat at the joint, above the wrap, below the wrap and above the butt cap. The cue will have a flat faced joint and use a radial pin. The wrap will be leather. I hope you enjoy watching this cue be created and I will update this page as often as I can.
In this picture I am using a dial indicator to make sure the fore end is running true in the lathe. Once it is perfect it will be bored and then drilled and taped.
Here is the fore end after it has been bored and drilled. I will now tap it 3/8-10.
This is the handle for the cue. Notice that I am using a laminated material for the handle section. I believe that it reduces the chance of warpage and provides more consistency. I have already glued the rings on the handle and now it is time to true it up between centers.
Once the handle is trued up I can cut the tennon to size and drill and tap for the connecting screw.
Now that the handle it attached to the fore end I can make my first taper pass. I always make sure the cue is running perfectly true before making any cuts.
This is a good picture of my router at work.
Once the first taper pass has been made the cue gets a refreshing dip in the Neslonite tank.
Here is a picture of the cue while it is still a little wet. This will give you a good idea of what the wood will look like after the finish is applied.