How To Tip A Pool Cue??

Question

I just bought a Pool Cue for my Wife. I know nothing about pool cues and she is just getting into it. She has always used the pool cues that are at the tables where the tips are already ruff. The pool cue I bought her has a hard wooden tip. How do you ruff the tip up so it holds chalk? What tips are the best type? Do all tips glue on? Any sugestions would be great.

Answer 1

Well, it's great to see that your supporting your wife in her quest to play pool. It's a great game and I'm sure she's gonna have a blast. The tip is actually made of leather. The best way to work on the tip is with a small tool that is used to scuff and shape the tip all at one time. You can pick one up at most pool halls or sporting goods stores. You may also want to buy a burnisher to keep the tip smooth on the sides and prevent mushrooming. These tools are inexpensive and very important. The tip is actually the most important part on a cue. There are s***w on and slip on tips but I find that glue on leather tips usually work the best. As far as cue care goes keep it clean and away from extreme heat , cold and moisture. Always keep it in the case when it's not being used . If you have a pool hall near where you live they may have a pro shop repairman that can help you keep your cue playing great. Good luck to ya!

Answer 2

Coarse sandpaper will shape and rough up the tip.  The problem is it's difficult to get a symmetric shape unless you have a tip tool which you can find at any billiards supply store, whether locally or on the internet (let me know if you want suggestions).

As for the "best type", since she's just starting, I wouldn't worry about it too much.  A local billiards store would be the best place to start.  The cheaper brands include Triangle and Le Pro.  I think they're all leather, so if you see wood at the end of her cue, it's no good.

Glue on tips are used by most players.  The s***w on or slip on tips are very recreational.  But again, since she's just starting, the economics might work better that way.

Answer 3

If there is a pool hall near you, they normally will put a tip on for you.  If the tip is truly "wooden" it won't control the cue ball very well...yes, new tips glue on, and the best, especially for a beginner is to find an elkskin tip. There are special little shapers made to roughen the tip and you want it to be a "half-round" shape as even as possible...not flat/squared off but contoured as if the shaft was rounded on top.  You can use a fine file and sandpaper if you are careful to shape it as described.

It's also a good idea once you have a good tip (important part of a stick) to chalk between every shot.  I've always used Masters chalk...good stuff.  If you can find a professional to put a new tip on..that is the best bet

Answer 4

First of all, the tip is leather. As far as roughing it up, 120 grit sandpaper will do fine, or you can buy a scuffer or shaper which helps it to hold chalk better. Most people prefer anything from a nickel to dime shaped tip. You can either achieve this shape by manually sanding the tip or purchase a shaper that is designed to shape it to a certain radius. There are several on the market and most pool halls, or game room stores carry these.

The tip is one of the most crucial parts of a pool cue and it affects play more than anything else. If she plays at a pool hall regularly, perhaps they have a pro shop or someone that does repairs etc. If so they would be able to help her get her cue in good playing condition.

There are several brands of laminated leather tips (Sniper,Moori,Talisman,Hecules etc) that are generally considered the best due to their consistancy and long life. Other less expensive tips are one piece leather (LePro,Tringle,Elkmaster etc), and these are good as well but lack some of the qualities of the layered tips.

Tips are also graded by hardness. Some brands make tips of varying hardness, some dont. Some players prefer a soft tip, others may like harder tips.

All good quality leather tips are glued on, although they do make cheap s***w-on tips as well, but they are inferior in quality.

My personal preference is a good layered tip with medium hardness, shaped to about a dime shape. Other opinions will be different.

Answer 5

I work for an amusement company, and we use prefelted, slip on tips, for ecomomy and ease of repair. they last a long time and are easily replaced. however, if you find a billiard supply store in your area, and go to their showroom, with your cue, they will be able to show you how to replace or retip your cue, and will have a supply of what you need. It sounds like it doesnt even have a tip on it, and it is expected that you would add one before its use. just look in the phone book under billiard supplies, or call a local amusement company. they will probably sell you some slip on tips. I think you can even buy those at walmart. I have seen them at the walmarts in my area. If you do use slip on tips, be aware that they come in different sizes, and snug is much better than loose. you may have to tap them on by starting it on , then turning the cue over and tapping it on by lightly hitting it on the ground. Best to go ask a billiard person, tho. as you can actualy see your options. *I just checked your link and it says the tips on these cues is leather. the onse we use are like a type of suede or split leather. we just chalk them up and it seems to stick fine to it. It may be possible that your leather tip fell off during shipping, as they are just glued on, If indeed it just seems to be wood. this sometimes happens. some types of tips are a peice that slips onto a narrower, almost milled down area of the cue. If this is the case, you really should take it to a billiard supply store.