Cues bent from cue racks

[Shockerz]

I've been offered an old circular cue rack from a mate but the support circle at the bottom is larger than the part at the top so every cue will lean about 6 inches.

This makes me think that over time each cue may warp because it isn't stored straight.

What do you think?

[tetricky]

The general rule is vertical or flat (if flat, ideally supported along the whole length with sponge). The more off vertical, the more risk of warping - particularly if exposed to temperature change and humidity. Can the bottom tray be modified to align the top and bottom (or the top, even - space out the clips maybe)?

I made a cue rack out of an old cable tray, and waste pipe. The waste pipe isn't a tight fit (meant to space out the top rings, but haven't got round to it yet...it's only been five years). I've not had any problems, but the centre of gravity probably remains inside the line of the cue at all times.IMG_20150714_183545103.jpg

[Shockerz]

Nice rack!

I could modify the rack but it is too good to do that really. I'll look for another rack in time as it's not urgent but not sure why they'd make it like that with a deliberate slant on the cues.

Thanks for the reply.

[tetricky]

No problem. I'm a big fan of plastic waste pipe, when it comes to caring for snooker cues. Of course it depends where you are on aesthetics, but I know a number of cue makers who ship in waste pipe. I use it to make cheap cases (gaffer tape on end stops, that unscrew for access). You can tape, string, or webbing together to make self supporting racks. Of course it may not be to everyones taste, but functionally you can get something up and working for very low cost. The pipe doesn't damage cues, and in the case of the, err, case it can be completely waterproof. The 32mm black is a favourite. Cheap as chips at screwfix. I use cut up kitchen sponge pads to pad the ends, and pipe insulation to provide a padded sleave to drop the thin part of the shaft through.

If you have to leave such a case in a car, it looks like a length of cheap plastic waste pipe, rather than a cue case, which may be a good thing.

[Shockerz]

Thanks for the tips, liked the kitchen sponge bit and the pipe insulation. It didn't cross my mind and I've been in the heating game for 34 years!

[perpetualboredom]

Paranoid the lot of you..
Heat and/or moisture bends cues, not a 1 in 10 slant in a cue rack.
Hence the cue I leave hanging vertical in my club which is ridiculously warm all day/night has bent all over the place, but the 30 or so cues I have in racks similar to the above haven't moved a jot.

[Shockerz]

Paranoid the lot of you..
Heat and/or moisture bends cues, not a 1 in 10 slant in a cue rack.
Hence the cue I leave hanging vertical in my club which is ridiculously warm all day/night has bent all over the place, but the 30 or so cues I have in racks similar to the above haven't moved a jot.

Yeah I get the moisture comment.

It's about a 1 in 4 slant and our house ranges from 40% to mid 70's humidity dependent on whether I have the door open in the summer to when I'm too tight to put the heating on in mild/rainy weather so it goes up to the mid 70's (I have a dehumidifier in the hallway).

I guess I was after examples of other peoples experiences as if I fill the rack with cues and put it in the hallway without the dehumidifier on I expect them to bend so why make a rack that isn't vertical for storage? Does anyone else use a rack like this?

Thanks for the feedback though.

[denja]

I use the rubber tube type cue hangers the cue just clips in and hangs down vertical. I have found that after a time a cue with a SLIGHT warp will straighten, I was able to correct quite a bad warp by taping the cue into the hanger and adding a diving weight to the butt end of the cue (Vertical) under the cue) dont say this will work every time but worth a try.

[culraven]

No problem. I'm a big fan of plastic waste pipe, when it comes to caring for snooker cues. Of course it depends where you are on aesthetics, but I know a number of cue makers who ship in waste pipe. I use it to make cheap cases (gaffer tape on end stops, that unscrew for access). You can tape, string, or webbing together to make self supporting racks. Of course it may not be to everyones taste, but functionally you can get something up and working for very low cost. The pipe doesn't damage cues, and in the case of the, err, case it can be completely waterproof. The 32mm black is a favourite. Cheap as chips at screwfix. I use cut up kitchen sponge pads to pad the ends, and pipe insulation to provide a padded sleave to drop the thin part of the shaft through.

If you have to leave such a case in a car, it looks like a length of cheap plastic waste pipe, rather than a cue case, which may be a good thing.

Blue peter has a lot to answer for, is this your table?image.jpglol

[Shockerz]

Yeah I tied a dead weight to one of my bent cues but it didn't work as my wife demanded I untie her and let her go.

Just kidding, she kill me if she saw this and she's certainly big enough (kidding again....!)

The straightening cues by this method didn't work when I did it and if I remember previous threads, some cues even went back to where they originally were over time.

[tetricky]

....running along the cue with pressure, with the cue supported at two points definitely works...but you can also definitely break the cue if you get it wrong.

I'm careful. In thirty years I've never had to straighten a cue (the above was learnt from curiosity, with cues acquired that were already bent). I'm lucky, or doing something right. Here's hoping it continues.

[Shockerz]

There's certainly an art to it.

I've just been given an old Orme that is meant to be a one piece but after the guy tried to straighten it, it is now a two piece.

Looks like it was a nice cue (one for the collection)!

[Shockerz]

Paranoid the lot of you..
Heat and/or moisture bends cues, not a 1 in 10 slant in a cue rack.
Hence the cue I leave hanging vertical in my club which is ridiculously warm all day/night has bent all over the place, but the 30 or so cues I have in racks similar to the above haven't moved a jot.

Hi Mike

Just looked at your website, well done mate, nice to see someone take the time to do a snooker one as many others on the forum have.

I've done a few websites over the years but generally templates (still learning to code to a standard I would like to charge!!).

I liked the restoration section as I've done a few old cues up myself and have helped many local league players over the years with ferules and tips etc.

Hoping to have a go at making a cue soon but still clearing out a garage at present!

Keep it up!