bad cues

[keith auld]

Thankyou Andrew - at least someone is in the spirit of the occasion - be interesting to see how many others might turn up plane in hand - but if you're running a book, knowing you to the degree I've come to do so as far as the forum exchanges are concerned; I know who your favourites will be as do most on the forum, so if they have the bottle to take up the challenge, then knowing your opinion of me; I'll have a few bob on myself as I'm sure you'll make me an outsider and give me really good odds !!
By the way - I'm looking forward to your reply because you could open up a real can of worms that may force people to put their abilities where their mouths are....... can't wait

[archalf1471]

twood be like watching a throughbred horse V a westward ho beach donkey!

[archalf1471]

Or like Celtic V Raith Rovers...................

[ADR147]

Thankyou Andrew - at least someone is in the spirit of the occasion - be interesting to see how many others might turn up plane in hand - but if you're running a book, knowing you to the degree I've come to do so as far as the forum exchanges are concerned; I know who your favourites will be as do most on the forum, so if they have the bottle to take up the challenge, then knowing your opinion of me; I'll have a few bob on myself as I'm sure you'll make me an outsider and give me really good odds !!
By the way - I'm looking forward to your reply because you could open up a real can of worms that may force people to put their abilities where their mouths are....... can't wait

umm i might work out some actual odds as the pm's of bets come in....

[poolqjunkie]

Hi Poolqjunkie - I'm sorry I can't keep on going round in circles like this - I've explained myself as clearly as possible and given enough time to this - my suggestion is to read through everything I've said so far and if you can't find the answer, then regretably it'll have to stay that way

I see. Well, as a matter of fact, I have read through everything you have written, including those posts with you saying you had this secret lacquer which would not get sticky and was far better than other oil finish, to the posts whereas you said your "secret" lacquer was not a good idea and you are going back to oil finish and you are offering to redo all those cues that have had the lacquer put on by you.

I read also the posts you started about straightening cues with a "secret" agent which you would not disclose, in which you made claims that your straightened cue will never bend in the same place again and you also suggested a lot of other cu emakers do nto really know how to straighten a cue properly. Since you have made claims that unlike other cue makers you would gladly teach and share your knowledge, you were asked what this secret striaghtening method was, and your claim was challenged. You refused to answer. That thread was later closed by the moderator.

I have also read posts you wrote about how you would have been as famous as Will Hunt if you happened to have a cue ready for Jimmy White at the time he was looking for a cue. You said Will Hunt was "lucky" because he happened to be at the right place at the right time.

Also, your repeatative claim that Robert Osbourn's was your student, although you never told us for how long.

You are now saying you can build a cue from start to finish in one day, and your shaft will not warp, and your glue will be set in time for you to turn your cue although from your reply you are just using wood glue.

You have in several occassions said in this forum that you know something other cue makers don't (special finishing product that you later stop using, special straightening method that you refuse to share, always saying how many cue have come into your shop for repair from all the cue makers on this forum. You are buying woods boards that will stay straight while some people buy woods which will warp...etc)

Now you have come up with this idea of a challenge to take place half way across the globe whereas pretty much only Southeast cue manufacturers would attend. If you are so confident in your skill, why dont you just post a challenge to take place in the UK? Why don't you challenge your 'student" Robert Osbourn, and others whose cues you have to repair such as Mike Wooldridge...etc. Why dont we perhaps ask Jimmy White to try the cues (obviously he missed out when he got his last cue from Will Hunt) and judge them in terms of playability, along with other cue makers in the UK to judge the craftsmanships.

Since I have never heard of your name although you said you have been around for 30 years or so, I have been trying very hard to understand you.

Unfortunately, I could not help but see lots of contradictions in your posts. I tried to ask you for clarifications to see perhaps if I have been mistaken. I am very sorry to see that once again you have refused to answer me.

I am not trying to be rude, but as a forum member, we have a right and duty to try to get verification and confirmation to the claims made by someone who is trying to get forum members to send him their hard earned cash for a cue or a repair job or what not. All I was asking was clarification of claims which you started on this forum. I am not asking you to disclose trade secrets. It seems odd to me that you would not follow through with what you have started.

I hope you can see where I am coming from, and don't mind my bluntness. Just speaking my mind exactly as I see it, that is all. Thank you.

[archalf1471]

I see. Well, as a matter of fact, I have read through everything you have written, including those posts with you saying you had this secret lacquer which would not get sticky and was far better than other oil finish, to the posts whereas you said your "secret" lacquer was not a good idea and you are going back to oil finish and you are offering to redo all those cues that have had the lacquer put on by you.

I read also the posts you started about straightening cues with a "secret" agent which you would not disclose, in which you made claims that your straightened cue will never bend in the same place again and you also suggested a lot of other cu emakers do nto really know how to straighten a cue properly. Since you have made claims that unlike other cue makers you would gladly teach and share your knowledge, you were asked what this secret striaghtening method was, and your claim was challenged. You refused to answer. That thread was later closed by the moderator.

I have also read posts you wrote about how you would have been as famous as Will Hunt if you happened to have a cue ready for Jimmy White at the time he was looking for a cue. You said Will Hunt was "lucky" because he happened to be at the right place at the right time.

Also, your repeatative claim that Robert Osbourn's was your student, although you never told us for how long.

You are now saying you can build a cue from start to finish in one day, and your shaft will not warp, and your glue will be set in time for you to turn your cue although from your reply you are just using wood glue.

You have in several occassions said in this forum that you know something other cue makers don't (special finishing product that you later stop using, special straightening method that you refuse to share, always saying how many cue have come into your shop for repair from all the cue makers on this forum. You are buying woods boards that will stay straight while some people buy woods which will warp...etc)

Now you have come up with this idea of a challenge to take place half way across the globe whereas pretty much only Southeast cue manufacturers would attend. If you are so confident in your skill, why dont you just post a challenge to take place in the UK? Why don't you challenge your 'student" Robert Osbourn, and others whose cues you have to repair such as Mike Wooldridge...etc. Why dont we perhaps ask Jimmy White to try the cues (obviously he missed out when he got his last cue from Will Hunt) and judge them in terms of playability, along with other cue makers in the UK to judge the craftsmanships.

Since I have never heard of your name although you said you have been around for 30 years or so, I have been trying very hard to understand you.

Unfortunately, I could not help but see lots of contradictions in your posts. I tried to ask you for clarifications to see perhaps if I have been mistaken. I am very sorry to see that once again you have refused to answer me.

I am not trying to be rude, but as a forum member, we have a right and duty to try to get verification and confirmation to the claims made by someone who is trying to get forum members to send him their hard earned cash for a cue or a repair job or what not. All I was asking was clarification of claims which you started on this forum. I am not asking you to disclose trade secrets. It seems odd to me that you would not follow through with what you have started.

I hope you can see where I am coming from, and don't mind my bluntness. Just speaking my mind exactly as I see it, that is all. Thank you.

what an excellent retort Poolqjunkie!!!!

[keith auld]

Hi Poolqjunkie - you clearly have anything better to do than keep coming up with this incessant drivel (sorry to be blunt) - I don't mind making cues in any public place or forum against anyone you wish to name or put forward, at any venue you choose to suggest, what's more I'll even make you a cue in a day - it'll be worth it just for you to make the trip from Canada to see - we can even invite Arsehalf1471 - so he can swallow the drivel he comes up with - mind you maybe he's a Liverpool supporter and been on my website and red the about us section

[archalf1471]

firstly keith no i have not been on the website and no i am not a liverpool supporter, unfortunately a manchester city fan

i believe in being open and calling a spade a spade, and possibly should have come to the point earlier in this thread..

I firstly am not a cuemaker, and some including yourself may argue that that discouts me from having an opinion, if that is the case then you are entitled to yours

What I am is someone who has played Snooker for over 25 years to a pretty good standard and have owned cues by most of the top guys out there. Parris, Hunt and O'Bryne, Wooldridge, Trevor White, O'Min, Glover, Tony Ions to name but a few. I have been responsible for on-line reviews for other websites such as maximumbreak.com and have not been afraid to criticise the likes of Mike and Trevor for reasons I have seen fit, and as far as I am aware where appropriate they have taken my comments on board.

In short and I am sure there are some other members on here who would back me when I say I know a good cue when I see one

I have recently seen some examples of your cues and if I am being blunt and honest they are simply not top quality work, and would have been surprised if any of the forementioned guys would have even let them leave their workshops.

I would like to think that I am in a very very small minority in being critical of you and that on the whole you can boast a huge fanbase of satisfied customers which can only be good for you and consumers alike, it maybe that there is and they are less fussy than I am in what I demand of a cue, but unfortunately from what I have seen thus far I won't be spending my hard earned folding stuff on your product or a return ticket to china to see you build cues in a day, fortnight, a week or any other time frame for that matter

[ADR147]

umm and keith's odds are on the out.......

[keith auld]

keep the odds rising Andrew - there seems to be only one way to satisfy certain curiosities - bring on the players and let them make cues - then perhaps an unbiased individual can be the judge - keep the odds rising

[poolqjunkie]

Hi Poolqjunkie - you clearly have anything better to do than keep coming up with this incessant drivel (sorry to be blunt) - I don't mind making cues in any public place or forum against anyone you wish to name or put forward, at any venue you choose to suggest, what's more I'll even make you a cue in a day - it'll be worth it just for you to make the trip from Canada to see - we can even invite Arsehalf1471 - so he can swallow the drivel he comes up with - mind you maybe he's a Liverpool supporter and been on my website and red the about us section

Well, I am not sure how you know I "clearly" have nothing better to do when you do not know me at all. Do you always make comment with such certainty on things that you do not know anything about?

Seeing how you are such a busy master cue makers with international order and also have to run a successful furniture business, I must say I am very impressed you can find the time to post on the forum as often as you have.

Just exactly what was it in my previous questions to you that you consider "incessant drivel?" I merely repeat what you have said, and ask for your clarification.

I am a bit disappointed at your use of language, and I do not understand why you cannot just give me a straight answer to my questions. You do not seem to take comment from other people well--I hope you will respect and listen to your customers when they have a different opinion.

I know you are trying very hard to advertise yourslef, as you really want us to consider you a master cue makers like some of the other cue makers such as Robert osbourn, Will Hunt, Trevor White, Mike Wooldridge, Tony Glover...etc. But these guys are so well known because they build quality cues.

If I may give you a piece of advice, never mind offering to build me a cue or to ask anyone to come to China--the best way to advertise yourself, if you really are as good as you claim you are, is to send a cue to the forum members to do a review. No one needs to come see you make a cue in person--all that is needed is a well built cue--to see how good you really are. The down side of it is that if your work is not that good, you will lose your reputation, no fancy claim can save you. This is the ultimate challenge. I am not sure you have the bottle and confidence to take up this challenge despite what you said. Will you put your money where your mouth is?

[trevs1]

I'd be happy to send a cue I've made to forum members who can be trusted to then forward it onto other members for assessment.

No problem.

[trevs1]

I'd rather not go to China though.......pricey and time consuming.

[keith auld]

Perhaps you should have a look on the website - as for all the other cuemakers you mention - I have had in my workshop for either repair, alteration or even putting right basic errors, in the last month, having been returned from either China or disgruntled customers alike, cues from every one of them except Trevor (although I have one of his that has been returned from China, but there was a mix up in the addressing, and as I could see that it was not for me I haven't opened it up to see - that's between Trevor and his customer in China - I don't touch other peoples property without their express permission) - so ultimately this disproves your statement that people wouldn'y let certain cues out of their workshop. I take it that the cues (plural) of mine that you've seen have actually been in your possession in order for you to make this judgement or are you referring to pictures that may have been sent to you recently? Furthermore before you rubbish someones credentials you should firstly do some checking on their background in something you may wish to review, cllearly if you can't even be bothered to go to a persons' website and even read the 'about us' page, it puts in doubt anyone taking any review you may or may not do, seriously. Martin Daly has a cue that has just been delivered to him, ask him to let you have a look, he also does reviews apparently.
Finally, there seems to be a reluctance for anyone to show how to make cues in public and the clamour of tiny feet running to the challenge is remarkebly quiet. Making cues for the likes of you or anyone else in public is no big deal, I do it regularly on an annual basis with the cuemaking workshop (last years took place at the Royal Victoia Country Park in Netley and ran for 2 days), and prior to that for the BBC which was done specially for BBC South Today (pictures of which are on the website -oh sorry just realised you don't do research)

[Oldgit]

I'd be happy to send a cue I've made to forum members who can be trusted to then forward it onto other members for assessment.

No problem.

Me first, me first, me first...............!!!!!!!!!!