Giles Martin, Master Tip Fitter to Mark Williams MBE and many more

Legends Tip Ambassador Giles Martin showing how to trim a tip correctly with the Legends GM Tip Trimmers

[@mikekavalerchik5226]

That's one great looking tip. Nice!

[@michaellane3419]

Class looking job

[@chezchesterman5920]

As a tip fitter myself... if you want consistency in your match play... you should purchase a batch of tips to you owe liking.. and as soon as the tip wears down to an unplayable size... whip it off and use a new one from same batch.

[@paulrumbold2436]

Wow that’s a top job lad

[@Toonz-tz5xn]

You make it look so easy i bought the swann morton 12 blades (might need the bigger 12d or actual proper bigger tip trimmer ones) but i just cant seem to get the hang of trimming a tip this way. You should do one with a go pro or front facing camera so we can see what you see as you are doing it. Ive just been using the old turn cue upside down cutting down onto cutting board I'll need to buy better blades and practice this method of cutting. Ive just been using the old turn cue upside down and cut down onto cutting board but you make this look so easy. Top class Giles

[@gilesmartin3643]

There's nothing wrong with the upside down method to trim a large amount of excess off firstly. Then use the trimming blades to cut the sidewall flush. I hold the blade against the ferrule to steady it. Use a piece of paper between the blade and ferrule to practice. Hope this helps?

[@Toonz-tz5xn]

@@gilesmartin3643 Cheers. Will do that. Ive came across this interesting sanding method for the side walls that worked quite well there kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpKYfmOreLCekLcm50s. Got a proper burnisher for a polished finish, that with steel wool is magic. I'll practice your method more too. Using an old cue to practice on. There is an art to it. Its fun to try and do. Thanks again

[@DaveInBridport]

I borrowed a club cue last week as my own cue was at home. Incredible difference. Reckon my tip needs attention...

[@ninjaarcades7356]

Brilliant great video 📹 thanks

[@gilesmartin3643]

No worries mate

[@Exodreon]

@@gilesmartin3643 what tip did you use? I tried to burnish the side of a basic elk mester, couldn’t earn the same darkness as yours.

[@gilesmartin3643]

Legends tips buddy

[@marcrichard7741]

what are your thoughts on chalk or no chalk on phenolic ferrule and phenolic tip chalking

[@kshgarg1]

What skill. I wish i could do that.

[@kshgarg1]

@@RickSanchez-dn6rd 🙏 i have tried doing this. Still nowhere near this guy's skill. Will take much much more practice.

[@garethprince1982]

Jesus Christ you two make it seem like just accomplishes a 147 in under a minute. Anyone who can't repeat what he did here must be a thalidomide. Low expectation havin' mouthaphucka's!!

[@chrishart1974]

Would also love to know what kind of curved cutting blade that is please? Thanks 👍🏻 Great job 👌

[@dynmow7426]

the Legends GM Tip Trimmers

[@JH-fk8ow]

curved scalpel blade, number 12 i presume. he is selling them as tip trimmers in pack of 7 but you can clearly see its just a regular scalpel blade nr.12. any type of blade with 1 flat side works for this, actually a nice flat wood planing blade is even better for the job

[@iantownsend4821]

Would like to see a start to finish video. Best I've seen so far from this stage.

[@littlelev96]

What’s the name of the blade you’re using ?

[@mez7736]

This might be a silly question, but why use a curved blade? What is the advantage over using a straight blade such as that of a stanley knife?

[@Bbb-lv6fs]

Helps to keep a consistent angle

[@garethh6962]

What grit sandpaper are you using for the doming part?

[@gilesmartin3643]

Probably 400 through to 1000

[@andysingletonefc]

Exellent vid.What leather do you use to burnish 👍

[@MD-cd1ww]

Any old but of scrap leather will do

[@yusefmohamed7492]

Love that never seen done this way but how cool.. thank you. Question please what’s the point of an overhanging tip like mark king Barry Hawkins style do you know?

[@ukweed276]

It's for when your ferrule is too small but you like the cue, it's to increase tip size. For example I can have a 8.5mm ferrule on a cue, and put a 9.5 mm tip on, with an over-hang. They call it a mushroom tip I think.

[@taff6987]

​@@ukweed276it's called a crown or trumpet shaped tip. Slightly different to a mushroom tip and I'm my experience a little bit better....both visually and a bit more ball control. Its all just personal preference though i guess. I have to use a trumpet tip as I have a small ferrule at 7.8mm. I also like being able to see the dark outline of the overhang. Something I've got used to and now find it very weird and off-putting if I just see the ferrule and no tip. Horses for courses🎱

[@Jaihickling-bh5mp]

​@@taff6987thanks :) - ukweed on different account

[@Davidthebass1]

Can anyone tell me what mm size a half-butt tip should be ?

[@callumjohnson9433]

To my understanding. Ash shafts handle deflection better than maple. If i put a titanium ferrule on a maple shaft, can this make them closer to equal in terms of deflection?

[@DogWhispering]

Maple shafts are stronger, you can go for a 'low deflection' shaft with Titanium ferule also for straighter long shots.

[@JesseThehuSnooker]

most part of deflection comes from the shaft itself, titanium and tip are a little part of it

[@mzzzzz2179]

Nice. Where did you get that curved cutting blade from please?

[@gilesmartin3643]

Legends sell them. GM V2

[@mzzzzz2179]

@@gilesmartin3643 Thanks man appreciate it!

[@mzzzzz2179]

@@gilesmartin3643 I bought one of these last week, yet to try it. Can you give some ideas on what sand paper grades you use and the tips you fit for MW or any other player please. Thanks :)

[@gilesmartin3643]

240 through to 800 for shaping. Then 1000 through to 5000 for the ferrule and burnish

[@mzzzzz2179]

@@gilesmartin3643 Thanks Giles! I love your technique and wish to achieve your level of skills. I started to recently use only 240 for both sanding and shaping. I found any finer grades makes the tip shiny and not get as much chalk coverage which equates to a slippery response. I do use a 2500 for the sides, but I purchased the MW burnisher (due to arrive soon) hoping it will give a cleaner look like yours. I highly appreciate your quick replies :)

[@frankiejh7510]

How does the ferrule get into a state where you need to use 1200 and 2000 grit etc? 0000 steel wool will polish the ferrule while the masking tape is still in place.

[@gilesmartin3643]

I only use 1000 to remove scratches from previous fitters. 3000 if it's good condition

[@dannytyler8771]

Hi. What are the curved blades that you are using. Also im trying to learn how to mushroom a tip when i put it on. Is this something that can be done or is it just from playing?

[@taff6987]

I mushroom or "flying saucer" my tips. I have an 8.4mm ferrule and fit a 11mm elkmaster tip as centred as possible. Let the gel glue set for 20mins then I use the same process as Giles here to flare the tip from the ferrule to a certain point on the tip keeping the contact point of the tip still around 10-10.5mm. I do this so I have more contact area on the white which helps to avoid putting unwanted side on the cueball. I've always played with a below 9mm tip and have always potted well bit since using the mushroom method I have noticed that my long potting is far more consistent. The difference is night & day to be fair. Some might say why don't u just start with a 9.5-10mm ferrule and the reason for that is because I much prefer a thinner taper and a cue that is a little more whippy. I find I can get insane screw off a whipper cue with a properly shaped tip. Hope this helps someone out there!🎱

[@dannytyler8771]

@@taff6987 cheers for the reply mate. I forgot id even asked lol

[@yeboha]

what are the best tip to use ? what does mark play with ?

[@gilesmartin3643]

Legends tips. Mark uses his own Legends that's Extra hard

[@michaelnewman5625]

What do you think of century tips?

[@TE_53349]

I use them and theyre by far in my top 2 for snooker tips. First for me though is talisman soft

[@michaelnewman5625]

@@TE_53349 I put an ultra skin medium on and I really like it never mis cue , no mushrooming,, hits really nice and only 8$ a tip

[@kshgarg1]

Nothing like a good elk though

[@FilthyGinger4130]

What tool are you using to trim the tip? Looks way easier than how I do it 😂

[@garystorey]

It's literally just a concave Stanley blade. Floor fitters use them a lot

[@ahboonah]

How do you sharpen a blunt blade like this? Just curious... Unless it just get thrown away?

[@dnbmania]

@@ahboonah You just use a new one

[@ahboonah]

@@dnbmania felt like a mighty waste of metal :(

[@AD-kv9kj]

How come everywhere online I find people bashing Elkmaster pro tips as being way too soft etc, yet most of the best snooker players in the world use them...?

[@chrismcerlean3819]

Concave trimming blade

[@oldpondfrog788]

You missed a trick not having any links to Amazon or similar. Sandpaper in correct sizes and grades chosen for the viewer without any further searching required could get almost as many clicks as the video.

[@freedomforthebrave]

What is that blade thing ?

[@gilesmartin3643]

GM legends trimming blades v2

[@mrbeanz6451]

What the name of such blade ?

[@gilesmartin3643]

Legends GM trimming blade V2

[@daviddeed100]

We can be admiring of your skills, Giles, but unless you explain everything you're doing as you're going along, this does not make a good teaching video.

[@sanjirosanjiro6529]

Giles is providing a comprehensive narrative as he's doing the job which must be difficult, not sure what more you require him to explain. He's telling you what he is doing as he's doing jeez.

[@firstandlast669]

What are your thoughts on CUESOUL tips? What would you recommend? Please don't say Elk or Blue Diamond.

[@jordanharrison1120]

Kamui tips are amazing

[@firstandlast669]

@@jordanharrison1120 for sure. I am also trying precision layered tips.

[@sanmiguel4019]

Elk or Blue Diamond.

[@MyMax147]

I’m glad he’s not doing my cue lol

[@JesseThehuSnooker]

and then people do wonder why tips do mushroom if you fit them like that

[@davidwalton5829]

Huh?

[@99estoc99]

should thanks to Ronnie's tip.

[@gilesmartin3643]

I have spoken to him about it. Maybe soon he'll have one from me

[@tonypappagiorgio]

I've watched this video several times and I just don't understand how to do this with the trimmers. All I've done is scratch the ferrule up.

[@TomCoppell]

Sometimes that happens with these tip trimmers. But that’s where various grades of ultra fine sandpaper, micro mesh and wire wool help big time to remove any scratches to the ferrule. Gives a nice clean polished look to the ferrule also

[@cockleshellzero3893]

@@TomCoppell Or if you can't be arsed going out and getting various grades of sandpaper and suchlike, just see if you can pinch one of those four sided manicure thingies off your missus. They have sides for filing, removing ridges, polishing, and shining nails, and they work like a charm for finishing tips and tidying up the ferrule. 😂

[@gilesmartin3643]

Hold a piece of paper between the blade and the ferrule. This avoids scratches until you get the hang of it

[@taff6987]

​@@cockleshellzero3893I buy these from home bargains. They are the sponge cantered ones with 4 different sides. They are around 7inches long. Just cut a 2.5inch block and u can easily keep it in your case. You can finish a tip and burnish with this tool. It's prefect for making small adjustments to the tip as it's bedding in and changing shape. Very handy little things to carry with you.👍🏼👍🏼Good tip.

[@Mydadisbiggerthanyourdad]

Nah the wood under the ferrule looks discoloured

[@Gbonejohn1974]

he just burnished too low .....0000 steel wool will clean it

[@MyMax147]

I’m glad he’s not doing my tips lol

[@gilesmartin3643]

Why's that buddy?

[@MyMax147]

That’s awful

[@spunkyonions]

Really, explain ? 🤔

[@danielhanlon7498]

What grain sandpaper are you using for initial shaping?

[@user-ef5fr8pw6y]

It's a secret.