Pool Cue Tip Installation - Professional vs Amateur

A properly installed tip is a thing of beauty. Unfortunately, you don't always have access to a professional tip installer. Rollie Williams visits Jon Smith at Society Billiards to compare a pro install against a do-it-yourself Cuetima-K tip installation.
Rollie Williams: kzbin.info...
Jon Smith: / jonathan_lockwood_smith

[@aneetnaidu]

Man he's honestly a professional at what he does. Mad respect. The guy seems so wise.

[@AntonioSanchez-wh8th]

I like watching him I have a mini pool table and I try those trick shots

[@ricolorenz7307]

800 grit sandpaper "really rough"

[@NickyShweety]

@@ricolorenz7307 Thought the same thing. It's not even 80, more like 60

[@PostUp_Time]

HE IS PUTTING ON ATIP. ITS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE

[@stefanadriandarko2632]

I used to have my shafts cleand and retipped with John while i was living in NY. Even bought a few cues from him. Super nice guy and very wise. Also hell of a player. Big props to you both for the great vid!

[@cueball3285]

Missing some 8 ball with you and Iron Lungs

[@zefsku3206]

Jealous.. I wish John would clean and re-tip my shaft if you know what I mean.

[@mfranks4731]

He’s talking about his wiener Incase you don’t get it

[@PapeySapote]

@@zefsku3206lmao

[@airlesscanvas2887]

​@@zefsku3206 bro what 😂

[@YTOG.]

I've done one by hand and with tools. Mad respect to this man

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

This video has only increased my value and appreciation for a skilled cuesmith.

[@dustytables3638]

Glad your back Rollie! And you have a great friend there as well.

[@rdd2116]

Jon not only installed my Kamui black tip, he restored my Samsara shaft. He's top notch!

[@josephesparza4280]

Good to see something from you, Rollie.

[@RollieWilliams]

Thanks Joseph, it's good to be back.

[@FIVE-0-APOCALYPTO]

@@RollieWilliams back from Israel or castro street?

[@TimZ007]

2:59 that looks like 80 or 60 grit sandpaper. 800 is very fine. probably just misspoke.

[@jrw0707]

Yeah it seemed even rougher than 80.

[@chello189]

It's 60 grade, he mentions that later at 15:28

[@FIVE-0-APOCALYPTO]

misspoke yet a expert tipper putter onner

[@jamesmclaughlin48]

Glad to see you back, Rollie! missed you. Happy New Year!

[@RollieWilliams]

Thanks James, it's good to be back.

[@gee2891]

Jon is a stand up guy....does great work on my cues....wishing you both a happy and healthy new year.

[@brianb.2894]

A good comparison. Fun to watch. Cheers. 👍

[@pradysaligram4130]

Saw Rollie on a documentary about how hard candy is made and Rollie featured on it AS A BIOCHEMIST. *Your average pool player is a biochemist*

[@TheJuice34]

I would trust john 100% to re-tip any of my cues he definitely is professional that tip changing tool did better than i expected also nice to see rollie and john glad they are doing well

[@FIVE-0-APOCALYPTO]

yep, its rocket science for sure

[@TheJuice34]

@@FIVE-0-APOCALYPTO sarcasm really wow

[@fmontenegro2008]

Professional job. Good video.

[@muemamuema8020]

Happy New year Rollie

[@MrFanaticrat]

We missed you Rollie

[@AntonioSanchez-wh8th]

I like watching him I have a mini pool table and do the trick shots he dose from people who knows how to play pool table😀😀😀

[@MeganOHowe]

When I replaced my tip a few months ago I sanded my ferrule with 220 then 320 then 2000 looks like new! I got a LePro tip was cheap, I had my shaft 90 degrees inside my case when I replaced the tip which helped in the placement. I never used any razor blades I sanded it all, my first try it didnt stick because I didnt scuff it up, needless to say I got it right after lol I had no lathe to make things easier.

[@user-ln2le7tt7y]

I want advice which party use size 13/or 12

[@ziggysanderson]

Pretty cool how he has one gauge, thats a finesse of pool cue Master!

[@FIVE-0-APOCALYPTO]

...ok, you win

[@TheBilliardCorner]

Nothing like a brand new Kamui tip :)

[@Janosch_on_fire]

i like to play with navigator black supersoft

[@Janosch_on_fire]

probably shouldnt say that at kamuis chanel 😂

[@wrenchinrock]

I use an old tweeten kit and do a great job it's taken alot of practice and if your not careful u can damage things of course a lathe will always be easier but u can do a professional job with a re-tip kit

[@dontaylor4545]

For sanding the tip flat the circular motion will not be perfectly flat. Use a figure eight sanding motion and it will be perfectly flat.

[@zanethind]

Thank you I need this

[@chagrinvalleyathleticclub643]

it was mission impossible - estevez gets new glasses lol

[@trueblu8]

13:44 I've got greasy hands. That was hilarious! 😂

[@dylanharrington744]

The Gel type glue gives you more time to position the Tip too.

[@BCBbaseballplayer]

Rollie - nice G-Core!

[@stevenm6200]

It’s super easy to install without a lathe. Done it many times over the years. LePro tips are my go too. Using the right glue (loctite) goes a long way. Something to trim the edges and sand it down and then shape the top of the tip.

[@trueblu8]

Yep. This is true. But I would recommend Triangle over LePro for about the same price.

[@stevenm6200]

@@trueblu8 I’ve never had a pleasure of using Triangle tips, I just ordered a box of Le Pro, do they hit different or about the same in hardness? Usually I used the LePro for beginners and in expensive maintenance, if the players feel that they want a higher end tip like Predator or Kamui to McDermott or Tiger sniper then I’ll get that for the players here. I’ve recently switched the the McDermott Navigator Alpha and I Love it, I have a Zan pro Max hybrid and the Predator Victory, and the Tiger sniper from the Cynergy. I can never go back to the Le Pros personally but they are cost effective, thanks for the input, I’ll definitely order some Triangle and test them out!

[@vargunge9171]

The thing you need to change a tip is a sharp thin blade. Sandpaper and 2-component epoxy. i,ve change tip in my car, at a restauranttable and home with my kitchentable. Work 100%

[@wilkamania]

Installing tips by hand aren't that crazy but do require patience and careful touch. I've been replacing my own with exacto blades, gorilla glue or Loctite, post its (to cover ferrules) or masking tape/painter's tape, and various grades of sand paper. To be fair it takes a lot longer and you have to have a good eye and feel for any "mushrooming" parts. A brand new blade is typically required every time i replace a tip. I use the older previous blade to cut off the old tip and clean the ferrule. A machine/tip man is still far better. I'd take it to a cue guy, but my main cue guy passed in 2017. The other ones are located far in the suburbs and have the most random schedules so it's hard to get one down. There is one city mechanic that's got a regular schedule but he's pretty shoddy at his work (i've had a couple of tips pop off from him before).

[@glockasauruswrex6362]

As a life time machinist replacing tips is easy. You can shape them with a belt sander n a file. 3m DP420 works better than superglue btw.

[@Chris-bm5qd]

02:53 I'm sure he meant 80 grit (not 800 grit) sandpaper.

[@joeygonzo]

After you rough up the bottom of the tip, you are better off coating it with CA and then let that dry. Sand it again with 400 grit this ( not the rough 80 grit he used that he called 800 grit ). Then glue it to the ferrule/tenon.

[@damonr2303]

What is CA?

[@damonr2303]

Also if you mean super glue then wouldn’t the brittleness affect lifetime

[@tetedure1769]

@@damonr2303 did he said "super glue" (??)

[@wmmdwmmd]

nice vid thanks .

[@f12o49]

Concentrate Rollie. 🤣🤣

[@SonOfTheSoil834]

That glue is bloody strong man🤭

[@masterdurick5667]

I'm no expert, but from the looks of the tip installed from the cutima, you could have made the tip more parallel to the ferrule with some sand paper, couldn't you? This is based on what I've seen others do from other videos I've watched of pros installing tips by hand.

[@kyleannheppenstall704]

Old thread, sorry, but I just stumbled on it. Are you (OP) still seeing the comments? Curious who the cue maker in Colorado was...I knew a few back in the 90's when I lived there, at least one is still making amazing cues...If you remember the maker I'd love to know! Have you done a review of Ernie Martinez' cues (EM Custom Cues)? I have one he made 30 years ago when he worked for a local dealer. I'd love to see a review of his current stuff?

[@EyeseeUriP]

Im an "amateur" player but a professional tip changer lol. Although it would be much better to have this machine to use. I use a hand drill with a blue taped bolt in the end of the shaft, and have a helper spin it. Its almost like having a machine lol. I like using a file to get the tip shape and roundness. Ive tried the blade and it never works great for me. Even a drimel can get this job done by hand. But it would awesome to have this machine to use. Especially because I like experimenting with different types of tips. I'm always changing one. Think I'm gonna look into one of these machines.

[@qn6673]

Jon Smith is the best

[@VishwaNathGummaRaju]

I would love to have my cue tip by you. So perfect, it would be a pleasure to feel the shot with a cue tip like that! VishG

[@FIVE-0-APOCALYPTO]

hi im gay fluid.

[@PostUp_Time]

GAY

[@theodorehui]

Hi Jon!

[@BiLLiARDiNSTRUCT0R]

👏👏👏👏

[@baresvick]

Where did you buy the kit? Im looking for one of those

[@bernhardhnida3038]

humidity cures the super glue faster.... he does not know it seems

[@3k2p6]

So... you have a kit to replace the tip of a cue that doesn't come with a blade to remove the old tip? No sand paper, no glue... Then what's that kit for?

[@SlavicCelery]

The collar system. I don't see a massive issue with it all. I don't buy a tool to fix my car and assume it has all consumables associated with the repair. It's a bit like buying a set of drill bits and complaining about the lack of wood.

[@manr.9106]

I respect the work and experience of this Pro totally, but there is one misperception about the glue or about superglue in general. That dry or warm/hot environment helps accelerating the hardening of superglue. While this is absolutely correct for 80-90% of glues, it is not the case for superglue (Cyanoacrylate), which polymerise in the presence of water! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanoacrylate

[@meatloafnorton5538]

Does the cue smith have his own channel? If not, he should start filming all of his work/projects. I would for sure be a subscriber! Nice job

[@FIVE-0-APOCALYPTO]

hi im jewish, nothing to be alarmed about oyyy.

[@suewoo5]

Hes installing my sniper rn

[@Bonsai08151]

Hello, I think the tool is very good. Where can I buy this

[@pequodexpress]

I have a lot of vegetable tanned leather and need to make my own tips. Does the leather require any special prepping/curing?

[@jonirving422]

where did you get that kit

[@calvinstevickbrown8171]

where'd you get the kit? cant find it anywhere?

[@dilbertdillions3583]

Well you just sold me on it. Where do I buy it?

[@francozarate4754]

Question. On a lathe, how do you install a 13mm tip on a 11.75mm shaft

[@elh3fe88]

Using the same method. The tip is just oversized. You can always cut it down to the size of your shaft. I use 14mm tips no matter what shaft it is. I just cut them down to size.

[@spencerwiltse2855]

Solid collaboration lol loved the attempted Eminem riff in there too 😂

[@RollieWilliams]

Mom's spaghetti

[@inverted311]

Where can you buy the kit?

[@frankterrazone9686]

where can i get the Cuetima-K tip installer

[@Kierron85]

I would like to know also. I can’t find it anywhere!

[@dugy40]

Looking for that loctite glue. They all say super glue.

[@golfraven5669]

First part was top, second bit lame. Missing pool as all is closed but time to tidy up the bag and sticks. 🎱

[@zanethind]

I'm terrible doing my one tips. I try to sand flat but I can't for some reason

[@Ramp10er]

If I replace a tip you will get your cue the next day at least 24 hours just to secure the bonding... I don't use loctite or similar for bonding, it will just ruined the tip and it will make it harder. The tip is like a sponge which absorbs the bonding agent...

[@keithnelson4426]

What type of bonding do you use?

[@jayhodges2243]

Not Loctite for metal, Loctite brand super glue.

[@f1k199]

Use the one stop tool

[@workshop777]

Is there a place to purchase the Cuetima-K in the US?

[@trailerwookie]

I only found it from Korea. About $250 plus shipping.

[@tylerbarnard5428]

I feel like I do a better job with my hands rather than I would with this kit.

[@murtazafahim4960]

Hey Rollie, can you do the same video for "snooker cue tip" please say yes bro that would be awesome

[@robertmoore5196]

Rollie, I expected more from that little tool set. I could do better than that with a razor blade and bow tie tip tool. John, there did a fantastic job.

[@user-mj2ty7gh8z]

What is the type of Q and a is that called and what brand is it

[@craigcarroll1790]

I'd be curious to know about the lathe he is using

[@elh3fe88]

It's a pretty standard cue repair lathe. Geared more toward shafts though.

[@michaelsauer3783]

I found myself staring intensely at the first part of the video wanting to see exactly what he was doing instead of the camera angle displaying full upper body shots. But… will look into the kit if not too expensive. By the way, it’s a tool like any other tool. The user is expected to have some knowledge as to how to use it.

[@jamesjohnson553]

If you store your glue inverted, no air can enter the container and the glue will never dry up/last forever.

[@billpii6314]

PPHHHFFFFFFFFFFFFFTTTT! uses a machine, phooey! I do all mine by hand and they look just as good...kind of.

[@jakedouglas6904]

What does he mean at 2:37 when he says you would get flex? What is it? Flex?

[@billycaudill8600]

Not to root my own horn but I'm awesome at installing tips by hand

[@brandonneal4957]

Toot??

[@waltermoncayo1583]

What is the name the profesional tool used? Where i can find one

[@waltermoncayo1583]

@@darraghconnolly6151 thanks, but i am asked for the electrical tool, do you about that?

[@dironerr3920]

@@waltermoncayo1583 the electrical one john used is a rotor its basically a drill and a clamp at the same time that thing is expensive and you can find it pretty much anywhere and its bot used only for changing tips on cues matter of fact thats the least expected place someone would use that

[@Janosch_on_fire]

@@waltermoncayo1583 not specificly that one, but the type of tool is called cue lathe

[@curtisbrechter5620]

I like the blue one here. facebook.com/UniversalKorea/photos/899751346888079

[@LuYoung.F.V.]

What glue are you using on 3:28 ?

[@BigBirbzMusic]

You forgot you needed a sharp blade (to remove the existing tip) with the kit.

[@TheSweetnessjosh]

I don’t recommend self repair because it takes lot of time I recommend for somebody on the lathe at the pool hall and billiard store

[@-Nick-T]

i do my own, it is satisfying.

[@Kierron85]

Not easy for everyone. I live on a tropical island in Thailand. From what I can tell there is not even anyone on the mainland that can do it to a professional standard.

[@user-mj2ty7gh8z]

What type of Machine are you using

[@Chefboyardarryl]

What did you use to burnish ?

[@TheKingsman11]

7:30

[@metacamman121]

he could have his own channel lol

[@waelhandal4389]

Where can i buy it (cue time-k)?

[@Janosch_on_fire]

is that a mcdermott gcore shaft ?

[@RollieWilliams]

Hell yeah.

[@Janosch_on_fire]

that black part of the ferrule wirh the black tip installed is a mean treap :D i almost cut that of at mine shaft. luckely read it soon enough at their website

[@navyteccs]

I want my God damn cue back...

[@georgesokolowski7575]

That was obviously not 800 grit sandpaper like he said he was using to rough up the surfaces of the ferrule and the glue side of the tip. Looks more like 60 or 80 grit which makes more sense as 800 grit is very smooth. Cheers!

[@spadeops420]

Thats why most players carry more then one playing cue or playing shaft.

[@thebreak4081]

Has that guy from prison messaged you yet?😅

[@digitalbookworm5678]

The REAL difference 🤔 About $20 to $40 😎

[@silverburst79]

I can do a better job by hand . Bottom of the tip and the the top of the feruel shouldn’t be rough , it creates less surface area for the glue to hold .

[@itry5698]

"old tip" looking like mine freshly installed. height wise

[@robertoeva5037]

name of glue

[@donbot5000]

Super......glue..😅

[@andrelombardi4844]

Faltou capricho no serviço amador, troco sola e nao fica assim! Deixo igual ao trocado no torno

[@PLF...]

Not 800 grit for sure but hey

[@anonymousmc7727]

I’d buy that for a dollar

[@dymondsystems]

800 grit, I think he meant 80

[@dracometeor8488]

You know what I won't buy. Lol

[@IchliebeHunde58]

Well, the amateur sure got a lot help from the professional when he used that device; I would have rather John went and did something else while the other guy tried to repoint the cue himself with no advice/help from John, and THEN we could really see the difference between a professional job and an amateur job with the device…

[@acu112]

Emilio estevez died in the elevator scene

[@n00ber420]

That was definitely not 800 grit sand paper

[@christwithjosiah1378]

Nice green screen Mate

[@nuggers23]

So basically the Pro saved the toolkit anyways. What a waste of money. I'd rather always pay the pro.