How to Straighten a Bent Cue Shaft

Pool cues bend due to warping of the wood. It may happen if the cue was left to rest against a wall instead of storing it properly in a horizontal position. Warping is especially prevalent in humid areas. To straighten out a cue, either replace the warped section or add moisture to the wood and allow it to straighten naturally with the help of gravity.

Things You'll Need

  • Replacement cue section, if needed
  • String
  • Tip clamp
  • Fine to medium grit sandpaper
  • Water in spray bottle
  • Varnish
  • Paintbrush
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Instructions

    • 1

      Examine the pool cue to see where it is warped. Place it on a flat surface, such as a billiards table, and slowly roll it until you can find the warp. If the warp is in one section of a two-piece cue, unscrew the bent section and replace it with a new one. Buy replacement cue sections from a professional pool and billiard supply store or an online distributor.

    • 2

      Place a string through the center section of a tip clamp. Position the tip clamp on the tip end of your cue.

    • 3

      Use a fine to medium grit sandpaper to sand the varnish from your cue. Spray it generously with water. Sanding the surface lets the water to penetrate the wood, allowing it to straighten.

    • 4

      Hang the cue by the string on the tip clamp, tying it to something that is high enough for the cue to be fully suspended and remain undisturbed while it straightens. This area should ideally be warm and damp to make this process more effective.

    • 5

      Leave the cue suspended for at least a week before checking on its progress. Take the tie clamp off and roll the cue as you did in Step 1. If it has not straightened, hang it back up. If it is straightened sufficiently, apply new varnish to the cue and allow it to dry according to the product instructions.