How to Build a Pool Cue

Pool is a simple table game from which players attempt to sink balls into pockets that are located at the edges and/or corners of the rectangle pool table. For beginners, there are many places that have pool tables and pool cues for them to use. More experienced players try to improve their game, and a custom pool cue is what many experts will have to give them an edge over their competitors. Building a custom pool cue can be done at home if you have the right tools and material.

Things You'll Need

  • Lathe Lathe cutting tools Micrometer Tape measure 2-by-2 inch maple wood 60 inches long (hard rock maple is preferred) Tip Drill and bit 8 mm in diameter Weight (lead/steel) Male/female cue joint 6-by-6 inch felt pad 1/16 inch thick
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut the 60-inch long, 2-by-2 inch piece of rock maple in half. Using these two pieces, you will shape the pool cue so that it will be 57 inches long, and connected in the middle with a joining screw and threaded joint.

    • 2

      Insert one piece of the rock maple blank into the lathe for turning. This will be your handle of the cue. From end to tip, the pool cue's handle should taper from 17 mm down to 14 mm at the joint. Use the micrometer to check and recheck the pool cue's diameter as you get closer to the correct width and taper. Use the lathe's hand guide to set the appropriate taper for milling this custom pool cue.

    • 3

      Insert the second piece of rock maple into the lathe and cut the diameter of the pool cue's shaft from the 14 mm to match the handle, down to 13 mm at the tip. Using the micrometer to insure you have the right width for the cue, set your lathe's hand rest so that you can make smooth passes all down the shaft at the proper taper to create these dimensions of the cue.

    • 4

      Trim and shape the ends of the pool cue so that it is the appropriate length and shape as desired. Measure the entire length of the cue and diameter widths using the micrometer and measuring tape. Lightly sand the shaft and handle.

    • 5

      Drill out the joint holes on both the handle and the shaft of the pool cue. Using the male/female cue joint, set the joint into the ends the pool cue handle and shaft. Set the joint into the handle and shaft using secure wood glue. Use a felt piece to go in between the joint body and the wood of the handle or shaft. This helps to cushion the pressures the cue will be subjected to during striking and makes for a much quieter striking cue.

    • 6

      Attach the cue tip using the same technique as the cue joint. Use a felt piece in between the tip and the shaft for a quieter striking cue and to eliminate the "clicking" that can occur without the added felt to dampen the pressures created by striking balls with your new custom pool cue.