How to Replace Pool Stick Tips

Pool stick tips define your game. How you stroke the ball with the tip determines where the cue ball will go and how the object ball will react. If you play long enough, your tip will eventually break off or will mushroom out and go flat. It's important to replace your tip and keep it in good shape because there's nothing worse than breaking a tip in the middle of a big game. Always keep a backup cue and replacement tip equipment in your cue case.

Things You'll Need

  • Sandpaper
  • New tip
  • Tip shaper
  • Tip cement or super glue
  • Millimeter-grade calipers
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Instructions

  1. Remove and Replace

    • 1

      Measure your stick's ferrule--the plastic sleeve on the end of the stick onto which the tip is glued--with your calipers. Size your replacement tip accordingly. In a pinch, you can use a slightly larger tip, but never use one that's smaller than the ferrule.

    • 2

      Remove the remaining bits of the old tip by sanding the ferrule with sandpaper until it's flat and free of leftover chunks.

    • 3

      Put a dollop of glue in the center of the new tip and press it firmly onto the ferrule, wiping away excess glue.

    • 4

      Lean the stick against a wall, with the tip touching the ground, and let it sit for at least 30 minutes.

    • 5

      Use the shaper to give the tip a high dome or whatever shape and size you prefer, depending on your style of play.