How to Make Pool Sticks Out of Wood

A pool stick is a billiards player's most important tool. Also known as a pool cue or a billiards cue, many great pool players rely on hand-crafted and specially designed cues to improve their game. A hand-crafted pool cue also is highly desirable because it can be customized with carvings or artwork that fits the personality of the owner. Making a pool cue is challenging because it requires a steady hand and eye to assure a good balance and straight shaft--two things essential to a high-quality cue.

Things You'll Need

  • 3-inch-by-3-inch board, 57 to 60 inches long
  • Wood lathe
  • 400-grit sandpaper
  • 600-grit sandpaper
  • Drill
  • Twine, 1/32-inch thick
  • Wood glue
  • Water
  • Plastic pool cue tip
  • Cork
  • Knife
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the board into the center of the lathe. Sand the board with 400-grit sandpaper so one end of the board is 2 inches in diameter and the other end is 3/8 of an inch in diameter. Pool sticks must be perfectly straight, so set the controls on the lathe to make sure the taper from one end to the other is consistent for the entire length.

    • 2

      Remove the wood from the lathe and hand sand the entire length with 600-grit sandpaper to smooth the finish completely. Run the sandpaper over the wood quickly, and do not spend too much time on any one area so the taper will not be affected.

    • 3

      Drill a hole 1/32 of an inch from the thick end of the wood. Cover 6 to 8 inches of the thick end of the wood with a mixture of 50 percent glue and 50 percent water. Slide the twine through the hole with an inch sticking out the other side. Begin twisting the twine around the wood. Tuck the trailing inch of twine up the length of the shaft so the glue holds it in place and the remaining twine twists over top of it. Make sure the twine is twisted so it sits tightly against itself.

    • 4

      Attach a plastic pool cue tip to the small end of the wood with wood glue. Make sure the tip extends straight off the end of the wood. Any angle will cause shots with the cue to be misdirected. Cut a small piece of cork to fit in the pool cue tip and extend out 1/4 of an inch. Secure the cork in place with wood glue and allow to dry completely.