How to Use a Tip Clamp

A tip clam is used to replace the tip on a pool cue. The tip of a pool cue is made of plastic and slides over the ferrule of the cue. On the end of the tip a felt, leather or synthtic pad is placed in order to allow the pool player to add directional spin to the cue ball. Tips often crack and break but are simple to replace, especially with a tip clamp.

Things You'll Need

  • Rough-grit sandpaper
  • Carpenter's knife
  • Quick-dry glue
  • Tip
  • Pad
  • Tip clamp
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the damaged tip from the ferrule -- end of the cue stick -- with your carpenter's knife. Place the edge of the knife between the ferrule broken tip and slice back and forth, turning the edge of the blade away from the ferrule periodically. Typically, the tip pops off after the knife cuts a few centimeters deep when you turn the blade outward.

    • 2

      Sand the flat end of the ferrule. Be careful not to round the edges of the farrule. To prevent this from happening, hold the sandpaper against the end of the stick and sand with very short strokes, less than an inch.

    • 3

      Sand the plastic coating off the new tip. The plastic coating is on the opposite side of the rounded pad. Lay the sandpaper on a flat surface and lay the tip -- pad up -- on top. Again, with short strokes, slide the tip back and forth on the sandpaper.

    • 4

      Place quick-dry glue on the tip and on the end of the ferrule. Stick them together making sure that the tip is centered evenly on the ferrule. Slide the O-ring of the tip clamp up the neck of the clamp and leave it resting against the clamp's arms.

    • 5

      Slide the tip clamp over the end of the tip and ferrule and down the shaft of the stick. The stick slides into the O-ring and the tip presses against the clamp's band. Stretch the band by forcing the tip farther into the clamp. When the band is under sufficient tension, slide the O-ring down the neck of the clamp. Eventually it stops and sticks as the shaft of the stick expands in diameter. Allow the glue to dry for 30 minutes.