[pwd72s]

Dave, there is that school of thought that "You'll never improve unless you play for money." But I've noticed that this is usually said by those with the skill to lift my money. I'm content to be a mere recreational banger.

Damn diabetes has ended my drinking days. Too many carbs. I guess this makes it easier for me to keep my hands clean when playing pool. You'll also note in the many match up videos that the pro players don't drink during matches. They don't drink on the job. Make no mistake, when they're playing for thousands, they are on the job.

You'll note on the Seyberts link I gave there is a McDermott "McMagic" burnisher. This is the hobby shop ultra fine sandpaper I mentioned, only relabeled. The stuff works. Also the cue wax sold there? Straight carnauba. I just use wax from an old can of "Harley wax" I have in the garage. Many of the cue care products actually come from other sources, just relabeled. Pool players are every bit as gadget oriented as golfers, if not more so.

Many cue makers and cue repair guys came from wood working backgrounds. Gene Balner, maker of the now collectable Palmer cues was a Hungarian furniture maker before coming to the USA. Something you might look into? I'm not familiar with the lathes they use, but having one assures that the shafts stay round. Too much hand sanding can result in not round shafts. If you already have a lathe, maybe look into the attachments used? Like I said, an area I'm not familiar with.

Your poor friend...scratching on the 8. I know that feeling all to well. I must have picked up some fleas yesterday, because I was a scratching fool.

Aren't those "What's in the case" videos fun? Samm being kind to the eyes doesn't hurt either.

Mainly..have fun! Sounds like the game is getting you hooked. There are so many levels of the game...and no two shots are exactly the same.