McDermott Cues
 

I always enjoy videos like this but I had no idea how complicated it was to make a good pool cue.

And they're not messing about. Lots of hand assembly and finishing. I'm really glad there are companies like this still around.

(This is a promotional video but it's very well done.)

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Darn well done...:) Check this out...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/1088640-play-little-pool.html

- I was hoping you would see this. Thanks for chiming in.

Despite us both posting the video, we'll get few responses. To bad, they might have learned something. Yes, there's a lot more to making a decent cue than turning two pieces of wood on a lathe and sticking a screw in the middle.

I really liked how they installed and finished the Irish linen string... I'm guessing there's a little factory in Ireland still making the stuff.

Not sure who makes what's called "irish linen" wrap these days...in the old times, the cue makers used Courtland wrap, a fishing line not made by Courtland these days. Should you find a spool of the original stuff in good condition, you've found some gold.
People who restore high end collectable cues would pay well for it. White with green specs was the one most often used.

(edit) Actually, the repop stuff is plentiful and pretty damned good. I really can't tell the difference in wrap feel from my early 70's Palmer with Courtland wrap and my current playing cue, a 2007 Keith Josey Custom with it's modern "irish linen" wrap. It's black with white spec...and actually, the Josey is a better shooting cue than the highly collectable Palmer.

FWIW: Back in the day we wrapped bicycle handle bars with cotton tape, string wrapped the ends then painted them with shellac. It was cheap, worked really well and lasted for years... Thinking of using Irish linen for the string wrap ;)

(Not my photo)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1616873703.jpg

I dunno...the tape wrap may be better for a bicycle. Sure would look trick, tho. Comes in color choices galore these days. Might do a search for cue making supplies...I'm sure somebody down under sells the stuff. And for what it's worth, Earl Strickland, a USA pool great. doctors his cue with what looks like tennis racquet wrap...My honorary nephew Matt, among the top 5 in Oregon, likes a stacked leather wrap. I paid to have his cue done as a birthday present. It would look pretty trick on bicycle bars as well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EteSBoXm9bI&t=5s

Sorry for the slow response...was out committing a bit of herbicide.

My uncle used to be a pool player back in the 60s/70s and had some nice cues at home. I remember McDermott and a Russian name like Balalaika on some of his cues. He passed last February. I wonder what happened to his cues.

You trying to suck me in? Any cue that can be confirmed to have been made by George Balabushka is worth at least 5 figures, and some have gone for 6...I'm sure this is BS by the way, since George didn't sign his cues...ha-ha.

But if you're interested in a nice Custom cue made by a cue builder still alive here's a nice wraplesss made by the guy who made my playing cue.

https://forums.azbilliards.com/threads/2020-josey-floating-8-point-jester-cocobolo.528460/

Wow, those things are pretty valuable.

"You can tell a pool player when his cues and case are worth more than his car."

I would cry more about my cue being stolen than my car....because I may not have the time left for Keith to build another one.

Back then, my uncle had a VW Beetle. His two hobbies were fishing and pool.

Actually I was thinking about building a vintage bicycle and using Irish Linen string to secure the end of the shellacked cotton tape.
Sorry, I should have been clearer in my post.

Any cue maker or cue repair service would probably be happy to give you a few feet.

Do you think we should ask the Mods to merge our threads?

No need as far as I'm concerned...