How To Replace A Pool Cue Tip? 6 Steps To Change The Pool Cue Tip

If you’ve ever been playing pool and noticed that your shots aren’t quite perfect or that they don’t feel quite right, you might start seeking explanations for your pool cue. The difficulty with pool cues is that cue tips can become thinner and worn down with time, resulting in miscuing. If you discover that your cue tip has the same problem, it’s time to get the pool cue tip replacement. This article will show you how to replace a pool cue tip as well as six fundamental steps for doing so on your own.

What is A Pool Cue Tip?

The pool cue tip is where your pool cue’s energy is transferred to the cue ball to achieve the appropriate precision, speed, and spin. Because it is so important to your game, you must keep it in good working order all of the time. A cue tip, on the other hand, does not typically endure very long. Cue tip deterioration can be caused by a variety of circumstances. It could be the quality of the tip, the way you care for your pool cue, or the way you play. In this case, repairing the pool cue tip or even replacing the pool cue tip is necessary.

Read more: best pool cue tips

6 Steps To Replace A Pool Cue Tip

When you have your cue tip deterioration, if you play in a public pool, there will be no problem since you will have the cue repair guy to help. But, you will need to know how to replace a pool cue tip to do it by yourself regularly if you have your own pool room. There are 6 basic steps that you need to go through to replace a pool cue tip correctly:

Step 1: Remove the old cue tip

In order to get a pool cue tip replacement, the first step is to remove the old cue tip. It is normally stuck firmly to the ferrule so you will find it hard to remove entirely. You’ll need a sharp razor blade to cut off the old tip. Attempt to get as close as possible to the ferrule. This may necessitate a couple of razor blade passes. Simply take your time and carefully remove any excess leather and glue from the ferrule.

Step 2: Clean the ferrule

The ferrule is the small white piece at the top of your shaft, immediately below your tip. The ferrule is your pool cue’s shock absorber at its most basic level. The ferrule, like the shock absorber in a car, gives you more control over your pool cue. It is very important to clean the ferrule carefully before placing another tip above it. You’ll need a quick top sander that came with the repair package to accomplish this. Simply lay the shaft against the guide and rotate until any remaining dirt or glue is removed from the ferrule’s top. Make sure the sander is nice and level.

Step 3: Prepare the cue tip

The next step in the pool cue tip replacement process is to prepare the new cue tip. There are 4 main types of cue tips soft tips, medium-hard tips, hard tips, and phenolic tips. Each type of tip will have its advantages and disadvantages based on the level and preference of players. You can choose your preferred tip here with many available options. Then rough up the glue side of the leather with a piece of sandpaper. This is accomplished by placing the sandpaper on a flat surface and sanding the back of the tip until it is exactly smooth and level. The tip should be sanded until it is beautiful and rough. It’s crucial to roughen up the tip so the adhesive has something to stick on. Apply the provided tip cement or your preferred adhesive to the tip and put it on the ferrule correctly

Step 4: Place the tip on the ferrule

The next step is to position the tip on the ferrule. Make sure the tip is as centered as possible. To ensure that any air pockets are gone, press firmly on the tip; the glue will push out onto the ferrule. While holding the tip in place, clean the glue that has inevitably gotten on the ferrule with a paper towel. The more we can remove from the ferrule now, the less you’ll have to sand off afterward. After that, put together the tip clamp that came with your cue tip repair kit. This clamp slips over the shaft, and you just place the rubber band in the center of the tip and pull the clamp down. To keep the clamp in position, use the slider. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for the glue to dry.

Step 5: Fit the cue tip with the ferrule

The tip you buy does not always fit with the current ferrule. So you have to cut the tip to fit the diameter of your ferrule. This step will need a little patience and practice. It is suggested to set the shaft on a firm surface with the tip down. Then, shave the sides of the tip away using your razor blade. It is easier to remove a small amount of leather at a time rather than a large amount at once. You can use your ferrule as a guide as you get closer. Make sure you cut as straight a line as possible downward towards the table. You can polish it up even more and remove any flat spots from the razor blade using sandpaper after the tip is the same diameter as the ferrule. Make sure you don’t sand your ferrule too much.

Step 6: Shape the cue tip

Now you have a tip that is solidly glued on and has the same diameter as your ferrule, but it is most likely flat. It’s time to get it in shape. Use the tip shaper that comes with the kit or your favorite tip shaper. Sand the tip until it is the desired shape, such as a dime or nickel. In addition, you can use a piece of leather to burnish the sides of your tip to get a smooth finish.

FAQs

How often should a cue tip be replaced?

On average, most cue tips will last between 6 months and a year. However, some players may stick to the same tips for a year or more. It depends on the hardness, style/time of play, preference, tip care, maintenance, and tip quality. As a result, the lifespan of a cue tip is frequently a matter of player preference and habits. Therefore, you should visually examine your pool cue tips a few times a year. From the side, have a look at your cue tip. Spin it around to get a full view of the tip. It’s time to go through the pool cue tip replacement if any part of it is worn down to within 1mm of the ferrule.

How do I know what size of tip for my cue?

The tip you choose must be at least as wide as the shaft. Standard shafts typically have a 13mm diameter at the tip end. Unless a different size is requested, most major cue manufacturers will supply these as standard. They may be able to have the shaft “turned down” to a smaller diameter in most circumstances. The sizes available will vary from one to the next, however, they will most likely be between 11.5mm and 13mm. Tips are often available in sizes ranging from 12mm to 14mm in diameter. To match the diameter of the shaft, a broader tip must be turned down.

How much does it cost to do the pool cue tip replacement?

It will cost you around $12 to $15 of labor charge to have a cue repaired, not including the new cue tip cost. Therefore, if you can learn how to change the pool cue tip by yourself, you can save an amount of money that may be spent several times a year. Besides, you can choose the cue tip type you want and manage to install it in the way you expect.

Conclusion

In general, learning how to replace a pool cue tip is not difficult. All you need is to follow the suggested steps and the guide. It will be costly to buy and change the cue tip frequently so try to take care of your pool cue to maintain it in good condition. When you feel your shot is not right, check the cue tip carefully to see if it needs to be replaced.

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