Baizewick guide
Cue care: straightness, warping and re-tipping
Store your cue upright or in a case, away from heat and damp, and keep the tip in good shape. Most cue problems come from storage and tips, and you can manage both at home.
How to check a cue is straight
- Sight down the cue from the butt end, turning it slowly. Look for any curve along the shaft.
- Roll a one-piece cue gently along a flat, level surface. A bent cue wobbles, and a gap opens and closes under the shaft as it rolls.
- For a jointed cue, check each piece on its own, then together. A loose or dirty joint can make a straight cue roll unevenly.
A slight bend near the butt matters less than one near the tip. If the shaft is clearly bent, replace the cue or take it to a cue repairer.
How to stop a cue warping
- Store it upright in a cue rack, or flat in a case. Never lean it against a wall.
- Keep it away from radiators, heaters, windows and outside walls.
- Avoid damp garages, sheds and cold cars, and sudden changes of temperature.
- Don’t hang weight on it, rest it across chairs or use it to fish balls out from under furniture.
- Wipe the shaft clean and dry after play.
Signs the tip needs attention
- You miscue often, even with chalk.
- The tip is flat, shiny or hard and no longer holds chalk.
- The tip has mushroomed over the edge of the ferrule.
- The tip is worn thin or coming loose.
Shaping and scuffing a tip
Use a tip shaper or fine abrasive to keep the tip gently domed, roughly the curve of a coin. Lightly scuff the surface so it holds chalk.
Work little and often, and don’t take the tip down further than you need to.
How to re-tip a cue, step by step
- Remove the old tip by carefully cutting or sanding it off. Don’t cut into the ferrule.
- Make the end of the ferrule perfectly flat and clean, so the new tip sits fully in contact.
- Lightly sand the base of the new tip so the glue grips.
- Glue the tip on with an adhesive made for cue tips, following the glue maker’s instructions. Hold or clamp it square until it sets.
- Trim the overhang with a sharp blade, cutting towards the tip. Finish the edge flush with the ferrule.
- Shape the dome and scuff the surface, then chalk and test.
If you’re not confident, a cue repairer or club can re-tip a cue for you. Choose a tip the same diameter as the ferrule.
Tip hardness
Tips are sold as soft, medium or hard. Softer tips grip the ball more and wear faster. Harder tips last longer and need more care with chalk.
Medium is a common starting point.