RETIPPING IVORY FERRULES

[Kokopuffs]

Is TWEETENS RAPID TOP CUE SANDER too rough (and inaccurate) to use on an ivory ferrule?

Would the WILLARD CUTTER AND TIPPER tool costing around $400 be preferred? I can't afford a lathe.

Does anyone out there have solid experience retipping ivory ferrules, please, using either of the two aforementioned tools?

[Rick]

I would not use that on an ivory ferrule. I suggest to have a cue smith retip that, it could get very expensive to replace the ferrule.

I use both for retipping cues. I have tipped hundreds of cues and of course some with ivory ferrules. For sanding the top I prefer the Tweeten sander to the one built into the Williard tipper. Just a personal preference. I have inserted a piece of cloth into the cue top sander to prevent scratching of the shaft and ferrule. If you think it to rough use finer sandpaper. I sand until it is almost clean and then turn the shaft in the clamp 45 - 90 degrees and sand a little more to even out. Inaccurate? The surface is what 12 1/2 - 13 mm accross and then you shape the tip by eye.
I tip and trim with the Williard. The key is to practice on other cues first and take your time. If you try and trim to fast it will take to big of a bite and nick or dig into the ferrule. It will cut better with sharp blade so order extra blades.