How to Replace a Pool Cue Tip?

A pool cue is an important piece of pool table equipment. The pool cue tip needs to be in good condition to make accurate shots.

Over time, the tip of the pool cue can become worn out. If your pool cue tip looks thin or worn down, it is time to replace it.

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How to Replace a Pool Cue Tip

A typical pool cue tip replacement can cost about $20. But, replacing it yourself can save you money and customize the tip to your exact preferences.

The good news is that it is not that difficult to replace the tip of the pool cue.

All you need to replace a cue tip is a DIY pool cue replacement kit. The kit contains all the tools required for replacing a pool cue tip.

This includes a shaper, sander, and a cutter.

Tweeten Deluxe Cue Tip Repair Kit

Includes: Cement, Cue Tips, Tip Clamp, Cue Top Sander, Tip Scuffer, Cue...

Guide to Selecting Your Pool Cue Replacement/Repair Kit

It is important to choose an appropriate pool replacement or repair kit. Most kits have multiple tools that you can use to replace or repair the pool cue tip.

Some of them have more, while others have less. For replacing your pool cue tip, you should ensure that the kit has a cutter, trimmer, clamp, sharpener, and sander.

The tools required for repairing your pool cue tip include the cutter, shaper, and sander.

Cutter: It is used to remove an old pool cue tip. As the cutter is sharp, be careful when using it.
Sander: This tool is used for sanding the tip of the pool cue. It helps give proper finishing to the tip.
Trimmer: Similar to a sharpener, a trimmer is used to sharpen pencils. Most cue tips are 14 mm in diameter, while the diameter of the ferrule that fits below the tip is generally 12 mm. You will have to cut excess 2 mm when installing the new tip. A trimmer makes it easier to shave off the excess tip.
Tip clamp: The tip clamp is used to apply pressure as the adhesive used to keep the new tip in place dries.
Scuffer: A scuffer is used to prick the tip of the pool cue. This allows the tip to hold the chalk properly when players chalk the pool cue.
Shaper: A shaper is an optional tool that is found in expensive kits. It helps shape the tip. You can use the tool to precisely shape the pool cue to shape like a dime or nickel.

Steps to Replace Pool Cue Tip

Let’s now look at the steps you need to take to replace the pool cue tip:

1. Remove the Worn Out Cue Tip

Remove the old cue tip using the trimmer. Try to get close to the ferrule when trimming the tip. But be careful not to cut your finger as the trimmer blade is sharp.

It will take a few passes of the trimmer blade to remove the old cue tip.

Take your time when removing the cue tip.

You need to remove excess glue and leather from the tip. But, do not gash the side of the cue tip when using the trimmer as it can damage the pool cue.

2. Clean Top of the Ferrules

After removing the old pool cue tip, you should clean the top of the ferrule. You will have to use the sander available in the repair kit.

Keep the sander level and place the shaft against the guide and remove any glue from the top of the ferrule.

A flat and clean ferrule is important to hold the glue when replacing the pool cue tip.

3. Sand Pool Cue Tip

Next step, rough up the new pool cue tip. Take the tip and use sandpaper to rough up the sides. Consider laying the sandpaper on a flat surface to ensure that it is flat when sanding.

Sand the pool cue until it becomes rough. Make sure that the tip is properly roughed up so that the glue will adhere to the surface.

Apply an adhesive to the ferrule to make it adhesive.

4. Attach a Pool Cue Tip

You should attach the pool cue tip to the ferrule. Sanding the pool tip, as mentioned in the previous section, will allow the cue tip to adhere to the ferrule.

Before placing the tip to the ferrule, make sure it is centered. Firmly press the tip to remove any air pockets that will prevent proper adhesion of the cue tip and push out onto the ferrule.

You can use some paper towel to wipe off excess glue from the ferrule.

Wiping the glue is important as it will result in less time sanding the pool cue tip after installation.

5. Install the Tip Clamp

The next step in replacing the pool cue tip is to assemble the tip clamp that came with the pool cue replacement kit. The clamp simply slips over the existing shaft.

You have to place the rubber band at the cue tip’s center and pull down the clamp. Hold the clamp in place using glue and let it dry for about 15 minutes.

6. Shape the Tip

After you have installed a new pool cue tip, use a sander to shape the tip.

Shave off the sides of the tip so that it matches with the ferrule. Slowly sand the tip to remove the leather from the cue tip.

When using the sanding tool, sand it downward in a straight line. Continue sanding the tip until it is of the same diameter as the ferrule.

Experimenting with Your Pool Cue Tip

Now that you can change your pool cue tip by yourself, you might be considering playing around with the different types of cue tips to find out which one suits your style of play best.

Here’s a summary of the different kinds of pool cue tips available.

Soft Pool Cue Tips

Soft cue tips are best for an accurate spin on your shots.

The soft tip absorbs some of the energy when you hit the cue ball, allowing the cue to stay in contact with the ball for a fraction of a second longer than other cue tips.

Soft tips are excellent when you need to take a shot that requires some finesse. Soft cue tips are the perfect tips for players with a gentle touch.

The cons of soft cue tips include the fact that they aren’t great for break shots, and they deform and mushroom quickly.

The softness of the cue tip means you’ll be replacing your tip frequently.

We don’t recommend soft cue tips for players that have a rugged touch.

Medium Pool Cue Tips

Medium cue tips are the most commonly used tips. Medium tips are the perfect balance between hard and soft tips, making them ideal for overall gameplay.

You get a good mix of power and accuracy with a medium cue tip, and it’s soft enough to still give you spin on the cue ball.

Medium tips are more durable than soft tips, so you don’t need to reshape it as often, and it’s longer-lasting.

Some of the drawbacks of using a medium cue tip are that it doesn’t allow for as much spin as soft tips do, and you don’t get as much power as you can with a hard tip.

Hard Pool Cue Tips

You will find hard cue tips on break and jump cues. You want to use a hard cue tip to transfer maximum force to the cue ball.

You’ll love the feel of a hard pool cue tip when you’re taking a jump shot or a break.

Since hard cue tips are the most durable tips, you don’t have to worry about much maintenance or needing to replace them often.

The challenges of using a hard cue tip include not getting much spin on your cue ball and losing some accuracy on your shots.

Hard cue tips aren’t ideal for overall play; you’ll probably need to have another cue with a soft or medium tip to take shots that don’t require the force of a hard cue tip.

Conclusion

A perfectly done tip allows players to make accurate shots with each stroke. On the other hand, your shots will not be consistent if the pool tip is in bad condition.

With a cue tip replacement kit, you can easily replace the pool cue tip.

Replacing a cue tip may seem difficult at first, but it isn’t. With a bit of practice and patience, you can improve your pool cue tip repair skills.

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