Wet Formed Cue Case

[RiverCity]

Chuck,

That's much the same conclusion I was coming to. I did do that case for $200, but was thinking it should be around $350, which, for a 1x1 case is pretty freakin' steep.

Your case is fantastic, by the way, and certainly worth more than $700, based on what I've seen of the competition ;-) Unless you have a crew mass producing them, hand making a cue case does look like it might always be a losing proposition without some time-saving 'shortcuts'.

BTW - do you use a rigid insert? I've been hunting for the right material, and the best thing I can find is oval PVC conduit, but I can only find it in the U.K., and I don't fancy paying shipping on a case of eight foot pipes.

@shtoink, vacuum forming would speed it up, but wouldn't it leave marks on the wet leather? And how much does a vacuum former cost?

I'm loathe to use a sewing machine. It would not be the same product.

Thank you! Mine are made by just me in my garage, and I'll tell you, some of my cases I've had 40-50 hours in. 2 of the names going right now are both operating shops over seas and their cost of build is probably pennies on the dollar compared to what I've got in mine. The big kahuna has stated he only has 12 hours on average in his cases..... Not sure how he accomplishes that feat, but it would certainly help....lol

I am using PVC pipes line with upholstery velvet right now.

The little case pictured is a 1x2 with the pipes

Chuck

[CareyB]

Very interesting, Chuck. And thanks for sharing. Another really nice case, too. I like this little one a lot.

So you only use PVC for the tubes? There's no outer shell other than some nice stiff cowhide? Hasn't Mr. Kahuna gone the other way - rigid outer shell, but no rigid interior tubes? Just a machine stitched 'sock' with lots of pockets?

Near where I live there's a felt manufacturer, and they make an all natural, Angora wool felt in 'olive green', which is almost exactly the traditional pool table cloth colour, and it's 1/4" thick. I'm thinking about making a case which looks like an antique naval telescope, or Victorian instrument case. I think it would look so nice, but material cost will be a bitch. This felt, in small quantities, is $155/yard (76" wide). That puts material cost over $200.

This would also imply I have to stitch down a 30" tube, inside, and out. I looked at Nigel Armitage's video about a tubular, leather box. Perhaps my idea to hand stitch it all is a bit misguided.

Edited February 8, 2014 by CareyB

[RiverCity]

Yes several of the makers are using an extruded oval tube with a cloth liner, padded or not. It has it's advantages and disadvantages. From a construction standpoint it's way easier, and cheaper to buy a premade interior from a shop in China. If it's padded well it can offer excellent protection, and lighter weight to the case. But it's not "bullet proof" in terms of protection. It's still able to be crushed etc. the PVC pipes are IMO the toughest protection, in terms of what they can withstand. And if they are lined well, they're not rattling around inside the pipes. The compromise is it's heavier. Combined with heavy leather, I use 8-9, it makes a case that is 1.5-2 times heavier than the others. IMO it's not a big deal, it's still only 6lbs, but there are some folks who prefer their case to be as light as possible.

As far as your felt, I would recommend against it. You'll never recoup your cost of materials. I could use carbon fiber pipes, but no one would pay an extra 200 for slightly lighter pipes. It sounds great, but it's not practical.

And I hate to say it, yes hand stitching will never be worth the dollars charged to a pool player. They don't know about or care about quality in those terms. There are several cases on the market that IMO are made poorly, but have good reputations based mainly on appearance. But they will fail within a few years if they are handled roughly. It's a funny market.

Chuck

Very interesting, Chuck. And thanks for sharing. Another really nice case, too. I like this little one a lot.

So you only use PVC for the tubes? There's no outer shell other than some nice stiff cowhide? Hasn't Mr. Kahuna gone the other way - rigid outer shell, but no rigid interior tubes? Just a machine stitched 'sock' with lots of pockets?

Near where I live there's a felt manufacturer, and they make an all natural, Angora wool felt in 'olive green', which is almost exactly the traditional pool table cloth colour, and it's 1/4" thick. I'm thinking about making a case which looks like an antique naval telescope, or Victorian instrument case. I think it would look so nice, but material cost will be a bitch. This felt, in small quantities, is $155/yard (76" wide). That puts material cost over $200.

This would also imply I have to stitch down a 30" tube, inside, and out. I looked at Nigel Armitage's video about a tubular, leather box. Perhaps my idea to hand stitch it all is a bit misguided.

[CareyB]

Chuck,

I hear you on the price point issue. I saw a friend of mine at league last Thursday, and he had just bought a full leather case, and it was horrible. I don't even think there was any kind of finish on it. Edges weren't finished properly, tooling was worse than mine, etc.

I just noticed you're in Portland. I lived in Camas, across the river in Washington, when I was a kid. Cheers.