Short answer
Replace a tip when it is flattened, mushroomed over the ferrule, glazed so chalk will not hold, or loose. Our technician removes the old tip on a cue lathe, faces the ferrule flat, roughs the new tip with 220 grit, glues and presses it for two minutes, trims it to the ferrule, sands the sides from 400 to 2000 grit and shapes the dome to your choice. The tip should be at least as wide as your ferrule.
When a tip needs replacing
- Flat or low: the dome has gone and the tip is thin. Off-centre hits start to slip.
- Mushroomed: the leather has spread over the edge of the ferrule.
- Glazed: the surface is shiny and hard and chalk no longer holds. A tip scuffer can bring it back once or twice; after that, replace it.
- Loose or cracked: any movement between tip and ferrule means a new tip, now. Playing on it can damage the ferrule.
How we re-tip a cue: 15 steps on the lathe
This is the written procedure our technicians follow in the workshop. The shaft is clamped in a cue lathe, so the new tip sits square and true to the shaft.
- Inspect cue and shaft for damage and scratches.
- Tell you first about any damage that was already there, before we start. It protects both sides.
- Clamp the shaft carefully in the three-jaw chuck of the lathe.
- Remove the old tip with a blade.
- Face the ferrule: with the shaft turning, make the ferrule end flat for full contact.
All 15 steps
- Rough the base of the new tip with 220 grit so the glue bonds.
- Align the slightly oversize tip on the shaft.
- Glue the tip and set it on the ferrule.
- Press for two minutes.
- Run the lathe.
- Trim the tip to the ferrule diameter with a blade.
- Level and polish the sides: 400, then 1000, then 2000 grit.
- Shape the dome to the curve you want and the hardness of the tip allows.
- Clean the shaft.
- Final check: a clean tip finish and no damage to the cue.
Which tip fits your cue
A new tip is fitted slightly oversize and trimmed down to the ferrule, so choose a tip at least as wide as your ferrule. Pool shafts are usually 11.8 to 13 mm; snooker shafts are smaller. Hardness is your choice: soft for grip and spin, hard for consistency, medium in between.
TriangleTriangle 13mm Cue Tips, Per Piece13 mmAED 23.44 TriangleTriangle 13.5mm Cue Tips, Per Piece13.5 mmAED 23.44 
Talisman TipsTalisman Water Buffalo Hard Pool Cue Tip 14 mm14 mm, hardAED 50 
MooriMoori Billiard Cue Tip Regular Series 14mm14 mm, layeredAED 50.68 
Tiger TipsTiger Laminated Billiard Cue TipsLaminatedAED 21 Can you do it yourself?
You can maintain a tip at home: scuff it when it glazes and shape the dome with a shaper. Replacing it is a different job. Without a lathe it is hard to face the ferrule flat and trim the tip without cutting into the ferrule, and a damaged ferrule costs more than a tip. If your cue is valuable, bring it to us.
Everyday care for tip and shaft
- Chalk before shots, lightly, by brushing the chalk over the tip instead of grinding it.
- Wipe the shaft with a dry cue towel after playing to remove chalk and hand oil.
- Keep the cue in a case, never in a hot car. Heat and humidity are hard on wood.
- Store it upright in a rack or flat, not leaning in a corner.
Questions we get in the showroom (5)
How often should a cue tip be replaced?
When it is flat, mushroomed over the ferrule, glazed so chalk will not hold, or loose. How long that takes depends on how often you play and how hard the tip is.
What size tip do I need for my cue?
At least as wide as your ferrule. We fit a slightly oversize tip and trim it to the ferrule on the lathe. Most pool ferrules are 11.8 to 13 mm.
Soft, medium or hard tip?
Soft grips longer for spin but wears faster; hard plays consistently and keeps its shape; medium sits between. Choose by how you play.
How much does a cue tip replacement cost?
It depends on the tip you choose; tips in our shop start at AED 21. Send us a photo of the cue on WhatsApp and we confirm the price before we start.
Can you repair other cue damage?
Our workshop does re-tips, ferrules, shaft work and refinishing on our own lathe, for Predator, J.Flowers and other cues.