(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best cue sticks & accessories

When you say nothing fancy what does that mean? Do you want a hard case, or a soft case? Do you want a strap to carry it on your back or is a handle enough. Maybe just under your arm. Are you looking for protection or just something to carry the cues easily? Do you need pockets on it?

I am assuming you want cheap... but don't expect them to last forever or hold up to serious use. I used to buy the cheapo amazon cases below and after buying several because they wear out, I decided to buy a JB Rugged (you get what you pay for). Jb cases are super protective, and you can get them as plain or as fancy as you want, but they are quality. https://jbcases.com/stock-cases.html?cat=8

There are plenty of nicer more expensive options that will last a long time and have a simple design. That is not what I am listing below.

Here is the simplest thing you could get:
https://www.amazon.com/Cuetec-Billiard-Pool-Cue-Accessory/dp/B00G8ZENZY

Here is a cheapo case, but dont expect it to hold up to heavy use or wear.
https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Billiard-Stick-Carrying-Black/dp/B0060BANBO/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1479599796&sr=1-4&keywords=cue+case

Here is a soft cue case:
https://www.amazon.com/Mizerak-P1816-Padded-Cue-Case/dp/B014SLCS1K/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1479599861&sr=1-4&keywords=soft+cue+case

Here is a hard suitcase style case.
https://www.amazon.com/Casemaster-Deluxe-Billiard-Complete-2-Piece/dp/B000TNNJNS/ref=sr_1_5?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1479599972&sr=1-5&keywords=hard+cue+case

+1 on the willard shaper. the media is brazed on and will last forever.

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q claws are a great accessory.

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blue diamond chalk

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maybe a red dot cue ball by aramith ( seems like EVERYone in APA league brings their own)

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some people like to shoot with a glove, they are relatively inexpensive.

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quarter holder like this

I had the same problem and looked forever.

I ended up buying and Aska uniloc butt from Amazon for $100 Canadian and it is great. It's mostly black with a linen wrap. The quality is great and didn't have to wait months for a 'special order' predator butt.

I put a Revo 12.4 on it.

https://www.amazon.ca/Black-Uni-Loc-Shaft-Inches-Irish/dp/B07BX7YCRV

Over the years, I have collected a lot of different tools, but here's how I change out tips (I don't have a lathe):

After popping off the old tip...

1. A cue-top sander to sand off the old glue down flush to the end of the ferrule
   
   
2. A dab of Loc-Tite adhesive and a clamp to apply the new tip (put a rag between the clamp and your shaft to avoid denting it)
   
   
3. After the glue has dried, the Porper Cut-Rite shaper/cutter is a good tool for getting the tip close to flush, and the Mushroom Trimmer can take it the rest of the way easily. Gotta be careful not to cut your ferrule during that process.
   
   
4. I use the Last 4 Ever Tip Tool for final shaping (I like a dime shape) and burnishing. Also for trimming any future mushrooming, which is infrequent with the milk duds.

Not for flights, but rather a hassle-free way to move it around and store it. I got this pool cue case and liked the aesthetic. Thanks for your quick feedback btw. I'll probably go with a softshell case since they are more common.

There are cleaners you can purchase on Amazon that will clean it. Can't think of the name but comes in a little white bottle with a purple label.

Here are a few cleaners I found with a simple search:

https://www.amazon.com/Cue-Silk-Ferrule-Cleaner-Bottle/dp/B07JYW73LP/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=cue+cleaner&qid=1558014101&s=gateway&sr=8-4

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https://www.amazon.com/Cue-Clean-Original-Snooker-Cleaner/dp/B0032FZUGY/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=cue+cleaner&qid=1558014128&s=gateway&sr=8-5

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https://www.amazon.com/Undo-the-Blue-Shaft-Cleaner/dp/B01M1BWT1C/ref=sr_1_32?keywords=cue+cleaner&qid=1558014128&s=gateway&sr=8-32

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https://www.amazon.com/Cuetec-Hi-Tech-Cue-Conditioner-1-1/dp/B00065CK52/ref=sr_1_35?keywords=cue+cleaner&qid=1558014128&s=gateway&sr=8-35

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https://www.amazon.com/Cue-Silk-Miracle-Cleaner-Restorer/dp/B07KGN68N9/ref=sr_1_38?keywords=cue+cleaner&qid=1558014128&s=gateway&sr=8-38

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As for sandpaper, do not and I can't stress this enough, do not use sandpaper on your shaft. Go to your local pro-shop or cue guy and have him do a cleaning on your shaft every 6 month or once a year and have him clean it all up and shape your tip for you. Shouldn't cost more than $10 and you'll know you're not damaging your cue.

Players is a good starter brand. Their cues are a little less expensive than others in the same quality range, but they're just as good.

I bought this one as my first cue and still use it:

https://www.amazon.com/Players-Classic-Crimson-Birds-Eye-Triple/dp/B00FB71IY4

Seems to be a good deal

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001FYI0XE/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1418247258&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40

http://smile.amazon.com/Viper-Commercial-1-Piece-Hardwood-Billiard/dp/B00G6CDL16/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419039323&sr=8-1&keywords=pool+stick&pebp=1419039327181

It looks exactly like the picture

They're supposed to be... Otherwise they would have to make them in a million different sizes like 13, 12.85, 12.75, 11.85, etc.

I've got one of these things and can change a tip in about 5 mins with it - https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-stop-Billiard-Pool-Shaper-Repair/dp/B0794YBHZ3

Looks just like my Players C960.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00140FYOW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Actually it looks like Players does make some in your price range.

Players C-960 Classic Crimson Birds-Eye Maple with Triple Silver Rings Cue, 19-Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00140FYOW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_mHctDbVMMVM97

https://www.amazon.com/Tweetens-Repair-Fixing-Pool-Tips/dp/B003ZV59FW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1536547344&sr=8-3&keywords=pool+tip+kit&dpID=51OqKPYXslL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

something along these lines should be fine for your purpose

I am shure there are cheaper sets cues on Amz for kids. My suggestion is of good quality but 50% cheaper.

This is what a spiky tip looks like. When your tip gets too glazed over to hold chalk, but not enough for scuffing with sandpaper, you can break out the tip pik.

https://www.amazon.com/MOOCY-Billiard-Shaper-Pricker-Holder/dp/B07B5Y4N9Q/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1523247791&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=tip+pick+cue+tool&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/Cuetec-Shaft-S-S-T-Tru-Glide-Silver/dp/B002GZ51QU

That will fit but for a few bucks more you could just replace the whole shebang.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FYI0XE/ref=s9_acsd_hps_bw_c_x_1

Unnecessary, I think this is the same case.

https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Billiard-Stick-Carrying-Black/dp/B0060BANBO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1468277792&sr=8-2&keywords=2x4+cue+case

Tarnish is a reaction of silver to sulfur in the air. Air flow around the flute will expose it to more sulfides, tarnishing it faster. A case prevents air flow, which keeps new sulfides from getting to the flute. The anti-tarnish strips absorb existing sulfides.

That being said, if you don't want to disassemble the flute in order to case it, you can stop stop airflow other ways. Like a glass display case, or a full length flute case. I have a pool cue case which is the correct length for an assembled b foot flute that I lined with foam. Whatever you use, put anti-tarnish strips in it.

Warning! If you leave your flute assembled ALL THE TIME (like, years..) the metal will bind up and it will be difficult to disassemble. Don't leave it assembled forever.