Dominion Cues AcademyLearn the Craft. Build Your Cue.
Go beyond watching the cue-building process. Step into the Dominion Cues shop and build a custom playing cue from start to finish, with hands-on instruction throughout the entire process.
You aren't just learning how a cue is made. You're building one yourself.
Flagship Course
Complete Cue Builder
The Complete Cue Builder course is an immersive cue-making experience designed to teach students the complete process of building a custom playing cue. Students work directly through the manufacturing process instead of simply observing. By the end, each student leaves with the custom cue they built — and a deeper understanding of professional cue construction.
Tuition
$1,895
per student
Length
5 Days
~30–40 hrs hands-on
Class Size
2–4
students
Level
Beginner
to Intermediate
Format
In Person
hands-on
What You Build
Every student completes their own custom playing cue
The base course includes everything needed to build a complete, playable cue. Premium woods, extensive inlays, specialty materials, additional shafts, and other upgrades are available for an additional charge.
Curriculum
What you learn — the complete process
Ten modules take you from raw material to a finished, tested cue.
Cue Design & Specifications
- ›Major components of a pool cue
- ›Cue dimensions
- ›Weight and balance
- ›Material selection
- ›Wood characteristics
- ›Cue specifications
- ›Creating a build plan
Material Preparation
- ›Selecting wood
- ›Preparing blanks
- ›Understanding grain orientation
- ›Moisture / stability considerations
- ›Cutting and preparing components
- ›Coring fundamentals
Cue Construction
- ›Cue construction principles
- ›Component alignment
- ›Handle construction
- ›Forearm construction
- ›Butt sleeve construction
- ›Gluing and assembly
- ›Maintaining concentricity
Lathe Operations
- ›Cue lathe safety
- ›Work holding
- ›Indicating material
- ›Turning components
- ›Diameter control
- ›Tapering
- ›Maintaining tolerances
Joint Construction
- ›Joint systems
- ›Pin installation
- ›Joint collars
- ›Shaft-to-butt fit
- ›Alignment
- ›Joint tolerances
Shaft Construction
- ›Shaft construction
- ›Shaft taper
- ›Ferrule installation
- ›Tip installation
- ›Shaft finishing
- ›Final shaft fitting
Rings & Decorative Work
- ›Ring construction
- ›Ring placement
- ›Material combinations
- ›Basic decorative elements
- ›Introduction to inlays
Wrap / Handle
- ›Wrapless construction
- ›Wrap groove preparation
- ›Leather or alternative wrap installation
- ›Handle dimensions
- ›Final handle preparation
Finishing
- ›Surface preparation
- ›Sanding progression
- ›Sealing
- ›Clear coating
- ›Curing
- ›Finish leveling
- ›Polishing
Final Assembly & Quality Control
- ›Final assembly
- ›Weight adjustment
- ›Balance evaluation
- ›Straightness inspection
- ›Joint inspection
- ›Finish inspection
- ›Playability testing
- ›Final quality-control procedures
The Five Days
Your week in the shop
Design & Preparation
Design the cue, select materials, establish specifications, prepare components, and begin construction.
Core Construction
Build the major cue components, perform turning operations, establish alignment, and begin fitting the cue together.
Joint, Shaft & Detail Work
Install the joint system, work on shaft construction, create ring work, and complete decorative details.
Final Construction & Finish Prep
Complete machining, install wrap / handle components, perform final sanding, and prepare the cue for finishing.
Finish, Assembly & Testing
Complete final finishing operations, assemble the cue, establish final weight / balance, perform QC, and test the finished cue.
Note: certain finishing and curing processes may be demonstrated or partially completed using prepared training components when actual material curing times require it.
What's Included
Included with tuition
Premium Upgrades
Make it truly yours
Upgrade your build with premium materials and detailing. Premium upgrades are priced separately from course tuition and confirmed with staff at enrollment.
Courses
Choose your program
Build Your Own Cue
$1,895
5 Days · Beginner to Intermediate
The flagship hands-on course covering the complete construction of a custom playing cue.
Reserve Your SpotAdvanced Cue Construction
Starting at $2,495
For students who understand basic cue construction
Advanced points, veneers, CNC operations, advanced inlays and ring work, coring strategies, precision tolerances, and advanced finishing.
Join WaitlistProfessional Cue Maker Program
Starting at $3,500
Operating a professional cue-making workflow
Multiple builds, shaft manufacturing, repairs, production planning, quality systems, pricing, shop workflow, and cue-maker business fundamentals.
Join WaitlistOnline enrollment and session scheduling are coming soon. To reserve a spot now, reach out through our contact page.
Design Preview
Build your course cue
Get a feel for what you could build before you register. Included options are covered by tuition; premium options are available as upgrades.
Forearm Wood
IncludedButt Sleeve Wood
IncludedJoint Style
IncludedWrap / Wrapless
IncludedShaft
IncludedTip
IncludedDecorative Package
IncludedFAQ
Common questions
Do I need cue-making experience?
No. The Build Your Own Cue course is designed so someone with no previous cue-making experience can participate.
Do I keep the cue?
Yes. Students leave with the cue they build during the course, subject to any finishing / curing requirements.
Are materials included?
Standard materials are included. Premium woods, advanced inlays, specialty materials, additional shafts, and other upgrades may cost extra.
How many students are in each course?
Courses are intentionally limited to approximately 2–4 students to maximize hands-on instruction.
Do I need machining experience?
No. Machine operation and safety are taught as part of the program.
Can I design my own cue?
Yes, within the construction and material options available for that particular course.
Can I bring my own materials?
This requires prior approval from Dominion Cues.
Are travel and lodging included?
No. Unless specifically stated otherwise, students are responsible for transportation, lodging, and meals.
What if I don't finish my cue in five days?
Certain finishing and curing steps take real time. Any completion policy is confirmed with Dominion Cues before you enroll — unfinished work is not automatically completed or shipped.
Safety comes first
Students work around machinery, cutting tools, rotating equipment, adhesives, and finishing products. Before any hands-on work, every student acknowledges our shop safety program. Tuition does not grant unrestricted machine access — machine operation is always supervised and instructor-directed.