Although most accomplished cue makers start their products at about $1,200, said Keith, he continues to make lower-priced cues "to help the little guy who can't afford high-cost cues." ...

When he starts making a cue, his raw product is an inch-and-a-half square by 18 inches long. He puts it on a lathe and turns it once before letting it rest for six weeks.

They use lathes to turn the wood into two parts. If there's a design on the cue, like McDermott's popular gecko, those are cut and hand-fit like a puzzle piece. Floor workers gave us a behind the ...