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About DC
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My name is Dennis Clements. I have been repairing and building
custom cues full time as of the date of writing this for two years.
Why I chose the name DC Cues is not difficult to figure out.
However, I do want to say that all my cues are made by me and me
alone (one man operation). The only reason for this is because I
hear the name DC Cues has been used by others, including a brand
made overseas. My cues are all designed by me and/or by my wife.
All of my work is done in my shop at my home, in Webb City, MO
(Joplin-southwest corner of state). The machines I use include an
Align-Rite four axis cnc lathe/mill, a Cuesmith from Chris
Hightower, and various sanders, grinders, band saw, etc. I had
invested many hours of research (about a year) before deciding on
which machines to invest in so I could do the type of quality work
that I demand.
As for my history, I took a lot of wood shop classes in
high school (grad 1975 Workman High, City of Industry, CA). I also
worked in a machine shop in the late seventies that made oil well
valves (Peerless-Hydril Santa Fe Springs, CA). I ran metal saws,
engine lathes, small Harding lathes, was in the grinding/lapping
dept., as well as in the inspection department
using
comparators, etc. I was next in line to run and learn cnc lathe when
my wife and I got an opportunity to buy a catering truck and route
in Santa Fe Springs. We ran it for about a year and then my wife got
pregnant with our first son. Rather than hire help for the truck
(cook) we decided that I would go back into direct sales, which is
where my wife and I met. I spent 28 years in sales selling various
products and services. In 1988 we moved our family to Joplin, MO.
where I was from originally. My wife decided to go to cosmetology
school once both our sons were in school. She enrolled in December
of '89 and graduated September of '90. While she was in school she
decided that she could do a better job than what was being offered
to her, so in February of '91 (just 5 months out of school herself),
we opened a cosmetology school here in Joplin. I thought she we
crazy for wanting to do this because at that time there were 7
cosmetology schools within a 30 mile radius of Joplin, and this area
is not that populated. I was wrong. I have always had faith
in anything she wanted to do, but she far exceeded anybody's
expectations. It was slow at first as it is with any business, but
when you provide a top quality product or service and treat people
right, good things happen. She has built the business to the point
where three years ago we were able to buy property and build a new
8,500 sq. ft. facility. In fact, our school has the highest number
of students and the most client services done in the area. What does
any of this have to do with building cues? Well, because of the
success of our school it has given me the opportunity to do what
I've dreamt about for a long time, making cues. My wife and I are of
the same mindset, if you're going to do something, do it right! I
take great care in every aspect of the cue making process to insure
that when it is completed it's a one of a kind work of art that goes
way beyond functionality. One example of how I do things, my A-Joint
has no air-gap for glue relief (a common practice), which can cause
buzzes, rattles, etc. Mine is solid material when joined. It's more
time consuming to do it the way I do, but it's well worth it! If you
have an idea of what you would like your one of a kind work of art
to be, contact me and we'll discuss it....Dennis
Clements |
