Hello JER.. I'm not using a live centre, up until this point I have never had to. I have installed approx 200 tips over the last 3 years and have never had a problem with any tips or the method I use until this last half dozen Snipers I bought. Even when I was using Snipers on my cue, I didn't have a problem installing them. It just seems that when cutting them they do not react like before.
As for the method, I always use a new blade for snipers and most layered tips. I always dampen the tip, and run my lathe at a consistant speed. After I cut off the remains of the sniper I installed a Kamui M/S with no issue at all.
As for knowing where they delaminated, or being able to take pictures. I was tossed the tip so examining it know is not possible. I do however have two left, So if I feel like wasting another $10 I put one on then take pictures.
I will try the live centre to see if it helps with snipers.
Thanks to all that replied.
Greg
Snipers today are made the same way, with the same material, that they always have been. If anything, they are more consistent than ever before as our splitting technology (over the last 1+ years) has improved and so has our lamination technology (3-4 years ago).
Neither of those improvements would cause a tip to fail.
If you are using a tool post cutter. Don't. If you are using razor blades, be sure they are made of a very rigid material - and of course moisten the sides and top of the tip with damp cloth. If the hand held technique is causing any issues, the aforementioned live center would be a huge plus!
As far as it being easy/no problem with the Kamui, those tips (and most others for that matter) are made from pig leathers that are tanned differently than Snipers. Try cutting our: Dynamite, Emerald, Tiger (Med, Hard), or Everest's. Those are also made from a similarly tanned (our own special formula) pig leather - easy to cut.
Bottom line, Sniper's are finicky about install. Always have been; however a properly installed Sniper outperforms any other tip on the market. Minimal (if any) mushrooming! Strong grip! Great feedback! Long-life!
Note: coloring 'em black (sides) with a
Sharpie is like putting a Turbo-charger on your Porsche 911 :wink: