Aren't most ferrule materials lighter than the maple used in the shaft? It would seem that the less ferrule, the more front end mass.
Deflection question
- Thread starter vakosel
- Start date
Aren't most ferrule materials lighter than the maple used in the shaft? It would seem that the less ferrule, the more front end mass.
No.
Look at low-squirt shafts (e.g., Predator, OB, home-made). They all have extremely small ferrules, wood ferrules, or no ferrule at all. The ferrule plastic material is denser than wood.
Regards,
Dave
I think maple floats and most ferrule materials don't.
Thanks Dave and Bob. That is pretty clear.
The deflection is more in the alignment and speed than the shaft. It can be just as easy to aim at the edge of the ghostball as the middle, which is what a 1/2 ball deflection allows. I believe a 1/2 ball deflection is the easiest amount to obtain consistently over a range of speeds and distances (when using side english without top or bottom).
Here is my thought on it. The proof is in the pudding. FEEL is...well...based on individual perception. I play better with a LD shaft...therefore I like the FEEL because I'm pocketing balls easier and getting out easier than I would with a normal shaft.
I see too many champions in the pool room betting big money and using LD shafts, whether a 314 or Z2..or whatever. They are NOT paid to do so. I've used a 314 for years (I'm no champion so can't base it on me) and love them and I was turned on to them maybe 8 years ago by Max Eberle. I think there is an obvious advantage in using the LD shaft. Once you get used to one, the aiming is easier....and when it breaks, etc (if that happens) you can buy another identical model and it will play, virtually, the same.
Just my .02.
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I guess squirt ("CB deflection") could be considered "in the alignment" if you mean how much you offset your tip sideways, which determines how much of the maximum amount of squirt for that shaft is created. But the primary cause of squirt itself, and the thing that determines the amount of squirt created by one shaft vs. another, is the weight (density) of the material in the shaft's first 6 inches or so (its "endmass").
Speed of the shot doesn't affect the amount of squirt, but it does affect the amount the squirt is counteracted by swerve, which makes it look like more or less squirt.
You can't aim 1/2 ball off over a range of speeds and distances unless you're changing the amount of sidespin or the amount of butt elevation (or both) from shot to shot. All four of those variables (tip offset, butt elevation, speed and distance) determine the amount of aim adjustment needed for each shot with a certain shaft, a certain table and balls and a certain humidity.
pj
chgo
Deflection is possible because the cue is not completely rigid. I propose with a new material we increase the amount of deflection that can be controlled by the operator. In certain shots a user might need deflection but that deflection can be generated with a minimal force this is a problem because some shots require less force and higher deflection. The proposed solution of developing a new material will require funding all testing can be performed on any table.
Dr. Dave,
Have you ever or will you ever do a squirt rating similar to what platinum billiards did where you take all the currently available ld shafts on the market and compare them with a robot or something? I think we need a more current set of ratings.
A shaft propped up on both edges than have a string tied to some weight pull the shaft down. Keep adding weight until the shaft breaks. After all the shafts break take an average of the weight. Calculate the rating of each shaft as a ratio against the mean.
Do you want to send in your shafts for testing?:grin: I suppose this tests shaft flex but supposedly shaft flex has little or no bearing on CB deflection ie squirt. Similar is used for golf club shaft flex. However there they use a specific weight to test shaft flex buy amount of bend as measured on a board. No need to destroy a shaft to check flex if that is what you mean. However I do not know of any standards for cue shafts. It may be a way to fine tune a shaft for stiffness though if one desired.
Rod