tip life expectancy

KCRack'em

KCRack'em

I'm not argumentative!!!!
Silver Member
I recently started playing again and have been wondering if my cue tips (Mooris and Snipers) should be replaced simply because they have been on my cues and have been and generally unplayed for several years.
It makes sense that the leather would dry out over time, but I can't say with certainty that these tips show any signs of old age.
Thoughts?
 
As long as there is a good amount of tip left I would play them, if a 1/4 or more is gone, I'd replace them. IMO


BL
 
rack_em said:
I recently started playing again and have been wondering if my cue tips (Mooris and Snipers) should be replaced simply because they have been on my cues and have been and generally unplayed for several years.
It makes sense that the leather would dry out over time, but I can't say with certainty that these tips show any signs of old age.
Thoughts?
Click to expand...

This is a good question;

Here's how I've determined when ''its time''. When using my Willards nickle rounder I expect the leather to come off in a somewhat powder like manner comparitively like wood when its being sanded. When the tip starts to come ''apart'' in threads or larger amounts than powder its time, if you don't you'll miscue unexpectedly. I was on the hill at a McDermott tourney yrs ago, and got double dipped because I miscued once in each match ''only'' because the leather was old and caused slippage because of the leather giving out. It was my first and last time I ever got beat THAT way, cost me $800.
 
I saw a tip FAQ write-up at an intaller's that said the tips should replace every 6mos, due to moisture change.

I usually get 9mo/ 1y per layered tip. I change back and forth between 2 shafts often and am not opposed to playing it all the way down.

I, I, I:o

I usually find I need to scuff it- about every 6hrs of play- I use coarse sandpaper very lightly & bu hand. Am I normal?:wink:
 
Black-Balled said:
I saw a tip FAQ write-up at an intaller's that said the tips should replace every 6mos, due to moisture change.

I usually get 9mo/ 1y per layered tip. I change back and forth between 2 shafts often and am not opposed to playing it all the way down.

I, I, I:o

I usually find I need to scuff it- about every 6hrs of play- I use coarse sandpaper very lightly & bu hand. Am I normal?:wink:
Click to expand...

I will only Williards scuff/scuff-twist-turn the tip it if its deformed otherwise tip replacement will be more often. If I've got a tip I really like I baby it even more to extend its life. When I played allot, a tip would only last me max 3 mths (non layerd tip). If the shape is good, I just score it with my 1960's original brAd scuffer, tip pix also work good and I'm sure there are others, but I try and never ''remove'' leather unless its necessary, necessary....meaning the curvature of the tip is out of shape.
 
My tips last about 9 months. They are done when the edges become thin. The edges become thin due to reshaping because the centers get pounded down and the edges are reshaped to keep the original profile. When the edges get less than 1mm thick, the tip is done.
 
How long does a tip normally hold it's shape for you guys? On my 2 playing shafts I use a Moori M and Molavia M. I practice a few hours a day, and it seems like I can only keep a dime radius for about 10hrs of play before it begins to flatten out some. Is this normal? Thanks
 
Idaho said:
How long does a tip normally hold it's shape for you guys? On my 2 playing shafts I use a Moori M and Molavia M. I practice a few hours a day, and it seems like I can only keep a dime radius for about 10hrs of play before it begins to flatten out some. Is this normal? Thanks
Click to expand...

I use a flatter shape...don't need to shape often, but the scuffing is another matter!
 
thanks

Good food for thought. Thanks all.
By the way, it reminds of the 3,000 mile oil change. It isn't necessary to change oil that often, but it ceratinly doesn't hurt anything and peace of mind is achieved.
 
Its the indian, not the arrow. If you're flatting out the tip in a couple of hours, and need to constantly re-shape it, then the tip is too soft for your style of play. Consider getting a harder tip. If left alone, tips should last for years.
 
rack_em said:
I recently started playing again and have been wondering if my cue tips (Mooris and Snipers) should be replaced simply because they have been on my cues and have been and generally unplayed for several years.
It makes sense that the leather would dry out over time, but I can't say with certainty that these tips show any signs of old age.
Thoughts?
Click to expand...

The shelf life on tips is quite long - without use I would say 10 to 20 years. I have a good number of cues 30 years and older with serviceable tips.

As far as laminated tips go, my Snipers and Everests usually last with continuous use for several years. I replace them when:

- I get too many miscues.

- the tip feels too hard.

- I press the tip sideways with my with my fingers and see the laminations are unglued.

- the tip makes clicking noise.

- the tip is too low.

Chris
 
rack_em said:
I recently started playing again and have been wondering if my cue tips (Mooris and Snipers) should be replaced simply because they have been on my cues and have been and generally unplayed for several years.
It makes sense that the leather would dry out over time, but I can't say with certainty that these tips show any signs of old age.
Thoughts?
Click to expand...



If your a scuffer warrior don't expect your tip to last but a few weeks to a month, if you play pool league or an occasional tournament, may last for years if you take care of your tip and gently scruff it, but if you play a whole lot (8-10 hrs.day) expect it to last about 300 hours of play, = one month to six weeks.

David Harcrow


David Harcrow
 
I'm using a tiger emerald. It's been on for 2 years now. I shoot and break with it. 3 leagues and money tournaments Sat. and Sun. Practice on my own table most days when I'm not working. I ONLY use a tip pic and Only on the edge. Just to get the chalk to hold. Its the best tip I've ever used. Don
 
rack_em said:
I recently started playing again and have been wondering if my cue tips (Mooris and Snipers) should be replaced simply because they have been on my cues and have been and generally unplayed for several years.
It makes sense that the leather would dry out over time, but I can't say with certainty that these tips show any signs of old age.
Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I'd play with them and see how they feel. You may be right about them drying out a little, but I wouldn't just cut them off until I found out how they play. If they don't feel right then you'll know the answer on whether to replace them or not. I use Sniper tips myself and they are my favorite tips.

James
 
Idaho said:
On my 2 playing shafts I use a Moori M and Molavia M. I practice a few hours a day, and it seems like I can only keep a dime radius for about 10hrs of play before it begins to flatten out some. Is this normal?
Click to expand...

Yes for medium hardness tips, no for Hard hardness tips. Going from a medium harness to a hard hardness increases the time between reshapings by about 4X-6X.
 
MitchAlsup...Good information. Another rule of thumb, is when the sidewall of the tip is the thickness of a dime or less, it is time to replace the tip. BTW, my tips last a couple of years, and I play every day, even breaking with my playing cue.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

MitchAlsup said:
My tips last about 9 months. They are done when the edges become thin. The edges become thin due to reshaping because the centers get pounded down and the edges are reshaped to keep the original profile. When the edges get less than 1mm thick, the tip is done.
Click to expand...
 
MitchAlsup said:
Yes for medium hardness tips, no for Hard hardness tips. Going from a medium harness to a hard hardness increases the time between reshapings by about 4X-6X.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, that makes a lot of sense. The Molavia is a medium, but is quite a bit harder than the Moori M on the other shaft. I don't have to reshape it much at all, just barely hit it with a tip pick every couple hours. I'll try a Hard next time on one of the shafts and see how it goes.Thanks again
 
rack_em said:
I recently started playing again and have been wondering if my cue tips (Mooris and Snipers) should be replaced simply because they have been on my cues and have been and generally unplayed for several years.
It makes sense that the leather would dry out over time, but I can't say with certainty that these tips show any signs of old age.
Thoughts?
Click to expand...


If the tip is not dry rotted, or defective in some other way tips will last for as long as they will last. Now that is based upon how they are stored, shaped by the player, and how they are maintained by the player.

I would try out what you have, after any mushroom has been removed and the side has been re-burnished. If they hold their shape and chalk they should be good to go.

JIMO
 
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