What is my Schmelke sneaky joint size? How does joint size affect play?

M

Makey98

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have a Schmelke sneaky Pete that I bought about 10 years ago. It is ply, but the ferrulle is scratched a bit and shaft has slight roll. I was looking at new cues, but now maybe was thinking of getting a predator shaft or some other aftermarket shaft. Easier to compare. How can I tell what my joint size is?

Also, some people on here prefer certain joint sizes. What affect does joint size affect play. Lastly, how would you describe the hit of a Scmelke? Stiff, soft, low deflection? I am new to this and trying to compare to what I am familiar with.

Thanks!!
 
Makey98 said:
I have a Schmelke sneaky Pete that I bought about 10 years ago. It is ply, but the ferrulle is scratched a bit and shaft has slight roll. I was looking at new cues, but now maybe was thinking of getting a predator shaft or some other aftermarket shaft. Easier to compare. How can I tell what my joint size is?
Click to expand...

Joint Options :
http://www.usa-cues.com/schmelke/schmelke_jointchoices.htm

Also, some people on here prefer certain joint sizes. What affect does joint size affect play. Lastly, how would you describe the hit of a Scmelke? Stiff, soft, low deflection? I am new to this and trying to compare to what I am familiar with.

Thanks!!
Click to expand...

I like a 3/8x10 joint. My buddy likes the feel of a uniloc joint.

The joint, hit, feel, are all subjective. You could get 100 answers in this thread, and all or none of them may be right or wrong.

It's whatever feels comfortable to you.
 
The joint, hit, feel, are all subjective. You could get 100 answers in this thread, and all or none of them may be right or wrong.

It's whatever feels comfortable to you.[/QUOTE]

What he said. You can drive yourself nuts trying to figure out what joint feels best. As has been stated many times here is that the shaft and tip are 90% or so of the hit of a cue.
 
Ok, got it. Any idea how to tell what Scmelke joint i have and if there is a predator shaft that will fit it??
 
For pin size and thread, show us the picture of the your pin. Or look at the link that was already provided to you from Schmelke webiste and pick the one that looks like yours.

Regarding, joint size, if you are referring to joint diameter, this is typically referred as terms of inches (e.g. , .850, .835). This is important to ensure that off the shelf shaft (e.g., Predator 314) fits close or flush with the butt. Otherwise, you will see and/or feel the difference where the shaft meets the butt. You will need micrometer to measure it or ask Schmelke.

Also, see this thread for additional info .. http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=231146
 
You can and should purchase a caliper for measuring joint size.
Without one, it is impossible for anyone else to tell you what diameter you have. If you are going to dabble in cues, you'll find it to be an absolute necessity, now and in the future. Obviously the better quality caliper is going to be more accurate but you can buy a fairly inexpensive one that won't break the bank that will do the trick for you.

Even the joint diameter being 1 or 2 thous out isn't going to make a huge difference in your life but you'll still be able to feel it somewhat.

Heres the test. Take a piece of printer paper and lay it on the table. Run your fingernail from the table onto the paper. Can you feel the difference? The piece of paper is approx 4 to 5 thou. Would having a shaft collar with that much difference between that and a butt collar bother you? Probably not because at that little difference, its barely visible. Much more than that and it can become visible.
 
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I guess I need to buy a caliper. It is none of the joints in the link provided. It Is a combo of 3 and 7. Flat face with no joint collars like number 7, but threads into brass insert into shaft and the pin is similar. I took a pic but need a computer to upload. Will do later. Thanks!
 
Measure an inch of your pin. Count the number of threads in that inch.
That will tell you if its 14 or 20 TPI. (threads per inch)
Then you will know if its 5/16th x 14 or 20.

By all means, go to Home Depot or any other tool house close to you and try and get a digital caliper.
You should be able to get a fairly decent one for around 20.
Stay with the digital as they are easier to read than a dial gauge for someone trying to learn how to read one.
The digital will have the ability to switch between thous and metric (mm) so you can also measure your tip diameters.
Remember that .250 is a quarter inch. Time 2 = 1/2 inch.
Now you can take a calculator and divide .250 by 4 to see what 1/16th of an inch is and so on.
This way you can quickly learn to calculate and convert in thousandths to give yourself a much better understanding of cue measurements.

I suck at math so if I can learn to read in thousandths, anyone can.
 
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