2 Inch shaft insert

[markgw]

With it installed, on a 'normal shot' that you can reach, do you use the same bridge length?

Then grip the cue a couple inches forward or where you grip without the insert/extension?

Does the hit feel stiffer, or do the shaft feedback characteristics feel/stay about the same?

Might have to try it.

OP...thanks for the post.

My grip is more forward to compensate for the 2 inch shaft length increase. The hit is about the same, but with the extra ounce of front weight it's less work to get the cueball to do what you need it to do. Everything feels the same except the cue just feels more solid in your hands or at least that's my take on it. It takes no time at all to get used to it. I have only heard the 4 inch inserts seem to be a bit much, but there have been nothing but positive reviews on the 2 inch insert.

To have that additional front weight is really cool. I can't wait for some pro feedback. I know John Schmidt and Rodney are playing lights out with it. I ran 51 balls with it hitting my first ball in 6 days. I didn't hit 1 ball and just screwed this think on and set up a break ball and ran 51. That's not a super great run or anything but I couldn't believe how good my stroke felt with the insert. They're really cheap and totally worth checking out:thumbup:

 

[Blue Hog ridr]

Rip, those look Super Duper.

I don't understand the 2" part. Using both the insert and pin that need to be inserted in the piece of wood.

But then, there are so many things in life that I don't understand anyway.

 

[markgw]

Rip, those look Super Duper.

I don't understand the 2" part. Using both the insert and pin that need to be inserted in the piece of wood.

But then, there are so many things in life that I don't understand anyway.

The insert adds exactly 2 inches to your cue after it's screwed into your joint and shaft.

 

[RiverCity]

I still dont get the extension fad. Im 6'3"-6'4" depending on what convenience store Im leaving, have a wingspan of 77" and I play with a 59" cue. No problems. I shoot off hand when needed, and when I cant, I grab the bridge. And my bridge use is usually only once a set at maximum if at all.
I know why people SAY they use extensions, but it makes no logical sense to me. If you are having to use a bridge that much, it would seem working on your position game would be a better choice than an extension IMO.
Chuck

 

[3RAILKICK]

My grip is more forward to compensate for the 2 inch shaft length increase. The hit is about the same, but with the extra ounce of front weight it's less work to get the cueball to do what you need it to do. Everything feels the same except the cue just feels more solid in your hands or at least that's my take on it. It takes no time at all to get used to it. I have only heard the 4 inch inserts seem to be a bit much, but there have been nothing but positive reviews on the 2 inch insert.

To have that additional front weight is really cool. I can't wait for some pro feedback. I know John Schmidt and Rodney are playing lights out with it. I ran 51 balls with it hitting my first ball in 6 days. I didn't hit 1 ball and just screwed this think on and set up a break ball and ran 51. That's not a super great run or anything but I couldn't believe how good my stroke felt with the insert. They're really cheap and totally worth checking out:thumbup:

Thanks for the answers to my questions.

My cue is a little forward weighted already..so I think I would like it.

I wonder how a cored thin walled polished aluminum unit would work out? ..weight wise....

 

[markgw]

I still dont get the extension fad. Im 6'3"-6'4" depending on what convenience store Im leaving, have a wingspan of 77" and I play with a 59" cue. No problems. I shoot off hand when needed, and when I cant, I grab the bridge. And my bridge use is usually only once a set at maximum if at all.
I know why people SAY they use extensions, but it makes no logical sense to me. If you are having to use a bridge that much, it would seem working on your position game would be a better choice than an extension IMO.
Chuck

It's not an extension. The pros and players that are using this new product have extensions that make their cues the size of a javelin. What makes this different is it adds a tiny bit of front weight to your cue, along with 2 inches in length to the shaft. It has nothing to do with an extension. I along with every player that has tried it likes it. I'm just sharing this great experience of a product I actually like. I have nothing to gain whatsoever from telling people about it . I'm a guitar player in a rock band that loves pool, that's it:thumbup: John Schmidt and Rodney Morris play pretty good shape and they are both using the insert.

 

[ceebee]

51 Balls. And here all along, I thought that you had to use 30 dollar chalk in order to do that.

My mistake, 30 buck chalk and you don't have to chalk for 51 Balls.

Good idea and I believe that it has been done before. I would rather play with an extra 2" in the middle than be screwing an extension in the back every time I need it.

I tried the slip over extensions and didn't care for it much. Rather use a bridge.

I imagine that if this catches on, there will be many getting their cue makers to custom fit one for their cues.

Just off hand, I would rather make one that fits in the middle than mess with plugs, inserts and holes in your bumper to accommodate an extension in the rear. Or however the guys make those.

I just got mine from Guido... a 6 inch insert. Cue is straight as an arrow, rolls great & feels great. It's real enjoyable to use on a 9 footer or in a Golf Game on a 10 foot Kling. (we have a 10 foot Kling at McGoos in Tulsa). I've used all kinds of inserts & extensions, even played with 60 inch cues. That caused me to make a cue length developer chart. A one size fits all can't be.....

 

[RiverCity]

It's not an extension. The pros and players that are using this new product have extensions that make their cues the size of a javelin. What makes this different is it adds a tiny bit of front weight to your cue, along with 2 inches in length to the shaft. It has nothing to do with an extension. I along with every player that has tried it likes it. I'm just sharing this great experience of a product I actually like. I have nothing to gain whatsoever from telling people about it . I'm a guitar player in a rock band that loves pool, that's it:thumbup: John Schmidt and Rodney Morris play pretty good shape and they are both using the insert.

The most common reason people give is the added reach. which is what my post was referring to. To say that its a feel/balance thing, then it sounds like you dont have the right cue for you to begin with. And to be clear, Rodney and John played just fine before the extensions, and can play with damn near anything you put in their hands. They seem to be following the lead of Earl, who I love to death as a player, but all the stuff he has come up with like the arm weights and the glasses, and the javelin were all products of him chasing his former self and his former game. Back when the 10' table was the norm, the players were using 57" cues. Required cue length is about wingspan and stance. The older players stood more upright, and that put their grip hands further up the cue. Some of the old timers even gripped right at or slightly behind the balance point.
Snooker on a 12' table. Cues range in the 56" to 58" range. And again, look at the stance differences of where their head is in relation to the joint of the cue and the bridge arm .
If people like them so be it, no skin off my nose. I just really dont understand the fads that come with this game, and the people who swear by them....... until they fade out.
I just wish that I would have thought of charging 30 bucks on up for a 2-4" dowel rod with a joint pin in one end and a threaded hole in the other.
Chuck

 

[markgw]

The most common reason people give is the added reach. which is what my post was referring to. To say that its a feel/balance thing, then it sounds like you dont have the right cue for you to begin with. And to be clear, Rodney and John played just fine before the extensions, and can play with damn near anything you put in their hands. They seem to be following the lead of Earl, who I love to death as a player, but all the stuff he has come up with like the arm weights and the glasses, and the javelin were all products of him chasing his former self and his former game. Back when the 10' table was the norm, the players were using 57" cues. Required cue length is about wingspan and stance. The older players stood more upright, and that put their grip hands further up the cue. Some of the old timers even gripped right at or slightly behind the balance point.
Snooker on a 12' table. Cues range in the 56" to 58" range. And again, look at the stance differences of where their head is in relation to the joint of the cue and the bridge arm .
If people like them so be it, no skin off my nose. I just really dont understand the fads that come with this game, and the people who swear by them....... until they fade out.
I just wish that I would have thought of charging 30 bucks on up for a 2-4" dowel rod with a joint pin in one end and a threaded hole in the other.
Chuck

. Stick with what you like, it's not for everyone. Shoot straight and good luck

 

[terryhanna]

. Stick with what you like, it's not for everyone. Shoot straight and good luck

Mark your one of the good guys always seem positive about pool
and i hope you make your goal of 100 ball run soon thanks for sharing
the info on the insert and keep rockin

Terry

 

[frankncali]

Fach brought one over for me about three weeks ago and I was pretty skeptical but I tried it anyways. I haven't taken it off my cue since. I'm really playing well with it. Thanks Fach.

Frank

No noticeable difference in feel?

 

[oldzilla]

So I guess with one of these inserts AND

a nasal strip, anyone could shoot great and go the distance !!!

:groucho: correct me if I am wrong !

 

[ICue71]

I had the black 3 inch extensions made by Donavon Mickelson at Micks Cue Sales for 3/8x10 and 5/16x14 joints. Good guy and excellent service. I'll add his contact info later.
The two 4 inch plain maple are BalanceRite extensions. I sanded the logo off while spinning each one.
The fiddleback 4 inch with finish is a 3/8x11 four inch extension made by Bob Owen.

All of my cues are forward weighted and I really like the additional forward weight of the extensions.

Rip if you don't mind me asking how much do those weigh?

 

[Rip]

Rip if you don't mind me asking how much do those weigh?

Bob Owen four inch 3/8x11 = 2.1 ounces
Black three inch 3/8x10 = 1.6 ounces
Black three inch 5/16x14 = 1.7 ounces
BalanceRite four inch 5/16x14 = 1.9 ounces

 

[Agent 99]

What isn't over priced today, Chuck?

The most common reason people give is the added reach. which is what my post was referring to. To say that its a feel/balance thing, then it sounds like you dont have the right cue for you to begin with. And to be clear, Rodney and John played just fine before the extensions, and can play with damn near anything you put in their hands. They seem to be following the lead of Earl, who I love to death as a player, but all the stuff he has come up with like the arm weights and the glasses, and the javelin were all products of him chasing his former self and his former game. Back when the 10' table was the norm, the players were using 57" cues. Required cue length is about wingspan and stance. The older players stood more upright, and that put their grip hands further up the cue. Some of the old timers even gripped right at or slightly behind the balance point.
Snooker on a 12' table. Cues range in the 56" to 58" range. And again, look at the stance differences of where their head is in relation to the joint of the cue and the bridge arm .
If people like them so be it, no skin off my nose. I just really dont understand the fads that come with this game, and the people who swear by them....... until they fade out.
I just wish that I would have thought of charging 30 bucks on up for a 2-4" dowel rod with a joint pin in one end and a threaded hole in the other.
Chuck

I think everything costs too much, from autos to homes to bread, milk and eggs. I've been told this is an aging condition .. lol

Although these extensions do add some length to the cue, I do not use them for that reason.

I like these devices because of the added down force in your bridge hand. You can really notice a difference in your stroke, especially when you are stretched out for a shot.

If you use an LD shaft that weights a skimpy 3.5 oz. you need to add forward weigh just to get your cue back to a more "normal" balance point.

This is why I think these devices make more sense now than ever. If you are shooting with a solid maple shaft that weighs 4.5 oz. or more, than you may not notice a big difference.

However, if you are shooting one of these low front end mass shafts, where the weight is absent from the shaft where you will feel it most, at the extreme front end, these devices will move the balance point further forward where it is meant to be.

Different strokes for different folks, but these devices are no gimmick.

They do move the balance point forward and make a difference in the way your cue will feel and play.

Good rolls.

 

[Agent 99]

Frank

No noticeable difference in feel?

I can not explain why this is, but the cue fells more "solid" to me. Not sure if two joints means stronger than one but my cue feels more like a one piece than a jointed cue.

Mark made the same observation and I understand what he is saying, from my experience with these devices.

Here's a guess on what is happening .. Now, I will say that all of my experience with these devices were necessitated by switching over to a low mass front end shaft, what they incorrectly call a low deflection shaft.

In reality it is a high deflection shaft, the front end of the shaft deflects greatly so the cue ball will produce less squirt. Somehow these devices isolate the vibrations of the front end of your shaft resulting in a more solid feel.

I can not explain this mathematically, but I haven't spent any time trying to figure it out either.

The first time I used one the difference was very apparent to me, and that was all I needed to know.

Another way to put it .. These extenders make an LD shaft feel more like a solid maple shaft, that produce far less vibration at the front end.

 

[Blue Hog ridr]

Ceebee, I met Guido in Vegas, VNEA a few years ago. That was before I bought my lathes. He actually was quite patient with all my questions, altho, quite the character, isn't he.

I had a new cue just for traveling. 2 - 13 mm shafts. He said no guarantee but he took both down to where I wanted them while I was practicing on one of the tables.

One came out perfect and the other, a slight roll but to this day, haven't moved.

The insert adds exactly 2 inches to your cue after it's screwed into your joint and shaft.

Mark, I understand that part. What I meant was. The average insert is 1 1/8th long. 1 inch long if you consider the pilot that will protrude. Pins, 3 " long. 2 inches of wood. You have to be able to accommodate the length of the insert and pin that will be inserted in the 2" piece of wood. At minimum, you will be putting at least 1 1/2" of pin in the wood. A cue with 1 1/2" of pin sticking out also looks a little funny.

Thats the part that I don't understand. A 3 inch extension, yes. 2 inches is what I can't wrap my feeble old head around. Unless the pin is shortened and only inserted 1 inch, or a little less.

 

[markgw]

Ceebee, I met Guido in Vegas, VNEA a few years ago. That was before I bought my lathes. He actually was quite patient with all my questions, altho, quite the character, isn't he.

I had a new cue just for traveling. 2 - 13 mm shafts. He said no guarantee but he took both down to where I wanted them while I was practicing on one of the tables.

One came out perfect and the other, a slight roll but to this day, haven't moved.



Mark, I understand that part. What I meant was. The average insert is 1 1/8th long. 1 inch long if you consider the pilot that will protrude. Pins, 3 " long. 2 inches of wood. You have to be able to accommodate the length of the insert and pin that will be inserted in the 2" piece of wood. At minimum, you will be putting at least 1 1/2" of pin in the wood. A cue with 1 1/2" of pin sticking out also looks a little funny.

Thats the part that I don't understand. A 3 inch extension, yes. 2 inches is what I can't wrap my feeble old head around. Unless the pin is shortened and only inserted 1 inch, or a little less.

Before I add the insert my Schon cue is 58 inches in length. After I add the insert my cue becomes 60 inches exactly. My insert piece is exactly 2 inches... Hope that helps...

 

[9Ballr]

I just received a 2 inch shaft insert for my Schon made by Fach Garcia and this is by far the best thing that has ever happened to me, that is pool related. I ran 51 balls my first inning without hitting a single ball for 6 days. This product makes my cue feel solid and even in my hand. I guess it's because it adds a little bit of front weight. I can reach a lot of shots without using a bridge or extension. It's helped with my shot making and cueball control. Now I know why John Schmidt and a lot of other players are using this insert. It truly is an incredible invention!!!

I have a problem with those extensions. Won't get one.
They take too much weight of my right hand.

I like to have a fair amount of weight in my right hand, I'm right handed, especially during regular play.
For breaking just a little more forward weight works well.

But any competent cue maker should be able to give you a forward weighted cue if that's what you like as a playing cue.

 

[poolhustler]

Its not an "insert", its an "extension".

Glad you like it Mark. I have heard from many people that it has really helped their game!!