Nickle & Dime Jargon

Halfjack87

Halfjack87

In Training
Silver Member
Help!

What does it mean to describe the radius of a tip in nickels and dimes (and pennies, quarters, and even shekels on this forum :D)

So far, all I've been able to figure out is that (I think) a "dime" is more rounded and "nickel" is more flat - what does it actually mean?

Please, I am getting desperate for a meaningful explanation! :frown:
 
Look at your tip from the side. See the roundness and curvature? That radius is roughly equivalent to the roundness of a nickel or a dime. Get it?
 
Halfjack87 said:
My tip is probably 13mm (guessing) it is flat like a dime or a nickel.
Click to expand...

Could be either. Does the curvature on the top part of your tip resemble the curvature of a nickel or a dime. Put a coin behind it and match the coin edge to your tip curve.
 
Seriously - the curve of the coin should match the curvature of the 'dome' of the tip?

So I'm at a quarter or half-dollar I think, maybe a dollar bill...

No wonder I was confused. Thanks!

(time to buy a tip tool)
 
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typically, a 13mm tip would be nickle radius.

the typical 'dime' radius is at approx 12.75 and smaller.

best,
brian kc
 
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Halfjack87 said:
Seriously - the curve of the coin should match the curvature of the 'dome' of the tip?

So I'm at a quarter or half-dollar I think, maybe a dollar bill...

No wonder I was confused. Thanks!
Click to expand...

A dollar bill. LOL

Yes to your question. The dome of your tip should roughly match the curve of a nickel. It's an easy way to tell if your tip is getting too flat or if you're fixing your tip, a nickel's curve is a great guide to get it back to normal.
 
Kickin' Chicken said:
typically, a 13mm tip would be nickle radius.

the typical 'dime' radius is at approx 12.75 and smaller.

best,
brian kc
Click to expand...

So basically if I go to a smaller tip, then I need to use a dime? Was planning to try different sizes.

So nobody uses, say, a nickel size on a 12 mm or a dime size on a 13mm?
Would a dime size 13mm shoot like a nickel sized 12mm?
 
I remember a time long ago when I wondered wtf people meant by nickels and dimes too. Lol makes me smile now, lol.
 
Halfjack87 said:
My tip is probably 13mm (guessing) it is flat like a dime or a nickel.
Click to expand...

FWIW, the mm measurement can be accomplished by using outside calipers on the ferrule. It is a simple measurement of the width of the end of the ferrule where the tip is attached. I've seen folks use a metric ruler too but I think calipers are more accurate.

Chicken is right. I wouldn't try to put less than a nickel radius on a 13mm tip. A dime radius is usually for smaller mm tips. To each his own though.
 
Ok so was going to get one of these "Last 4 Ever Tip Tools" from last4ever.net - looks like I need to buy both sizes.

[insert nickel & dime pun here]
 
Halfjack87 said:
Help!

What does it mean to describe the radius of a tip in nickels and dimes (and pennies, quarters, and even shekels on this forum :D)

So far, all I've been able to figure out is that (I think) a "dime" is more rounded and "nickel" is more flat - what does it actually mean?

Please, I am getting desperate for a meaningful explanation! :frown:
Click to expand...
For maximum tip/ball contact area you need a curved tip surface that mates with the curved surface of the cue ball. You can hit about 30 degrees from center on the CB (before miscuing), so you want your tip to be wide enough and curved enough to include 30 degrees of arc. It happens that the radius of a nickel or dime does that for typical cue shaft widths (see the drawing below).

The practical difference between a nickel and dime shape (if any) is that a dime (rounder) shape includes a greater amount of arc within the width of the tip, so you're less likely to be hitting right on the edge of the tip with maximum English. The drawing shows that wider, rounder tips have a little more edge space when hitting near the miscue limit.

pj
chgo

View attachment 74375
 

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  • Tip Size vs Curvature.jpg
    Tip Size vs Curvature.jpg
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Halfjack87 said:
So basically if I go to a smaller tip, then I need to use a dime? Was planning to try different sizes.

So nobody uses, say, a nickel size on a 12 mm or a dime size on a 13mm?
Would a dime size 13mm shoot like a nickel sized 12mm?
Click to expand...

This is one of the fun parts of pool. Finding the tip/ferrule size that is just right for you. :)
You can put a nickel on a 12. I've seen that done.

They may play the same or not. It really comes down to what works for each shooter.

Some people prefer a 9 pound bowling ball. Some like a 15 pounder. They both knock the pins down but you have to try them to know what you like.
 
Patrick Johnson said:
View attachment 74375
Click to expand...

PJ - from your diagram of a 13 mm shaft it appears that the top of the shaft is near the top of the cue ball with a level cue (I'd say top edge of the cue ball but I don't want to start a riot) at the 30 degree miscue limit. Do you know the actual difference in elevation between the top of the shaft and top of cb at the limit?
 
Dan White said:
PJ - from your diagram of a 13 mm shaft it appears that the top of the shaft is near the top of the cue ball with a level cue (I'd say top edge of the cue ball but I don't want to start a riot) at the 30 degree miscue limit. Do you know the actual difference in elevation between the top of the shaft and top of cb at the limit?
Click to expand...
13mm nickel-shaped tip: a little over 1/16"
13mm dime-shaped tip: a little under 3/16"
10mm nickel-shaped tip: a little under 3/16"
10mm dime-shaped tip: about 3/16"


pj
chgo
 
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Halfjack87 said:
Ok so was going to get one of these "Last 4 Ever Tip Tools" from last4ever.net - looks like I need to buy both sizes.

[insert nickel & dime pun here]
Click to expand...

Cheap tip tool I have ( $20 ) from local pro shop has both nickel and dime on it. I see them pretty much everywhere.
 
Patrick Johnson said:
A shade less than 1/4" (0.23"). The difference with a 10mm shaft is a shade more than 1/4" (0.28").

pj
chgo
Click to expand...

1/4"? So the drawing is not to scale? It looks like it is almost even with the top of the cue. I'm talking about the TOP edge of the shaft, not the contact point on the cue ball.
 
Halfjack87 said:
Ok so was going to get one of these "Last 4 Ever Tip Tools" from last4ever.net - looks like I need to buy both sizes.

[insert nickel & dime pun here]
Click to expand...

And so the getting nickeled and dimed to death buying all the extra little gadgets you didn't know you needed begins.
 
Robert Burns recommends the tip match the curve of a quarter.
But all the commercial shapers I've seen are either nickel or dime.
 
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