Ferrule Question

haystj

haystj

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Can anyone explain to me the difference ( or pros/cons) between period yellow micarta ferruled shafts and newer melamine ferruled shafts?

Is one considered "better" than the other, and I am interested in the reasons. Or is it just all about different looks.

Thanks

Tim
 
Not a science-driven answer but 1.They're very light(less squirt) 2. They hit good. Seriously, have you played one? Gonna have to try one yourself.
 
The old paper micarta that people like so much offered a mild but lively feel, not entirely unlike ivory. In its day, it was a close alternative. Today I believe it's became a near legendary material because it's unattainable, unavailable, and ridiculously expensive if you can find it. If it were readily available & economical today, it wouldn't be such a big deal, just like it wasn't a big deal when it was.

As for modern melamine, the difference is that the resin is harder than what was used in micarta. Micarta had epoxy resin, and melamine has melamine resin. The base material is also different as the melamine has a linen base where the micarta has a paper base. Long story short & a good answer to your question is that melamine is hard & micarta is medium.
 
qbilder said:
The old paper micarta that people like so much offered a mild but lively feel, not entirely unlike ivory. In its day, it was a close alternative. Today I believe it's became a near legendary material because it's unattainable, unavailable, and ridiculously expensive if you can find it. If it were readily available & economical today, it wouldn't be such a big deal, just like it wasn't a big deal when it was.

As for modern melamine, the difference is that the resin is harder than what was used in micarta. Micarta had epoxy resin, and melamine has melamine resin. The base material is also different as the melamine has a linen base where the micarta has a paper base. Long story short & a good answer to your question is that melamine is hard & micarta is medium.
Click to expand...

What current ferrule material, besides ivory, would you think has the closest hit or playing properties to the old yellow Micarta?
 
Linen based melamine hits hard, and its hard to find these days without a bunch of pitting.

Micarta is much softer hitting.

Both play well, though I don't think there is anything overly special about either one. I've owned a bunch of cues with both types and while they hit different, they don't make a magic laser come out of the end of the cue for never missing a shot.
 
HawaiianEye said:
What current ferrule material, besides ivory, would you think has the closest hit or playing properties to the old yellow Micarta?
Click to expand...

That's a loaded question. So much depends on the install technique. Tenon diameter, capped or through, ferrule length, etc. all play a HUGE role is how much the material itself can factor in to the feel. All things considered, I'd say Juma is probably pretty close, possibly even harder. To be quite honest, the fiber ferrule material that used to be so popular on house cues & old McDermotts was pretty darn close.
 
qbilder said:
That's a loaded question. So much depends on the install technique. Tenon diameter, capped or through, ferrule length, etc. all play a HUGE role is how much the material itself can factor in to the feel. All things considered, I'd say Juma is probably pretty close, possibly even harder. To be quite honest, the fiber ferrule material that used to be so popular on house cues & old McDermotts was pretty darn close.
Click to expand...

That is exactly why I asked.

I worked in a pool hall as a kid and all the way through high school. I learned to change the tips on cues and do simple repairs, like changing ferrules. We used an old hand-winding machine that reminded me of a pencil sharpener to cut the shaft tenons down to install the ferrule. If you cut too deep, you just installed a ferrule with a smaller diameter hole and thicker walls. Most of them were black and I think made of some type of fiber-based material.

Also, I love the material that was used on the old McDermotts from back around the C-line era which I think may be some type of fiber-based stuff.

Thank you for your information.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top