Is my cue broken?

easy-e

easy-e

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I play with a Bob Hunter butt, OB Classic Pro shaft. Last night when I got to the pool room for an action match, while I was warming up, I noticed an odd sound/feeling whenever I'd hit the cue ball. Here's what I checked:

-The shaft was screwed on tightly
-I removed the rubber bumper and ensured the pin was fully tightened
-I held the cue up and lightly knocked on the butt from top to bottom, since the shaft didn't seem to be the problem
-I looked all over for visible cracks, and found none

When I knocked, It sounded "loose" (tough to describe) around the wrap area. Kinda vibrated funny. I still played with it, and it didn't seem to affect the play too much. The feeling was difficult to ignore. I was playing on a fast bar table too, so I never had to hit anything too firm. Any recommendations?
 
Sounds like your handle wood is getting loose in the forearm. I would have it checked out before it breaks apart.
 
I assume by "pin" under the bumper you mean weight bolt, but sometimes those are stacked. If you have a long allen wrench, I'd take the bolt out and check that it or all are in really tight. They can really rattle if loose.
 
StrokeofLuck said:
I assume by "pin" under the bumper you mean weight bolt, but sometimes those are stacked. If you have a long allen wrench, I'd take the bolt out and check that it or all are in really tight. They can really rattle if loose.
Click to expand...

Holy cow, I had no idea there could be more than one! Thanks for the suggestion.
 
I have a Predator Roadline and an old Viking that both have a “buzz in the butt” when you bump them. I’ve had them both looked at with no fix. Both cues play well but every once in a while you can hear the noise while playing and it drives me crazy. I have talked with other players who report similar problems.
I would love to find a fix.
 
Poolhall60561 said:
I have a Predator Roadline and an old Viking that both have a “buzz in the butt” when you bump them. I’ve had them both looked at with no fix. Both cues play well but every once in a while you can hear the noise while playing and it drives me crazy. I have talked with other players who report similar problems.
I would love to find a fix.
Click to expand...

Right! I'm trying to find a cheap butt to get me through while I have it looked at. 3/8x10 pin if anyone has anything they'd part with.
 
Poolhall60561 said:
I have a Predator Roadline and an old Viking that both have a “buzz in the butt” when you bump them. I’ve had them both looked at with no fix. Both cues play well but every once in a while you can hear the noise while playing and it drives me crazy. I have talked with other players who report similar problems.
I would love to find a fix.
Click to expand...

I have a Lucasi that had that same problem. The cue is threaded so the weight could be changed.
I like the weight and I don't plan on selling my cue. My fix was easy. Remove the bolt and glue it in.

.
 
easy-e said:
Right! I'm trying to find a cheap butt to get me through while I have it looked at. 3/8x10 pin if anyone has anything they'd part with.
Click to expand...

The weight bolt should have a screwdriver slot, or a hex for an allen wrench.
Just give 'er a turn to see if it moves. Tighten it and see if the sound is gone.

.
 
Possibilities include:
Loose joint - Usually not visible to the eye
Cracked forearm
Loose shaft insert
Damaged tenon below shaft insert
Loose A-joint
Loose butt cap/ rings
Cracked handle
Loose ferrule
 
Ralph Kramden said:
The weight bolt should have a screwdriver slot, or a hex for an allen wrench.
Just give 'er a turn to see if it moves. Tighten it and see if the sound is gone.

.
Click to expand...

She’s pretty snug. I think I’ll remove it and see what it sounds like.
 
I know you said the sound came from the butt of the cue but also check to make sure
the tip isn't loose. This will make the cue sound funny on contact with the cue ball
It will also really affect the ways it plays on certain shots. If it's the tip though it will
usually pop off pretty soon
 
easy-e said:
I play with a Bob Hunter butt, OB Classic Pro shaft. Last night when I got to the pool room for an action match, while I was warming up, I noticed an odd sound/feeling whenever I'd hit the cue ball. Here's what I checked:

-The shaft was screwed on tightly
-I removed the rubber bumper and ensured the pin was fully tightened
-I held the cue up and lightly knocked on the butt from top to bottom, since the shaft didn't seem to be the problem
-I looked all over for visible cracks, and found none

When I knocked, It sounded "loose" (tough to describe) around the wrap area. Kinda vibrated funny. I still played with it, and it didn't seem to affect the play too much. The feeling was difficult to ignore. I was playing on a fast bar table too, so I never had to hit anything too firm. Any recommendations?
Click to expand...
Does your shaft have an insert that fits into the butt when screwed in (sorry, dont know the technical terms). The insert was loose on one of my shafts and it gave that loose hit sound. I tried three different tips and even went right back to the cuemaker for one of the tips. On the last one I test hit in his shop and the loose sound was still there.

He told me he would make me a new shaft. We already knew that would fix the issue because the backup shaft did not make the sound. He dissected the bad shaft and discovered the insert was loose. Couldnt tell by looking at it or touching it. I assume he found out when he cut it open.

You coming to the expo? Just curious.
 
I agree with stacked weight bolts. -A- joint and possible loose joint screw. To answer your other question. Not everyone can do the -A- joint part.
 
I’d like to reply to everyone, but I’m not that fast on my phone. Thanks to all for the replies! If it helps narrow down the problem, it only seems to sound/feel funny on maybe a quarter of the shots, so maybe the orientation of the cue has something to do with it.

I won’t be at the expo, I wish I could!

Thanks for the offer to borrow the Dufferin, but I’m hoping to buy something. Very generous of you!

I took out the weight bolt and reinserted it, didn’t seem to change anything. I’d need a longer Allen wrench to see if there’s another one.
 
easy-e said:
I’d like to reply to everyone, but I’m not that fast on my phone. Thanks to all for the replies! If it helps narrow down the problem, it only seems to sound/feel funny on maybe a quarter of the shots, so maybe the orientation of the cue has something to do with it.

I won’t be at the expo, I wish I could!

Thanks for the offer to borrow the Dufferin, but I’m hoping to buy something. Very generous of you!

I took out the weight bolt and reinserted it, didn’t seem to change anything. I’d need a longer Allen wrench to see if there’s another one.
Click to expand...

Use a narrow-focus flashlight to look for a second weightbolt below the first one that you removed.
 
easy-e said:
I’d like to reply to everyone, but I’m not that fast on my phone. Thanks to all for the replies! If it helps narrow down the problem, it only seems to sound/feel funny on maybe a quarter of the shots, so maybe the orientation of the cue has something to do with it.

I won’t be at the expo, I wish I could!

Thanks for the offer to borrow the Dufferin, but I’m hoping to buy something. Very generous of you!

I took out the weight bolt and reinserted it, didn’t seem to change anything. I’d need a longer Allen wrench to see if there’s another one.
Click to expand...

I’m thinking climate change..from the Florida Panhandle to desert conditions.
..maybe it will settle down...I feel something shrunk in your cue from dryness.
Cues left in cars without enough protection do this.

I used to sell a lot of cues...kept the cases wrapped in wool blankets and comforters
when in my truck....good for cold or heat conditions.
 
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