I play a McDermott D15 (a real beauty) with a G Core shaft with matching collar that I had McDermott make. Cue is 19.6 as is. As my stroke has developed and gotten better with the GCore shaft I'm feeling the cue is a bit rear end heavy. I've played a few 19 oz modern cues with LD shafts and they feel better balanced. Anyone else experience this? I'm thinking about cutting off a bit of the weight bolt to make my cue balance a little better. Thoughts?
McDermott D15 butt and new shaft balance question
- Thread starter ky4some
- Start date
Not sure exactly what you are asking, yes there are a lot of cues that have different balances, although I can't say that I have swapped liking one balance better than another. If you don't like how it's balanced, change it, the thoughts are all yours. How others like their cues to feel should not influence you one bit.
Really I have liked different cues for different reasons, only cue balance I never liked, except a tiny bit in a break cue, is forward balance. Even or a bit rear balance is good for me. A few times I shot with a more rear balanced cue that I did like, but that was also due to just how the hit was and how it flowed in the stroke. My Ned Morris has a great hit, is under 19oz and is very even balanced. The cue I used most after that was built from a full splice blank and had a rear balance. Cue I use now is probably a bit over 19 depending on the shaft and is a 30" butt with a fairly even balance going to slight rear balance if I use a lighter shaft. It pairs very well with a Revo since those shafts are a bit heavier than others I own and play with.
Those D lines were pretty good, I had a D1 and a D6 in the late 80s/early 90s. I still remember that one of those were stolen from my grandmother's apartment when I was visiting them for a few days. She lived in Alston/Brighton which is right by Boston, and I would often stop by and see them and go play in Jillians or Boston Billiards, they also had a table in the basement. One day I shot at the table and then went to their place, did not go back till next day and someone took my cue and case from the room. I figured who the hell would steal a cue in a retirement home LOL, I am betting it was not one of the people living there but one of the staff.
Really I have liked different cues for different reasons, only cue balance I never liked, except a tiny bit in a break cue, is forward balance. Even or a bit rear balance is good for me. A few times I shot with a more rear balanced cue that I did like, but that was also due to just how the hit was and how it flowed in the stroke. My Ned Morris has a great hit, is under 19oz and is very even balanced. The cue I used most after that was built from a full splice blank and had a rear balance. Cue I use now is probably a bit over 19 depending on the shaft and is a 30" butt with a fairly even balance going to slight rear balance if I use a lighter shaft. It pairs very well with a Revo since those shafts are a bit heavier than others I own and play with.
Those D lines were pretty good, I had a D1 and a D6 in the late 80s/early 90s. I still remember that one of those were stolen from my grandmother's apartment when I was visiting them for a few days. She lived in Alston/Brighton which is right by Boston, and I would often stop by and see them and go play in Jillians or Boston Billiards, they also had a table in the basement. One day I shot at the table and then went to their place, did not go back till next day and someone took my cue and case from the room. I figured who the hell would steal a cue in a retirement home LOL, I am betting it was not one of the people living there but one of the staff.
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Woodshaft
Do what works for YOU!
McDermott weight bolts unfortunately only screw in flush to the butt ends because the bolts have a head.
Joss cues, on the other hand for example, have headless bolts which can be screwed deep into handle.
The only way to forward balance your McDermott is to use a lighter weight bolt.
Pull the bolt and replace it with a bolt one ounce lighter. I shoot with 18.5 oz forward weighted cues and love them!
Joss cues, on the other hand for example, have headless bolts which can be screwed deep into handle.
The only way to forward balance your McDermott is to use a lighter weight bolt.
Pull the bolt and replace it with a bolt one ounce lighter. I shoot with 18.5 oz forward weighted cues and love them!
Simple enough to cut some weight off. On my Schons, about every 1/8"-3/16" is about 1/10 oz. Wouldn't go too far at once, or you may finding yourself buying another bolt to get a little weight back. Maybe try 1/4" at first and try it for a few weeks. If you have a kitchen scale at home, most read in 1/10 oz. I would not change more than 2/10 oz at first, and 1/10 after that. Make sure to smooth the edge you cut off.
Before cutting your weight bolt, maybe reach out to McDermott about getting some lighter bolts. I can't imagine them being very expensive and it would give you the ability to play around with different weights.
www.mcdermottcue.com
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For a long time, I played with a D18 and i3 shaft. Same thing; the rear balance thing got in my head and I eventually changed cues. I don't know that the rear weight was really a problem, but once something is in your head, it's hard to stop it.
What about something like a balance-rite, that sits in your joint? It's not my thing, but if you're tall, you might like the additional length.
I'd also talk to Jamie at McDermott, see if there's anything they can do.
What about something like a balance-rite, that sits in your joint? It's not my thing, but if you're tall, you might like the additional length.
I'd also talk to Jamie at McDermott, see if there's anything they can do.
The current McDermott weight bolts do not work in the D15 cues. The only option would be to cut the weight bolt or find a D series bolt. Jayme at McDermott said the weight bolt is actually part of the wooden bumper so if it's a 3" weight bolt it may be an issue to cut any off because there may not be enough threads to seat back correctly. I think I'll just take a peek at the bolt and go from there.Before cutting your weight bolt, maybe reach out to McDermott about getting some lighter bolts. I can't imagine them being very expensive and it would give you the ability to play around with different weights.
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Good point about it being in your head. I'll probably not worry about as the current bolts don't work in the D series cues. Messing with it may create an issue.
Guy Manges
Registered
Tell this to Jayme, He will help you, The wright way... Guy
I used to have some bolts in various weights. I'll let you know if I can find them.
I’ve owned many D series McD’s over the ages.
You can cut the bolt down and the cue will change 2 ways. It will be lighter and more front heavy-every time. Just physics.
You can’t make the cue more ass heavy and lighter at the same time.
The other thing I’ve seen done is using aluminum weight bolts in stead of steel. Has the same effect. I seen guys pound lead into their D series. That’s a permanent idea and I don’t recommend it. I’ve played with no weight bolt in a few of them and that wasn’t bad. Depends on the density of the particular cue.
D series imo are great production cues and they play better now than 35-40 years ago when they were new. I have no explanation for that. Other than “old wood” cues play better.
Best
Fatboy
You can cut the bolt down and the cue will change 2 ways. It will be lighter and more front heavy-every time. Just physics.
You can’t make the cue more ass heavy and lighter at the same time.
The other thing I’ve seen done is using aluminum weight bolts in stead of steel. Has the same effect. I seen guys pound lead into their D series. That’s a permanent idea and I don’t recommend it. I’ve played with no weight bolt in a few of them and that wasn’t bad. Depends on the density of the particular cue.
D series imo are great production cues and they play better now than 35-40 years ago when they were new. I have no explanation for that. Other than “old wood” cues play better.
Best
Fatboy
Broncoidal
New member
Any chance you still have one bolt laying around? I just bought a D-7 and it is missing the bolt.
This is the best and only advice you'll need on this thread so pay attention. Remove any weight bolt and play at least 1h with the cue. How much does it weigh and how does it feel? If it feels better than before then you have gone in the right direction.
The second thing is power. By removing weight you lose some power. After you have played 1h, does the cue ball end up where you anticipate on most shots? Do you have enogh power when using good technique for the occasional force follow or power draw? If not add some weight little by little, maybe 0.2oz at a time. It will be noticeable. Try some finesse shots too, like a drag shot to hold the cue ball near a rail. You need a good balance between the two. Figure out what thread your weight bolt is, and you can order headless bolts in that thread in various sizes and weights online for cheap. If the weight isn't listed just ask the seller to weigh a couple for you and the metal being the same, you can calculate the weight based on size. Most headless bolts are interlocking, and 2x0.2oz bolts are better than 1x.0.4oz as they will lock and there's no chance they will move or rattle.
The second thing is power. By removing weight you lose some power. After you have played 1h, does the cue ball end up where you anticipate on most shots? Do you have enogh power when using good technique for the occasional force follow or power draw? If not add some weight little by little, maybe 0.2oz at a time. It will be noticeable. Try some finesse shots too, like a drag shot to hold the cue ball near a rail. You need a good balance between the two. Figure out what thread your weight bolt is, and you can order headless bolts in that thread in various sizes and weights online for cheap. If the weight isn't listed just ask the seller to weigh a couple for you and the metal being the same, you can calculate the weight based on size. Most headless bolts are interlocking, and 2x0.2oz bolts are better than 1x.0.4oz as they will lock and there's no chance they will move or rattle.
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Broncoidal
New member
Can you tell me what your solution was? I have a D-7 and would like to lighten the butt. I have a 3” 1 1/2 weight bolt in mine.
Seems flaky??
One post says missing the next post you have 1??
Their weight bolt position and butt thickness / flare at the gripping point is the main reason why I stopped playing McDermott cues after many years. I like there maple shafts and their big pin 3/8x10 hit but not their butt heavy with old school flared thickness at the handle. When I tried to go minimal / no weight bolt my McD cues felt too light.
I went with Carmeli and Pierce cues which have much more of a forward balance because of their threaded allen bolt that threads quite far into the butt. They also have a less thick / flared butt diameter. I still play today with the factory Carmeli and Pierce maple shafts.
I went with Carmeli and Pierce cues which have much more of a forward balance because of their threaded allen bolt that threads quite far into the butt. They also have a less thick / flared butt diameter. I still play today with the factory Carmeli and Pierce maple shafts.