Is it easier/is it possible to re-thread a shaft, or is it easier to replace a joint pin in a butt?

Flakeandrun

Flakeandrun

Well-known member
Forgive me if this has been done before, but a quick search didn't yield the results I am looking for.

I have inherited two Musashi 3/8x10 shafts and a 3/8x10 modified butt from a friend (he was getting rid of a ton of stuff, and in my haste I asked for these things I thought would work together - I didn't have a chance to see in person first) - this situation has partially solved my need for a second cue for travel. But It has brought with it this specific question.

At first I was thinking if it is possible to change the shafts to meet the pin requirement. In my brain that seemed more logical.

But then, I thought to change the joint pin over to Musashi 3/8x10, as I already have a 3/8x10 modified cue, and I also have more than enough shaft for that cue... and I didn't want two shafts sitting here with Musashi 3/8x10 with no use if it is not possible to amend the thread of the shaft...

So, I was thinking to change the inherited butt to the Musashi joint pin, so those two shafts can be used, and a chance to pick up a Kieth Andy shaft, or similar that is more available on the asian market.

So, the question is - Is it easier/is it possible to re-thread a shaft, or is it easier to replace a joint pin in a butt?

My main cue guy suggested it is easier to Change the joint pin of the butt. So just looking for some confirmation. I'm not particularly knowledgable in this area, so apologies if it comes across as daft or 'disjointed' (pardon the pun).

Edit: cue guy wasn't suggesting it was easier, just that he had the specific tool to do that faster, but has to wait a day or two to amend the shafts... language barrier :)
 
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straightline said:
Just to post, swapping pins sounds sounder. Redoing the shafts would leave new thread slivering through two different materials.
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Thanks. I was worried about the integrity/result regardless of which way round it works.

My brain just thought two shafts would be easier/less likely to lose value if it goes sour.

The two shafts are the same as one which I have for my Vigus. Just the thread is the narrower Musashi 3/8x10 and not modified.
 
it is straightforward to change the pin and it is straightforward to change the thing the pin threads into.

Either way involves boring out a bit of the {shaft/butt} inserting and gluing a tenon, then installing the new pin into the tenon or treading the tenon to accept the pin. {Due to concentricity and straightness of the resulting cue, this must be done on a lathe and dial indicators.}

Basically, you take the {butt, shaft} back to the point they have neither a pin nor a thread.
 
MitchAlsup said:
it is straightforward to change the pin and it is straightforward to change the thing the pin threads into.

Either way involves boring out a bit of the {shaft/butt} inserting and gluing a tenon, then installing the new pin into the tenon or treading the tenon to accept the pin. {Due to concentricity and straightness of the resulting cue, this must be done on a lathe and dial indicators.}

Basically, you take the {butt, shaft} back to the point they have neither a pin nor a thread.
Click to expand...
Okay, I don't feel so stupid after reading this. That was my assumption, but have no real experience in the matter.

Nick B said:
Shaft(s) would be easier. Pin might be hard to remove and cause damage.
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That was my concern, it is a nice butt that I have kind of lucked into which, If I ever needed to, I could sell for much more than I have paid for it. He is an expat moving country and needed to reduce his belongings and make some cash. So it would have been too good to be true if the shafts had fit perfectly. Like I said, it was hastily done deal and didn't have time to be thorough.

Thanks for the advice guys, spoke to my cue guy just now and he's going to alter the shafts for me. Hopefully they play well after alteration. I considered buying a Musashi jointed butt, but that was far too frivolous for me after just paying for these.
 
Flakeandrun said:
Forgive me if this has been done before, but a quick search didn't yield the results I am looking for.

I have inherited two Musashi 3/8x10 shafts and a 3/8x10 modified butt from a friend (he was getting rid of a ton of stuff, and in my haste I asked for these things I thought would work together - I didn't have a chance to see in person first) - this situation has partially solved my need for a second cue for travel. But It has brought with it this specific question.

At first I was thinking if it is possible to change the shafts to meet the pin requirement. In my brain that seemed more logical.

But then, I thought to change the joint pin over to Musashi 3/8x10, as I already have a 3/8x10 modified cue, and I also have more than enough shaft for that cue... and I didn't want two shafts sitting here with Musashi 3/8x10 with no use if it is not possible to amend the thread of the shaft...

So, I was thinking to change the inherited butt to the Musashi joint pin, so those two shafts can be used, and a chance to pick up a Kieth Andy shaft, or similar that is more available on the asian market.

So, the question is - Is it easier/is it possible to re-thread a shaft, or is it easier to replace a joint pin in a butt?

My main cue guy suggested it is easier to Change the joint pin of the butt. So just looking for some confirmation. I'm not particularly knowledgable in this area, so apologies if it comes across as daft or 'disjointed' (pardon the pun).
Click to expand...

Just retap the shaft threads, easy peasy
 
MitchAlsup said:
it is straightforward to change the pin and it is straightforward to change the thing the pin threads into.

Either way involves boring out a bit of the {shaft/butt} inserting and gluing a tenon, then installing the new pin into the tenon or treading the tenon to accept the pin. {Due to concentricity and straightness of the resulting cue, this must be done on a lathe and dial indicators.}

Basically, you take the {butt, shaft} back to the point they have neither a pin nor a thread.
Click to expand...

This is a bananas answer for your situation, do not listen to it at all
 
ideologist said:
This is a bananas answer for your situation, do not listen to it at all
Click to expand...
I think he is just detailing what can be done with regard to both ideas. Not suggesting one over the other. I read it as he was suggesting the same as you to...
ideologist said:
Just retap the shaft threads, easy peasy
Click to expand...
Which is what I have asked cue guy to do for me :)

Again, thanks for the help here guys. I am going to watch him work it out, as I find it really interesting.

Edit: I think I actually understand your point now, just re-threading the existing joint of the shaft? I am not sure as these particular shafts have an insert (Which is carbon or plastic? it's black that's all I know) for the thread, which maybe needs to be replaced and is difficult to simply re-thread? Maybe it is removed and replaced with wood section?

I will see what cue guy suggests and update here. Either way, I will be adjusting the shafts and not the butt. I'll post some info/pics on it when I get back from work.
 
straightline said:
If the shafts have inserts, aren't those replaceable?
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Maybe I have used the wrong vocabulary? They could well be though. They are certainly not removable or intended to be replaced like Whyte Carbon for example. They are as pictured below.

1719199423416.png
 
Depends on the cue and the threads.
Some conversions are much easier than others.
Pulling the pin can be problematic, generally heat is used and there is potential for damage if the glue does not let go easily.
3/8 threads to inserts are super easy.
 
Sheldon said:
Depends on the cue and the threads.
Some conversions are much easier than others.
Pulling the pin can be problematic, generally heat is used and there is potential for damage if the glue does not let go easily.
3/8 threads to inserts are super easy.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'm going to take the route of amending the shaft threads to fit. It's too nice a butt to do anything risky with.
I think I misinterpreted my cue guy due to the language barrier in the beginning which led to confusion and the creation of this thread. But it's proved useful :)
Thanks all.
 
Flakeandrun said:
Yeah, I'm going to take the route of amending the shaft threads to fit. It's too nice a butt to do anything risky with.
I think I misinterpreted my cue guy due to the language barrier in the beginning which led to confusion and the creation of this thread. But it's proved useful :)
Thanks all.
Click to expand...
Good thing I'm on this threading thread. How is replacing the inserts done?
 
straightline said:
Good thing I'm on this threading thread. How is replacing the inserts done?
Click to expand...
Not sure, I am guessing they get removed and replaced as described above. He said it was easy enough (once we got round language issues), so I will watch what he does and post up here.
 
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