Need Advice Regarding Tip Size / Diameter

years back you practiced more with whatever equipment you had and got better. now the players want their equipment to make them better and it isnt going to happen.
 
Eric M. said:
I'd consider myself an advanced beginner. My first cue, that came with the table, was 12.4 mm. It was not very forgiving. I got a Schmelke butt with a 12.9 mm Rhino shaft and could finally make shots (like playing ping pong with a tennis racket). Now that I'm working on cue ball control, placement, draw, spin, etc., I'm wondering if a smaller tip would be better. I watched the Dr. Dave video regarding tip size and his conclusion was it didn't matter (much) but I've also read many here claim pool can't always be reduced to science and math (aka Dr. Dave). I realize a smaller tip will result in a learning curve that will send me backwards a bit, but am curious if it may be a better choice in the long run.

What size tip do some of you more experienced players use and does it result in better cue ball control? OR, is Dr. Dave right, just stick with what I'm using?

Thanks,
Eric M.
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Don't understand this.

Or this...

A new tip to drive the balls around.
No different than getting a new car with tires/tips.
How do you Know if you want 16'' 17'' or 20'' tires on your new car unless your drive it in/under your driving conditions?

Get a tip 13mm or less and drive that car for a year, then you'll be better informed about your 12.4 decision.

bm
 
Patrick Johnson said:
I don’t know why that would be…? Two shafts with the same tip shape (curvature) act like the same tip - unless you’re hitting right on the wider tip’s edge (which could be past the smaller tip’s edge).

pj
chgo
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For the tip itself? Yes.
But what's going to really change is the diameter of the shaft which will impact the flexibility and deflection of it. Then you have taper profiles, materials, etc, etc.... Lots of variables.
 
I've also found how you bridge effects shaft preffren
Eric M. said:
That's what I noticed and what prompted me to get a larger tip when I first started playing.
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Many years ago i was using a 12.25 shaft I missing quite a bit. I went up to a 13mm and my pocketing got alot better quickly. Today I'm using 12.5mm. I really don't think i would use anything smaller.
 
DJKeys said:
Agreed. You would be surprised how many shots can be made with only draw and follow and cue ball speed, no side spin at all-

-dj
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True but I was referring to how much off center left or right specifically. Most don't consider above and below as English.
 
A shaft lighter at the tip may have less deflection. If so, the 10.5mm shaft is lighter at the tip and, therefore, less deflection.

Pros are trending toward using narrower cue tips.

Dr Dave figured 10.5mm tips may miscue more if not shaped to a dime shape versus larger-diameter tips where shape doesn't much matter. The 10.5mm tip, therefore, gives the player an excuse to shape tip to dime circumference before each day's play.

Some players contend that larger-diameter tips require an initial shaping to a quarter, but after that? Chalk it only and keep it for years. The 10.5mm tips, therefore, lets you test cue tips more often than the larger-tip diameters that last virtually forever.

Players with 10.5mm tips are awake while those with larger-diameter tips are sleeping.

I bought a 10.5mm tip because, as I am told by better players, they can hit fine with a broom stick or any house cue. Given that, what's not to like with a 10.5mm tip or even a snooker cue with its 9.5mm tips?


My 10.5mm Kamui tip:

Tip_the 10.5 Cynergy.jpg
 
I'm of the strong opinion that nearly any "standard" size tip/shaft from about 11mm to 13mm can make any shot equally well under the sun, as long as the player holding the stick is used to the stick (and has the skill to perform said shot).

That said, I think certain shaft diameters and tip curvatures feel in the stroke hand and sight on the CB more comfortably to the player. For me personally, it's about 12.5mm range and dime shaped tip. 13mm feels like a monster to me, and the way the tip covers up the CB, the sighting does not match up with the resultant english.

I'd try a bunch of shafts and pick one that feels and sights well to you. Stick with it for a while, then repeat again when you want to try something new.
 
Paul_#_ said:
Dr Dave figured 10.5mm tips may miscue more if not shaped to a dime shape versus larger-diameter tips where shape doesn't much matter.
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Shape matters even for larger-diameter tips - you need at least 60 degrees of arc on your tip's curvature in order to be able to use maximum spin without hitting past the tip's edge. Why 60 degrees? That's 30 degrees from center per side (right & left), which is where the miscue limit is on the CB (halfway from center ball to edge).

Here's a diagram illustrating that - with a 10mm tip (like mine) you need a dime's curvature to include 60 degrees of arc. At the other end of the scale, with a 14mm tip you only need a silver dollar's curvature - but you need at least that much.

pj
chgo
60 degree tip.png

The six-sided shape within each circle shows the circle divided equally into 6 arcs of 60 degrees each (= 360 degrees total).
 
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Has anyone thought/considered that maybe, just perhaps, a perfectly curved tip at some coin radius is not optimal for pool?

Lou Figueroa
 
lfigueroa said:
Has anyone thought/considered that maybe, just perhaps, a perfectly curved tip at some coin radius is not optimal for pool?
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What do you have in mind? Some players purposely keep their tips flatter in the center to reduce errors with centerball shots. Is that an example?

pj
chgo
 
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lfigueroa said:
Has anyone thought/considered that maybe, just perhaps, a perfectly curved tip at some coin radius is not optimal for pool?

Lou Figueroa
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So far as I know, I have never played with a spherical-shaped tip. Mine always have more curvature towards the shoulders. Somewhat flatter in the middle. And I never worry about it and I almost never shape my tip after it's been on a few days.
 
Eric M. said:
Thanks Grindz. The set up I have does feel comfortable. Of course, I have very little to compare it to and it can get expensive trying new set ups. (I have learned I like CF over Maple). Out of curiosity, what size tip do you play with?
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12.75 is a good sweet spot for me.
😎👍
 
if you are mis cueing it isnt about your tip or shape of it. it is your stroke isnt straight or you have no idea about where to hit on the cueball.
 
Patrick Johnson said:
What do you have in mind? Some players purposely keep their tips flatter in the center to reduce errors with centerball shots. Is that an example?

pj
chgo
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A parabola.

And the only reason I say this is that years ago I played exceptionally well with a particular cue and eventually the tip popped off or needed to be replaced. And when I took a close look at it it wasn't the typical coin curve it more closely resembled a parabola.

This discussion made me think of that

Lou Figueroa
 
lfigueroa said:
A parabola.

And the only reason I say this is that years ago I played exceptionally well with a particular cue and eventually the tip popped off or needed to be replaced. And when I took a close look at it it wasn't the typical coin curve it more closely resembled a parabola.

This discussion made me think of that

Lou Figueroa
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Never heard of that - like the opposite of a tip that’s flatter in the center. Have you tried it again since then? Remember any particulars about what made it better?

pj
chgo
 
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