Tip talk

[StrokeofLuck]

Has anyone other than me tried the Bulletproof playing tip? I’m about 4 months into my test run. I like it. The key is to scuff it with 80 grit.

I have the soft on one of my shafts just to experiment with. I think they're very interesting, and play and hold chalk much better than I expected. The soft hits pretty firm IMO. Maybe they'll be like CF shafts and kind of start taking over the tip market as they get more refined and more companies offer them. The only thing that seems strange is they're supposed to "last forever" so you wonder about the desire to sell something like that for the same price as tips that people replace annually or more often.

 

[Paul_#_]

The only thing that seems strange is they're supposed to "last forever" so you wonder about the desire to sell something like that for the same price as tips that people replace annually or more often.

Hmmm, they are more expensive than Kamuis----they're $30 at PoolDawg:

Bulletproof Recoil Full Synthetic Playing Tip

Bulletproof RECOIL Full Synthetic Playing Tip offers unmatched performance and durability. Vegan-friendly, no mushrooming or flattening. Available in Soft, Medium, and Hard. Shop Today!

www.pooldawg.com

 

[Flakeandrun]

Hmmm, they are more expensive than Kamuis----they're $30 at PoolDawg:

Bulletproof Recoil Full Synthetic Playing Tip

Bulletproof RECOIL Full Synthetic Playing Tip offers unmatched performance and durability. Vegan-friendly, no mushrooming or flattening. Available in Soft, Medium, and Hard. Shop Today!

www.pooldawg.com

View attachment 794840

How long til a big pro is paid the right amount to use them?

Maybe they'll be like CF shafts and kind of start taking over the tip market as they get more refined and more companies offer them.

That's when this maybe becomes reality.

 

[Flakeandrun]

The Bulletproof break tip... I have managed to put a crack through it. Still plays fine, and doesn't feel any different. But I noticed it while playing this weekend. Will post a photo when I have time. It's seemingly an internal pressure crack, and not broken through to any edge or affecting any surface area. Curious if it means I will be replacing it soon (should it blow up or pop off). Still quite happy with how it hits.

 

[Flakeandrun]

The tip with pressure cracks

 

[bayoublaster400]

Has anyone other than me tried the Bulletproof playing tip? I’m about 4 months into my test run. I like it. The key is to scuff it with 80 grit.

I'm getting ready to try a soft tip on one shaft and a medium on another. Did you put you Bulletproof tip on yourself or did someone else install it for you? Just wondering if I should use the same rpms, blades, procedure as a leather top. Thanks

 

[Bulletproof Billiards]

How long til a big pro is paid the right amount to use them?

That's when this maybe becomes reality.

Pro players will play with anything if paid enough...remember Earl played with a $100 Cuetec for years. The real test is when will pros play with them WITHOUT being paid because they are better!

 

[Bulletproof Billiards]

The Bulletproof break tip... I have managed to put a crack through it. Still plays fine, and doesn't feel any different. But I noticed it while playing this weekend. Will post a photo when I have time. It's seemingly an internal pressure crack, and not broken through to any edge or affecting any surface area. Curious if it means I will be replacing it soon (should it blow up or pop off). Still quite happy with how it hits.

We have a lifetime warranty on our tips. Please send a DM for replacement. Those don't look like cracks (but hard to tell from the photo). Try putting it on a lathe and polishing it. We've sold thousands of these tips and I don't believe its possible to crack this material. I've hit them with a sledgehammer and they only deform but never crack, chip or break.

 

[Bulletproof Billiards]

I'm getting ready to try a soft tip on one shaft and a medium on another. Did you put you Bulletproof tip on yourself or did someone else install it for you? Just wondering if I should use the same rpms, blades, procedure as a leather top. Thanks

These tips are a lot easier to install than leather. I can install one in 2 minutes. Check out the installation video here:

 

[Flakeandrun]

Thoroughbred tips are a win, very happy with how it’s holding shape now, little bit of mushrooming to start, one good clean up and held its shape since.

The BP tip has seemed to improve with some playing in. It’s softened a little, and feels like I’m getting a better mix of control and impetus into the ball. Maybe it's just my increased familiarity with it. I like how it's hitting.

We have a lifetime warranty on our tips. Please send a DM for replacement. Those don't look like cracks (but hard to tell from the photo). Try putting it on a lathe and polishing it. We've sold thousands of these tips and I don't believe its possible to crack this material. I've hit them with a sledgehammer and they only deform but never crack, chip or break.

I'll try and take a clearer picture when I get to the hall. Will also try and give it a polish. From my eye it's inside, but let's see. I am very happy with the performance of the material! Will double check, and try and get better pictures, then will DM you.

Pro players will play with anything if paid enough...remember Earl played with a $100 Cuetec for years. The real test is when will pros play with them WITHOUT being paid because they are better!

Well said, and couldn't agree more. Let's see! I certainly like it compared to my previous tip.

 

[Flakeandrun]

We have a lifetime warranty on our tips. Please send a DM for replacement. Those don't look like cracks (but hard to tell from the photo). Try putting it on a lathe and polishing it. We've sold thousands of these tips and I don't believe its possible to crack this material. I've hit them with a sledgehammer and they only deform but never crack, chip or break.

As much as I would like a free tip, you're right. I think they were perhaps lines created from pressure deformation that have since leveled out. I meant to take a picture, but was in a bit of a rush yesterday and forgot. I gave it a quick polish, and it's fine.

I will further state that the tip really does feel softer after a good deal of use, and I am really enjoying the feel of the hit. Good power transfer, grip and jumps. Top product. Would buy another if ever needed. Can you make them different colors? Or is the material something that is compromised when altered?

 

[chevybob20]

I'm getting ready to try a soft tip on one shaft and a medium on another. Did you put you Bulletproof tip on yourself or did someone else install it for you? Just wondering if I should use the same rpms, blades, procedure as a leather top. Thanks

I’m sorry that I took so long to respond. I retired and moved to a new state.

You need a lathe to install this tip. I usually do my own but not this time.

 

[bayoublaster400]

I’m sorry that I took so long to respond. I retired and moved to a new state.

You need a lathe to install this tip. I usually do my own but not this time.

Just finished installing both the soft and medium tips on a couple of my cues. Really not much if any different from installing a leather cue tip. When sanding down the bottom of the tip prior to install, I noticed the soft tip version was just a bit cratered in the center of the tip and took a bit of effort to get it flat before installing by rubbing on 220 grit sand paper on a flat surface. I much prefer the softer version for my style of shooting, but others swear by the medium tip.

 

[chevybob20]

Just finished installing both the soft and medium tips on a couple of my cues. Really not much if any different from installing a leather cue tip. When sanding down the bottom of the tip prior to install, I noticed the soft tip version was just a bit cratered in the center of the tip and took a bit of effort to get it flat before installing by rubbing on 220 grit sand paper on a flat surface. I much prefer the softer version for my style of shooting, but others swear by the medium tip.

Let me know if you get any mushrooming. The website says that it is possible. I do prefer soft myself.

 

[ak1975]

I have a variety of bp tips. I spent the most time on the blue, not bad but softer than I like. The green is nice but too soon to pass judgment. Maybe red?

 

[Bulletproof Billiards]

Thoroughbred tips are a win, very happy with how it’s holding shape now, little bit of mushrooming to start, one good clean up and held its shape since.

The BP tip has seemed to improve with some playing in. It’s softened a little, and feels like I’m getting a better mix of control and impetus into the ball. Maybe it's just my increased familiarity with it. I like how it's hitting.


I'll try and take a clearer picture when I get to the hall. Will also try and give it a polish. From my eye it's inside, but let's see. I am very happy with the performance of the material! Will double check, and try and get better pictures, then will DM you.


Well said, and couldn't agree more. Let's see! I certainly like it compared to my previous tip.

After looking closer, those lines look like the tip was scored with a razor prior to install and you are seeing the scoring lines magnified through the curvature of the tip.

 

[Flakeandrun]

After looking closer, those lines look like the tip was scored with a razor prior to install and you are seeing the scoring lines magnified through the curvature of the tip.

I think it was a scuff mark. I let my friend break with it, and he miscued, and the same thing happened again. this time with some slight deformation, and scratch mark. As you said, I just continued to use it, and It has since returned to shape, and it is crystal clear after a good polish.

 

[Flakeandrun]

Ok, so this time I think I have buggered this tip... Seems to have squashed/split at an edge. This isn't a dent from a mis-hit. I noticed it last night. The day before, I spent a solid three hours practicing 10-ball, and high-point 9-ball (WPA style) breaks in the VIP room at my hall, as no tables were free, and there was no games to play.

The dents from previous miscued breaks, all kind of morph out and it returns to shape, but I can't imagine this will... It's a shame cause I like how the tip feels through the ball.

@Bulletproof Billiards

 

[Flakeandrun]

Guy at the hall says he can replace with one of the following today; Zan Double face, Kamui Sai, BK2, Sonic, Taom

Zan and Kamui Sai seem to be the same/similar construction of resin and leather. Might give one of those a try.

Alternatively, I can order pretty much anything from Taobao and wait a little... I considered the Caiden Fenrir and it's jazzy spiel... but the tip guy at the hall said nothing positive about them, and flat-out referred to it as throwing money away Samsara is a reasonable price online here. Not a fan of White Diamond, having tried it on a couple of friend's set-ups (one on a PBG and the other on a breach). Too hard, and no feel through the ball.

Hell, I am tempted to order another bulletproof, as the feel of the hit is really very good. Cannot fault it in that area.

Any thoughts about break tips that work for you right now appreciated... Have trawled the usual depths of the forum search. From 'any hard tip will do' to 'phenolic is evil' - what is working for you guys right now?

Is there an appreciable difference between the Kamui Sai and Kamui Sai Hard? Anyone tried a Zan double face?

 

[Flakeandrun]

Think I am going to go with either the Sai or Double Face. Cue guy asked if I wanted to leave a thin layer of the old tip to act as a padding.

Is there any practical application to this? Would it affect the adhesive of the new tip? Probably won't do that, I am just curious.