Recent content by Das Cue-Boot

I'm really baffled with where the chemistry is going here. I can't see any common thread--some of them are soaked in a solvent, so presumably that would all evaporate and maybe have dissolved some component of the tip. Others are leaving organic residue which sounds like they could turn into...

I bought Basalt from Buffalo Billiards in Petaluma. Very helpful, gave me a 10% discount, so came to $207 for an 8 foot table. When I received the package it had been shipped by Muellers, so I am guessing that Muellers is the US distributor, and the others that sell it go through them to drop...

I did get one from Seybert's before they ran out of stock, with Seybert's bucks it came to a net of about $285. Not a hint of stickiness with no waxing, cue silk or other preparation, but we are in a very high and dry area, so humidity is not in play. If anyone is in Four Corners area and...

Based on further descriptions and better pictures , I agree. It has a grain structure like a monocot, so likely a type of palm.

Exactly my experience with Predator and Taom, either Pyro or V10. Predatorand a couple other medium priced chalks are in my giveaway or “leave and forget” pile.

Except Seybert's is sold out with no prospect of restocking. I suspect we are seeing clearance sale to get rid of stock for the more expensive replacement.

My vote: Ramin. Very common softish, straight grained hardwood about 50 years ago when they were clearing lowlands in Indonesia for palm plantations. Many of the mid price cues used it, including the Sears four piece thread on the shaft/socket on the butt cues. It is now considered...

I have a brand new Defy, 12.5 mm, 29 inch. No hint of tackiness, and I haven't put any wax, cue slick or anything else on the shaft. Anyone in my area (Four Corners) come by and and I'll let you try it out.

Not that bad, really, but you are going to have to pay something somewhere. One option is eBay, where they handle the money on the transaction, take a (big) cut, but protect you on the transaction. A more do it yourself version is the unfortunately maligned Paypal (and no, have no relationship...

Here is a lightly used, excellent condition, Defy shaft. The narrow part of the shaft looks polished, since I've used the McDermott Cue Silk on that, and it really slides through my ungloved bridge hand pretty well now. Not sure of the tip brand, it plays like a medium layered tip. I'll...

Since it looks like we've got a carbon fiber shaft bazaar going here, let me add this one to the mix, and drop the price to $340.

Yes, I have visions of Torquemada and the Inquisition every time I hear of people dunking a bunch of tips. Maybe we need to take all Triangles, Lepros and Elkmasters that fail the trials and burn them as well.

With some of the major manufacturers dropping their price on carbon fiber shafts, $380 is too high for a used shaft, regardless of condition. Dropping to $350. Almost forgot--including a generic 5/16-14 joint protector for the shaft.

There must be a better way of determining if the tip is good than dunking them all and seeing which one floats. It kind of has a tinge of medieval inquisition to it. It also bothers me that only half of them are "good". Agree though with Loctite being the best of the glues, and prep is key to...

I bought a semi custom break cue from Schmelke. When I asked about changing one of the woods from bocote to goncalvo alves, which is heavier, harder and stronger, they offered to do that at no additional cost. Cue hits like a ton of bricks with a hard Ultraskin break tip. It is wonderful...