LD shaft Help.

Jonas111

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I’ve played the original predator 314 since 1994 (around this era). I still have the same cue and shaft I’ve played with back then. It’s Schon stl10 with the original predator shaft.

I quit playing pool in 2002 for family reasons and recently found myself back into it. I’ve been back into it for a year or so and been looking at Shafts. I bought a new 314/3 and a Z2.

The 314/3 was nothing like my original 314. In fact it was so different I didn’t like it all. The Z2 shaft was very close to the original but I’m not so sure I like the smaller tip.

I’ve always disliked how the original shaft worked with top right or top left spin. Felt I lost too much control.

Where I live I can’t try Shafts so it makes it challenging to try before you buy. I’m interested in trying as many as I can but hoping you guys might be able to guide me in the right direction. Thinking maybe OB Shafts. Or read about a guy that does custom Shafts that are LD. Forget his name as I type this.

Any help is appreciated.
 

cuesblues

cue accumulator
Silver Member
Honestly I love the Schon shafts made in the era of your STL-10, and I'm kicking myself for selling all of my nineties vintage Schon shafts.
As far as the Predator 314-3, I've heard good things about them, but I know what you're talking about with the spin control issue.

Sounds to me like you need a good Schon shafts with a good tip.
Also ive never liked whatever tip Schon uses.
Some lepro looking thing.
 

cuesblues

cue accumulator
Silver Member
I still have the original Schon shaft. It deflects a bit too much for me.


I see

The OB2 and OB pro are considered "ultra low" deflection, but they are 11.75

I see why you liked the Z shaft, which is similar.

You need conical tapered shaft made to the diameter you want.
I don't think a pro taper is for you, and the LD's have the 11.75 tip.

I would buy (I can help you) an OB XL with a conical taper, and the tip you like
They are 13.25
Just one option
There are others but I've never researched them.
Probably one out there 12.75-13.00 mms

Not into turning down any shaft.
 

M.G.

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Worth a try: Mezz WX900 is a one piece maple with 12mm tip,is quite LD (better than wx700) and has conical taper.


Personally, I really like to go slimmer, but that's just me - I'd rather say dont go over 12.75 as you'll loose LD properties fast and playing with finesse gets more difficult.
 

Keith E.

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Jonas,

I'm dropping one vote here for the Samsara TruShaft in 12.75mm. Also,

It's possible that you may be able to check around and find a seller/distributor that has a test drive period, with conditions of course. Good Luck with your search.

Keith
 

Jonas111

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I see

The OB2 and OB pro are considered "ultra low" deflection, but they are 11.75

I see why you liked the Z shaft, which is similar.

You need conical tapered shaft made to the diameter you want.
I don't think a pro taper is for you, and the LD's have the 11.75 tip.

I would buy (I can help you) an OB XL with a conical taper, and the tip you like
They are 13.25
Just one option
There are others but I've never researched them.
Probably one out there 12.75-13.00 mms

Not into turning down any shaft.

Thank you for this. I really do appreciate the knowledge and help.

The thing I disliked most of the 314/3 was the conical taper. I really do like the pro taper best. Can I ask why you think I would like conical over pro taper?

Now from what I am learning here, it appears I’m going to have to go with a smaller tip to get what I want. The Z shaft has a smaller tip and I really don’t dislike it. It’s just different then what I’m used too. I can get used to a smaller tip if I get the hit and deflection I’m looking for.

So that being said I would like to take you up on your offer on helping to get me the right shaft. I feel I most likely will be buying more then one just to try them. Unfortunately.

I’ve emailed OB to ask there opinion and hopefully they will work with me a bit.
 

Jonas111

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Worth a try: Mezz WX900 is a one piece maple with 12mm tip,is quite LD (better than wx700) and has conical taper.


Personally, I really like to go slimmer, but that's just me - I'd rather say dont go over 12.75 as you'll loose LD properties fast and playing with finesse gets more difficult.

I’m learning a fair amount quickly here. The shaft will lose some of its deflection with the bigger tip? This might be exactly why I don’t fully like my original 314. It’s a 13mm tip.

Why is it the larger tip loses some of its LD properties?

I’m know I would want a pro taper and I am flexible with the tip size.

Thanks for helping
 

SC02GTP

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Jacoby Edge is a decent shaft that may fit what you need.

I have an old Universal shaft that I could sell for around 125.00 shipped. It is somewhat LD and has a good feel.
 

garczar

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
You might want to look at BD Cues SS360 and Jacoby EdgeHybrid shafts also. As for OB, i had the Classic+ on a steel-joint cue and it played great. Way more feedback(and better sounding) than any Predator i've ever tried.
 

M.G.

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Why is it the larger tip loses some of its LD properties?

I’m know I would want a pro taper and I am flexible with the tip size.

In short, it's all about the end mass of your shaft, and in general the bigger the tip the more mass you have.
Now you need to read this :) :
http://billiards.colostate.edu/threads/cue.html#low_squirt

As for pro taper - Cuetec makes a really great pro taper on their R360 cues. But you cannot buy a shaft that fits your cue, they only do 3/8x14.

Most slimmer shafts have a conical taper, or a mixed/combined one.
For an open bridge there really is nothing better than a conical taper, the aim improves greatly and it slides smoother (no more whipping!).

I really suggest you try out a few shafts. It's very hard to choose. Ask a few buddies or visit a store nearby!
And, go a slim as you can, the LD properties really improve!

Last suggestion: Katana shafts, they are similar to Tiger. They do 12,5 and 11,5mm

Cheers and good luck,
M
 

gregoryda

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Another LD alternative, since you like the pro taper is the S-Tuned Z3 Shaft from Seyberts.

"Seyberts Billiards Supply has custom created a pro-tapered Predator Z-3 shaft. The custom built Predator Z-3 S-Tuned (Seyberts Tuned Shaft) starts with the popular Predator Z-3 partial shaft. (a finished Predator Z-3 shaft without a joint). The Predator Z-3 partial standard Conical Hybrid taper is then modified by our specialist to that of the popular pro taper. This provides the user a longer taper as available on the Predator 314-3 shafts but with the smaller tip diameter (11.85mm) offered by the Z-3."
 
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