314 shaft

[Blue Hog ridr]

I have a customer that bought a 314 shaft in Vegas. He realized later that he got a 30" shaft and doesn't like it.

Is it possible to take an inch off the top or not considering the hollow core and filler?
Thanks,
Terry.

 

[KJ Cues]

OK, one more time for the masses; there is NO foam core in Predator shafts.
The foam core resides in the OB-1 & OB-2 shafts, NOT Predator.

Now, to your question.
You don't want to touch the front-end except to change the tip.
Modify it in any way, shape or form and you'll void the warranty.
Warranty issues aside, any shortening of the shaft at the front-end will have very detrimental effects on the L/D characteristics of the shaft.

Before the obvious escapes us, why not shorten the shaft at the joint-end?
Trust me, that's considerably easier than what you're suggesting. Actually, it's cake if you know what you're doing. Worst case scenario, you're out an insert. The ring-work should remain intact.
Is there some restricting obstacle that would prevent you from doing the work at the joint-end?

 

[Blue Hog ridr]

Thanks KJ, I knew you'd jump in here.
Thats what I suspected, that messing with the tip end could possibly be detrimental to the L/D characteristics.

It has a black collar on the joint end. His Z shaft is plain wood as his butt is the wood to wood sneaky so if he lost the collar it probably wouldn't bother him. I don't have any inserts but am going to do an order with Atlas soon so can get a few.

Thanks KJ.

 

[KJ Cues]

My pleasure, that's what I'm here for.
Not everyone knows Predators like I do. After 10+ yrs of doing them, you tend to pick things up and I certainly don't mind sharing what I know about them. I believe it will help a lot of repair guys in the long run. They just gotta quit buying into all the misinformation. People will tell you the craziest things.

Anyway, I'm a little more interested in your project.
What insert does it have in it now and what's it going on?
You're probably going to lose the logo in the cut. No biggie, I got you covered.
You may lose a few thou. in dia. going up an inch but if it's not outrageous, you can make it up with finish. Either that or you can whack down the dia. of his handle's joint (just kidding, don't touch his handle except to get jnt. dia. and final fit).

You'll lose the blk. phenolic chunk at the jnt. end but be mindful that there is still a stem of that same phenolic that runs another 1-1/2" into the shaft. That can stay and I suggest that you leave it. It's of sufficient dia. to support just about any insert you want to install.

If you run into any snags, give me a shout.
BTW, you could have dropped me a PM. I'm not so busy that I wouldn't have time for you. Especially when a Predator's involved.

 

[McChen]

i think the foam core thing is also perpetuated by that fact that there is a small foam plug at the tip end of the bore, which is shown in several of the cutaways in predator's ads. but it is just a very small plug, it does NOT fill the entire hole. it's there simply to prevent random debris from getting into the hole during the manufacturing process.

 

[KJ Cues]

i think the foam core thing is also perpetuated by that fact that there is a small foam plug at the tip end of the bore, which is shown in several of the cutaways in predator's ads. but it is just a very small plug, it does NOT fill the entire hole. it's there simply to prevent random debris from getting into the hole during the manufacturing process.

This is absolutely correct and a treat for me to hear that someone else actually understands that. The foam pad is only 1/16" or so thick and it's purpose is to prevent the introduction of debris to the hollow section.
Carrying this sub-topic a bit further, once the hollow is formed, the interior wall is 'swabbed' with and epoxy type sealant to prevent any remaining 'burr' or wood dust (or whatever) from the interior wall, from collecting in the hollow.
The hollow, in effect, can become a resonance chamber. Given the vibration that's going on in the front-end of the shaft when striking the QB, any debris in the hollow/chamber would likely create a 'buzz'.

Kudos to you Gary.