A few questions about Predator Shafts

S

Sire380

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I know I know, this subject has been talked to death but nevertheless...

1. Where is a reliable place to order my predator shaft from?

2. Is the taper the same on all of the predators or do they vary? I mean could the vary from one 314 to another or from one Z to another?

3. Would I be able to get one with a smaller shaft diameter like 12.75 if I wanted? And what is the standard diameter on a 314 and Z shaft?

4. What is the overall consensus? 314 or Z shaft?

5. Do the ferrule lengths vary on the 314 and the Z shafts?

6. What is the best tip to put on a predator?
 
1. Contact Steve at www.thewinningstroke.com. Great guy and he had great customer service.

2. Every shaft is the same as the next per category. Each 314 has the same taper as another 314.

3. 12.75 is the standard size for a 314-2.

4. I play the Z2. But I like both. Depends on which taper and tip size you are comfortable with. Both play well.

5. 314 has a longer ferrule than a Z.

6. Tips are preferencial. Of the standard options available Moori is a good bet.

Most specs are available at www.predatorcues.com. Anything else send me a pm.
 
1. Where is a reliable place to order my predator shaft from?

ALOT ALOT ALOT of stores online. Ebay has some under $200. JJcue has good deals. Used may be an option, I picked up an extra 314 for less than $100 the other day.

2. Is the taper the same on all of the predators or do they vary? I mean could the vary from one 314 to another or from one Z to another?

I would say the same.

3. Would I be able to get one with a smaller shaft diameter like 12.75 if I wanted? And what is the standard diameter on a 314 and Z shaft?

I like the 314 and it is 12.75. I have other cues at 13mm and I swear it feels alot bigger to me, but maybe just me...the Z taper is WAY to small, I could never use it.

4. What is the overall consensus? 314 or Z shaft?

Again, if you like the small taper/tip go with the Z. 314 is more traditional.

5. Do the ferrule lengths vary on the 314 and the Z shafts?

Dont know.
6. What is the best tip to put on a predator?

I like the Moori Hard, I had it until literally there was no layers left on it, put a sniper on it, had trouble with the soft hit, but seems to have settled in after about 10 hrs play.
 
IMO Best place to buy and FASTEST shipping is Nielsen's Billiards (Find him on ebay) Everything I've ordered from him has shipped out the same day and usually arrives in about 2 days! Great personal attention as opposed to some of the larger companies. Also he won't sell you a 2nd grade shaft, I know from experience (I've owned 5 Predator shafts) he sells 1st grade, top quality.
 
150shot said:
4. What is the overall consensus? 314 or Z shaft?
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Go to the Predator web site and find the dealer location closest to you. You should try them both to find the one that works best for you.

Keep in mind that the first generation shafts are being phased out. Go for the more advanced second generation shafts.
 
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Try the OB-1..... I have shot with nothing but predator in the past but after I got the OB-1 my predator has not seen the cloth in a week. It was a bit tough to get used to at first but I'm already back to winning tournaments. The puppy ccan really grab:D
 
PoolSharkAllen said:
Go to the Predator web site and find the dealer location closest to you. You should try them both to find the one that works best for you.

Keep in mind that the first generation shafts are being phased out. Go for the more advanced second generation shafts.
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Yeah, I'll definitely go with the second generation shafts. Thanks
 
what about somewhere like Billiard warehouse? They have a 30 day trial period or your money back on predator shafts. You can even chalk the tip.
 
Both Billiard Warehouse and Neilsen's are great to order from. Personally I give a slight edge to Neilsen's due to their attentiveness and customer services.

As far as the tapers, I have actually found a fair amount of differences from shaft to shaft. They're all relatively similar, but I've bought numerous 314 shafts and they varied in both taper and tip size. I don't know if they're more consistent with the Second Generation shafts though.
 
1. Where is a reliable place to order my predator shaft from?

Consider ordering a partial shaft and having it custom fitted to your cue. That's what I did including having matching rings installed from an old shaft. If you PM me, I can put you in touch with the right people for the entire job. It will only cost from $30 to $50 more than a standard shaft, you'll have the cue back in a week, it will be done the right way and the joint fit will be superior.


2. Is the taper the same on all of the predators or do they vary? I mean could the vary from one 314 to another or from one Z to another?

I have two 314-2's ordered at diferent times from different sources - and they are nearly the same. The weight varies by a few tenths as does the shaft diameter. Now with electronic calipers, we see these minute differences, but any real difference can usually be found in the player's imagination.

3. Would I be able to get one with a smaller shaft diameter like 12.75 if I wanted? And what is the standard diameter on a 314 and Z shaft?

The 314-2 is about 12.75. Anybody can sand it down for you. They will also wear down a bit over time. I would leave it alone. There is some play time adjustment period anyway - it took me about 3 weeks until I felt really confident with the new shafts because my old one was so worn out. Once I adjusted, I felt my game went up a little.
4. What is the overall consensus? 314 or Z shaft?

I haven't tried a Z, but I am 100% happy with the 314-2 so I see no reason to mess with it.5.

Do the ferrule lengths vary on the 314 and the Z shafts?

Each has a standard ferrule they come with - there are no choices in this regard.

6. What is the best tip to put on a predator?

The choices are Everest or Moori, but I like the Sniper the best for the long haul.

Chris
 
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Nielsen's Billiards

Tim5000 said:
IMO Best place to buy and FASTEST shipping is Nielsen's Billiards (Find him on ebay) Everything I've ordered from him has shipped out the same day and usually arrives in about 2 days! Great personal attention as opposed to some of the larger companies. Also he won't sell you a 2nd grade shaft, I know from experience (I've owned 5 Predator shafts) he sells 1st grade, top quality.
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I second this. I just ordered 2 predator shafts from Nielsen's Billiards and they were shipped the same day I ordered them and his prices are near the best if not the best you will find. Joe and his wife are great to deal with and their customer service is second to none......

Joe Nielsen
Nielsens Billiards
2601 Taylor Avenue
Springfield, IL 62703
Phone 217-585-1660
Fax 217-585-8077

Ebay: Joerackem
Ebay store link: www.joerackem.com
 
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1. X

2. The 314-2 has a pro taper. The Z-2 a conic taper. Don't think there is differences between the same type of shaft. Might got some little not noticeable differences.

3. 314-2 got 12.75 and Z got 11.75. Like all the shaft, it's always possible to sand the ferrule/tip to a smaller diameter.

4. The Z-2 shaft got lesser deflection than the 314-2, but most of the peoples like the 314-2 because of the pro taper. Personally, I prefer the Z-2 shaft more. It's also harder to play with a Z-2 shaft. You should always try a shaft like a Z-2 shaft, before buying a Z-2 one.

5. 314-2 got 0.6" long ferrule. Z-2 got 0.4" long ferrule.

6. The Moori M is widely used, can't go wrong with this one. You can consider using a Tiger Sniper, It's a little harder and is more consistent. The Moori M mushroom too much. When you playing once a week, you need to change a Moori M tip between every 0.5-1 year, depending how much and long you play ofcourse. With a Tiger Sniper, you can easily play 1-1,5 year.
 
SCCues said:
I second this. I just ordered 2 predator shafts from Nielsen's Billiards and they were shipped the same day I ordered them and his prices are near the best if not the best you will find. Joe and his wife are great to deal with and their customer service is second to none......

Joe Nielsen
Nielsens Billiards
2601 Taylor Avenue
Springfield, IL 62703
Phone 217-585-1660
Fax 217-585-8077

Ebay: Joerackem
Ebay store link: www.joerackem.com
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Joe is the best, period. If you email him and tell him what you want and your from the forum, he will give you a better deal. And it will be there in a flash.

Mike
 
WesleyW said:
1. X

..

6. The Moori M is widely used, can't go wrong with this one. You can consider using a Tiger Sniper, It's a little harder and is more consistent. The Moori M mushroom too much. When you playing once a week, you need to change a Moori M tip between every 0.5-1 year, depending how much and long you play ofcourse. With a Tiger Sniper, you can easily play 1-1,5 year.
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Actually the Moori M is harder than the Sniper. The Sniper is softer, but if put on properly will not mushroom. A good compromise is the Everest. The Everest seems to play real well on my 314-2's, as does the Kamui. All are great tips and will work well, depending on your taste in tips.

Mike
 
I have been doing cue repairs for at least 25 years. I have never found a better marriage than a predator shaft and a moori tip MED. You can not beet it.
 
JT's cuerepair said:
I have been doing cue repairs for at least 25 years. I have never found a better marriage than a predator shaft and a moori tip MED. You can not beet it.
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Then tomorrow you very much need to make it a point to try a 314-2 with a Micarta or Grice ferrule & a Sniper tip. The plastic & Moori won't be nearly so great.;)
 
Deadon said:
Actually the Moori M is harder than the Sniper. The Sniper is softer, but if put on properly will not mushroom. A good compromise is the Everest. The Everest seems to play real well on my 314-2's, as does the Kamui. All are great tips and will work well, depending on your taste in tips.

Mike
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When you measure the hardness, the Moori M is harder, that's true. But when playing, the Sniper plays and sounds harder. I know, a lot of peoples aren't agree with me, but that's my personal opinion.

I like the soft playing of the Moori M, but when I got to choose between the Moori M and Sniper, I will go for the Sniper. After playing a few times with a Moori M, the tip was totally flat. I don't like to sand/reshape the Moori M everytime, when playing. My Sniper is after playing a few times, still in good shape.
 
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