AE-O shaft
- Thread starter ratcues
- Start date
She was boring a hole in the front but Predator gave her a slap on the wrist for doing it.
Here is a quote from Annie from 2001:
I have read much in this NG about the possible importance of reducing the front end mass (FEM) of the shaft in order to reduce squirt. NOT being a scientist or an engineer, though I have spent most of my working life in engineering environments with companies like Bechtel, Brown & Root, Texaco Engineering Division, Telepsen... I decided to try to make a shaft with less FEM and test it. I was amazed to discover in my own experiments that it works.
1) I took the taper measurements from a Predator shaft and a Southwest, plotted them, and "graphed" a taper between the two. I use the CNC to cut the tapers so each shaft has almost the identical taper. "Almost" only because final sanding does make minor changes. I chose these two shafts because I like both tapers for playing and felt that a median taper [between the two] would be a good choice for me to use.
2) To reduce FEM I have bored a 4.5" x 0.25" dia. core in the tip end of the shaft.
3) To further decrease FEM, I bore out the cap on the Aegis II ferrule and tap it.
My tests, albeit all done by hand as I don't have a mechanism for insured repeatability, indicate that this results in much less cue ball squirt than shafts which are constructed differently. Many local players here have tested and play with the shaft and the feedback thus far has been positive and supportive of this claim.
It is certainly not my intention to make any "wild" claims about the shaft's playability, so I just decided to call it AO Technology, charge $25.00 extra and let the shaft speak for itself.
As an addendum: I played with one for about 6 months, found it to have almost identical playing characteristics of a Predator. However, having said that, and at the risk of opening a can of worms, I'll share that I still play with my Predator shaft. I have been playing with the Predator shaft for almost 7 years now and I guess old habits are hard to break.
Hope this helps,
Annie
I have read much in this NG about the possible importance of reducing the front end mass (FEM) of the shaft in order to reduce squirt. NOT being a scientist or an engineer, though I have spent most of my working life in engineering environments with companies like Bechtel, Brown & Root, Texaco Engineering Division, Telepsen... I decided to try to make a shaft with less FEM and test it. I was amazed to discover in my own experiments that it works.
1) I took the taper measurements from a Predator shaft and a Southwest, plotted them, and "graphed" a taper between the two. I use the CNC to cut the tapers so each shaft has almost the identical taper. "Almost" only because final sanding does make minor changes. I chose these two shafts because I like both tapers for playing and felt that a median taper [between the two] would be a good choice for me to use.
2) To reduce FEM I have bored a 4.5" x 0.25" dia. core in the tip end of the shaft.
3) To further decrease FEM, I bore out the cap on the Aegis II ferrule and tap it.
My tests, albeit all done by hand as I don't have a mechanism for insured repeatability, indicate that this results in much less cue ball squirt than shafts which are constructed differently. Many local players here have tested and play with the shaft and the feedback thus far has been positive and supportive of this claim.
It is certainly not my intention to make any "wild" claims about the shaft's playability, so I just decided to call it AO Technology, charge $25.00 extra and let the shaft speak for itself.
As an addendum: I played with one for about 6 months, found it to have almost identical playing characteristics of a Predator. However, having said that, and at the risk of opening a can of worms, I'll share that I still play with my Predator shaft. I have been playing with the Predator shaft for almost 7 years now and I guess old habits are hard to break.
Hope this helps,
Annie
Followed shortly by this reply from Allan McCarty:
"Dear Annie,
We noticed on RSB that you are boring the front of your shafts. You may not
know that we have a patent on this technology U.S. Patent: 6162128
We are protected from anybody putting a bore or hole in the front of a
shaft. We also feel this patent is a very important asset to our company and
will defend it vigorously.
If it had been anyone else I would have had my attorney contact you.
Please immediately stop boring your shafts and advertising for sale any
shafts that are. I am hoping no legal action is necessary.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.
Regards,
Allan McCarty
President
Predator Products"
"Dear Annie,
We noticed on RSB that you are boring the front of your shafts. You may not
know that we have a patent on this technology U.S. Patent: 6162128
We are protected from anybody putting a bore or hole in the front of a
shaft. We also feel this patent is a very important asset to our company and
will defend it vigorously.
If it had been anyone else I would have had my attorney contact you.
Please immediately stop boring your shafts and advertising for sale any
shafts that are. I am hoping no legal action is necessary.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.
Regards,
Allan McCarty
President
Predator Products"