A friend tells me the Z shafts are merely the blemished 314 shafts that they've turned down, with a new taper and ferrule. Any validity to this claim?
StevenPWaldon said:A friend tells me the Z shafts are merely the blemished 314 shafts that they've turned down, with a new taper and ferrule. Any validity to this claim?
Jude Rosenstock said:.. As for your claim, that would be nearly impossible since the Z-shaft isn't smaller than the 314.
shinyballs said:The Z shaft tip is smaller, so why wouldn't the z shaft taper be smaller also?
The tip on the 314 is 12.75 and the tip on the Z is 11.75.
Jude Rosenstock said:I've spoken with Predator a few times on the subject and that would be completely contradictory to what they've said. The Z-Shaft is an entirely different product which was designed shortly after the 314 was invented. The reason why it wasn't introduced until recently had to do with the success of the 314. As for your claim, that would be nearly impossible since the Z-shaft isn't smaller than the 314. When working with wood, you can only change the shape of a shaft by subtraction so in your scenario, the Z-Shaft would have to be smaller. There are certain places on the shaft where that is the case but overall, the dimensions are completely different.
Predator DOES sell shafts that are not up to spec. These are distinguishable by a black ring found above the collar right above the logo. Since I don't know exactly what their requirements are for what is up to spec and what isn't, I cannot tell you what the differences may be. I do know I've seen these shafts and cannot find a difference in normal play. In fact, one UPA touring pro I know uses a black-ringed shaft and found that it played perfectly.
scottycoyote said:i just assumed the z was thinner too......QUOTE]
Attached is a very rough diagram highlighting the difference by exaggerating the proportions. The area in the red circle is actually wider on the Z shaft due the constant taper than it is on a regular "Pro" taper shaft. This is one reason US players need to be wary of such shafts as they are not as well suited to being used with a closed loop bridge. Schuler have sold such shafts for years and use the term "Finger relief" to describe this effect.
In fact if you continue to make the diameter of the tip smaller but use the same size at the joint on the butt the effect will get more and more noticable. Snooker cues have slimmer butts and joints than US Pool cue and much smaller tips (8-10mm) with a constant taper like the Z shaft. Almost no-one plays with a Snooker cue using a closed bridge.
StevenPWaldon said:Regarding the black ring/not-to-spec 314 shafts, I believe these are mostly cosmetic blemishes that normally people would be too finicky to use. Structurally they're sound, so I can see why a pro would still have confidence using them.
Regarding the size, however, I was under the impression that the Zs are all around thinner than the 314s; is this wrong?
S.
StevenPWaldon said:Regarding the black ring/not-to-spec 314 shafts, I believe these are mostly cosmetic blemishes that normally people would be too finicky to use. Structurally they're sound, so I can see why a pro would still have confidence using them.
Regarding the size, however, I was under the impression that the Zs are all around thinner than the 314s; is this wrong?
S.
Jude Rosenstock said:Yes, I'm under the same impression. I don't believe Predator would sell something that they would classify as defective. It must be cosmetic.
scottycoyote said:thanks for the clarification aunty......so the thinner tip will give you more spin similar to a snooker cue....and i suppose the thicker shaft would mean less deflection, the downside being it may mess with your closed bridge, which sounds like it possibly would.......interestingggg