Balance of a Cue?

dom_poppa

dom_poppa

Banned
Can someone explain to me what is the correct balance of a cue? I know it can be subjective but there is an actual formula for this. I believe we can use the Center of Gravity formula.

If we proceed to measure a cue from it's balance point to each sides. Should a cue be built to these exact points?

Any cue builders want to elaborate how they get their balance? Or is it a term that nobody understands and if it shoots well or if Builder A built it, then it's automatically good?

I have played with cues back heavy and ones with too much weight in the front. Most hardly noticeable. So what is the proper balance? It's good as long as you don't feel too heavy or too light one each side?...is that the answer?

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/cm.html
 
Why take all the fun out of the many different cue makers who feel their process is the world's best???
First, is the cue cored or not? and so on and so on. Truth is, unless all the shooters in the world become prototypes themselves, how can you ask for a one and overall prototype cue design. I've had many folks come to select a cue with the old bar cue stamped weight in mind and start shooting with cues. I have no weights or descriptions on cues I sell. I have practice shafts they can use and when they find a cue that works for them, we then look at that brand and go from there. They usually are shocked at the overall weight of the cue as the balance points are so different from the different manufacturers that they just took the first step into the world of what cue design will work for them. They may come in wanting a 21 ounce cue and leave with a 18 ounce, but, that manufactures cue is balanced in a way that feels comfortable for them. It would be dreadful to have an exact robotic balance point that all manufactures would have to adhere to. My opinion only of course, but, if the joint is a wood to wood or a inserted piece, there goes the robotic balance point right there. I hope we never get to the point where something comes of a standard. That's why I sell Schon, Joss, Jacoby, Mcdermotts, Vikings, Meucci's, Erwins, Pechauers, OB Shafts and so on. Sorry for the self advertising, but, trying to bolster my opinion.
 
worktheknight said:
Why take all the fun out of the many different cue makers who feel their process is the world's best???
First, is the cue cored or not? and so on and so on. Truth is, unless all the shooters in the world become prototypes themselves, how can you ask for a one and overall prototype cue design. I've had many folks come to select a cue with the old bar cue stamped weight in mind and start shooting with cues. I have no weights or descriptions on cues I sell. I have practice shafts they can use and when they find a cue that works for them, we then look at that brand and go from there. They usually are shocked at the overall weight of the cue as the balance points are so different from the different manufacturers that they just took the first step into the world of what cue design will work for them. They may come in wanting a 21 ounce cue and leave with a 18 ounce, but, that manufactures cue is balanced in a way that feels comfortable for them. It would be dreadful to have an exact robotic balance point that all manufactures would have to adhere to. My opinion only of course, but, if the joint is a wood to wood or a inserted piece, there goes the robotic balance point right there. I hope we never get to the point where something comes of a standard. That's why I sell Schon, Joss, Jacoby, Mcdermotts, Vikings, Meucci's, Erwins, Pechauers, OB Shafts and so on. Sorry for the self advertising, but, trying to bolster my opinion.
Click to expand...

Good insight.

The reasons why I ask is because if we filter all the things from certain cues it would make the learning curve that much more easy with said cue. I consider myself a pretty good pool player, ranked 8 and 9 in leagues, don't know what that means except that it's good from what others have said. I don't play leagues.

Getting back to the point, there needs to be somewhat of a standard because what feels good to a builder may not feel good to a player.

I would hate to not play with a certain builder's cue based off of what others think feels good or not. I guess we may never know. The point is, I have heard Builder A builds better than Builder B due to balance. I don't know what that means.

What I'm trying to say is what if I had a cue built to my specs but the balance felt way off to me. I don't want to lose money and dump it off to the other guy, whom may not like it as well.

I get the artistic side of a pool cue. That can be judged to a certain extent but the all important part, playability.
 
dom_poppa said:
Can someone explain to me what is the correct balance of a cue? I know it can be subjective but there is an actual formula for this. I believe we can use the Center of Gravity formula.

If we proceed to measure a cue from it's balance point to each sides. Should a cue be built to these exact points?

Any cue builders want to elaborate how they get their balance? Or is it a term that nobody understands and if it shoots well or if Builder A built it, then it's automatically good?

I have played with cues back heavy and ones with too much weight in the front. Most hardly noticeable. So what is the proper balance? It's good as long as you don't feel too heavy or too light one each side?...is that the answer?

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/cm.html
Click to expand...

Here is a post I made on that issue a while ago:
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showpost.php?p=1585027&postcount=5
 
mikepage said:
Here is a post I made on that issue a while ago:
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showpost.php?p=1585027&postcount=5
Click to expand...

Thanks for the replay but your room is gorgeous.

I need a bucket a list of places to play and yours is one of them.

1ypq9v.jpg


Any more pics of the place? I just got this pic from your YT.
 
A lot of it has to do with the woods used also. Some are more dense than others, therefore weighing more. This can change the balance point a lot.
 
Normally you will find cues made by a quality cue maker will have the same balance points as that is what they believe best. They will adjust those points for a custom order if requested. Some players prefer a forward balanced cue (me) and some prefer a more rear balanced cue. As far as materials go it really doesn't matter as the cue maker will adjust the components to balance the weights. This is one reason some dense woods like cocobolo and ebony are cored. A quality cue maker will weigh and calculate all the components to set the balance.
 
dom_poppa said:
Can someone explain to me what is the correct balance of a cue?
Click to expand...

The cue should feel good in both hands. Good at the stroke end, and good at the bridging end, too. When teh cue is held at the standard grip position, the shaft should rest lightly on the bridge fingers, lightly enough that just a touch of grip will lift it off the bridge fingers.

I don't like metal joints because they tend to make the cue too tip heavy for my likings.
 
the standard balance point is one third of the way up from the butt. it doesnt matter what the wood is or the length or thickness.

some like the balance point moved forward a tiny bit. but much more or less doesnt work well.
 
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