Best Shaft Thickness???

M

Melbatoast

New member
I am having a cue made and I am on the fence about how thick I want the shaft......12.5,12.75,13,etc.??? I don't like deflection but, like to be able to put a little mustard on it if I have to. I am just curious as to what the best overall average size is and what most "players" play with. I like a relativily stiff cue, medium tips, 19 oz., 59.5" and my current cue is between 12.9 and 13. I just don't want to have my new cue made too small or too big. When I play with something under 12.5 I hate it but, wonder if 13 is too big. I play a pretty reserved and basic game and don't care about being flashy or doing crazy things with the cue ball.(unless I have to) I hope this makes sense and would appreciate any thoughts or advice.
p.s. the cue I am having made is a Josey which is pretty stiff to begin with.
 
Personally my favorite are 12.5mm tips with stiff taper on the shaft. I think it's largely a matter or personal choice.
 
You can always go smaller, but you can't go thicker. I'd probably have them cut at 13mm and if, after playing for a few weeks, you don't like them, have them taken down. Josey will probably only charge you $20 per shaft.

I really like 12.8, but I know people who like 12.3 all the way up to 13.2....matter of preference.
 
I prefer a 12.25. Just preference, I came from a Z2 so this seems like a good compromise as I wanted something thicker.
 
12.75

Kind of hard to go against the 12.75 standard that Predator and OB use. Ive got one that has be worn down to 12.2-12.5 range and is ready for replacing. I think it is a good size to stick with and seems as close to a standard aside for the stock 13mm as youre going to find.
 
It sounds like you don't know what you like. You don't like <12.5m but you don't know if 13 is too fat??? You don't want too big or too small. You want some mustard yet you don't care about being flashy. This is all about you not understanding yourself. Honestly, how can anyone give you an answer that's best FOR YOU? I think you should wait on buying a new cue. It's way too early for you to commit.

Also, stiffness comes from the shaft taper and quality of the shaft wood.
 
Last edited:
as a younger player with diamond like vision i favored an 11mm 18"inch pro taper, i soon changed to 12.25mm 16"inch pro taper, currently use 12.75mm to 13mm 14" inch pro taper, always used mature maple wood :)
 
Last edited:
I actually think it would be better if you took your mind off the thickness of the shafts for two main reasons.
It appears that because you seem to be open to a variety of diameters, you most likely don't have a favorable diameter and probably aren't sure what you want.
Secondly, a thinner shaft doesn't always mean less deflection, and a thicker shaft doesn't always mean having the ability to put more 'mustard' on the cb.
I've played with cues and shafts that had more deflection with what I consider a thinner shaft, and I've seen the opposite. I've also seen thinner shafts that juice the CB really well with power to boot, but I've also seen the effect with thicker shafts.
All this means, is that each piece of wood you get is gonna be different in feel and what it does with the CB. It's really not something you can set a spec for and achieve exact desired characteristics.
Start with a full shaft, and adjust from there. You might be suprised.
dave
 
My current Josey shaft is 12.75mm, and my Josey order is 12.75mm shafts too. His taper is pretty stiff at 12.75. I wouldn't go below that if you are not used to it, you can always ask Keith to turn it down later. :wink:
 
perspicaz said:
My current Josey shaft is 12.75mm, and my Josey order is 12.75mm shafts too. His taper is pretty stiff at 12.75. I wouldn't go below that if you are not used to it, you can always ask Keith to turn it down later. :wink:
Click to expand...

yeah you can always take the shaft down but it's pretty hard to make 'em thicker. once it's done it tends to stay done
 
Melba, no one really cares for deflection, but it's just one of those pesky little annoyances we all have to put up with. Kind of like small dogs and mother-in-laws. My advice is to get yourself a Predator 'Fat' shaft. You'll thank me later.
As to the mustard, I've always been partial to a sweet brown, but hey, that's just me. :)
 
jersey jer said:
Best Shaft Thickness???

Depends on the chick.


C'mon. Nobody else? Didn't think this would be the first one: )
Click to expand...

You seriously don't think AZBilliards got to be one of the most respected forums in the field with comments from the gutter, do you? The person asked a question and for the most part, everyone treats them as if the question was a serious one.

A little fun now and again is fine. But, from the laugh box and from the gutter are two different forums. You might be in the wrong one.

Even though attitudes and egos sometimes fly here, too, respect is most often the right direction to go.

Looks like you've been on here long enough to know all that. But, I figured I'd give you the benefit of the doubt and share. See ya around the forum. :)
 
As others pointed out, its a matter of preference. Play with what you feel comfortable. If you like your current shaft, stick with it. Just remember, shaft size is just one parameter, as shafts of the same size can feel different because of the taper.

If you're obsessed, get a set of calipers or get this guage from Muellers

http://www.poolndarts.com/p-6119-Tip-Gauge/
 
JesPiddlin said:
You seriously don't think AZBilliards got to be one of the most respected forums in the field with comments from the gutter, do you? The person asked a question and for the most part, everyone treats them as if the question was a serious one.

A little fun now and again is fine. But, from the laugh box and from the gutter are two different forums. You might be in the wrong one.

Even though attitudes and egos sometimes fly here, too, respect is most often the right direction to go.

Looks like you've been on here long enough to know all that. But, I figured I'd give you the benefit of the doubt and share. See ya around the forum. :)
Click to expand...

Yes I've been around for quite a while(longer under a previous username)
My actual intent was to post that with an answer too, but work got in the way.
I understand what u mean. But this is an overkill of a reply espousing the virtues of this particular internet forum, which one could argue, is infamous for one liners of the"ball,shaft,stroke" variety. And they have been posted by some the "more respected" members of this esteemed internet watering hole on innumerable occasions.
I posted nothing profane. I did nothing out of bounds. Per your own comments a Lil fun is OK... if you consider this relatively innocent comment offensive that's fine. It your opinion. Just rember to kept yourself safe from gutter talk while on the Interwebs, cause it shows up here more than your post implies. I am responding to this as your post seems to imply i do this habbitually. Anyway, no harm no foul im not offended by your post. Yup see ya around jes.
 
Last edited:
jersey jer said:
Yes I've been around for quite a while(longer under a previous username)
My actual intent was to post that with an answer too, but work got in the way.
I understand what u mean. But this is an overkill of a reply espousing the virtues of this particular internet forum, which one could argue, is infamous for one liners of the"ball,shaft,stroke" variety. And they have been posted by some the "more respected" members of this esteemed internet watering hole on innumerable occasions.
I posted nothing profane. I did nothing out of bounds. Per your own comments a Lil fun is OK... if you consider this relatively innocent comment offensive that's fine. It your opinion. Just rember to kept yourself safe from gutter talk while on the Interwebs, cause it shows up here more than your post implies. Yup see ya around jes.
Click to expand...

I do know about intending to post a follow-up message and not getting to. I've had that happen, before. I know the forum is not all g-rated. I just had to respond to your comment. Your NEW username is not so old and had a little over 100 posts. Yes, everyone gets a little goofy once in a while, or posts something a little off-color. And, there are a few battles fought in these here "forum walls." But, in general, if you've been here a good while, you know exactly what I was trying to say.

Even though things get a little crazy, once in a while, it is the devotion to keeping this a pool-focused forum that has kept it from becoming the ugly gutter it could be. I am glad the folks "up front" have been so dedicated, because I really enjoy the people and the friendships I've found here. Learned a lot about pool and it's players, too.

Thank you for not taking my comments as any more than they were meant to be. I always appreciate that. It's not always easy to say what you mean to say, when you're having to write it, instead. It's been a good while since I spent time on this forum and I'm having a heck of a time getting my "words" back. :eek:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top